The Viability of Bilingual Education Programs in Nevada

Problem. Approximately 15% of emergent bilinguals (EBs; commonly referred to as English learners) in Nevada demonstrated proficiency in math and English language arts in contrast with the general student population, which achieved proficiencies of 42% and 55% in these subjects, respectively. Therefore, there is a critical need for programs that are responsive to EBs’ linguistic, cultural, and academic strengths. Purpose. This policy paper discusses the need for alternative educational supports for EBs, the effectiveness of bilingual education models compared with prevailing English instructional models, and the possibility of bilingual programming as a viable option in Nevada. Recommendations. Nevada could require that strong forms of bilingual education, supported by the new funding formula, be offered to EBs. University-school partnerships could create a pipeline between enrollment in bilingual teacher education programs and staffing of bilingual programs. The state should also allow the assessment of content knowledge in English and other languages for accountability purposes to promote bilingualism/biliteracy for all students

An Emergent Bilingual Child\u27s Multimodal Choices in Sociodramatic Play

In this case study, situated in a preschool classroom within an early childhood Spanish/English dual language programme, we examine how an emergent bilingual child engages with multimodal resources to participate in sociodramatic play discourses. Guided by sociocultural and critical discourse perspectives on multimodality, we analysed ways in which Anthony, a four-year-old emergent bilingual child, engaged in meaning-making during play through verbal, visual and actional modes and in conjunction with additional subcategories in his transmodal repertoire (e.g. translanguaging, sentence types, actual versus signified use of artefacts). Our results revealed differences in the ways Anthony engaged his verbal modes (e.g. monolingual languaging versus translanguaging; varying sentence types) together with actional and visual modes to accomplish adult-centric tasks versus creatively engaging in child-centric play. His translanguaging furthered his communication in tandem with the affordances of his visual and actional resources, depending on his play purposes and collaborators. Anthony’s case illustrates how emergent bilingual children access a variety of modes to participate in literate discourses in complex and varied ways. This article concludes with a discussion on the importance of thoroughly accounting for the contexts and multimodal supports in interactive learning spaces

A Multi-method Investigation of Literacy and Language Practices in Mexican Early Childhood Programs

This study was designed to examine the literacy and language development processes and practices used in Mexican preschools. Participants were 18 early childhood teachers from three schools selected to represent the range of available programming. Research methods included focus groups, teacher questionnaires, and classroom observations. Results suggested that classrooms mostly had narrative books with few other genres, and that displaying the alphabet and children’s names were common practices. Teachers indicated a strong reliance on bottom-up instructional approaches and direct skill instruction. These findings contribute to our understanding of preschool literacy and language practices of Spanish-speaking children living in Mexico

The Effects of Vocabulary Instruction on Bilingual Students\u27 Lexico-Semantic Acquisition in English-Medium Contexts: A Systematic Analysis

This systematic review provides a comprehensive analysis of the empirical literature on the effectiveness of vocabulary instructional methods for English language learners (ELLs) in prekindergarten through 6th grade settings. Thus, a central goal of this study is to appraise the available research on vocabulary learning and assess intervention studies’ levels of evidence for effectiveness in order to make a critical assessment of the variables that are currently represented in the field. Specifically, the research questions guiding this systematic review are: (1) How do intervention studies developing L2 word-meaning acquisition with ELLs in pre-kindergarten through 6th grade settings vary in their methodological characteristics (i.e., research design, learners, instructional design and outcome)? (a) What are the studies’ levels of evidence for effectiveness based on their design and outcome characteristics? and (2) What is the impact of studies that meet requisite evidence standards on learners’ L2 word-meaning acquisition? A total of 18 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were identified. Independent coding of 20% of the articles (n=4) was completed, the results were cross-checked against the original codes, and further discrepancies in coding were resolved through discussion between the two coders. The final criteria were subsequently reapplied by the author to all studies in the review. Coding categories for each study were organized by four main characteristics: (1) design characteristics (i.e., random assignment, baseline equivalence, comparison group type); (2) learner characteristics (i.e., L1/L2 proficiency, SES, age and grade level); (3) treatment characteristics (i.e., focus of instruction, level of L1 support, word tier targeted, total instructional time, training, explicitness of instruction, contextual/definitional support, group size, and level of word exposure) and (4) outcome characteristics (i.e., outcome objective, type of measure, type of ability measured, modality, word tier assessed, and type of knowledge). Based on the studies’ design and outcome characteristics, their level of evidence for effectiveness was also examined. Subsequent analyses revealed that a large proportion of studies underreported information and did not meet evidence standards for effectiveness. Additionally, studies with available effect sizes for measures of breadth and depth of vocabulary knowledge revealed inconclusive evidence about the best instructional practices for ELLs due to the large variations among a limited number of studies in their instructional approach, learners, and outcome characteristics. An analysis of the merits and limitations of the reviewed studies reveals a number of methodological problems that threaten the validity and credibility of vocabulary research. These findings highlight the need for increased research in this field of study, particularly in revisiting existing practices to add to current understandings relating to vocabulary practices with ELLs. Additionally, this study points to specific issues in current research and provides recommendations for researchers seeking to address the significant knowledge gap in research that is centered on ELL vocabulary learning

