Foundations for Multilingualism in Education: From Principles to Practice

Foundations for Multilingualism in Education: from Principles to Practice equips pre-service and in-service educators with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about educating English language learners (ELLs)/bilingual learners in bilingual education and general education contexts, with an emphasis on promoting bi/multilingualism creatively and effectively in diverse settings. De Jong also highlights the role of teacher as decision maker, and shows multiple pathways for teacher advocacy at the classroom, program, school, and policy levels.

A note on terminology.  The terms “multilingualism in education” and “multilingual schools” refer to schools with students from two or more language backgrounds, including (a) bilingual eduction programs serving bilingual communities, (b) general education programs that include ELLs/bilingual learners from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds, and (c) educational programs that aim for multilingualism as a goal and anticipated outcome for students. This comprehensive text supports an important move in educating ELLs/bilingual learners: All educators, not just those who work in bilingual education programs, need to be prepared to look at educating ELLs/bilingual learners from a bilingual perspective.

This foundational text shows bilingual education and general education teachers how to look critically at theory, research, policy, and practice on educating ELLs/bilingual learners from a dynamic, pluralist, multilingual perspective. De Jong also includes and expands on traditional discussions of bilingual (e.g., transitional, one-way and two-way dual language) and general education (e.g., structured English immersion, English as a second language/English language development) program models by presenting four key principles found in quality programs for ELLs/bilingual learners in any setting:

1. Striving for Educational Equity
2. Affirming Identities
3. Promoting Additive Bi/Multilingualism
4. Structuring for Integration

Using rich examples from classrooms and schools, de Jong clearly shows how these four principles are enacted and reflected differently in bilingual education and general education contexts. She also invites teachers to apply these principles to their own practice, and to use their findings to inform their own advocacy efforts.

Key Features

• Guiding questions and key terms preview major concepts
• Tables, figures, U.S. and international examples, glossary, and index make chapter content accessible and practical
• Critical issues questions, application and reflection activities, and recommended readings at the end of each chapter extend student learning

Ester J. de Jong is a professor of English as a second language (ESL)/bilingual education and the Director of the School of Teaching and Learning at the University of Florida, Gainesville. Originally from the Netherlands, she earned her doctoral degree in bilingual education from Boston University and worked for five years as the assistant director for bilingual education/ESL in Framingham, MA. Her research focuses on two-way bilingual education, language‑in‑education policy, and preparing mainstream teachers for educating bilingual students.