About the Book
The simplest definition of bilingual education is the use of two languages in the teaching of curriculum content in K-12 schools. There is an important difference to keep in mind between bilingual education and the study of foreign languages as school subjects: In bilingual education, two languages are used for instruction, and the goal is academic success in and through the two languages. The traditional model of foreign-language study places the emphasis on the acquisition of the languages themselves.
The field of bilingual education is dynamic and even controversial. The two volumes of this comprehensive, first-stop reference work collect and synthesize the knowledge base that has been well researched and accepted in the United States and abroad while also taking note of how this topic affects schools, research centers, legislative bodies, advocacy organizations, and families. The Encyclopedia of Bilingual Education is embedded in several disciplines, including applied linguistics, politics, civil rights, historical events, and of course, classroom instruction. This work is a compendium of information on bilingual education and related topics in the United States with select international contributors providing global insight onto the field.
Key FeaturesExplores in a comprehensive, non-technical way the intricacies of this subject from multiple perspectives: its history, policy, classroom practice, instructional design, and research basesShows connections between bilingual education and related subjects, such as linguistics, education equity issues, socio-cultural diversity, and the nature of demographic change in the United StatesDocuments the history of bilingualeducation in the last half of the 20th century and summarizes its roots in earlier periods Discusses important legislation and litigation documents
Key Themes
- Family, Community, and Society- History- Instructional Design- Languages and Linguistics- People and Organizations- Policy Evolution- Social Science Perspectives- Teaching and Learning
The Encyclopedia of Bilingual Education is a valuable resource for those who wish to understand the polemics associated with this field as well as its technical details. This will be an excellent addition to any academic library.
Encyclopedia of Bilingual Education in the United States Josu?? M. Gonz??lez, General EditorThe Encyclopedia of Bilingual Education in the United States is a two-volume work intended to be a comprehensive, first-stop reference work. It is tightly focused on the unique history, polemics, and the various forms bilingual education has taken in U.S. schools. It was written for use by non-specialists who wish to explore, in a comprehensive non-technical way, the intricacies of this subject from various angles: history, policy, classroom practice, designs, and research bases. Readers may access information about the links between bilingual education and related subjects: linguistics, education equity issues, socio-cultural diversity, and the nature of demographic change in the United States. The work may be viewed as a single-source documentary history of bilingual education in the last half of the 20th century but its roots in earlier periods in U.S. history are also summarized. The book includes a number of public documents that can serve as primary sources for research on public policy aspects in the education of language minority students. Because bilingual education in the U.S. has been the subject of intense public policy debate, important legislation and litigation documents are reproduced and discussed. The work was prepared bearing in mind the research needs of university undergraduates, school personnel, journalists, and others who require quick and accurate material. Because it is comprehensive in coverage, it should prove valuable to those who wish to understand the polemics associated with this field as well as its technical details. The information presented can serve as astarting point for more focused or specialized inquiry. Included are succinct presentations of laws and court cases, demographic data and selected biographical and bibliographic material. A number of thoughtful essays round out the compendium.