One Child, Two Languages: A Guide for Early Childhood Educators of Children Learning English as a Second Language

by Patton Tabors Ed.D.

Today's early childhood educators are serving more children learning English as a second language than ever—in Head Start alone, nearly 30% of the children speak a language other than English at home.* To support second language learners and put them on the path to academic success, every teacher needs this popular, practical, and highly readable guidebook.

Reflecting 10 years of dramatic change in early education—especially in critical areas like assessment and cultural diversity—the second edition of this bestseller gives teachers up-to-date research, usable information, and essential tools to meet the needs of second language learners in today's learning environments. Leading researcher Patton Tabors equips teachers with the foundation of knowledge they need to


apply cutting-edge research to their everyday teaching practices
address NAEYC's recommendations for responding to linguistic and cultural diversity
use appropriate assessment techniques for children's first and second language, including an easy-to-use observation checklist (on the CD-ROM) to monitor children's English language learning over time
discover ways to improve literacy instruction for all children, including literacy practices checklists (on the CD-ROM) that pinpoint areas needing curriculum support
understand and attend to the particular needs of internationally adopted children
conduct thought-provoking professional discussions with the book-club-ready study guide and materials (on the CD-ROM)
Teachers will also get updates on all the key topics covered in the first edition, including working with parents, understanding the process of second-language acquisition, and using the curriculum and classroom organization to facilitate English language and literacy learning. Ideal for professional development, this book is the best tool a teacher can have to support the language and literacy development and school success of second language learners while honoring their home languages and cultures.

*English Language Learners Focus Group Report, 2002Get practical strategies on the accompanying DVD, One Child, Two Languages in Action.

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See how this product helps strengthen Head Start program quality and school readiness.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have owned One Child, Two Languages since it first came out and have used each and every year I have taught since then. This last year my preschool classroom was 55% second language learners, so the information and understanding this little book offers to help these children learn a second language has been used almost daily in my classroom. I am fully certified to teach a second language in two states and have a shelf full of reference books on how to help children entering a classroom for the first time with no or very limited English abilities. This is the book I keep at my desk to help me present the best program that I can for the second language learners in my classroom. I am constantly referring the four simple step of language acquisition as given in this book to figure out where each child is at on the stepping stones of language development and how I can facilitate progress to speaking and understand the second language. By presenting a simple step progression and what to expect on each step, this book is an invaluable reference for any teacher with children learning English as a second language in a classroom. It is written for preschool teacher but the steps can be applied to all second language learners and for that matter are the steps every child goes through to learn the first language they will speak the rest of their lives. One Child, Two Languages contains many other helpful ideas for the educator with second language children in their classroom of any age although the examples and studies are all preschool children. If you have second language children in your classroom, this small enjoyable to read book is a must to keep on your bookshelf for reference to help you present the best program you can for these children.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, not all of this information came as a complete surprise, especially after working in an early childhood environment. Still, there were lots of things that were good to keep in mind or phrased in a way I hadn't really considered. The statistics were also useful and very interesting. I would recommend this book to someone looking for some good information. I haven't looked through everything on the CD-ROM yet, but what I do know of it also looks very helpful.

[Lauri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book filled with ideas and approaches for any early-childhood teacher who has English language learners in the classroom. Strong research-based guidelines are described in a highly readable way. I highly recommend this book!

[Amber]

1 copy available

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very rich.... an excellent resource and guide!

[Kay Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a nice balance of research data and anecdotal notes. It was readable and beneficial.

[Amie Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource for the early years classroom with ESL learners. I refer back to this book frequently.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

A handbook for teachers and caregivers of bilingual children.