Bilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural Education Commons^™

Top Ten Lessons Learned From Ofelia García: Researching, Teaching And Living From The Heart, Tatyana Kleyn, Kate Seltzer

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

For nearly forty years, the work of Dr. Ofelia García has steered not only the field of bilingual education, but also Spanish language education, teaching English to speakers of other languages, and sociolinguistics. As our professor, mentor, colleague, and friend, Dr. García has taught us many powerful lessons. Here, we describe ten of these, including some pertaining to academic and theoretical contributions, as well as some related to advocacy work in multilingualism. We conclude by describing the impact she has had on diverse academic fields through the CUNY-NYSIEB research project, in which she has mobilized her passions to promote educational …

Ofelia García: A True Pioneer And Leader In Bilingual Education, Danling Fu

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

This article traces my growth as a bilingual educator: how Ofelia García’s work has educated, humbled, and enlightened me. In this tribute to her retirement, I will focus my discussion on a few of Ofelia García’s publications that have had a great impact on me as a scholar. With her work I will examine my own scholarship development, which demonstrates my growth conceptually as a scholar in bilingualism and a teacher educator in bilingual education.

Translanguaging Into Raciolinguistic Ideologies: A Personal Reflection On The Legacy Of Ofelia García, Nelson L. Flores

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

The term translanguaging has received a great deal of attention in recent years in applied linguistics. Originally coined to describe a bilingual pedagogical approach Ofelia García extended the definition to encompass the multiple discursive practices of bilingual communities. This broader definition has been taken up in many different ways by scholars seeking to challenge dominant conceptualizations of bi/multilingualism. In this article, I describe the ways that translanguaging offered me a point of entry for better understanding my own experiences as a US Latino. In addition, I discuss how it has equipped me with theoretical tools for speaking back to the …

Book Review: Translanguaging At Work: Approaches To Dynamic Bilingualism, Meral Kaya

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

Book Reviewed:

García, O., Johnson, S. I., & Seltzer, K. (2017). The Translanguaging Classroom: Leveraging Student Bilingualism for Learning. Philadelphia, PA: Caslon, Inc., 196 pages, ISBN978-1-934000-19-9 (Softcover: $ 39.95.); ISBN978-1-934000-19-9 (eText: $29.95-$36.95 depending on days used).

Reflections On Language And Identity: Ofelia García's Impact On One Latina's Academic Trajectory And Scholarship, Dina López

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

This essay shares my own personal story of how—as a first-generation Latina academic—working with Ofelia García transformed my sense of self and trajectory as a scholar working with issues of language, identity, and education. Weaving personal anecdotes throughout, I trace the evolution of my thinking and research with a focus on the concepts of heteroglossic language ideologies, dynamic bilingualism, and translanguaging. I conclude the essay by reflecting on the importance and implications of first-generation Latina academics receiving mentorship from senior Latina scholars.

Ofelia García: A Visionary Thinker, Christine Hélot

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

As a tribute to Professor Ofelia García’s visionary thinking on bilingual education, this article relates the reflexive journey of a French academic whose research was profoundly influenced by her scholarly work. The notion of power is the running thread through which four main themes in Ofelia García’s approach to research are discussed in relation to their relevance in the French educational context: The power of imagination, the power of naming, the power of multilingual critical language awareness for teacher education, and the power of translanguaging. In this article, I argue in favor of thinking beyond one’s epistemological borders and illustrate …

Ofelia García: A Life Dedicated To Giving Voice, Zoila Morell, Patricia Velasco

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

No abstract provided.

Developing Language And (Pre)Literacyskills In Deaf Preschoolers Through Shared Reading Activities With Bimodal-Bilingual Ebooks, Gene Mirus, Donna Jo Napoli

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

Encouraging relaxed and playful interaction over stories naturally fosters language interaction and both preliteracy [hereafter (pre)literacy skills] and literacy without anxiety. Reading for pleasure is valuable for young hearing children – we know that, it is among the most beloved family rituals. In this article we argue that reading for pleasure needs to be recognized as valuable for young deaf children and needs to become a beloved family ritual for them, as well. One way to achieve this is to read ebooks to deaf children in order to advance their communication and other (pre)literacy skills. An exploration of these types …

Book Review: Transnational Immigrant Children & Youth In New York City, Marcela Ossa-Parra

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

Book review of Growing Up Transnational: Colombian and Dominican Children of Immigrants in New York City by Débora Upegui-Hernández.

