Learning Through Two Languages

This volume consists of a collection of papers that focus on structural/grammatical aspects of the process of first language attrition. It presents an overview of current research, methodological issues and important questions regarding first language attrition. In particular, it addresses the two most prominent issues in current L1 attrition research: Can attrition effects impact on features of core syntax, or are they limited to interface phenomena?, and; What is the role of age at onset (pre-/post-puberty) in this regard? By investigating attrition in a variety of settings, from a case study of a Spanish-speaking adoptee in the US to an empirical investigation of more than 50 long-term attriters of Turkish in the Netherlands, the investigations presented take a new perspective on these issues. Originally published in Language, Interaction and Acquisition - Langage, Interaction et Acquisition 2:2 (2011).

Until recently, the history of debates about language and thought has been a history of thinking of language in the singular. The purpose of this volume is to reverse this trend and to begin unlocking the mysteries surrounding thinking and speaking in bi- and multilingual speakers. If languages influence the way we think, what happens to those who speak more than one language? And if they do not, how can we explain the difficulties second language learners experience in mapping new words and structures onto real-world referents? The contributors to this volume put forth a novel approach to second language learning, presenting it as a process that involves conceptual development and restructuring, and not simply the mapping of new forms onto pre-existing meanings.

"The authors deliver a passionate, practical, and loving approach to teaching children whose first language is other than English. This is a source of both inspiration and practical strategies for those educating our newest emergent bilingual citizens." —Sonia Nieto, Professor Emerita, Language, Culture, and Teaching University of Massachusetts, Amherst "Finally, a comprehensive and beautifully written guide to teaching bilingually. Full of creative strategies, practical mentoring, and well-chosen vignettes, this book is destined to become the standard text in bilingual methods courses." —James Crawford, President Institute for Language and Education Policy "A truly intellectual text for all teachers of bilingual learners." —María E. Torres-Guzmán, Professor of Bilingual/Bicultural Education Teachers College, Columbia University A hands-on guide to meeting the unique challenges of educating English language learners! Bilingual education programs give students who are learning languages and content the opportunity to progress academically while gaining proficiency in English as well as their first language. Grounded in current research, this hands-on guide helps educators navigate the linguistic, academic, and cultural considerations of bilingual classrooms. Focusing on teachers′ day-to-day experiences, the authors present classroom-ready strategies such as Guidance on balancing instruction in two languages, including age-specific needs and social and academic language development Tools for content-area teaching across the curriculum, including vocabulary development Recommendations on appropriate assessments Vignettes from schools and teachers illustrating solutions to challenges Appropriate for a wide range of K-12 bilingual programs, Teaching in Two Languages is a comprehensive guide to language and content-area instruction for educators in any bilingual program or setting.

The Bilingual Revolution is a collection of inspirational vignettes and practical advice that tells the story of the parents and educators who founded dual language programs in New York City public schools. The book doubles as a "how to" manual for setting up your own bilingual school and, in so doing, launching your own revolution.

This book provides a comprehensive and interdisciplinary examination of dual language education for Latina/o English language learners (ELLs) in the United States, with a particular focus on the state of Texas and the U.S.-Mexico border. The book is broken into three parts. Part I examines how Latina/o ELLs have been historically underserved in public schools and how this has contributed to numerous educational inequities. Part II examines bilingualism, biliteracy, and dual language education as an effective model for addressing the inequities identified in Part I. Part III examines research on dual language education in a large urban school district, a high-performing elementary school that serves a high proportion of ELLs along the Texas-Mexico border, and best practices for principals and teachers. This volume explores the potential and realities of dual language education from a historical and social justice lens. Most importantly, the book shows how successful programs and schools need to address and align many related aspects in order to best serve emergent bilingual Latino/as: from preparing teachers and administrators, to understanding assessment and the impacts of financial inequities on bilingual learners. Peter Sayer, The Ohio State University, USA

This is the most comprehensive, up-to-date volume on the state of bilingual education in the United States and, in particular, on effective curriculum and instructional approaches. Eugene García, renowned authority, depicts the vast scope and complexity of the problem of educating English language learners. He sets forth a conceptual framework to guide educational policy and practice that reflects democratic ideals and values. This authoritative reference: provides a comprehensive review of theory, research, practice, and policy that accurately characterizes the education of bilingual students in U.S. schools; presents an analysis of teachers, classrooms, schools, and communities that have successfully educated bilingual children by employing diverse instructional strategies; addresses language, social, and cognitive issues as they intersect with various instructional practices; and identifies the characteristics of effective bilingual education programs, presenting examples of school programs that exemplify these characteristics.

Practical, engaging guide to helping early childhood educators understand and address the needs of English language learners.