Young English Language Learners
Current Research and Emerging Directions for Practice and Policy

Eugene E. Garcia (Edited by), Ellen C. Frede (Edited by)

9780807751114

Paperback / softback, published 30 July 2010

224 pages
22.6 x 15.7 x 1.5 cm, 0.323 kg

It is well known that the number of non-English speakers is on the rise in the United States. What is less well known is that the largest proportion of this population is children under the age of 5. These young English language learners (ELLs) often demonstrate achievement gaps in basic math and reading skills when they start school. How best to educate this important and growing preschool population is a pressing concern for policymakers and practitioners. The chapters in this important book provide up-to-date syntheses of the research base for young ELLs on critical topics such as demographics, development of bilingualism, cognitive and neurological benefits of bilingualism, and family relationships, as well as classroom, assessment, and teacher-preparation practices. Each chapter reviews the research and answers the following questions: