"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.

As the population of English Language Learners (ELLs) continues to grow, there is increasing concern over the widening achievement gap between these students and their peers whose first language is English. Research shows that when preschool educators focus on ensuring that ELLs develop basic foundational skills in language and literacy, the potential for these students to succeed is optimized. It is therefore essential that educators working with these young learners make instructional decisions based on proven practices and solid research. This six-page laminated reference guide by Estee Lopez provides Pre-K teachers of ELLs with specific evidence-based strategies for promoting a strong language and literacy foundation. It focuses on the following six key elements: (1) Family engagement, (2) Oral language and literacy, (3) Cultural awareness, (4) Social & emotional growth, (5) Learning and cognitive skills, (6) Program models and strategies. Using the strategies and methods outlined in this guide, teachers will set the foundation for long-term success for young ELLs.

It is well known that the number of non-English speakers is on the rise in the United States. What is less well known is that the largest proportion of this population is children under the age of 5. These young English language learners (ELLs) often demonstrate achievement gaps in basic math and reading skills when they start school. How best to educate this important and growing preschool population is a pressing concern for policymakers and practitioners. The chapters in this important book provide up-to-date syntheses of the research base for young ELLs on critical topics such as demographics, development of bilingualism, cognitive and neurological benefits of bilingualism, and family relationships, as well as classroom, assessment, and teacher-preparation practices. Contributors: Linda M. Espinosa, Margaret Freedson, Claudia Galindo, Fred Genesee, Donald J. Hernandez, José E. Náñez Sr., and Flora V. Rodríguez-Brown “This is a must-have for those who are working directly or indirectly with young English language learners.” —Olivia Saracho, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland

Combining theory with proven teaching strategies, this resource helps preschool educators produce strong language and literacy outcomes for English learners ages three to five.

Preschoolers are passionate about learning, and a high-quality preschool program offers rich learning experiences in the areas of language and literacy. This engaging book gives teachers and other professionals fresh ideas, inspiration, and practical tools for integrating age-appropriate literacy instruction into the preschool curriculum. Including helpful vignettes, sample lesson plans, and reproducibles, the book shows how to create a motivating classroom environment, balance child-initiated exploration with structured activities, and support students' developing skills in reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension. Essential topics include preschool assessment and working with English language learners.

Support Diverse Dual Language Learners through Reflective Practice. Responsive Practices for Dual Language Learners in Early Childhood Education provides educators theoretical background and practical advice as they welcome an increasing number of dual language learners into their programs, to support these children to learn and flourish. Author Jennifer Chen shares case studies from her fieldwork with diverse early childhood classrooms, demonstrating her Four Cornerstone model of responsive practice while offering reflective questions to help educators implement it in their own contexts for children from birth to age eight who speak any language. Learn to apply the Four Cornerstone model’s tenets of developmentally responsive, culturally responsive, linguistically responsive, and contextually appropriate practice in a variety of real-life situations, including while providing scaffolding for children, while building relationships with parents, and while working with children with a variety of needs.