Synopses & Reviews
Raising Multilingual Children: Foreign Language Acquisition and Children elucidates how children learn foreign languages and when they can do so with the best results. The most recent studies in linguistics, neurology, education, and psychology are evaluated and the findings are presented in a recipe format. Parents and teachers are encouraged to bake their own and evaluate the multilingual children in their lives with the use of tools which include a family language profile and family language goals worksheet. Beginning with the IngredientS≪/i> of Timing, (or the Windows of Opportunity,) and Aptitude, the book goes on to include the Baking InstructionS≪/i> of Motivation, Strategy, and Consistency. This is followed by
Kitchen Design, or the role of the language learning environment which includes the child's Opportunity to use the languages being learned, the Linguistic Relationship between the child's languages, and the possible influence of Siblings.
Plumbing and Electricity round out the ten key factors in raising multilingual children by discussing the possible role of Gender and Hand-Use, and our understanding of the multilingual brain at present. Chef and Chef's AssistantS≪/i> addresses the vital roles of teachers and schools in a child's foreign language development. A Mess in the Kitchen discusses problem situations related to foreign language learning, and offers a variety of resources to address such issues.
Review
Having myself raised three children in a polyglot situation and being often puzzled by contradicting advice, I would have enjoyed having a book like this much earlier. This book may be a guide through difficult times and answer questions about how, when and what to do about language education.... A real tool to help understand the construction of language and to work out a personalized program adapted to every case.Beatte Broadhurst Teacher
Review
Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa has provided parents and caregivers an engaging encounter with the complex, but laudable enterprise of facilitating language acquisition in children. This text is an exciting addition to the library of homes raising children equipped to live in our multicultural world.Terry A. Osborn Co-director, Foreign Language Education Department of Secondary Education and Youth Services Queens College, City University of New York
Synopsis
Evaluates the most recent research in linguistics, neurology, education, and psychology and reinterprets the findings in an easy-to-follow format. Case studies illustrate the many ways families combine ten key factors in order to successfully raise multilingual children. The book encourages parents and teachers to reflect on their personal situations and helps them to foster multilingual skills in the children around them.
Synopsis
Evaluates the most recent research in linguistics, neurology, education, and psychology and reinterprets the findings in an easy-to-follow format. Case studies illustrate the many ways families combine ten key factors in order to successfully raise multilingual children. The book encourages parents and teachers to reflect on their personal situations and helps them to foster multilingual skills in the children around them.
Table of Contents
The Search for the Secret to Successful Bilingualism
Ten Key Factors in Raising Multilingual Children
Ingredients
Baking Instructions
Kitchen Design: The Role of the Language Environment
Plumbing and Electricity: The Role of the Multilingual Brain
The Chef and Chef's Assistants: The Role of Teachers and the School
Baking Your Own: Your Personal Family Language Profile
A Mess in the Kitchen: What to do in Problem Situations
The Sweet Smell of Success?: My Own Children's Language Development
Appendices
Bibliography
Index