This book sets a high standard for rigor and scientific approach to the study of bilingualism and provides new insights regarding the critical issues of theory and practice, including the interdependence of linguistic knowledge in bilinguals, the role of socioeconomic status, the effect of different language usage patterns in the home, and the role of schooling by single-language immersion as opposed to systematic training in both home and target languages. The rich landscape of outcomes reported in the volume will provide a frame for interpretation and understanding of effects of bilingualism for years to come.

From expert authors, this book guides educators to conduct assessments that inform daily instruction and identify the assets that emergent bilinguals bring to the classroom. Effective practices are reviewed for screening, assessment, and progress monitoring in the areas of oral language, beginning reading skills, vocabulary and comprehension in the content areas, and writing. The book also addresses how to establish schoolwide systems of support that incorporate family and community engagement. Packed with practical ideas and vignettes, the book focuses on grades K–6, but also will be useful to middle and high school teachers. Appendices include reproducible forms that can be downloaded and printed in a convenient 8 1/2" x 11" size.

This book contains case studies relating the experience of bilingual children in various settings in New Zealand primary schools. The contexts include a Maori bilingual school, a Samoan bilingual unit, and mainstream classrooms which cater for immigrant and deaf children. Suggestions for educational policy, teacher development and research are made.

Grounded in state-of-the-art research, this book explores how English language learners develop both the oral language and literacy skills necessary for school success. Chapters examine the cognitive bases of English acquisition, and how the process is different for children from alphabetic (such as Spanish) and nonalphabetic (such as Chinese) language backgrounds. The book addresses a key challenge facing educators and clinicians: identifying students whose poor English skills may indicate an underlying impairment, as opposed to still-developing language proficiency. Implications for diagnosis, intervention, and instruction are highlighted throughout.

This practical book will help early childhood teachers (preK–2) understand and respond to the multiple influences (school, home, and societal) that affect emergent bilingual children’s academic achievement. The author explains the foundations of first- and second-language development and then provides teaching and curriculum practices specific to reading and English language arts. Chapters address incorporating first-language strengths, acquiring a second language, learning to read, building vocabulary, comprehending and thinking with text and language, helping children persevere, and more. Approaches for collaborating with families accompany each chapter. This book is designed to help teachers understand the underlying principles so they can modify, develop, and adjust their practice to be most effective for the emergent bilingual children they teach. It is a valuable resource for developing bilingual programs, teacher preparation, and professional development. “An excellent resource for PreK–2 educators who need to know how to effectively implement school standards and fortify children's primary languages to guarantee their success.” —Anita Pandey, Morgan State University & Author, Language Building Blocks: Essential Linguistics for Early Childhood Educators “It is rare to find a scholar with as much commitment to making research real for teachers as Theresa Roberts. This book is a gift to teachers and to teacher education.” —Sharon Walpole, Delaware University “This book offers critical information that will enable educators to start students down the road of literacy and language mastery from the moment they enter a classroom.” —Sara Tellman Veloz, founder, Buckerfield Educational Consulting, Inc.

The fifth edition of this bestselling book provides a comprehensive introduction to bilingualism and bilingual education. In a compact and clear style, its 19 chapters cover all the crucial issues in bilingualism at individual, group and national levels. These include: • defining who is bilingual and multilingual • testing language abilities and language use • languages in communities and minority groups • endangered languages • language planning, language revival • the development of bilingualism in infancy and childhood • bilingualism in the family • age and language learning • adult language learning • bilinguals' thinking skills • bilingualism and the brain • theories of bilingualism • types of bilingual education • heritage language education • evaluations of bilingual education • minority language literacy • biliteracy and multiliteracies • effective teaching and learning methods in bilingual classrooms • the effectiveness of bilingual education in the United States • the history of bilingual education in the United States • language minority underachievement • bilingual special education • the assessment of language minority children • Deaf bilinguals • the spread of English as a global language • learning English as a second or third language • language identity and multiple identities • the politics surrounding language minorities and bilingual education • assimilation and pluralism • bilingualism and employment • bilingualism and the internet

The Blackwell Handbook of Language Development provides a comprehensive treatment of the major topics and current concerns in the field; exploring the progress of 21st century research, its precursors, and promising research topics for the future. Provides comprehensive treatments of the major topics and current concerns in the field of language development Explores foundational and theoretical approaches Focuses on the 21st century's research into the areas of brain development, computational skills, bilingualism, education, and cross-cultural comparison Looks at language development in infancy through early childhood, as well as atypical development Considers the past work, present research, and promising topics for the future. Broad coverage makes this an excellent resource for graduate students in a variety of disciplines