Teachers’ Critical Reflections On Using The Nysed Bilingual Common Core Progressions And Implications And Their Use For The Quality Of Multilingual Learners’ Instruction, Patricia Velasco

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

In this article I discuss findings of a qualitative study that explores the insights of a group of teachers about implementation of the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Bilingual Common Core Progressions (BCCP). Moreover, I explain teachers' suggestions on best pedagogical practices that could be used in the instruction of multilingual learners when implementing the Next Generation English Language Arts (ELA) Standards. The findings may guide any future revision and implementation of BCCP.

Book Review Introduction: Growing Up Transnational: Colombian And Dominican Children Of Immigrants In New York City, Patricia Velasco

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

In this present issue of JMER, Marcela Ossa Parra is reviewing a book by Upegui-Hernández titled Growing Up Transnational: Colombian and Dominican Children of Immigrants in New York City. Ossa Parra in currently an Assistant Professor in the Bilingual Education Program at Queens College, CUNY. Marcela Ossa Parra is Columbian and she therefore understands the cultural context where many of the participants in Upegui-Hernández’ work have lived.

Necessary Paradigm Shifts In Bilingual Education: Rethinking Assessment In Bilingual Classrooms, Aida A. Nevárez-La Torre

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

This is the third and last Editorial in a series on Necessary Paradigm Shifts in Bilingual Education. The initial two editorials focused on Rethinking Language (JMER’s Volume 4, 2013) and the second on Rethinking Multilingual Literacy (JMER’s Volume 5, 2014). The necessary paradigm shift discussed here focuses on the role of assessment in bilingual classrooms and the novel conceptualization of bilingual assessment.

Publication Description & Guidelines For Submission

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

No abstract provided.

Notes On Contributing Authors

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

Notes on Contributing Authors to Volume 8 of the Journal of Multilingual Education Research.

Portuguese And German Repertoires Perceived By Portuguese Speaking Children In Germany: A Tale Of Two Continua, Sílvia Melo-Pfeifer, Alexandra Fidalgo Schmidt

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

After a theoretical overview of the concept of heritage language (HL) from a plurilingual perspective, we will describe the project “Images on the (teaching of) Portuguese Language abroad”. For this project, several drawings were collected, produced by lusodescendant children living in Germany and attending supplementary Portuguese lessons. We will analyze four tendencies of students’ representations towards Portuguese and German, as well as towards the skills they have developed in those languages. These representations illustrate four profiles of Portuguese Heritage Language (PHL) learners present in the classroom (in terms of motivations, skills, linguistic repertoires, etc.). As conclusions, we will point at: …

Friends With Benefits: Collaboration Between A State University And A School District Designed To Improve Teaching And Learning For Bilingual Students, Elizabeth A. Skinner, Pauline Williams

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

This article describes a long-term collaborative effort between a college of education and a public school district in Illinois. As both the district and the Bilingual-Bicultural Education Program at the university sought to improve the teaching and learning for emergent bilingual students, the relationship between the two institutions evolved. The result is a pipeline of teacher candidates, specifically prepared to work in the district’s dual language schools. The article describes the implementation of the federally funded program as well as the challenges encountered over the course of the collaboration.

Journal Of Multilingual Education Research, Volume 7

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

This file contains the entire publication of volume 7 of the Journal of Multilingual Education Research.

The First Of The Firsts: Leadership And Legislation For Bilingual Preschools In Illinois, Samina Hadi-Tabassum, Idalia Gutiérrez

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

With the rising numbers of bilingual children, particularly young Latinos, in 2010 Illinois was the first state to pass legislation requiring preschool sites that serve 20 or more emergent bilinguals to offer home language instruction. The purpose of this study was to examine the responses of early childhood directors to the changes required by the 2010 policy through an online survey. The results indicate that the directors do not have a background in bilingual education and are mixed philosophically regarding the benefits of bilingualism—highlighting the silo effect between the discipline of bilingual education and early childhood education. Anxiety and frustration …

Publication Description & Guidelines For Submission

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

Description of the Journal of Multilingual Education Research (JMER) and guidelines for submission.

Notes On Contributing Authors

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

Contributing authors for this volume.

Supporting The Linguistic Needs Of Young Language Learners: A Guide For School Leaders, Susana C. Dejesús

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

This book for school leaders is a user-friendly how to guide that makes an important contribution to administrators who work in schools with linguistically diverse student populations from pre-kindergarten to third grade. It is especially useful for leaders who are not familiar with the instructional strategies, educational programs, or academic requirements for early childhood or bilingual children. When effective programs need to be developed quickly, this reference book will help school leaders advance their understanding.

