This volume provides an up-to-date collection of key aspects related to current preschool bilingual education research from a socio-linguistic perspective. The focus is on preschool bilingual education in multilingual Europe, which is characterized by diverse language models and children's linguistic backgrounds. The book explores the contemporary perspectives on early bilingual education in light of the threefold theoretical framework of child's, teachers', and parents' agencies in interaction in preschool bilingual education. Five significant theoretical concepts are promoted in this volume: the ecology of language learning, an educational partnership for bilingualism, a notion of agency in early language development and education, language-conducive contexts, and language-conducive strategies. The volume examines preschool bilingual education as embedded in specific socio-cultural contexts on the one hand and highlights its universal features on the other. The book is a fundamental read for scholars and students of second language teaching, preschool education, and bilingual education in multilingual and multicultural societies.

"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"--

This handbook presents a state-of-the-art overview of dual language bilingual education (DLBE) research, programs, pedagogy, and practice. Organized around four sections—theoretical foundations; key issues and trends; school-based practices; and teacher and administrator preparation—the volume comprehensively addresses major and emerging topics in the field. With contributions from expert scholars, the handbook highlights programs that honor the assets of language-minoritized and marginalized students and provides empirically grounded guidance for asset-based instruction. Chapters cover historical and policy considerations, leadership, family relations, professional development, community partnerships, race, class, gender, and more. Synthesizing major issues, discussing central themes and advancing policy and practice, this handbook is a seminal volume and definitive reference text in bilingual/second language education.

The report outlines the national need for bilingual education by providing estimates of the target group (distribution and characteristics of the language-minority, limited-English-speaking population), describes the need for bilingual education among native American and Alaskan native students and in Puerto Rico, and examines the need for teachers in elementary and secondary programs. A section on meeting the need for bilingual education outlines: (1) the services received by limited-English-speaking children in U.S. schools; (2) the activities of the Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Affairs; (3) other Department of Education programs directed toward limited-English-proficient children and adults; (4) services to American Indian and Alaskan native students in Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) schools, BIA-contract schools, and schools receiving BIA funds; and (5) state bilingual education programs. Appended materials include a partial listing of recent and current bilingual education research and a listing of services to limited-English-speakers under the Library Services and Construction Act in fiscal year 1980. (MSE)