Twice in the preschool/pre-k year, we assessed 37 Chinese 3- and 4-year-olds dual language learners' (DLLs) receptive vocabularies in English and Chinese, interviewed parents to gauge the home language environment, and videotaped classroom activities to analyze teachers' and DLLs' language use (word types) in English and Chinese. DLLs' receptive…

This paper examines literacy and language learning across the lifespan within the context of immigrants in the Canadian context. It explores the process of improving literacy skills and acquiring second or third language skills through the systems of formal, non-formal and informal learning, as defined by the OECD [Organisation for Economic…

The Even Start-Padres y Progreso program is a nationally funded program designed to prepare young children to enter school by not only offering early childhood education, but also assisting their families with adult literacy and English as a Second Language (ESL), parenting-skills training, and employment-skills training. An evaluation of the…

This paper reports the initial findings of a survey of family and home literacy factors that may influence the development of phonological awareness skills for preliterate English learners during the acquisition phase of reading development in a second language (L2). Preliminary findings are from the first year of a 3-year longitudinal study of…

This document describes in considerable detail how to promote literacy through a home-reading program for young children. It is asserted that literacy is an ongoing process that benefits from early home involvement of parents, and that parents need to be brought into the process early. A home-reading program based on a lending library is essential…