The following four books contain descriptions of successful research-based instructional practices in dual language classrooms.
Calderón,
M. E., & Minaya-Rowe, L. (2003).
Designing
and implementing two-way bilingual programs.
Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin.
Part II of
this book provides very detailed examples of successful instructional techniques
for two-way classrooms, including the various components of
sheltered instruction. It describes techniques, resources, and activities for vocabulary
building along with various types of reading activities that students can do independently
or with others. Part II also includes tips on differentiating instruction for students at
different stages of language acquisition and offers descriptions of cooperative learning
activities. “Structuring
Components for Integrating Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing” in chapter
6 describes the process of literacy development in two languages that is
facilitated by drawing on students’ background knowledge; building their
vocabulary; and engaging in listening comprehension activities, different types
of shared interactive reading, and independent reading. The section on writing
instruction emphasizes the process writing approach, connecting students’
writing to larger contexts, and including interactive discussions about writing
in the classroom.
Cloud, N.,
Genesee, F., & Hamayan, E. (2000). Dual language instruction: A handbook for
enriched education. Boston: Heinle & Heinle.
This book
approaches instruction through the domains of oral language development,
literacy development, and content teaching. In regard to oral language
development, the authors discuss individual student and classroom
characteristics that contribute to second language learning; expectations for
first and second language development; the development of lessons that include
appropriate objectives, materials, and activities; and language use in the
classroom. Topics on literacy development include choosing teaching materials,
building on oral language skills and cross-language transfer, making instruction
appropriate for students at different developmental stages or at different
stages of literacy acquisition, and
working with special student populations. For content teaching, the authors
outline how to set content, language, and general learning objectives and how to
select materials and plan for evaluation. Table 6.5 includes activities for the
three phases of instruction (preview, focused learning, and extension); Table
6.6 lists the task demands appropriate to each stage of proficiency. The book
also includes a template for a unit and lesson plan (Table 6.10) and two model
lessons.
Freeman, Y.
S., Freeman, D. E., & Mercuri, S. P. (2005). Dual language essentials for
teachers and administrators. Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.
The
curriculum essentials discussed in this book involve integrating language and
content, using thematic instruction, and connecting curriculum to students’
lives as well as to content and language standards. The authors recommend
establishing predictable routines, separating languages for instruction without
translating, and
scaffolding instruction.
Figure 4-7 illustrates the opportunities and constraints of grouping students
heterogeneously or homogenously by native language for instruction. The authors
also discuss the interrelation of speaking, reading, and writing; the importance
of teacher expectations; and cross-language transfer.
Soltero, S.
(2004). Dual language: Teaching and learning in two languages. Boston:
Allyn & Bacon.
Chapter 5
covers the following teaching components: home-school connections, cooperative
learning activities, a thematic approach using children’s literature across
languages and content areas, integrating language and content, sheltered instruction, and authentic
assessment. Chapter 6 offers specific explanations and vignettes of
instructional practices for cooperative grouping (numbered heads together,
jigsaw, literature circle, partner reading, think-pair-share, cross-age
buddies), teaching strategies (activating prior knowledge, the Language
Experience Approach, using pattern language or predictable books,
preview-review, and Total Physical Response), and
graphic organizers.
The following selections demonstrate instructional strategies in particular two-way programs.
Calderón, M., & Slavin, R. (2001). Success for All in
a two-way immersion school. In D. Christian & F. Genesee (Eds.), Bilingual
education (pp. 27-40). Alexandria, VA: TESOL.
In this
profile of a two-way program in Texas that uses the English and Spanish Success
for All program, the authors outline components of the Early Learning (Grades
pre-K–K), Reading Roots (Grade 1), and Reading Wings (Grades 2-5) programs. This
reading program involves 90 minutes a day of instruction on literacy concepts,
fluency, and oral and written comprehension, conducted alternately in English
and Spanish.
Peregoy, S. F., & Boyle, O. F. (1999). Multiple
embedded scaffolds: Support for English speakers in a two-way Spanish immersion
kindergarten. Bilingual Research Journal, 23(2-3), 135-146.
Teachers in
two bilingual Spanish-immersion kindergarten classrooms used multiple
environmental
scaffolds in order to ensure
listening comprehension and build vocabulary, particularly for the students
learning Spanish as a second language. The scaffolds included routines (phrases,
songs, poems, and activities through which students could hear new vocabulary in
a variety of contexts repeatedly),
sheltered instruction strategies, the use of
realia, and modeling of verbal responses
by native-Spanish-speaking students.
