In the United States, child care arrangements serve increasingly linguistically diverse populations of children. However, little is known about patterns of childcare arrangements for language-minority children and the linguistic environment of child care arrangements. Using the Early Childhood Program Participation Survey of the 2001 National Household Education Surveys Program (ECPP-NHES, 2001), this report asks three research questions: (1) what are the patterns of child care arrangements for...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Linguistics, Child Care, Language Minorities, Language Dominance, Ishizawa, Hiromi
Paulo Freire's framework pursues social justice, or liberation. Students and teachers critically think about the conditions of their realities, for the purpose of constructing and attempting solutions, referred to as "action" by Freire. Reflection-action is possible through collaboration, or dialogue--interdependent and concurrent processes to enact praxis. The key in praxis is the ongoing partnership between action, reflection, and dialogue. It is through this partnership that Freire...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Critical Pedagogy, Educational Attitudes, Educational Objectives, Educational...
This guide was produced by the National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition and Language Instructional Educational Programs (NCELA). NCELA, authorized under Title III of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), supports the Office of English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement for Limited English Proficient Students (OELA) of the US Department of Education in its mission to respond to Title III educational needs and implement NCLB as it applies to...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Second Language Learning, Language Minorities, Resource Materials, English (Second...
This paper focuses on Turkish language policy. Seven sections look at the following: (1) "Historical Background to Turkish Language Policy," (between the 10th and 20th centuries, the status of the Turkish language did not increase in line with the political and military power of the Turkish State, and as Turkey became more multilingual and multi-ethnic, the main language was pushed into the colloquial domain); (2) "The Role of Language Policy in Turkish Nation-Building and...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Foreign Countries, Language Maintenance, Language Minorities, Official Languages,...
This digest focuses on educators' collaborations among themselves and with parents in reforming schools to serve language minority students well. Examples are provided from the Program in Immigrant Education, a national program working to improve the education of immigrant students in secondary school. Specific attention is focused on the following: (1) the necessity of strong leadership in changing schools, and the importance of keeping language and culture on the reform agenda; (2) teacher...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Cooperation, Educational Change, Elementary Secondary Education, Language Minorities,...
This paper describes the potential of linguistic rights concepts, particularly those within the Act on Linguistic Policy, focusing on the normalization of Catalan in Spain. It suggests ways in which the law can be useful in increasing the use of Catalan. After an introduction, the paper presents the legal framework within which the linguistic normalization of Catalan is being developed, highlighting procedural and substantive limitations to normalization and discussing competence limitations...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Foreign Countries, Language Maintenance, Language Minorities, Language Usage,...
The aim of this paper is to emphasize, as stressed by St. Clair (1982), the importance of sociohistorical data in any attempt to determine language attitudes, ethnolinguistic identity, and the ecological status of a minority language. This importance is illustrated within the context of research on language attitudes toward isiXhosa, a Nguni language spoken in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. The paper shows that conceptions of isiXhosa identity and ethnicity are often simplistic in...
Topics: ERIC Archive, African Languages, Ethnicity, Foreign Countries, Language Attitudes, Language...
This paper discusses the protection of linguistic rights, focusing on the constitutional and legal experience in Europe. It addresses state plurilingualism, then examines general principles (the legal status of languages, equality, and multilingualism in representative institutions). Next, it discusses recognition of linguistic rights (the right to linguistic choice, to education, and to be attended to in the language of the citizen's choice; rights in the judicial field; and the right of a...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Civil Liberties, Foreign Countries, Language Minorities, Language of Instruction,...
This guide contains specific comments and insights concerning the application of a standards-based evaluation and accountability system in schools and school districts that enroll significant concentrations of language minority and immigrant students. The guide introduces key concepts associated with the development and maintenance of a standards-based evaluation and accountability system and suggests approaches for the inclusion of English learner (EL) and immigrant students in the system....
Topics: ERIC Archive, Academic Standards, Accountability, Elementary Secondary Education, Guides,...
Rhaeto-Romansh is a Neo-Latin language with three varieties. Occidental Rhaeto-Romansh (Romansh) is spoken in Switzerland, in the Canton of the Grisons. Central Rhaeto-Romansh (Dolomite Ladin) is spoken in some of the Italian Dolomite valleys, in the Province of Belluno, Bozen/Bolzano, and Trento. Oriental Rhaeto-Romansh (Friulian) is spoken in northeast Italy, in the Provinces of Gorizia, Pordenone, Udine, and Venezia. The administrative and state borders separating these communities have...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Foreign Countries, Language Maintenance, Language Minorities, Official Languages,...
