The literature in English education has discussed at length the proposed goals of English as a tool for international communication, diversity, and the mutual sharing of cultures. In Colombia, different policies have aimed at making "bilingualism" a policy and educational priority that wants to help Colombian students turn these goals…

The paper charts problems and issues involved in serving bilingual handicapped students, and proposes a framework for educating culturally diverse children. Among issues touched upon are those of group identity vs. national unity, use of the native language vs. English, introduction of the second language into the curriculum, and teacher…

While much has been done in the area of bilingual education since Title VII was passed in 1968, some changes in the direction of programs should be made. Advances have occurred in systematizing curriculum development, producing more materials, developing teacher competencies, and generating greater interest in bilingual education. However,…

This presentation on the preparation of early childhood teachers addresses implication of multiculturalism and bilingual education in early childhood programs. The purpose of the presentation was threefold: (1) to increase understanding of bilingualism and multiculturalism; (2) to compare and contrast bilingualism and multiculturalism; and (3) to…

Searching for additional bilingual-crosscultural teachers, the California State University (CSU) system plans to combine teacher education and the CSU International Programs approach. Basic elements of this program are: (1) intensive study of Spanish and immersion in a Spanish-speaking milieu; (2) a living experience in the Mexican culture; (3) a…

The bilingual education program for special education student teachers at Fordham University is described, and various cognitive and affective skills which a bilingual special education program must offer to prospective teachers are discussed. Included are explanations of four aspects of the program (cultural sensitivity, reading, oral English,…

Bilingual education involves the use of two languages as mediums of instruction. The particular goals of a bilingual education program often determine the type of program established. The two polar types of program models are: (1) that in which the native language is used only as an oral medium until the national language can be learned, and (2)…

Describes the remarkable expansion of French immersion programs in Canada during the last fifteen years, stating that this "quiet revolution" of bilingualism among English-speaking Canadians has occurred in spite of various administrative, financial, pedagogical, and sociopolitical problems. Emphasizes that improvement is still needed in…

Teacher training is examined from two viewpoints: (1) how bilingual teacher education has evolved over the years; and (2) what all teachers, especially bilingual and English-as-a-Second-Language teachers, should know and be able to do when working with language minority, culturally different students. The first part of the paper describes the…

The Innovation Configurations approach is a way of measuring what aspects of a staff development training program are actually being put into practice. Unlike other methods of measuring implementation (and particularly those used in the evaluation of bilingual program implementation), it does not focus on outcomes but instead answers the…

The prime considerations used in developing a multicultural teacher education program are discussed. The assembling of a faculty not only knowledgeable in concepts and strategies of multiculturalism but also composed of individuals of different ethnic and racial backgrounds was the first priority. The curriculum was developed along state…

This paper considers issues involved in obtaining and using funds for limited English proficient (LEP) handicapped students, and reviews two major projects designed specifically for this population. Second language training programs have been offered to help assessment personnel develop further language skills and enhanced cultural appreciation.…

The field of ESL in recent years has drawn much criticism from bilingual educators. This criticism is related to three areas: the former use of ESL in Americanization programs, the role of ESL in legislation providing for transitional bilingual programs, and the failure of the ESL component in certain bilingual programs, due either to the teacher,…

This paper discusses issues related to the introduction of computer uses for bilingual education into bilingual teacher education programs, including equity with mainstream education programs, the functions for which computers are used in the schools, differential student access to resources in the home, and preservice teacher computer anxiety. A…

University programs to train teachers of bilingual education (BE) and English as a second language (ESL) are expanding and maturing, but much remains to be explored and accomplished. Hundreds of thousands of BE and ESL teachers currently need training to accommodate program staffing needs. Over half the states have developed BE and/or ESL teacher…