Pérez, B. (2004). Becoming biliterate: A study of
two-way bilingual immersion education. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Based on a
study of two-way immersion schools in San Antonio, Texas, this book describes a
range of oral language strategies used by students to communicate in both
English and Spanish. It outlines the components of the balanced literacy model
used in the Spanish curriculum as well as aspects of literacy transfer. The
author complements the observations of instructional strategies with examples of
students’ oral and written products and discussions of the teachers’
perspectives on their literacy practices.
Rubinstein-Avila, E. (2003). Negotiating power and
redefining literacy expertise: Buddy reading in a dual-immersion programme.
Journal of Research in Reading, 26(1), 83-97.
This case
study of paired reading in a two-way Portuguese-English second grade class shows
the variety of strategies that the students in the focal dyad used to make sense
of the text. The study demonstrates the benefits of interactive reading in the
dual language context.
Silver, J.
(1996). Profile of Effective Two-Way Immersion Teaching: Sixth Grade.
Washington, DC: National Center for Research on Cultural Diversity and Second
Language Learning.
Part of the
"Meeting the Challenge of Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students," this video
features bilingual teacher M. Dorrego explaining her pedagogical style and
beliefs as classroom scenes illustrate how she crafts meaningful learning around
instructional strategies aimed at helping sixth graders in a two-way bilingual
immersion class reach higher levels of linguistic and academic sophistication.
(VS5) (28 minutes)
Silver, J.
(1996). Learning Together: Two-Way Bilingual Immersion Programs.
Washington, DC: National Center for Research on Cultural Diversity and Second
Language Learning.
Part of the
series "Meeting the Challenge of Teaching Linguistically Diverse Students," this
video presents for parents, educators, and administrators, a clear and concise
overview of the rationale for two-way bilingual immersion, common features of
two-way programs, and discussion of criteria for successful implementation.
Classroom scenes from two schools illustrate the discussion. (VS6) (26 minutes)
These briefs concern instruction in non-TWI learning contexts but are applicable to any classroom with second language learners.
Contextual Factors in Second Language Acquisition (2000) by Aída Walqui
Developing Language Proficiency and Connecting School to Students' Lives: Two Standards for Effective Teaching (1998) by the Center for Research on Education, Diversity & Excellence
Dialogue Journals: Interactive Writing to Develop Language and Literacy (1993) by Joy Kreeft Peyton
Educating Hispanic Students: Effective Instructional Practices (2002) by Yolanda N. Padrón, Hersh C. Waxman, & Héctor H. Rivera
English Language Learners with Special Needs: Effective Instructional Strategies (2001) by Alba Ortiz
Integrating Language and Content: Lessons from Immersion (1995) by the National Center for Research on Cultural Diversity and Second Language Learning
In Their Own Words: Two-Way Immersion Teachers Talk About Their Professional Experiences (1998) by Elizabeth R. Howard & Michael I. Loeb
Promoting Language Proficiency and Academic Achievement Through Cooperation (1999) by Margarita Espino Calderón
Reading with a Purpose: Communicative Reading Tasks for the Foreign Language Classroom (1998) by Elizabeth K. Knutson
Selecting Materials to Teach Spanish to Spanish Speakers (2002) by Paula Winke & Cathy Stafford
Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol: A Tool for Teacher-Researcher Collaboration and Professional Development (1999) by Deborah J. Short & Jana Echevarria
Spanish for Spanish Speakers: Developing Dual Language Proficiency (2001) by Joy Kreeft Peyton, Vickie W. Lewelling, & Paula Winke
Strategy Training for Second Language Learners (2003) by Andrew Cohen
Thematic, Communicative Language Teaching in the K-8 Classroom (2000) by Mari Haas
Think Aloud Protocols: Teaching Reading Processes to Young Bilingual Students (2003) by Magaly Lavadenz
Trends in two-way immersion education: A review of the research (by Howard, Sugarman & Christian, 2003)
Comprehensive bibliography of two-way immersion literature
The IRC E-Kit: An electronic toolkit of resources for ESL and bilingual K-12 classrooms, teachers and administrators.
Dual U: An eight module curriculum designed to assist elementary and secondary teachers and administrators in developing, implementing, and assessing dual language programs.
Guiding Principles for Dual Language Education (See especially the sections on Curriculum and Instruction).