Building Literacy With English Language Learners ─ Insights from Linguistics

How can linguistics help teachers of English language learners (ELLs) improve their instruction? What specific competencies do ELLs need to build in order to speak, listen, read, and write in a new language? Now revised and expanded with a broader view of literacy, this book has guided thousands of inservice and preservice teachers to understand the processes involved in second-language acquisition and help ELLs succeed. The authors explain relevant linguistic concepts with a focus on what works in today's diverse PreK-12 classrooms. Effective teaching strategies are illustrated with engaging classroom vignettes; the volume also features instructive discussion questions and a glossary. (First edition title: Teaching Reading to English Language Learners.)

New to This Edition
*Chapter on digital learning, plus new content on digital technology throughout the book.
*Broader view of literacy; increased attention to oral language and writing as well as reading. 
*Even more user friendly--additional classroom suggestions from real teachers, vignettes, and examples and graphics illustrating linguistic concepts.
*End-of-chapter "challenge questions" that inspire deeper reflection.
*Coverage of timely topics, such as numeracy and the language innovations of text messages.

Kristin Lems, EdD, is Professor in the ESL/Bilingual Education Program at National Louis University, where she directed two 5-year grants from the U.S. Department of Education in ESL teacher education. A two-time Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Lems consults on literacy and ESL in area school districts and presents her research nationally. Her dissertation on adult ESL oral reading fluency was a finalist for Outstanding Dissertation of the Year from the International Literacy Association. She has coauthored or coedited several books, including Building Literacy with English Language Learners, Second Edition, and Fluency Instruction, Second Edition: Research-Based Best Practices, which was a finalist for the Edward B. Fry Book Award of the Literacy Research Association.
 
Leah D. Miller, MA, is Adjunct Professor in the ESL/Bilingual Education Program at National Louis University, since retiring as a full-time faculty member in 2012. She enjoys teaching graduate students who are obtaining their ESL and Bilingual Endorsements for the State of Illinois.
 
Tenena M. Soro, PhD, teaches courses in linguistics, cross-cultural education, foundations, and reading for the ESL/Bilingual Education Program at National Louis University, where he received the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award. Dr. Soro has presented on linguistics and ESL topics at state and national conferences.