English-only Instruction and Immigrant Students in Secondary Schools: A Critical Examination

Gunderson (U. of British Columbia) presents findings from a number of studies which are part of a large, longitudinal study of the success of some 25,000 immigrants students in a Vancouver, BC school district in which the policy is English-only instruction. The text provides multiple views of the students’ lives and their success in schools. It examines students’ perceptions of teaching and learning; differences between students’ and teachers’ views; issues related to students’ views of their identities as they work, study, and socialize; and different reading models to facilitate the learning of English as a second language. For teachers, teacher educators, school and district administrators, policymakers, and researchers interested in literacy, cultural diversity, and students who speak little or no English. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)