This study reports data from a year-long ethnographic case study of a third-grade teacher's literacy instruction for her linguistically and culturally diverse students. Specifically, we use Bourdieu's social practice theory (1991, 1998) to examine the teacher's linguistic and literate habitus and the discourses of the field converge in her use of…

In this paper, the authors raise concerns regarding the use of cognitive strategy instruction (CSI) in culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) classrooms. The authors recognize the potential benefits afforded by CSI. At the same time, they argue that counter to the intentions of those who have developed CSI, it may be implemented in ways that…

This article presents the argument that consideration of non-European and nonalphabetic writing makes possible new understandings of literacy and, in addition, that contemporary literacy forms and practices can be fully understood only by expanding our historical perspective. The field of literacy research remains largely unaware of the multimodal…

Explores alternative conceptions of literacy that emphasize economic, historical, transnational, technological, and other expanded notions of literacy that the author believes hold much more potential for improving access to literacy in a multilingual world. Suggests that educators should consider all of the possibilities that dual-language…

Studied how literacy and identity interacted in the development of approximately 85 Latino/a students in 4 intermediate-grade bilingual classrooms. Findings show that students' bilingual language and literacy knowledge and their understanding of identity have noticeable influences on each other. Identified some ways in which language and literacy…

Suggests that one of the reasons that schools are not as successful supporting the literacy development of Latina/o students is that school literacy, whether it be in Spanish or English, envisions forms of literacy that these students do not recognize. Notes that low academic achievement for many Latina/o students is not due to a lack of…

In the first section of this two part paper, the author provides a very brief theoretical framework for thinking about content-area literacy instruction for ELLs. In the second section, the author asks: What do effective teachers of linguistically diverse students know and do? This question is answered in five parts. Part one focuses on content…

Examines language and literacy practices in first- and fourth-grade classrooms in two schools in a small town in central Mexico. Explores how educators can expand their own understanding of reading and writing--and how to teach them--by considering the literacy practices of other countries. Uses Mexico, the country of origin of many students and…

This paper explores three issues in the literacy acquisition of Latino students, including common problems faced by second-language readers of English; explicit strategies for transfer of first-language strengths to second-language literacy; and the development of language-specific strategies. (46 references) (JL)

Contrary to common wisdom, the authorities of Colonial Mexico (1521-1600) were vitally concerned with the teaching of reading to the indigenous people. Alphabetic literacy was introduced in Mexico with the coming of the Franciscan friars, who brought with them many innovations and heartily set about the task of education. Some of the friars'…

Presents three short essays on how bilingual/ESL programs in literacy will change in the next millennium. Discusses particular future reading instruction practices in two-way bilingual programs; what literacy instruction would look like based on second-language theory and bilingual research; and pressing needs in the literacy education of…

Presents a conversation between four Latino/a researchers and professors dealing with the literacy learning and instruction of linguistically diverse students. Considers professional development and identity, representation in academe, assessment of linguistically diverse students, current movements in literacy instruction, teaching style/process…

This article examines the literacy of Latino students and related educational issues, including the need for more informed educators, the distinctive nature of instruction for Latino students, alternative literacies, facilitating the transfer of information from first language and life experience to school-based tasks, xenophobia and linguicism,…