Want Me to Show You? : Emergent Bilingual Preschoolers\u27 Multimodal Resourcing in Show-and-Tell Activity

In this study, we use a transmodal lens to investigate how emergent bilingual (EB) preschoolers employ diverse bodies of knowledge, modalities, and languaging practices to engage in show-and-tell presentations. We also investigate the role of translanguaging in support of children\u27s communication and interaction in this activity. Video data of show-and-tell activity in two dual language preschool classrooms were analyzed for the actional, verbal, and visual modes used by children as well as for features of their transmodal repertoire. Qualitative analyses revealed specific patterns in EB children\u27s employment of multimodal resources, in response to presentation purposes and show-and-tell routines and structures. Children\u27s translanguaging practices were flexible and supported their presentation purposes and participation across show-and-tell routines. Findings have implications for ways of facilitating show-and-tell and how teachers can promote students’ transmodal practices in support of their learning and engagement in this activity

Building on ELA Vocabulary Instruction to Develop Language Resources

This article provides a “snapshot” of fourth grade English Language Arts (ELA) vocabulary instruction before and after implementation of college and career readiness standards. Our exploratory study's findings demonstrate the instructional shifts for teaching deep vocabulary knowledge as required by college and career readiness standards, including a greater frequency of oral discussions. Many emergent bilinguals are placed in classrooms where English‐medium instruction is the norm, preventing them from using their home language to make meaning and actively participate in the classroom; this stymies language learning and limits opportunities for developing deep vocabulary knowledge. Instructional strategies that build on the ELA vocabulary directives are suggested using a translanguaging perspective to develop emergent bilinguals’ language and vocabulary knowledge. These instructional suggestions can be implemented by all teachers serving bilingual learners, including those who are not bilingual in Englishmedium settings

Photography and Oral History as a Means of Chronicling the Homeless in Miami: The StreetWays Project

This article describes the use of Photography and Oral History research methods as part of a collaborative research project on homelessness in Miami. Issues involving the use of documentary photography and oral history as a means of creating greater social awareness in the general public are explored, as well as broader issues of Social Justice

Problematizando la problemática de la herencia

Educación para la inclusión, a través de las ciencias. La enseñanza de las ciencias es un área en la que se ha logrado un acuerdo básico acerca de la necesidad de que cada ciudadano y ciudadana posea una cultura científica que le permita, por un lado entender el mundo y la sociedad en la cual está inmerso y, a la vez, interactuar con él. Según Beatriz Macedo y col. (2006), la participación en la vida ciudadana requiere cada vez más el manejo de esta formación científica. Así, se hace evidente que mejorar los aprendizajes de los alumnos y alumnas es una necesidad impostergable si consideramos que el propósito fundamental es democratizar el acceso a esta área del conocimiento, lo que les permitirá mejorar su calidad de vida y su acción como ciudadanos y ciudadanas. Es sabido que la mayor parte de los beneficios de la ciencia y de la tecnología están desigualmente distribuidos.8Esto se traduce en inequidad e injusticia entre países, y dentro de estos se conoce la existencia y permanencia de grupos excluidos del conocimiento científico y del uso de sus beneficios. Exclusión por pertenencia a etnias, condición sexo-genérica, grupos sociales o geográficos que no son los dominantes. La ciencia y la tecnología deben responder, no sólo a las necesidades de la sociedad para posibilitar la mejora de las condiciones de vida de la mayoría de la población que vive en situaciones de pobreza extrema sino que, además, los avances científicos deben ser bien utilizados por los ciudadanos y ciudadanas; y para que esto sea posible deben conocerlos y comprenderlos. En ese sentido la educación científica ocupa un lugar clave para mejorar la calidad de vida y la participación social. Como se señala en los últimos años, se espera que la educación científica además de ser una educación para las ciencias, sea una educación que, a través de las ciencias, contribuya a la formación de una ciudadanía participativa, es decir, que sea una educación científica para la acción...Fil: Alvarez, Michelle Marilyn. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Formación e Investigación en Enseñanza de las Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: Bengochea, Tatiana Soledad. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Formación e Investigación en Enseñanza de las Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: Castaño, Bryan Alain Alexis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Formación e Investigación en Enseñanza de las Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: Rodríguez Vida, María Inés. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Formación e Investigación en Enseñanza de las Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Galli, Leonardo Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Formación e Investigación en Enseñanza de las Ciencias; ArgentinaFil: Meinardi, Elsa Noemi. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Formación e Investigación en Enseñanza de las Ciencias; Argentin