Teaching English Learners Fostering Language and the Democratic Experience [Paperback]

This book examines the teaching of English language learners (ELL) by exploring topics not typically covered in theory or methods textbooks. Although methods texts commonly draw readers through well-known strategies such as the audio-lingual method, this book, by contrast, focuses attention on how music can advance and improve language skills. Looking broadly at the sociocultural implications of ELD, Tellez examines the role of the teacher in introducing and inspiring students to learn both a new language and a new society. Furthermore, he offers alterative views of language, and shows how a deeper understanding of it can shape and enrich the lives of both students and teachers. Drawing upon progressive pragmatic philosophy of Dewey, Addams, and Rorty, this book helps teachers to understand the important lineage and profession they have joined (or will join), and the urgent role they play as agents of democratic ideals and actions. Teaching English Learners is a valuable resource with ideas about how to think about ELLs and what they need to learn English. Recommended.
CHOICE

The heart of this excellent book is an affirming view consistent with caring theory. It shows how commitment to sound educational practice for English language development educators is more of a personal, rather than professional, desire or orientation. This book centers educational change on effective pedagogy and challenges the reader to undergo a transformation process that is more inside-out rather than outside-in.
Angela Valenzuela, University of Texas-Austin, and author of Subtractive Schooling and Leaving Children Behind

*Praise for The Teachers Toolkit*

Books about teaching seldom combine theory, research, practice, and inspiration, but that is precisely what The Teachers Toolkit series does. Seasoned educators and researchers explore the profession of teaching through social justice and efficacy. University faculty, their studlSW