Literacy and Bilingualism

This handbook applies proven techniques, derived from bilingual/bicultural classrooms, to teaching literacy in the twenty-first century. Its goal is to help teachers increase their understanding of bilingual learners in order to maximize instruction. Teachers can use this handbook to expand their understanding of literacy and bilingualism; implement literacy approaches and assess students’ development; and learn through reflection.

Practical, flexible format and content. Complete and straightforward instructions, illustrated by case studies, allow teachers to use the strategies in this handbook on their own or in teacher-led study groups. They can select from the variety of approaches the ones which best match their students’ needs and their own teaching style.

Student-centered focus. All of the approaches share characteristics that help motivate students of varying language abilities to develop literacy.

Field-tested approaches. The approaches have been modified and tested with bilingual students of different ages and language backgrounds in bilingual, ESL, mainstream, special education, and deaf education classes ranging from preschool through high school.

New in the Second Edition:
*five new approaches with their corresponding classroom implementation;
*additional information in each introduction addressing its theme;
*new material on issues of language, culture, and literacy development of students completely new to the English language; and
*annotated bibliographies with sample books to support literacy within language and content area classes.

Literacy and Bilingualism is intended for a broad audience of teachers in any type of classroom where bilingualism plays a role, and is an excellent text for preservice and inservice courses that prepare teachers to work with English language learners.