Restrictive Language Policy in Practice

Arizona’s monolingual and prescriptive approach to teaching English continues to capture international attention. This book examines the experiences of those involved in Arizona’s language policy on a daily basis, highlighting the importance of local perspectives as well as preparing and professionalizing teachers of English learners.

Amy J. Heineke is Associate Professor of Education in the School of Education, Loyola University Chicago, USA, where she leads undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs focused on English learners and bilingual education. Her research interests include language policy, English learners and teacher preparation.

Amy J. Heineke is Associate Professor of Education in the School of Education, Loyola University Chicago, USA, where she leads undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs focused on English learners and bilingual education. Her research interests include language policy, English learners and teacher preparation.

In this detailed, comprehensive case study of language policy in Arizona, Heineke provides an in-depth, close-up view of language policy processes and their impact at different policy levels (e.g. classroom, district, state) and offers strategies for shifting our paradigm from top-down policies to bottom-up professionalization.

Restrictive Language Policy in Practice is a tour-de-force study of the impact of restrictive language policy on the lives of administrators, teachers, and students. No other work to date has examined restrictive language policy in the United States and the damage it can cause to English learners. A must-read for educators and language policy scholars.