Teaching Dual Language Learners (What Early Childhood Educators Need to Know)

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.

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.

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.