Heritage and School Language Literacy Development in Migrant Children
Interdependence or Independence?
Amelia Lambelet editor Raphael Berthele editor
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Channel View Publications Ltd
Published:15th Nov '17
Should be back in stock very soon
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback£99.95(9781783099047)
This book discusses literacy development in heritage language speakers and presents the results of four different quantitative studies that investigate the transfer of literacy skills in bi- and multilingual language development. The empirical studies focus on different populations of pupils, most of them located in various parts of Switzerland, and emphasise the potential residing in shared or transferred resources between their heritage languages and the languages spoken in the region to which their family has immigrated. The goal of all studies was to gain an understanding of the factors, both linguistic and non-linguistic in nature, that contribute to the development of language skills in both the heritage and school languages. Theoretical assumptions are put to the test via hypothesis testing and the generally shared assumptions on bilingual education are questioned based on the data. Furthermore, methodological problems in the investigation of linguistic interdependence are discussed. This book contributes to the scholarly investigation of potential beneficial effects in academic proficiency across languages in migrant children.
This volume is timely and provocative because the scientific evidence on the relationship between heritage languages and second languages reported has important implications for the concept of interdependence. Readers interested in multilingualism and education will not only find rich data but also ground-breaking ideas. The book will certainly stimulate further discussion in the field.
* Jasone Cenoz, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Spain *This volume addresses unresolved theoretical, methodological and educational issues, arising from Cummins' (1976) seminal interdependence hypothesis. In general, the findings of the carefully conducted empirical studies reported in this volume provide insufficient support for the interdependence hypothesis. The volume therefore forms obligatory reading for all researchers of multilingualism and school education.
* Jan Hulstijn, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands *This volume brings together findings of studies on the interdependence of languages in migrant children with reflections on theoretical and methodological issues in such research and on educational implications concerning heritage languages. Reflections are thought-provoking and call into question established expectations regarding transfer and interdependence effects. The book provides stimulating food for thought for applied linguists and policy makers.
* Carmen Muñoz, University of Barcelona, Spain *I would say it is a must-read book for anyone who is involved in multilingualism, in research on multilingualism and in school education.
-- Isabelle O'Neill * Multilingual Cafe, February 20ISBN: 9781783099030
Dimensions: 234mm x 156mm x 12mm
Weight: 340g
216 pages