Demographic predictions are that students with close connections to their bilingual/bicultural heritages (now labeled “language minority students” by the federal government) will be very large in number in the near future, becoming the majority in many states over the next three decades. The authors feel it is the responsibility of all educators, not just specialists, to prepare themselves to work with language minority students. This time-tested classic text (not an edited volume) integrates theory and practice and provides comprehensive coverage of bilingual and ESL issues. The text integrates the fields of ESL, bilingual, and multicultural education and provides rich examples of effective practices and their underlying research knowledge base and provides an extremely clear and balanced overview of research on teaching in multilingual and multicultural contexts
"The major goal of this book is to take a comprehensive look at research, policy, and effective practices in U.S. schools for students who are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The demographic predictions are that students with close connections to their bilingual/bicultural heritages (now labeled 'language minority students' by the federal government) will be very large in number in the near future, becoming the majority in many states over the next three decades. Thus we educators urgently need to provide appropriate, meaningful, and effective schooling for these students, who too often have been underserved by U.S. schools. This book speaks to all educators, with the goal of providing rich examples of effective practices and their underlying research knowledge base" (page xiii).
Distinguished multiculturalist Sonia Nieto speaks directly to current and future teachers in this thoughtful integration of a selection of her key writings with creative pedagogical features. Offering information, insights, and motivation to teach students of diverse cultural, racial, and linguistic backgrounds, examples are included throughout to illustrate real-life dilemmas about diversity that teachers face in their own classrooms; ideas about how language, culture, and teaching are linked; and ways to engage with these ideas through reflection and collaborative inquiry. Designed for upper-undergraduate and graduate-level students and professional development courses, each chapter includes critical questions, classroom activities, and community activities suggesting projects beyond the classroom context. Language, Culture, and Teaching • explores how language and culture are connected to teaching and learning in educational settings; • examines the sociocultural and sociopolitical contexts of language and culture to understand how these contexts may affect student learning and achievement; • analyzes the implications of linguistic and cultural diversity for classroom practices, school reform, and educational equity; • encourages practicing and preservice teachers to reflect critically on their classroom practices, as well as on larger institutional policies related to linguistic and cultural diversity based on the above understandings; and • motivates teachers to understand their ethical and political responsibilities to work, together with their students, colleagues, and families, for more socially just classrooms, schools, and society. Changes in the Third Edition: This edition includes new and updated chapters, section introductions, critical questions, classroom and community activities, and resources, bringing it up-to-date in terms of recent educational policy issues and demographic changes in the U.S. and beyond. The new chapters reflect Nieto’s current thinking about the profession and society, especially about changes in the teaching profession, both positive and negative, since the publication of the second edition of this text.
Linguistic Diversity and Teaching raises questions and provides a context for reflection regarding the complex issues surrounding new English learners in the schools. These issues exist within a highly charged political climate and involve not only language, but also culture, class, ethnicity, and the persistent inequities that characterize our educational system. The text addresses these issues through conversations among experts, practitioners, and readers that are informed by representative case studies and by a range of theoretical approaches. It is designed to engage readers in beginning to evolve their own practical theories, to help them explore and perhaps modify some basic beliefs and assumptions, and to become acquainted with other points of view. Throughout, readers are encouraged to interact with the text and to develop their own perspective on the issue of linguistic diversity and teaching. This is the fourth volume in Reflective Teaching and the Social Conditions of Schooling: A Series for Prospective and Practicing Teachers, edited by Daniel P. Liston and Kenneth M. Zeichner. It follows the same format as previous volumes in the series. *Part I includes four cases dealing with different aspects of the impacts of the changing demographics of public schools. Each case is followed by space for readers to write their own reactions and reflections, and a set of reactions to the cases written by prospective and practicing teachers, administrators, and professors. *Part II presents three public arguments representing very different views about linguistic diversity: in public schools, English should be the only language of instruction; all children should receive instruction in both their first language and English; planning for instruction should be based not on absolutes, but on what is realistically possible in particular settings. *Part III offers the authors' own interpretations of the issues raised throughout the text, outlines a number of ways in which teachers can continue to explore these topics, and includes exercises for further reflection. A glossary and annotated bibliography are provided. This text is pertinent for all prospective and practicing teachers at any stage of their training. It can be used in any undergraduate or graduate course that addresses issues of language diversity and teaching.