This factsheet provides information about the status of ethnic minorities in Great Britain. At the 1991 census, just over 3 million (5.5%) of the people in Britain did not classify themselves as White. About half were of South Asian descent (Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi) and 30% were Black. Nearly 7.3% of the British population had been born elsewhere in the world, including Ireland. Nearly half of the nonWhite population had been born in the United Kingdom, and about three-quarters of...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Census Figures, Educational Attainment, Ethnic Groups, Family Characteristics,...
This issue, the second in a series on how public education will evolve in the new century, focuses on the suburbs, highlighting two suburban communities in the Atlanta, Georgia, region. The first part, "Remodeling Suburbia," explains that in newer suburbs, enrollment is booming, and schools struggle to keep up with growth and changes in student populations. In older suburbs, many of which have already seen dramatic demographic changes, enrollments may become more international as...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Diversity (Student), Elementary Secondary Education, Enrollment Trends, Immigrants,...
This digest discusses the process of referring language minority students to special education, focusing specifically on the problems of overreferral and underreferral. The prereferral process, the assessment and referral process, and the characteristics and behaviors of language minority students in need of special education are described in detail. (VWL)
Topics: ERIC Archive, Elementary Secondary Education, Federal Legislation, Language Minorities, Limited...
This study examined the impact of linguistic and cultural diversity in two urban, British secondary schools on "how English looked" (the content and interactions of urban, multiethnic classrooms). Data were collected from two classrooms with diverse students using interviews and videotapes. In both classrooms, the teachers were working at mediating a text to the students. Both texts focused on relationships. Both lessons were led by the teacher, mainly from the front of the classroom,...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Cultural Differences, Culturally Relevant Education, Diversity (Student), English,...
For this report, CEEP staff collected information on testing timelines, subjects, grade configurations, names, and SEA testing contacts. As with the 2003 report, discussion in this report is limited to the testing components of state assessment programs, such as Indiana's ISTEP+ program, used for compliance purposes with state and federal accountability laws. These tests are generally criterion-referenced tests spanning Grades 3-8, coinciding with grade-level testing required under NCLB, and a...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Testing Programs, Program Administration, Minority Groups, Federal Legislation,...
The first section of this report guides Delaware educators through the decision-making process for participation in the Delaware Student Testing Program (DSTP) for students with disabilities and for students who are dually eligible as a student with a disability and limited English proficient (SD/LEP).The second section will guide Delaware educators through the decision-making process for participation in the DSTP for Language Minority Students (LMS) who are limited English proficient (LEP) or...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Testing Programs, Disabilities, Language Minorities, Inclusive Schools, Educational...
This paper asserts that fostering pacific cohabitation, harmonious multiculturalism, and sustainable development are the main challenges facing the regions of Russia today. It notes the importance of involving Russian linguistic and cultural minorities in the formulation, adoption, application, and evaluation of protection policies, as well as policies fostering their rights at international, national, and local levels. Effective participation of these communities can result in better...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Cultural Pluralism, Ethnic Bias, Ethnic Discrimination, Ethnicity, Foreign Countries,...
The composition of the Estonian population has changed considerably since the second World War. The number of immigrants to Estonia has been remarkable in the second half of the century. The population in Estonia is divided into two parts: Estonian (66%) and non-Estonians (34%). The composition of the population and the language situation in Estonia do not make it possible to use the experience of any other country in Europe; Estonia has to find its own way in the area of civic education and...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Foreign Countries, Immigrants, International Communication, International Relations,...
This paper describes the impact of the ratification of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in the United Kingdom, examining the history and current demographic and social position of the various languages to which the Charter applies. The first section, "Linguistic Minorities in the United Kingdom: Historical Development and Present Demographic Position," describes the history and notes that the languages of migrants are not covered by the Charter. The second...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Foreign Countries, Immigrants, Irish, Language Maintenance, Language Minorities,...
This guide for teachers in times of trauma was updated after the events of September 11, 2001--the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. These traumatic events could cause refugees to experience trauma or become re-traumatized. For many refugees, their English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) programs are the places where they will find their primary, in-depth contact with Americans with whom they can feel safe and where they can ask questions. Teachers and administrators are...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Crisis Intervention, Crisis Management, Elementary Secondary Education, Emergency...
