John Benjamins Publishing Company
Fostering early literacy learning using dual language books
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Abstract
In light of the importance of early literacy achievement to long term academic and economic success, educators urgently need to comprehend the sociocultural complexities manifested in learning contexts that involve multilingual students. Dual language books (DLBs; i.e., books written in English and another language) are one tool that can be used to examine these complexities as they allow teachers and students to identify and express cultural and linguistic assets and, in so doing, access and benefit from the cultural and linguistic capital of multilingual learners. As such, DLBs allow first languages to function as a cultural amplifier (i.e., a culturally invented tool or technology that advances development). In this chapter we present vignettes from teaching sessions in which researchers and volunteers focus on linguistic and cultural diversity while reading DLBs with first grade students. Our analyses of the sessions highlight children’s engagement in the literacy experiences, application of cultural knowledge, and growing metalinguistic awareness.
Abstract
In light of the importance of early literacy achievement to long term academic and economic success, educators urgently need to comprehend the sociocultural complexities manifested in learning contexts that involve multilingual students. Dual language books (DLBs; i.e., books written in English and another language) are one tool that can be used to examine these complexities as they allow teachers and students to identify and express cultural and linguistic assets and, in so doing, access and benefit from the cultural and linguistic capital of multilingual learners. As such, DLBs allow first languages to function as a cultural amplifier (i.e., a culturally invented tool or technology that advances development). In this chapter we present vignettes from teaching sessions in which researchers and volunteers focus on linguistic and cultural diversity while reading DLBs with first grade students. Our analyses of the sessions highlight children’s engagement in the literacy experiences, application of cultural knowledge, and growing metalinguistic awareness.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introducing a new series ix
- Multilingualism, language contact, and urban areas 1
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Language acquisition, contact and change
- Voice onset time across the generations 19
- Investigating second language pronunciation 39
- Ethnolects in Northern Norway 63
- Two gender systems in one mind 95
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Multilingual identities
- Selfing and othering through categories of race, place, and language among minority youths in Rotterdam, The Netherlands 129
- Multilingualism and identity 165
- Ethnolect studies in the German and the Netherlandic area 177
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Urban spaces
- The delicate search for language in spaces 209
- The management of multilingualism in a city-state 227
- Multilingual communication in Hamburg 257
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Education
- Current research on language transfer 289
- Multilingual education in India 305
- Fostering early literacy learning using dual language books 327
- Measuring success when English isn’t your native language 349
- Name index 369
- Subject index 377
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introducing a new series ix
- Multilingualism, language contact, and urban areas 1
-
Language acquisition, contact and change
- Voice onset time across the generations 19
- Investigating second language pronunciation 39
- Ethnolects in Northern Norway 63
- Two gender systems in one mind 95
-
Multilingual identities
- Selfing and othering through categories of race, place, and language among minority youths in Rotterdam, The Netherlands 129
- Multilingualism and identity 165
- Ethnolect studies in the German and the Netherlandic area 177
-
Urban spaces
- The delicate search for language in spaces 209
- The management of multilingualism in a city-state 227
- Multilingual communication in Hamburg 257
-
Education
- Current research on language transfer 289
- Multilingual education in India 305
- Fostering early literacy learning using dual language books 327
- Measuring success when English isn’t your native language 349
- Name index 369
- Subject index 377
