Literacy Foundations for English Learners: A Comprehensive Guide to Evidence-Based Instruction

More than 5 million English learners attend U.S. public schools—and yet fewer than 3% of teachers are certified to work with them. Fill that gap in teacher education with this practical and comprehensive textbook, an evidence-based guide to providing English learners in Pre-K–Grade 6 with explicit, systematic instruction on language and literacy fundamentals. Aligned with IDA's Knowledge and Practice Standards, this book prepares current and future educators to teach English learners the key components of language and literacy, as first described in the National Literacy Panel report. For each component, teachers will get a dedicated chapter with research-based insights on how to teach English learners, guidance on making connections across languages when teaching that component, and ready-to-use principles and strategies for instruction. Learning objectives, study questions, and extended application activities help educators grow their knowledge and apply it in their classrooms. An essential text for courses on literacy foundations and biliteracy—and an ideal in-service professional development resource—this accessible book will give teachers the knowledge base they need to help English learners develop strong literacy skills and achieve academic success. Prepare Teachers To: Enter their classroom with a full understanding of the language and literacy development of English learners Teach English learners the key components of language and literacy: phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, spelling, and writing skills Apply insights from current, reliable research on how best to teach English learners Use specific, evidence-based principles, strategies, activities, and sample teacher-student dialogues to guide and strengthen instruction Leverage technology to adapt and enhance instruction for English learners Online Companion Materials Included: Faculty will get helpful PowerPoint slides for each chapter, plus a sample syllabus that shows you how to use this book in your course.

Table of Contents:
About the Online Materials About the Editor About the Contributors. Foreword  Sharon Vaughn Preface Acknowledgments I   Introduction to English Learners, Language, and Literacy 1  Teaching Literacy Skills to English Learners   Elsa CÁrdenas-Hagan 2   Language and Literacy Development   Elsa CÁrdenas-Hagan 3   Components of Literacy Instruction for English Learners   Eric Tridas II  The Components of Literacy and English Learners 4  Phonological Awareness Development Among English Learners   Virginia Lovelace-Gonzalez 5  Phonics Development Among English Learners   Kenneth Nieser and Elsa CÁrdenas-Hagan 6   Reading Fluency Among English Learners   Coleen D. Carlson 7   Vocabulary Instruction Among English Learners   Sharolyn D. Pollard-Durodola 8   Reading Comprehension Among English Learners   Colleen K. Reutebuch 9   Spelling Development Among English Learners   Elsa CÁrdenas-Hagan and Alessandra Rico 10   Writing Development Among English Learners    Linda O. Cavazos and Elsa CÁrdenas-Hagan Appendix  Using Technology to Adapt and Enhance Instruction for English Learners   Elaine Cheesman Index

About the Author :
Dr. Elsa CÁrdenas-Hagan is a bilingual speech and language pathologist, a certified teacher, dyslexia therapist, certified academic language therapist and a qualified instructor. She is the President of the Valley Speech Language and Learning Center in Brownsville, Texas and works with the Texas Institute for Measurement, Evaluation and Statistics at the University of Houston. Elsa has spent the last 2 decades working with national research teams designing assessments and interventions for English learners who struggle with learning to read. She has a passion for ensuring that every child in schools across the world has access to a highly qualified educator who can implement effective language and literacy instruction to diverse populations. Elsa has also dedicated her time and expertise to many organizations. She serves as the Chairperson of the National Joint Committee on Learning Disabilities, she is a Past-Vice- Chairperson of the International Dyslexia Association, Past Chairperson of the Texas State Board for Speech Pathology and Audiology and Past Chairperson of the Texas State Dyslexia Advisory Board. She has also served as a board member of the Academic Language Therapy Association, Southwest Regional Education Laboratory and Texas Comprehensive Center at the American Institutes for Research. Elsa has served her local community as Co-Founder of Brownsville READS! She is recognized for her reading reform efforts at the local, state, national and international levels. Elsa has written many scholarly articles, curricular programs, and book chapters related to language and literacy development among English learners. It is her hope that pre-service teachers will have the opportunity to learn evidence-based practices for teaching literacy to all students, including those who are English learners and struggle with learning to read. Elsa has been recognized for her dedication to persons with dyslexia. She is the recipient of the Margaret Byrd Rawson Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Dyslexia Association, the Dr. Luke Waites Award of Service to persons with Dyslexia by the Academic Language Therapy Association and the Champion of Dyslexia Award by the Texas Education Agency.