The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of standardized teacher tests as demonstration of licensure competencies for diverse candidates in Oregon and nationally. The following four areas and their accompanying questions guide the development of this paper: (1) Why would a diverse teacher workforce help close the achievement gap?; (2) What are the barriers that exist to meeting the need for diverse educators?; (3) What type of research will be needed to validate alternative assessments...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Language Minorities, Alternative Assessment, Minority Group Teachers, Teacher...
This study evaluated the impact of an urban school district's English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) program on 317 participating K-12 language minority students. The study used the Language Assessment Scale (LAS) to examine students' English proficiency after participating in the yearlong program. The LAS measures language skills necessary to succeed in an academic environment. It does not measure achievement in course content. Analysis of students' pretest and posttest scores on the LAS indicated...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Elementary Secondary Education, English (Second Language), Language Minorities,...
This report presents information on the Connecting Worlds/Mundos Unidos Project and provides a general comparison overview of accomplishments during its five years of operation. The Connecting Worlds/Mundos Unidos Project has been operating in the El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) for eleven years, but in the present format as a Jacob K. Javits grant for the past five school years, this being its last year under this grant. It is one of very few dual-language projects for gifted...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Academically Gifted, Immersion Programs, Academic Achievement, Achievement Tests,...
In this essay, the author suggests that recent developments in English studies and popular culture create an opportune moment for writing teachers to welcome such literature in composition curricula. The author describes how studying stories by John Edgar Wideman enabled first-year composition students to engage political and interpersonal issues surrounding language choice, specifically in the case of Black English. Despite teachers' intentions of promoting diversity and empowering non-white...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Writing Instruction, Writing Teachers, Literature, English, Standards, Writing...
Canada's Constitution guarantees the right to the English-speaking minority in Quebec and the French-speaking minority elsewhere in Canada to have their children receive K-12 public education in the language of the linguistic minority of that province. A working group recommended a guarantee to Francophones of a distinct right of management and control of the education of Francophones. The government of Alberta developed a model for Francophone governance, and the Francophone Governance...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Educational Legislation, Elementary Secondary Education, English (Second Language),...
"Focus on Basics" is the quarterly publication of the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy. It presents best practices, current research on adult learning and literacy, and how research is used by adult basic education teachers, counselors, program administrators, and policymakers. "Focus on Basics" is dedicated to connecting research with practice, to connecting teachers with research and researchers with the reality of the classroom, and by doing...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Vocabulary Skills, Transitional Programs, Adult Basic Education, Academic Discourse,...
The call to expand opportunities for study abroad students in "non-traditional" locations has become a kind of mantra throughout the international education community. This call is almost always allied to the intent significantly to expand numbers going to these non-traditional locations. Of the three key objectives in the Lincoln Commission report, the second is that "efforts be made to expand the number of American students studying in non-traditional countries." The...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Study Abroad, Tourism, Minority Groups, Language Minorities, Second Language...
This article explores how the concepts of discourse and its methodological extension discourse analysis can help mathematics educators re-conceptualize their practices using a sociocultural view of learning. It provides conceptual and methodological tools as well as activities that can be helpful in mathematics methods courses and professional development sessions aimed at developing a more situated and social view of mathematical discourse and its relationship to student learning, particularly...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Language Minorities, Methods Courses, Mathematics Education, Discourse Analysis,...
This report describes the development and approval of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. After discussing the expression of consent to the European Charter, the report focuses on the ratification process of and obligations assumed by Spain. Although Spain was one of the first signatories in 1992, the ratification was not signed until 2001. The initial Spanish Declaration strongly supported the protection of regional or minority languages, and Spain's ratification is also...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Secondary Education, Foreign Countries, Higher...
In this commentary, Flores states that language policing traps language-minoritized students in the position of having to reject their home language practices as inferior to the language practices of schooling. Language-minoritized students who are unable or unwilling to conform to these expectations, says Flores, are placed in the solitary confinement of remediation programs, thereby continuing the cycle of the miseducation of communities of color. In contrast, language exploration supports...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Language Minorities, Student Centered Curriculum, Language Acquisition, Second...
