The Essentials: Supporting Dual Language Learners in Diverse Environments in Preschool and Kindergarten
About the Book
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Discussion of a key concept from a developmental and asset-based perspective that focuses on the role of a child’s home language and their family in the educational process
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Examples of children’s and teachers’ experiences within an educational context
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Idea Boxes that provide practical ways for educators to apply their understanding in practice
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Definitions of key terms
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Answers to frequently asked questions
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Connections to NAEYC Early Learning Program Accreditation Standards
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgements
- About the Book
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Part 1: Understanding the Essentials
- Chapter 1: Who Are Your Dual Language Learners?
- Chapter 2: What Does It Mean to Develop Two Languages?
- Chapter 3: What Should I Consider When Implementing a Dual Language Program?
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Part 2: Supporting Learning and Development
- Chapter 4: Creating Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Environments for Dual Language Learners
- Chapter 5: Understanding and Facilitating Play
- Chapter 6: Developing Bilingualism and Biliteracy Across the Content Areas
- Chapter 7: Learning Through a Second Language
- Chapter 8: Designing Authentic Assessment
- Chapter 9: A Glimpse into Ms. Rocha’s Classroom: An Integrated Lesson
- Additional Resources
- Glossary
- About the Authors
- Index
Sample Syllabus with Activities
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Book Details
ISBN: 978-1-938113-81-9
Publish Date: 2021
Related Resources
Articles
"Discovering How Writing Works in Different Languages: Lessons from Dual Language Learners" - In this article, Cristina Gillanders and Lucinda Soltero-González discuss how educators can use a strengths-based perspective that values what dual language learners already know to support them on their journeys to bilingualism and biliteracy. (Young Children, May 2019)
Blog
"New Research on Dual Language Learners: Support Children in Learning Both Languages" - Karen Nemeth explored the findings of Linda Espinosa's new report, Challenging Common Myths About Young Dual Language Learners: An Update to the Seminal 2008 Report.
For Families
"Reinforcing Language Skills for Our Youngest Learners" - Claudina Hannon shares tips for families to help support their children's language development.
Iliana Alanís, PhD, a native of South Texas, is a professor of early childhood and elementary education in the Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She taught children in bilingual first- and second-grade classrooms while earning a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in bilingual education from the University of Texas–Pan American.
María G. Arreguín, EdD, is an associate professor of early childhood and elementary education in the department of interdisciplinary learning and teaching at the University of Texas–San Antonio. She earned her doctoral degree in Bilingual Education at the Texas A&M University–Kingsville. Her research on dual language education, early childhood education, dyad learning and dialogue, and critical science pedagogy illuminates the intricacies of cultural and linguistic factors that influence minority children’s access to education in early childhood and elementary bilingual settings.
Irasema Salinas-González, EdD, is an associate professor and coordinator of the early care and early childhood studies program at the University of Texas–Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). During her 29 years in the bilingual and early childhood education fields, she has been a preschool and kindergarten teacher and reading specialist, and has worked with preservice and in-service teachers. She received her MEd in Early Childhood Education from the University of Texas–Pan American and her EdD in Bilingual Education from Texas A&M University–Kingsville. Her work focuses on language and literacy development of young dual language learners through play, the development of cognitive skills of dual language learners through play-based learning, and creating engaging classroom environments for young dual language learners.
Reviews
Comprehensive, well-researched, and well-organized . . . this book is reflective of the authors’ deep knowledge of young dual language learners (DLLs) that comes from their own experiences, studies, and myriad opportunities to engage with DLLs in schools. This book is a must-read for administrators and teachers seeking educational guidance that esteems the languages and cultures of the children they serve.
—Lisa Tabaku, Director, Global Languages and Cultures Education, Center for Applied Linguistics
In this timely and reader-friendly book, the authors present important guidance to early childhood educators on how to create additive bilingual education learning experiences and classroom environments for young bilingual learners. The book offers practical perspectives and developmentally appropriate practices that promote and celebrate young dual language learners’ linguistical and cultural assets.
—Sonia W. Soltero, PhD Professor and Chair, Department of Leadership, Language and Curriculum, DePaul University
This book provides educators with a comprehensive overview of dual language education and how to best meet the educational needs of dual language learners. The book is an excellent resource because it gives tools and strategies to guide emerging dual language educators.
—Rebecca A. Heneise, Dual Language Demonstration Teacher, UCLA Lab School
This book is a celebration of children particularly those who are blessed to be learning two languages simultaneously. Focusing on the strengths and assets of dual language learners and their families, this book applies the principles of dual language to early childhood contexts offering concrete and assets-based guidance for schools and teachers. The field has been clamoring for a book on early childhood dual language development for decades and this book fills that void. ¡Felicidades to the authors!
—Kathy Escamilla, Professor of Education, University of Colorado, Boulder
The Essentials: Supporting Dual Language Learners in Diverse Environments in Preschool and Kindergarten text truly is a comprehensive resource on dual language instruction. Readers are provided with easily implementable ideas and teaching strategies that support all children, especially dual language learners. Resources are solidly grounded in foundational research about language acquisition. This text is a must-read for early childhood educators.
I wish that I had this text when I first began my career as an early childhood educator. Though I am now well into my career, I found myself learning new concepts and getting ideas for innovative ways to create a classroom that honors cultural and linguistic diversity. This text highlights strategies that are not only best practice for dual language learners, but for all children.
—Laura Latta, Adjunct Professor of Early Childhood Education, University of Oklahoma Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education