The Bilingual Revolution: The Future of Education Is in Two Languages(1 Bilingual Revolution)

Conceived as a practical, accessible "how to" guide, The Bilingual Revolution is the story of a movement to bring dual language education to public schools told through the eyes of founding parents and educators. These pioneering mothers, fathers, teachers, and principals share the belief that bilingual education can positively transform a child, a school, a community, and even a country. Although the roots of bilingual education in the United States can be traced back to the 17th century, a new push to embrace heritage languages, produce bilingual global citizens, and create a cultural sense of community is taking the education sector by storm. New York City provides the backdrop for the book, where parents have fought for access to various bilingual public school programs from preschool to high school. Similar programs have developed in hundreds of cities in the United States and around the world. The Bilingual Revolution tells the story of successes and setbacks of parents and educators through vignettes that yield practical advice. In their diversity, these portraits paint a picture of a viable 21st-century solution to preserve linguistic heritage and to raise a generation of young bilingual, biliterate, multicultural citizens of the world. The book will inspire and engage readers who want to create their own bilingual programs. Being bilingual can become the new norm and it starts with our youth and our education systems. A bilingual revolution for the common good is already underway.

About the Author :
Nicknamed the "Godfather of Language immersion programs" by the New York Times, Fabrice Jaumont has more than 25 years of experience in international education and the development of multilingual programs. In spearheading what has been dubbed the "Bilingual Revolution" in New York, Jaumont has put his expertise at the service of the French, Italian, Japanese, German, and Russian communities by helping them to develop quality bilingual programs in their local public schools.

Review :
This engaging book tells the story of the history of bilingual education in the U.S.A and the social forces that shaped that trajectory from a perspective that is both personal and scholarly. The center piece is a "how to" manual for setting up your own bilingual school and in so doing creating your own revolution. Recommended for parents, teachers, and everyone who thinks that languages are important. Ellen Bialystok, York University Chair in Lifespan Cognitive Development Multilingualism is no longer a luxury afforded only to the affluent or lucky few who can attend dual-language schools; it is a critical 21st century skill that children will need to be successful in their future work and life. Jaumont's Bilingual Revolution in many ways levels the playing field by sharing various world-language program models and best practices, while also demystifying language learning so that parents and educators have a feasible road map to begin a "revolution" of their own. A must read for any parent who wants to ensure their child will be world and workforce ready. Angela Jackson, Global Language Project Founder Jaumont's book stands on the edge of the nascent bilingual revolution running through the United States' school system and asks how it might be improved and encouraged. Jaumont describes the country's growing enthusiasm for multilingual education--and provides a roadmap for communities who want to join the movement. Conor Williams, New America's Education Policy Program Fabrice Jaumont weaves the personal, political, and community stories of the growing bilingual movement together in a compelling, vitally important book that interlinks personal stories with the practice and science of bilingual education. This masterpiece will be indispensable for parents and educational leaders in the United States and abroad. Bill Rivers, Joint National Committee for Languages/National Council for Language & International Studies As chair of a global corporation, I know first-hand how crucial mastering languages is for communicating with and understanding managers, clients, and consumers from all over the world. This is only made possible by the knowledge of multiple languages. Fabrice Jaumont's powerful book, The Bilingual Revolution, shows how empowering multilingual education can be for our youth, showcasing a very promising trend in the United States. A must-read for anyone interested in the future of education. Bruno Bich, Chairman & CEO, BIC Group In our ever more interconnected, miniaturized, and fragile era schools the world over are endeavoring to equip youth with the skills, competencies, and sensibilities to flourish as autonomous, engaged, and productive citizens. The teaching and learning of languages and the cultivation of the so-called bilingual advantage is resurfacing with great vigor in schools, large and small, all over the United States. It seems everywhere parents and teachers are searching to find the sweet spot of dual language teaching and learning. Search no more: The Bilingual Revolution is your book. It is a rare achievement. It combines profound insight into learning and teaching but also identity and cosmopolitanism with practical applications and exemplary proof points. Recommended for every parent, every teacher, every administrator interested in creating and supporting best dual language programs for the 21st Century. Marcelo Suarez-Orozco, UCLA Dean of Education