Learning to Be Literate: Multilingual Perspectives

Edwards (language in education, U. of Reading, UK) explores the theoretical and policy issues related to multilingualism and educational practice. She examines how people shift from one language to another in different cultures, and related aspects of nation-building and power relations between the majority and minority languages created in the process. She discusses the benefits and problems of multilingualism from individual and societal perspectives, then considers how education systems accommodate linguistically diverse populations, and multilingualism and literacy education, practices such as phonics and writing, teaching resources, and multilingual classrooms. The book is aimed at researchers, policy makers, students, and practitioners interested in language in education. Annotation 穢2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)