Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism (Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 27)

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Survey of Bilingualism & Bilingual Education
Review: Baker's book, first edition onward, has been the main text for a number of years in a required introductory course for future bilingual teachers at the university in which I teach. The book has many strengths; it reads well, it has a world perspective on bilingualism, it describes a number of linguistic theories relative to bilingualism, and it provides a clear and thorough foundation for understanding how language policies are designed, and what they are based on. It is important to note that even individuals who have not taken linguistic courses can understand the text because it does a great job of explaining terminology and theories so that the reader can then concentrate on the issues surrounding bilingual education and bilingualism. The text is effective as an introduction to bilingualism because it explores not only linguistic theories, but also looks at sociological and psychological theories that can deepen the understanding of the language dynamics of bilingualism. The premise of the book is that a language is a resource to be nurtured and developed, whether it is a "minority" language or not; this is the opposite of seeing a minority language as a societal, political, or educational problem, a viewpoint that has become increasingly voiced by state-level politicians (with no background in linguistics or teaching) who blame bilingualism for low academic achievement among immigrant youth and have reshaped language policies through state referenda. Baker provides a stark contrast between such perspectives and those in numerous countries in Europe and Asia, where multilingualism is the norm. In summary, Foundations of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism is an excellent resource for those interested in this topic.

Rating:
Summary: A must-read for serious Bilingual Educators
Review: This title has become both a text book and a classic. The author lists all the major theories of second language acquisition with clarity, providing a broad range of approaches to bilingualism.