Teaching Dual Language Learners

What Early Childhood Educators Need to Know

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Lisa M. López, Ph.D., Mariela Páez, Ed.D.

Extending the groundbreaking work of Patton O. Tabors and ideal for use as a textbook or in‐service guide, this concise book compiles everything teachers need to know about working with young DLLs—and setting them up for a lifetime of school success.

Contains Companion Materials

• Product Details
• Table of Contents
• Reviews
• Contributors
• Courses
• Free Resources
• Companion Materials

As the number of dual language learners (DLLs) in early childhood settings continues to rise, educators need to know how to teach, engage, and assess children from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds. They'll have the effective strategies they need with this timely book, a reader‐friendly guide that expertly connects research to practice for teachers of young DLLs.

Early childhood educators will start with a detailed review of the demographics of today's DLLs and the latest research findings on supporting the learning and development of bilingual and multilingual children. Then they'll find practical guidance on the best instructional and assessment practices to integrate into their classrooms. Throughout the book, five in‐depth case studies of diverse children highlight the importance of considering each child's background, skills, and home experiences when designing effective learning environments.

TEACHERS WILL LEARN HOW TO

• Connect and work with families, with consideration for their cultural context, practices, beliefs, goals, and diverse experiences
• Internalize eight key beliefs every teacher should have about dual language learning and apply those beliefs to practice
• Apply specific, evidence‐based classroom practices that promote the learning and development of young DLLs
• Use best practices to help DLL children develop language and early literacy skills
• Assess the learning of DLLs in culturally valid and linguistically appropriate ways
• Implement appropriate assessment practices that inform instruction and promote the learning of DLLs

PRACTICAL MATERIALS: Preservice and in‐service teachers alike will benefit from the learning objectives, guiding questions, self‐study and reflection activities, and downloadable forms, including a case study template for child observations and a helpful resource guide to share with families.

Reviews

Elsa Cardenas-Hagan, Ed.D., President, Valley Speech Language and Learning Center
"A comprehensive resource for all professionals who engage with DLLs and their families. The research to school and home practices are excellent and essential for ensuring positive language and learning outcomes of DLLs."

Aquiles Iglesias, Ph.D., Dept. of Communication Sciences and Disorders, University of Delaware
"Connects research and practice, highlighting the importance of considering how home and community factors impact children’s learning. The case studies, guiding questions, and reflections bring the concepts presented into focus and guide possible actionable goals."

Linda Espinosa, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus University of Missouri-Columbia
"Comprehensive, timely, well-researched, and highly accessible…addresses the need for research-based approaches that all early childhood educators can implement. Bravo to Lisa López and Mariela Páez for their much-needed contribution to the effective education of DLLs."

This book may be appropriate for courses similar to those listed below:

• English Language Learner Strategies for Early Childhood Educators
• Cultural and Linguistic Diversity in Early Childhood Education
• Strategies and Practices for English Language Learners
• Language and Literacy Acquisition of English Language Learners
• Dual Language Learners and Their Families

Watch a webinar
Teaching Dual Language Learners in Early Childhood Classrooms

Download the tip sheets

• Five Practical Strategies for Supporting Dual Language Learners' Language and Literacy Skills
• Five Classroom Elements that Provide Opportunity for Dual Language Learners

Read an excerpt
Chapter 1: Introduction to Dual Language Learners

Download the alignment
How Our Early Childhood Products Help Strengthen Head Start Program Quality and School Readiness

This product has additional material available on the Brookes Download Hub.

• Case Study Template
• Resources and Websites for Families
• Early Childhood Teachers' Beliefs and Practices Questionnaire
• Useful Resources to Learn More About Assessment in Early Childhood