Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism

by Colin Baker and Colin Baker

Book Overview

The seventh edition of this bestselling textbook has been extensively revised and updated to provide a comprehensive and accessible introduction to bilingualism and bilingual education in an... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 185359864X
• ISBN13: 9781853598647
• Release Date: March 2006
• Publisher: Multilingual Matters Limited
• Length: 504 Pages
• Weight: 2.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.0" x 9.7"

Customer Reviews

BCLAD Takers, do take a look!

I will be taking BCLAD for languages other than English Test IV. This book is a good study guide. Do also download the test guide from cset official web site. You shall find answers in this book to the guide. If not, check on the internet for additional info. Good luck to all!

Good conditions

The book was a new copy, so it arrived in a good state. The shipment was also very fast.

A vast comprehensive overview of bilingualism

Colin Baker draws from a vast well of resources. The Bibliography spans about 40 pages alone. I am positive that this book will stand as the 'textbook' of blingualism for generations to come. It is an excellent source of information and education.

A must-read for serious Bilingual Educators

This title has become both a text book and a classic. The author lists all the major theories of second language acquisition with clarity, providing a broad range of approaches to bilingualism.

Excellent Survey of Bilingualism & Bilingual Education

Baker's book, first edition onward, has been the main text for a number of years in a required introductory course for future bilingual teachers at the university in which I teach. The book has many strengths; it reads well, it has a world perspective on bilingualism, it describes a number of linguistic theories relative to bilingualism, and it provides a clear and thorough foundation for understanding how language policies are designed, and what they are based on. It is important to note that even individuals who have not taken linguistic courses can understand the text because it does a great job of explaining terminology and theories so that the reader can then concentrate on the issues surrounding bilingual education and bilingualism. The text is effective as an introduction to bilingualism because it explores not only linguistic theories, but also looks at sociological and psychological theories that can deepen the understanding of the language dynamics of bilingualism. The premise of the book is that a language is a resource to be nurtured and developed, whether it is a "minority" language or not; this is the opposite of seeing a minority language as a societal, political, or educational problem, a viewpoint that has become increasingly voiced by state-level politicians (with no background in linguistics or teaching) who blame bilingualism for low academic achievement among immigrant youth and have reshaped language policies through state referenda. Baker provides a stark contrast between such perspectives and those in numerous countries in Europe and Asia, where multilingualism is the norm. In summary, Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism is an excellent resource for those interested in this topic.