Teaching Dual Language Learners

"Teaching Dual Language Learners is a practical guide to help early childhood educators understand the needs of and provide instruction for young dual language learners in their classroom"--

Offers practical ways to support young dual language learners and their families. Addresses communicating, using technology, pairing children, and more.

Teach young children English, maintain their home language, and develop the early literacy skills necessary for school readiness and success.

The strategies in this book - such as using lists of key words and visual aids to using body language and gestures - are adaptable and easy to put into practice.

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 book shows teachers how to develop a toolbox of strategies for effectively teaching and engaging dual language learners while also supporting their families from diverse backgrounds. The book is organized by outlining and describing 45 teaching strategies that educators can use to implement best practices for effectively supporting dual language learners in their classroom. Using these tips, the authors detail how teachers can foster a language- and culture-inclusive classroom environment for all students"--

Outlines the core ideas of DAP as practiced in kindergarten so teachers can deepen their everyday practice.

The number of dual language learners in early childhood classrooms is expanding every year--and teachers often feel underprepared to bridge language barriers and effectively meet these students' learning needs. Help is here in this book--a toolbox of today's best strategies for supporting children and families from diverse backgrounds and ensuring the academic and social success of young dual language learners. Early childhood educators will get an invaluable collection of 45 practical, developmentally appropriate strategies for teaching dual language learners (both Spanish speakers and children who speak other languages). Real-world guidance helps teachers apply each strategy in their own classrooms, and the activities, reflection questions, and resources in Spanish will support educators in strengthening their current teaching practices. A much-needed resource for in-service professional development and preservice courses, this timely book will help educators foster the success of inclusive early childhood classrooms and prevent achievement gaps for dual language learners. DISCOVER HOW TO Set up and organize your learning environment to support dual language learners Create a diverse classroom community where children (TM)s challenges and needs are anticipated Use culturally responsive classroom management practices that engage diverse learners Strengthen social-emotional learning for dual language learners Promote early academic skills and make learning activities accessible to children of all cultural backgrounds Use music and movement to increase student engagement and boost language development Partner with families and engage them in children (TM)s academic and social-emotional learning PRACTICAL MATERIALS: Reinforce your learning with classroom activities; chapter quizzes; reflection questions; Spanish songs, vocabulary, and books for the classroom; lists of additional resources; and a glossary. Sample letters and forms help you communicate with families and evaluate student needs (all forms are photocopiable and available online).