NNELL HOME-SCHOOL CONNECTIONS
Visit the website of the national organization of early language teachers and read issues of their new parent newsletter containing lots of valuable and inspiring information.
LANGUAGE LIZARD
Language Lizard, LLC offers award-winning bilingual children's products in over 40 languages. Products include books, audio CDs, picture dictionaries, colorful and unique multilingual posters, world maps, and teacher resources. Parents and teachers can also sign up for free e-newsletter with information on raising bilingual and multicultural children. Why the lizard logo? "Lizards are found all over the world; they comprise more than 3,000 species; they have the ability to learn, and they demonstrate their awareness with excitement ... Sound like any children you know?" proclaims founder Anneke Vanmarcke Forzani.
RAISING MULTILINGUAL CHILDREN
Prior planning and an examination of current research will yield optimum results for parents wishing their child(ren) to be truly bilingual. There are many organizations around the country which actively suppport parents choosing to raise their children bilingually.
ÑANDUTÍ
Ñandutí is the major FLES (Foreign Language in Elementary Schools) resource for language learning. It provides strong links between world language instruction, applied research, and recent developments in teaching and learning. Resources of interest to parents and caregivers include: frequently asked questions, standards for world language instruction, resources, and model programs.
WHY STUDY LANGUAGES? WHY IS LEARNING A SECOND LANGUAGE SO BENEFICIAL?
MODEL EARLY FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROGRAMS: KEY ELEMENTS
Many qualities and characteristics contribute to the success of early foreign language programs. Model programs have demonstrated flexibility, teamwork, leadership, and commitment. They have adapted to changes brought about by unanticipated events, including diminished funding. They have forged close working relationships with district superintendents, members of the board of education, school principals, regular classroom teachers, parents, and others in the community. They have strong leaders with a vision of foreign language teaching and learning who know how to inspire others and organize the people and resources necessary to build an effective program. everyone involved has a deep commitment to the program and to the goal of providing effective foreign language education for young learners. Finally, immersion education offers an exciting opportunity for students to reach high levels of academic achievement and to acquire strong proficiency in English and another language. Parents who are interested in immersion for their children should become as well informed as possible about this program model. The last article serves as a useful starting point.
SUEÑOS DE COLORES
Ana Lomba, an experienced bilingual teacher from Madrid, Spain and now living in New Jersery, has compiled excellent resources for parents and teachers on second language acquisition and bilingualism. She offers high quality early childhood education classes, materials, and workshops. I recommend her methodologies and offerings highly!
SPANISH WORKSHOP FOR CHILDREN --- PARENT RESOURCES
Marcela Summerville has assembled an excellent list of resources for parents about second language learning in young children. She lists the benefits of learning a new language and offers print and online resources as well.
