This is a guest post that I wrote for the EAL Journal, a UK publication attached to NALDIC (National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum) about my recently published book. Click on the photo for link.
Tag: bilingual education
Is early English-language education always the right choice?
There is a common presumption among ex-pat families, in particular, that if you have a choice between primary school in the home language and in English, the latter is the better choice. This ties in to the common myth "earlier is always better" for acquiring a new language, especially through immersion. Let's take a quick … Continue reading Is early English-language education always the right choice?
Wondering about translanguaging?
I've been promising for years to write a post about pedagogical translanguaging. In fact, probably about five years! But I always get stuck in the details... I want to present it accurately, and really show how it works. So I created (with the help of Ollydave) this short explainer video, so people can have … Continue reading Wondering about translanguaging?
The Perennial question – can children with SEN become bilingual?
... the real issue is not whether they should become bilingual, but how to best support them in their life with two or more languages. (E. Kay-Raining Bird) I've written about the topic quite a few times over the years, because it is one that causes parents great concern. It is also a topic where … Continue reading The Perennial question – can children with SEN become bilingual?
Privilege and Paradox in Bilingual Education
A few weeks ago I sat down with Donna Bardsley at Amsterdam Mamas, to record a podcast on bilingualism and bilingual education. The topics ranged from my own experience raising three kids with three languages, to the more complex, and compelling, issue of how language status affects children who are becoming bilingual. I've written about … Continue reading Privilege and Paradox in Bilingual Education
Raising Bilingual Children: Six building blocks for success (Amsterdam)
It's that time a year again... once the school year is up and running, parents start thinking about how things are going with their little bilingual children. I meet more parents in the Sept-Nov block than at any other time of year! I visit many schools to provide parents with an opportunity to learn more … Continue reading Raising Bilingual Children: Six building blocks for success (Amsterdam)
Back to blogging? Send your question….
You may have noticed (if you notice these things...) that's it been a bit quiet on my end these days. I keep telling myself that I will blog "manyana" and well manyana never comes.... it's not for lack of interest, it's really just for lack of time (and sometimes inspiration). Cue drum roll for excuses... … Continue reading Back to blogging? Send your question….
Forum: Why educating English language learners means success for everyone
This welcome attention to English learners, however, will become hollow rhetoric if the federal government does not fund significant professional development for teachers. A majority of teachers today report that they do not feel prepared to work with English learners, and most teachers in fact have limited or no training regarding the unique challenges and … Continue reading Forum: Why educating English language learners means success for everyone
How Long Does It Take ELLs to Develop English Proficiency? – Learning the Language – Education Week
On average, it took the students 3.8 years to reach English proficiency. But over the course of the study, almost 20 percent of students did not score high enough on the state exam to be reclassified. This is such a big question in education these days; how long does it take learners to become proficient … Continue reading How Long Does It Take ELLs to Develop English Proficiency? – Learning the Language – Education Week
United Nations News Centre – On Mother Language Day, UN spotlights role of native tongue in education
Education in the mother language is an essential part of achieving these goals – to facilitate learning and to bolster skills in reading, writing and mathematics,” she added, noting that taking this forward will require a sharper focus on teaching training, revisions of academic programmes and the creation of suitable learning environments. Yes, yes and … Continue reading United Nations News Centre – On Mother Language Day, UN spotlights role of native tongue in education