Recommends that language teachers incorporate discourse and pragmatics in their teaching if they wish to implement a communicative approach in their classrooms. The authors show how a discourse perspective can enhance the teaching of traditional areas of linguistic knowledge and language skills.
As education becomes more globally accessible, the need increases for comprehensive education options with a special focus on bilingual and intercultural education. The normalization of diversity and the acclimation of the students to various cultures and types of people are essential for success in the current world. The Handbook of Research on Bilingual and Intercultural Education is an essential scholarly publication that provides comprehensive empirical research on bilingual and intercultural processes in an educational context. Featuring a range of topics such as education policy, language resources, and teacher education, this book is ideal for teachers, instructional designers, curriculum developers, language learning professionals, principals, administrators, academicians, policymakers, researchers, and students.
An Introduction to Multicultural Education provides a balance between the principles and practices of multicultural education in the K-12 classroom, presenting multicultural education as a learner-centered pedagogy. DomNwachukwu's book projects foundational principles that make multicultural education relevant and appealing, while eliminating ideas and practices that produce negative reactions and outcomes. An Introduction to Multicultural Education utilizes historical data to make the case for equity pedagogy, going further that other books on this topic to provide practical steps and approaches to implementing multicultural education. The personal and cultural identity of the teacher is addressed in-depth. The person and nature of the learner and the learning process and addressed as foundational ideas behind equity pedagogy. This book provides pre-service and in-service teachers with the theoretical and practical support they need to provide equal and meaningful education to all the students in their classrooms. Book jacket.
Theory and Practice of Multicultural Education: A Focus on the K-12 Educational Setting provides an in-depth discussion of the principles and practice of multicultural education in the K-12 classrooms. Building on a theory of multicultural education as a learner-centered pedagogy, the book begins with a discussion of the learner and the educational process, addresses the issues of culture, worldview, and their implications for the educational process. The historical foundations of multicultural education, as well as the practical steps to doing multicultural education in a K-12 classroom were discussed extensively with practical tips for teachers on how to do multicultural education in the K-12 setting.
While there are volumes that fall into the category of children’s literature, there appears to be relatively few that explore the needs of bilingual learners and the linguistic and sociocultural context of Latino children’s literature. This volume makes a needed contribution by addressing the social, cultural, academic, and linguistic needs of Latino bilingual learners who are still underserved through current school practices. We aim to conceptualize different forms of social knowledge so that they can serve as cultural resources for learning, acquiring knowledge, and transforming self and identity. This volume presents a balance of theory, research, and practice that speak to authentic multicultural Latino literature and helps ensure its availability for all students. The intended outcome of this volume then is to create a heightened awareness of the cultural and linguistic capital held by the Latino community, to increase Latino students’ social capital through the design of critical pedagogical practices, and for the formulation of a new perspective, that of Latino multicultural literature for children.
The majority of American Indian students attend public schools in the United States. However, education mandated for American Indian students since the 1800s has been primarily education for assimilation, with the goal of eliminating American Indian cultures and languages. Indeed, extreme measures were taken to ensure Native students would “act white” as a result of their involvement with Western education. Today’s educational mandates continue a hegemonic “one-size-fits-all” approach to education. This is in spite of evidence that these approaches have rarely worked for Native students and have been extremely detrimental to Native communities. This book provides information about the importance of teaching American Indian students by bridging home and schools, using students’ cultural capital as a springboard for academic success. Culturally Responsive Pedagogy is explored from its earliest beginnings following the 1928 Meriam Report. Successful education of Native students depends on all involved and respect for the voices of American Indians in calling for education that holds high expectations for native students and allows them to be grounded in their cultures and languages.