The three-phase process "-Instrument for Minority Immigrant Science Learning Environment," an 8-scale, 32-item see Appendix I- (I_MISLE) instrument when completed by teachers provides an accurate description of existing conditions in classrooms in which immigrant and refugee students are situated. Through the completion of the instrument and consideration of the data emanating from that process, teachers are in a position to move responsively, both individually and collectively,...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Minority Group Students, Immigrants, Science Instruction, Refugees, Student...
Canada's Community-Based Language Training (CBLT) program was designed as a part-time, flexible language training response for non-confident, isolated immigrant women who required adult English-as-a-Second-Language (A/ESL) training to assist them in their daily lives. It addressed barriers to their participation in classes housed in educational institutions and was developed in conjunction with ethnocultural educational organizations that received funding to administer the program. Learners...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Adult Education, Community Education, English (Second Language), Females, Foreign...
Papers from a colloquium on the relationship between Canada's official languages and its economy include: "Economic Dimensions of Minority and Foreign Language Use: An International Overview" (Karim H. Karim); "European Research on the economics of Language: Recent Results and Relevance to Canada" (Francois Grin); "Reflections on Some Economic Aspects of Bilingualism" (Albert Breton); "The Comparative Advantages of Bilingualism on the Job Market: Survey of...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Bilingualism, Economic Factors, Employment Patterns, Foreign Countries, Immigrants,...
This quarterly journal serves literacy programs by sharing information of a practical and theoretical nature with literacy field workers. Articles in this volume include the following: "Long Words" (Ursula Weisemann); "Introduction to Bilingual Schooling Typology through Three Examples" (Scott McCracken); "The Challenge of Introducing First Language Component-Bridging Programs into the Philippine Formal Education Program" (Catherine Young); "The Cultural...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Applied Linguistics, Bilingual Education Programs, Cultural Education, Ethnic Groups,...
This working paper explores contemporary research on the effectiveness of program models used in North America to assist English language learners (ELLs) to develop proficient English literacy. Implications will be drawn from the findings of this research and the paper will conclude with recommendations for practical application at the middle school level and for additional research. (Contains 2 tables.)
Topics: ERIC Archive, Second Language Learning, Literacy, English (Second Language), Second Languages,...
Language minority students, while often underrepresented in traditional gifted programs, can benefit from "heritage language" courses focused on developing academic proficiency and exploring challenging content in their home language. We describe how heritage language courses can provide an appropriate venue for the identification of gifted potential among language minority students, how such courses can enhance student motivation for learning, and what cognitive benefits may be...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Minority Groups, Language Minorities, Gifted, Bilingualism, Heritage Education,...
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982) brought to the Canadian education system the right to instruction in the minority language. However, it is the province that must establish the appropriate school structures for exercise of that right. The study reported here outlines the current situation in the Canadian provinces and territories with respect to minority-language instruction and the management of educational facilities by official-language minority groups. First, it looks at...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Civil Rights, Federal Legislation, Foreign Countries, Language Minorities, Language...
Developed in the early 1980s, the Hill Areas Education project provides basic education to children and adults of Thailand's six ethnic minority groups, who live in the remote mountainous region of northern Thailand. The project delivers a locally relevant curriculum, equivalent to the six compulsory grades of the formal education system; promotes the active role of the community in project design and operation; and pursues a philosophy of education for development. Classes are held in village...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Access to Education, Adult Basic Education, Community Development, Community...
This study is descriptive, and it is set out to primarily investigate the use and order of determiners in the Mo/Deg language. The study finds answers to the questions, "What determiner types are there in the Mo/Deg language, and in what order do they collocate with the head of the noun phrase?" Using purposive sampling, the study gathered data from forty (40) literate native speakers of the Mo/Deg language who were also very proficient in English. Short simple English sentences...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Form Classes (Languages), Syntax, African Languages, Nouns, Native Speakers, Surveys,...
At the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union, ethnic Latvians were only 52 percent of the total population of Latvia, and official use of the Latvian language had greatly diminished while Russian had become the dominant language. It took 15 years to develop the legal instruments necessary for stabilizing the official status of the Latvian language while complying with internationally accepted human rights norms. The law in its current form is clear and functional, although there are certain...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Citizenship, Democracy, Educational Legislation, Elementary Secondary Education,...
