Immersion Education: Practices, Policies, Possibilities (Bilingual Education & Bilingualism, 83) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1847694020 ISBN 13: 9781847694027

Publisher: Multilingual Matters, 2011

Synopsis

This volume builds on Fortune and Tedick's 2008 Pathways to Multilingualism: Evolving Perspectives on Immersion Education and showcases the practice and promise of immersion education through in-depth investigations of program design, implementation practices, and policies in one-way, two-way and indigenous programs. Contributors present new research and reflect on possibilities for strengthening practices and policies in immersion education. Questions explored include: What possibilities for program design exist in charter programs for both two-way and indigenous models? How do studies on learner outcomes lead to possibilities for improvements in program implementation? How do existing policies and practices affect struggling immersion learners and what possibilities can be imagined to better serve such learners? In addressing such questions, the volume invites readers to consider the possibilities of immersion education to enrich the language development and educational achievement of future generations of learners.

About this title

About the Author:

Donna Christian is Senior Fellow, Center for Applied Linguistics, Washington, DC. Her research interests include dual language education, dialect diversity, and language and public policy.

Review:

This collection of cutting-edge research into different immersion contexts and student types around the globe - many of which the field has never read about before - will be of interest not only to researchers, but also to parents, teachers, administrators, program evaluators, and community members. Kudos to the editors for a fascinating compilation.

(Kim Potowski, University of Illinois-Chicago)

The editors of this timely volume invite readers to ‘dwell in possibility’ as they reflect on the current and future state of immersion education across the globe. While highlighting the continued growth and benefits of a range of immersion programs, this volume effectively addresses the many challenges inherent in teaching languages through content and aptly explores the ‘yet-to-be-realized potential’ of immersion education.

(Roy Lyster, McGill University)

Educational research on immersion education offers an important rejoinder to the monolingual bias that still shapes so much educational policy and practice towards bilingual students. Edited by leading international authorities in immersion education, this timely and important volume is a major contribution to the field. It provides a comprehensive and compelling account of the latest developments in immersion education. Its emphasis on policy and pedagogy, along with its international reach, make it a must read for all those interested in improving the educational outcomes of bilingual students.

(Stephen May, University of Auckland)

“Immersion Education -- Practices, Policies, Possibilities” is a resource full of interesting material for anybody interested in L2 acquisition. The book offers so many insights into various ways of implementing immersion, some of which have received little attention elsewhere...This is a highly recommended book for anyone interested in the immersion approach to language learning. It opens up new perspectives, and indeed “dwells in possibility” for the future implementation of immersion programs in various shapes.

(Liss Kerstin Sylvén, University of Gothenburg the LINGUIST List 23.1100)

About this edition

• Publisher: Multilingual Matters
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1847694020
• ISBN 13: 9781847694027
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 312
• Editor: Tedick Dr. Diane J., Christian Donna, Fortune Dr. Tara Williams