Books
45 Strategies that Support Young Dual Language Learners
Shauna Tominey and Elisabeth O’Bryon
Brookes Publishing, 2018
This book shows teachers how to develop a toolbox of strategies for effectively teaching and engaging dual language learners while also supporting their families from diverse backgrounds.
Call#: LC 3723 .T66 2018
7 Steps to Raising a Bilingual Child
Naomi Steiner and Susan Hayes
AMACOM, 2009
This book is a resource for parents raising their child bilingually. Steiner and Hayes expose common myths about bilingualism, explain how the brain learns multiple languages, answer some frequently asked questions, and provide the reader with a variety of resources to help them along their journey of raising a bilingual child.
Call#: P 115.2 .S822 2009
Connecting Right from the Start : Fostering Effective Communication with Dual Language Learners
Jennifer Chen
Gryphon House, 2016
This book helps teachers understand the culturally and linguistically diverse children in their classroom, as well as those with disabilities.
Call#: LC 3723 .C54 2016
Also available as an eBook.
Dual Language Development and Disorders: A Handbook on Bilingualism and Second Language Learning
Fred Genesee, et al.
Brookes Publishing, 2004
This book is written for professionals working with early childhood students who are bilingual or learning a second language. It may help speech-language pathologists and educators determine whether language is typically developing or if there is a delay as they work with children and their families.
Call#: WL 340.2 .G326 2004
Introducing English as an Additional Language to Young Children: A Practical Handbook
Kay Crosse
Paul Chapman Publishing, 2007
This handbook will help teachers meet individual needs and develop the confidence of young children with English as an additional language in their classrooms. There also are practical and varied language teaching strategies for promoting learning for children working individually or in small groups.
Call#: PE 1128 .A2 .C951 2007
Learning to Read the World: Language and Literacy in the First Three Years
Sharon Rosenkoetter and Joanne Knapp-Philo.
Zero to Three Press, 2006
A collection of journal articles addressing the issues of early childhood and the development of language and literacy. Provides a good understanding how language evolves from infancy through toddlerhood.
Call#: P 118 .R814 2006
Many Languages, One Classroom: Teaching Dual and English Language Learners: Tips and Techniques for Preschool Teachers
Karen Nemeth
Gryphon House 2009
Written with early childhood professionals and staff in mind, each chapter addresses a common question that may arise in a dual-language early childhood classroom. With a wide range of topics from assisting families in crisis who do not speak much English to addressing the needs of bilingual infants and toddlers with special needs.
Call#: PE 1128 .A2N21 2009
Also available as an eBook.
Spotlight on Young Children : Supporting Dual Language Learners
Meghan Dombrink-Green and Holly Bohart (Eds.)
NAEYC, 2015
The articles in this collection emphasize supporting children’s home languages, partnering with families to further children’s language learning, and adjusting practice to meet the needs of diverse learners.
Call#: LC 3723 .S66 2015
Strength in Diversity : A Positive Approach to Teaching Dual Language Learners in Early Childhood
Lea Ann Christenson
Gryphon House Inc., 2020
This book offers teachers context, practical advice, and strategies to help young dual language learners thrive.
Only available as an eBook
Teaching and Learning in Two Languages: Bilingualism and Schooling in the United States
Eugene García
Teachers College Press, 2005
This book is a resource for anyone interested in the state of bilingual education in the United States. García takes a look at effective curriculum and instructional approaches used with English language learners in the American school system.
Call#: LC 3731 .G216 2005
Teaching dual language learners : what early childhood educators need to know
Lisa Lopez
Brookes Publishing, 2020
This concise book compiles everything teachers need to know about working with young DLLs – and setting them up for a lifetime of school success.
Call#: LC 3723 .L8642 2021
Also available as an eBook
Videos
Assessment of Bilingual Learners: Language Difference or Disorder?
3 hr, 25 min; DVD plus resource guide
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2003
This DVD/guide combination provides vital information about normal second language acquisition processes as well as a discussion of the phenomena of bilingualism as a foundation for distinguishing between language differences and disabilities in English language learner (ELL) students. Assessment considerations and techniques used to differentiate between language difference and disability in ELL students are highlighted.
Call#: LC 3731 .A846r 2003
Effective Interventions for English Language Learners
2 hr, 20 min; DVD plus resource guide
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, 2007
María Adelaida Restrepo, associate professor in the Department of Speech and Hearing Science at Arizona State University, is a bilingual speech-language pathologist. In this instructional film, she outlines intervention principles and other factors to consider when planning intervention programs for English language learners (ELLs). Specific areas of language intervention for ELL children with language disorders are discussed. Preventive techniques for their general language needs in the classroom and at home also are addressed.
Call#: LC 3725 .R436 2007
One Child, Two Languages in Action: Educating & Assessing Young Second-Language Learners
120 min; DVD
Brookes Publishing, 2008
This video discusses techniques for educating young children who are dual-language learners as well as demonstrating recommended methods of assessment. This DVD was created as a companion to the book One Child, Two Languages by Patton O. Tabors. It includes educating and assessing young second-language learners.