Bilingualism In Pre-School, Patricia Velasco

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

Even though bilingualism is a norm around the world, some parents, educators, and early childhood specialists may express doubts about bilingualism in young learners. These kinds of misconceptions are particularly prevalent in communities where most children grow up as monolingual speakers and, as a result, adult members of the community come to view bilingualism as ‘dangerous’ or ‘abnormal’ (García, 2009; Genessee, 1998; Genessee & Nicoladis, 2006). These myths about bilingualism stem from the belief that bilingualism will confuse children (Brown & Larson-Hall, 2012).

Proceedings: Multilingual Learners In Upk: Defining Focus And Direction, Zoila Morell

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

Proceedings of the Roundtable: Teaching Emergent Bilingual Learners with Disabilities and Challenging Behaviors in Preschool held June 5, 2015 at Fordham University.

Introduction To Roundtable Proceedings: Emergent Bilinguals In New York’S Upk, Zoila Morell

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

This article introduces the proceedings to the Roundtable on Emergent Bilinguals in New York's UPK published in the next article in this volume of JMER.

Neighbors Link's Parent-Child Together Program: Supporting Immigrant Parents' Integration To Promote School Readiness Among Their Emergent Bilingual Children, Carola Otero Bracco, Judie Eisenberg

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

The authors of this article describe Neighbors Link, a multi-service community and worker center in suburban Westchester County, NY. This organization created Parent-Child Together in the belief that supporting immigrant parents' integration and social inclusion, in activities that also engage long-term community residents, would improve school readiness outcomes for preschool children. A key assumption in the program design is that immigrant parents are best supported when teaching respects their home language and incorporates their home culture and customs. Among the program's positive results has been greater acceptance of the assets and strengths that immigrants bring to the community. The …

Teaching Emergent Bilingual Learners With Disabilities And Challenging Behaviors In Preschool, Pamela Brillante, Karen N. Nemeth

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

Challenging behaviors in young children can result from a variety of factors that may interact to make it difficult for teachers to find effective instructional solutions. The authors of this article provide an overview of research that focuses on understanding challenging behavior in young children. It describes a research-based model, the Pyramid model, intended to support the development of social competence in young children. Classroom practice suggestions with some vignettes are provided to illustrate how teachers may implement this model with children that experience challenging behaviors and ways in which their practice could be transformed. The article concludes with recommendations …

Talking About Language In Pre-School: The Use Of Video-Stimulated Recall With Emergent Bilingual Children, P. Zitlali Morales, Joseph C. Rumenapp

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

After first discussing the ideologies (standard and monolingual) implicit in language education in the United States, we argue for a necessary ideological shift in the way multiple languages and other forms of semiotic communication are understood, used, and supported in preschool for emergent bilinguals. We present examples from a preschool study in Illinois where emergent bilingual children in two classrooms used video-stimulated accounts to make sense of their actions. Students used multiple semiotic resources – including English, Spanish, and embodiment – to collaborate with others and represent their ideas. Our findings include evidence of language awareness and awareness of audience …

Position Statement On Bilingual Education In Early Childhood/Preschool Programs, New York State Association For Bilingual Education

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

The main goal of the New York State Association for Bilingual Education (NYSABE) is to ensure equitable access to all educational opportunities for English language learners (ELLs)/bilingual students in New York State. To this end, NYSABE affirms its commitment to Bilingual Early Childhood/Preschool programs for all ELLs/bilingual learners that underscore the academic, socio-emotional, and language needs of these students by building upon the rich linguistic and cultural experiences that they bring from their homes and communities.

Rethinking Preschool Education Through Bilingual Universal Pre-Kindergarten: Opportunities And Challenges, Zoila Morell

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

Historically, little was known about the services and experiences that young children have before they enter school in the United States. In fact, there was no unifying system that captures the early experiences of children across the country during the preschool years that might bridge early care programs with early education; much of what is known relates to utilization rates for federally funded programs such as Head Start and Early Head Start or state funded subsidies for childcare (Early Childhood Data Collaborative, 2011).

Table Of Contents, V7

Journal of Multilingual Education Research

Includes title page, In Memoriam of Giselle Esquivel (1950-2017), table of contents, and reviewers for Volume 7 of the Journal of Multicultural Education Research

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