This paper describes the Imazighen of North Africa, known in the West as Berbers; threats to their language and culture from schooling and the dominant Arabo-Islamic culture; and recent effects of mass media. As the indigenous people of North Africa, the Imazighen have been invaded frequently during the last 3000 years, but only the Arabs remained, along with their language and their religion, Islam. Given that Islam's sacred text, the Koran, is written in Arabic, the Imazighens' language,...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Cultural Maintenance, Elementary Secondary Education, Ethnicity, Foreign Countries,...
In spite of considerable progress on racial equality issues and multicultural education made in the schools of the United Kingdom, many areas of disadvantage remain for ethnic minority students and some new ones have emerged. Quite apart from the moral and educational imperatives behind policies against racism, there are legal implications for schools that neglect these areas of concern. The duties of local authorities under the Race Relations Act of 1976 are outlined. Suggestions are also made...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Cultural Awareness, Disadvantaged Youth, Educational Policy, Elementary Secondary...
This paper discusses the potential of bilingual education and its possible implementation in Kyrgzystan, focusing on why bilingual education can be useful in solving linguistic tension in Kyrgzystan and which organizational questions must be considered to make bilingual education effective. The paper begins by examining and refuting common concerns (children will be traumatized if they are spoken to in a different language, and children will confuse the two languages and end up unable to speak...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Bilingual Education, Diversity (Student), Elementary Secondary Education, Foreign...
Parental involvement has been promoted by politicians and educators as the cure all for academic ills in the American educational system. Programs have been funded and structured to involve all parents in schools in ways valued by middle class parents to the exclusion of language minority families, their language, and their culture. These middle class-based programs, which are founded upon a cultural deficit approach to parenting, do not provide Latino and other immigrant families with the...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Blacks, Cultural Differences, Cultural Relevance, Elementary Education, Ethnography,...
This paper examines the determinants and consequences of immigrant/linguistic concentrations (enclaves), discussing reasons for the formation of those concentrations. It develops hypotheses regarding "ethnic goods" (market and non-market goods and services consumed by members of an immigrant/ethnic group that are not consumed by others), the effect of concentrations on immigrants' language skills, and the effect on immigrant earnings of destination language skills and linguistic...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Acculturation, Economic Factors, English (Second Language), Ethnic Distribution,...
Cultural capital benefits Asian immigrant children when they become language brokers. This skill can also benefit their parents and families in the United States. Language brokering may shape and possibly enhance students' academic performance and can further children's linguistic and academic achievement. (Contains 2 figures and 1 table.)
Topics: ERIC Archive, Asians, Immigrants, Children, Cultural Capital, Translation, Asian Culture, Parent...
The purpose of this handbook is to encourage citizenship teachers and tutors to teach in ways that will increase the likelihood that their students will pass citizenship tests and interviews. It provides an overview of the citizenship process and includes activity ideas and a discussion of the elements of good teaching on this subject. This handbook is meant to be a companion to the excellent citizenship textbooks currently available (and listed in the bibliography). It is not a citizenship...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Adult Education, Citizenship Education, Class Activities, Classroom Techniques,...
Recognizing the vast disparities in academic achievement throughout Arizona's public schools, the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) has recently started pushing for tougher standards and demanding for more school accountability. This study analyzes the ranking system implemented by the ADE that categorizes all public schools according to ridged educational characteristics. While standardized test scores and dropout statistics are touted by many as solid examples of aspects by which schools...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Sociocultural Patterns, Criticism, Standardized Tests, School Size, Public Schools,...
This report describes six studies on the educational progress of students who entered New York City public schools as non-native English speakers, or English language learners (ELLs). Studies examined number of years students were served in bilingual/English as a Second Language (ESL) programs; characteristics of students receiving these services; the longitudinal progress of ELL students; student performance after program completion; ELL high school performance; characteristics of ELLs who...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Academic Achievement, Bilingual Education, Elementary Secondary Education, English...
Though metropolitan Boston is still one of the nation's whitest metropolitan areas, its growth is increasingly non-white and multiracial. Given the demographic trends and the high fragmentation that characterizes the metropolitan area, students are most segregated in regions where they are highly concentrated: black students in Boston, Latino and Asian students in certain satellite cities, and white students in the suburbs. The segregation is not just by race or ethnicity but is increasingly by...
Topics: ERIC Archive, Metropolitan Areas, School Segregation, Racial Segregation, Poverty, Race, Language...