Call#: DVD P 118.2 .O54 2008
Second Language Learning Environments at Home and School
30 min; DVD
STARnet, Apples Video Magazine, 2007
Embracing a child’s first language at home and in the classroom is the foundation for successful acquisition of any second language. Becoming bilingual or multilingual is a necessity for some children and a privilege for all. This video inspires a positive philosophy and provides where-to-begin guidelines as well as hands-on activities to create the environment that is absolutely necessary for strong development of a second language in young children.
Call#: P 118.2 .S445 2007
Supporting ESL Learners in Early Childhood Settings
60 min; DVD
STARnet, Apples Video Magazine, 2002
This video covers the support of English as a second language (ESL) learners in early childhood programs. Integral to this program is the importance of the support of families and the integration of community resources.
Call#: LC 3715 .S959edvd 2002
Articles
Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 25(2), 207–217.
An Experimental Study Comparing English-Only and Transitional Bilingual Education on Spanish-Speaking Preschoolers’ Early Literacy Development
Lilian K. Durán,et al. (2010)
This study was designed to test the hypothesis that native language instruction enhances English language learner’s (ELL’s) native language and literacy development without delaying English development. Results showed that Spanish language instruction increased Spanish oral vocabulary and letter-word identification without significant differences between bilingual and English-only classrooms on these same measures in English.
Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 21(4), 352–363
Two Tests of the Effectiveness of Bilingual Education in Preschool
Andrew M. Ryan. (2007)
This study used multiple years of data from an Even Start program and relevant comparison groups to consider bilingual education in preschool. The study provides some evidence of the effectiveness of bilingual education in preschool, but further research is needed to validate the findings.
Young Children, 64(2), 36–39, 41–42
Meeting the Home Language Mandate: Practical Strategies for All Classrooms
Karen Nemeth. (2009)
The author stresses the important role of early childhood educators in helping young dual language learners retain their home language while building their English language skills. She suggests strategies to improve a preschool program’s effectiveness in teaching dual language learners.
Young Children; 67(4), 49-57
Enhancing Practice with Infants and Toddlers from Diverse Language and Cultural Backgrounds
Karen Nemeth and Valeria Erdosi. (2012)
The article discusses strategies for helping infants and toddlers from diverse language and cultural backgrounds adjust to early childhood care situations, focusing on practices that support children’s home languages and help develop English language skills.
Young Exceptional Children Monograph Series No. 13, 133-156
Evaluating young children who are dual language learners : gathering and interpreting multiple sources of data to make informed decisions
Lillian K Durán, et al. (2011)
This article describes evidence-based practices for the appropriate and effective evaluation of children who are dual language learners. Available upon request from the EI Clearinghouse.
Call#: LC 4019 .M4599 2011
Web Resources
The Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL)
This Web site provides links to information about English language learning (ELL) education, bilingual education, immigrant education, two-way immersion, sheltered instruction, and teacher education. The site also provides links to projects and resources pertaining to each of the topics.
Dual Language Learners
From The Illinois Early Learning Project, this blog is intended to help parents and teachers support these children as they learn English and their home languages. A recent trend in early childhood and education in Illinois is the increasing population of children who speak a home language other than English and enter early care and education with few or no English words. Also in Spanish.
Encouraging Bilingual Babies and Toddlers (EIC)
A parent-friendly tip sheet created by the Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse. Also available in Spanish.
Helping Your Child Learn in Two Languages
An Illinois Early Learning Project tipsheet for parents and caregivers. Children who know more than one language often benefit in school and later in life. Also, many parents and grandparents find that talking to older children about important life matters is easier if the children retain their home language skills. Also in Spanish, Polish, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, and French.
How Children Learn a Second Language
Author Linda Halgunseth writes a family-friendly article about how children have the ability to learn multiple languages. She explains the stages children go through when they learn a new language, describes the benefits of knowing more than one language, and suggests tips and ideas for parents to incorporate with their child to foster multi-language learning.
National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition (NCELA)
The National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition “supports the U.S Department of Education’s Office of English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students (OELA) in its mission to respond to Title III educational needs and implement NCLB as it applies to English language learners.” The NCELA Web site includes state and district statistics on English language learners and a resource library with articles focused on topics such as early childhood and bilingual education.
National Dual Language Forum (NDLF)
This Web site defines dual language, lists types and features of dual language education programs, contrasts what is considered a dual language program with what is not, and mentions what the program looks like as children progress through school. Links to additional resources and other organizations’ Web sites are provided.
Personalized Oral Language Learning (POLL)
The POLL Program was created to strengthen teacher practices in working with young dual language learners and their families. The resources outline the training model that focuses on the value of and support for a child’s home language, getting to know the child and family, and concrete strategies early childhood educators can use to support linguistic growth. Piloted in a California community, with input from national experts, the full toolkit is now available.