The Essentials

Dual Language Learners in Diverse Environments in Preschool and Kindergarten

Iliana Alanis, Maria G. Arreguin-Anderson, Irasema Salinas-Gonzalez

By Iliana Alanis, Maria G. Arreguin-Anderson and Irasema Salinas-Gonzalez

The Essentials

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About the Book

This book is for early childhood educators who work or will work with the growing number of dual language learners, within the age range of three to five in family home centers, private preschool centers, Head Start classrooms, or state funded preschool and kindergarten programs. General education teachers, bilingual teachers, English as a second language teachers, and special education specialists will find the information useful. Instructional leaders, such as program directors and administrators, who work with children in preschool and kindergarten, will also find the information beneficial as they develop partnerships with families and colleagues.

This book answers the question what do early childhood educators need to understand to better address the linguistic, cognitive, and socio-emotional needs of all DLLs in their classrooms? The majority of the teachers in dual language programs with Spanish and English-dominant speakers learn academic content in two languages. It is through this lens that the authors have approached the writing of this text. There are however, over 350 languages spoken within the U.S (U.S. Census, 2015). This means emergent bilingual children come from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. While teachers cannot be expected to teach in all languages, the basic principles of this book help teachers gain a richer understanding of the interdependent relationship among culture, language, and learning. With this understanding, teachers can implement intentional practices that nurture children’s bilingual identities and augment their growth in all developmental domains through the concepts and strategies presented in this text.

Author

Iliana Alanís, PhD, is a Professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education in the Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching for the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr Alanís is a former President of the Texas Association for Bilingual Education, has numerous publications in the area of dual language education, and has facilitated professional development for multiple levels of education.

María G. Arreguín-Anderson, EdD, is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood and Elementary Education in the Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching for the University of Texas at San Antonio. She earned her doctoral degree in Bilingual Education at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Dr. Arreguín-Anderson is current member of the National Association for Bilingual Education executive board and former Vice President of this national association.

Irasema Salinas Gonzalez, EdD, is an Associate Professor of Early Childhood in the Department of Human Development and School Services for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She earned her doctoral degree in Bilingual Education at the Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Her work focuses on language and literacy development of young dual language learners through play.