This state-of-the-art paper is centered on bilingual education teachers' linguistic qualifications with special reference to Spanish competencies needed to meet the needs of emergent bilingual education learners in the U.S. The paper spans over a forty-year period drawing on the experiences and related publications of the principal author…

As an experienced ESL teacher, the author understands that the discussion of the inherent strengths and weaknesses of nonnative English-speaking students in the English-speaking classroom usually focuses on the language proficiency and level of acculturation of the students. Now, however, she finds herself facing this issue, not in the context of…

Teachers in traditional bilingual settings confront strict program requirements under the guise of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), excessive assessment demands (state, district and program assessments in both English and Spanish), and negative attitudes about bilingual education from many in the political and public spheres. Since 1998, the passage…

Interview questions asked of bilingual personnel, building principals, and regular classroom teachers regarding the effectiveness of the program are listed, and their responses are discussed. Topics addressed include student selection and eligibility requirements, bilingual teacher aide and social worker helpfulness, teacher cooperation, inservice…

Deals with the provision of bilingual vocational education and the preparation of instructors to provide such educational services. Reviews some efforts in bilingual instructor training and makes observations and recommendations. (JOW)

Presents the political arguments surrounding bilingual education in American schools. Both proponents and opponents suggest that a hidden political agenda underlies the controversy, with the goal of preventing non-English speakers from participating fully in contemporary American political and civic activities. (SA)

Focusing on the alternation of languages in a bilingual classroom, a conceptual framework is discussed that utilizes the teacher's communication competence. Language alternation on the part of the teacher and the student is an active process of negotiation, creating a high level of linguistic and social exchange. (SLD)

The author prescribes a bilingual teacher-training process based on a critique of the current condition of bilingual education and the professional concerns of bilingual teachers. She suggests a "creative" approach to teacher training that she believes will strengthen the image of bilingual teachers. (Author/CH)

Describes factors that helped students succeed in a minority bilingual teacher training project. Results showed that structural factors, such as centralized advising, caring staff, and cohorts, and ancillary factors, such as increase in self-esteem helped students succeed. (Author/VWL)

The role of language alternation, or code-switching, in the bilingual classroom can be used as a teaching and learning strategy. Code-switching is simply a recognition of the fact that more than one language can define events and persons. Not all forms of code-switching are regarded as acceptable in the bilingual classroom. Language alternation in…

An autobiographical narrative of a Puerto Rican bilingual teacher reflects on the social and educational impact of bilingualism, biculturalism, and bilingual education on her life. It also aims to redefine the American dream to more adequately reflect the contemporary multicultural character of a bilingual American. (Author/SV)

California's Bilingual Theoretical Framework, an attempt to establish "one best system" for educating language minority students, sets up self-fulfilling prophecies that hinder monolingual teachers' effectiveness. A chronic shortage of bilingual teachers and an influx of low-incidence language minorities create a need to move beyond the…

In the wake of the 1974 decision handed down by the Supreme Court in Lau v Nichols, there has been a burgeoning of training programs, workshops, conferences, and graduate programs in bilingual bicultural education. This paper examines some of the sources of these developments and attempts to put theory and practice into historical, cultural, and…

The implications for teachers in California of the bilingual education movement are discussed. Cooperative efforts involving school districts, professional organizations, and universities are advocated to continue the expansion of bilingual education for limited English speaking students. (FG)

Outlines what to look for in determining whether a classroom is truly bilingual, including the following: (1) uses of languages; (2) the cultural component; (3) instructional materials; (4) parent involvement; (5) personnel; and (6) administration. (LHW)