Understanding Language in Diverse Classrooms: A Primer for All Teachers

by Marilyn Shatz, Louise C. Wilkinson

Overview

With the increasing linguistic and cultural diversity of students in U. S. schools, all teachers, regardless of the content area or grade they teach, need research-based strategies for assisting all students to gain English proficiency. This practical, concise guide shows teachers what they need to know about language, how it is learned, how it is used, and how teaching about it can be incorporated into lessons throughout the curriculum.

Understanding Language in Diverse Classrooms offers a model of how learning takes place and describes the critical role of teachers in that model. It includes comparison charts showing how some of the most common heritage languages represented among present-day students compare with English, and it provides examples of hands-on materials including checklists, rating scales, and sample lessons to help teachers prepare to teach all their students in diverse classrooms. Each chapter ends with questions to stimulate discussion and reflection on major chapter points, to enable readers to review and evaluate the information and then integrate it into their own practice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415894432
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/13/2012
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Marilyn Shatz is Adjunct Professor of Psychology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, and Professor Emerita, Psychology and Linguistics, University of Michigan

Louise C. Wilkinson is Distinguished Professor of Education, Psychology, and Communication Sciences at Syracuse University

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

PART I
Language and Languages

1 Introduction

2 Language and Its Speakers

3 How Languages are Alike and Different

4 Becoming a Bilingual

Part II
How to teach English language learners

5 Help Yourself and Get Help

6 Making and Using Comparisons of Languages and Language Use

7 Creating Language-Savvy Lessons

8 Language Assessments

Appendix A Selected Web Sites

Appendix B Suggestions for Further Reading
On Language and Development
On Learning and Teaching

Glossary

References

Index