Dual Language Learners in the Early Childhood Classroom

Description

The school readiness of young dual language learners depends on high-quality preschool programs that meet their needs— but how should schools promote and measure the progress of children learning two languages? Find out what the research says in this authoritative resource, which investigates the experiences of dual language learners in preschool classrooms and the policy implications of these critical findings.

The most comprehensive, up-to-date research volume on this topic, this book is a must for policy makers and administrators serving the growing number of dual language learners in today's classrooms. Presenting the eye-opening results of their observational studies of early education classrooms, more than 25 experts give readers the invaluable insights they'll need to

• assess the quality of instruction and classroom practices with sensitive, reliable measurement tools
• identify and strengthen factors that contribute to the development of English language proficiency
• determine whether instruction in children's home language helps them develop school readiness skills
• ensure a culturally responsive classroom environment that promotes gains in both languages
• support the teacher-child relationship, vital to promoting language and literacy development
• understand and improve the early learning experiences of low-income dual language learners
• shape future research efforts and policy decisions with a helpful synthesis of the research in this volume

With this compendium of current research— sure to influence preschool practices for years to come— policy makers and administrators will have the foundational knowledge they need to ensure a high-quality, appropriate education for young children learning two languages.

Reviews

Table of Contents

Series Preface
About the Editors
About the Contributors
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Classroom Experiences and Learning Outcomes for Dual Language Learning Children: An Early Childhood Agenda for Educators and Policy Makers
    Eugene E. Garca

I. Describing the Classroom Experiences of Dual Language Learners

1. Experiences of Low-Income Dual Language Learning Preschoolers in Diverse Early Learning Settings
   Allison Sidle Fuligni and Carollee Howes
   
   
2. The Importance of Sensitive Measurement Tools for Understanding What Instructional Practices Promote School Readiness for Dual Language Learners
   Emily J. Solari, Susan H. Landry, Tricia A. Zucker, and April D. Crawford
   
   
3. Preschool Classroom Experiences of Dual Language Learners: Summary of Findings from Publicly Funded Programs in 11 States
   Virginia E. Vitiello, Jason T. Downer, and Amanda P. Williford
   
   
4. The Role of TeacherChild Relationships in Spanish-Speaking Dual Language Learners Language and Literacy Development in the Early Years
   Youngok Jung, Carollee Howes, Deborah Parrish, Heather Quick, Karen Manship, and Alison Hauser

II. Describing the Language and Literacy Practices in Classrooms with Dual Language Learners

5. The Language Interaction Snapshot (LISn): A New Observational Measure for Assessing Language Interactions in Linguistically Diverse Early Childhood Programs
   Sally Atkins-Burnett, Susan Sprachman, Michael Lpez, Margaret Caspe, and Katie Fallin
   
   
6. Using the Observation Measures of Language and Literacy Instruction (OMLIT) to Characterize Early Literacy Classrooms— Focus on Dual Language Learners
   Carolyn Layzer and Kenyon R. Maree
   
   
7. The Classroom Assessment of Supports for Emergent Bilingual Acquisition: Psychometric Properties and Key Initial Findings from New Jerseys Abbott Preschool Program
   Margaret Freedson, Alexandra Figueras-Daniel, Ellen Frede, Kwanghee Jung, and John Sideris

Conclusion: Early Childhood Classrooms Serving English/Spanish Dual Language Learning Children: An Afterword...
    Carollee Howes
Index