Highlights the fact that learning a third language in school contexts is a common phenomenon all over the world and poses several questions specifically related to the characteristics of third language acquisition. Considers the relationship between third language acquisition and the research traditions of bilingualism and second language…

Fifty-five children from multilingual backgrounds being educated in English were studied longitudinally over a 2-year period with measures taken of their phonological skill, vocabulary, and letter knowledge. Phonological segmentation ability and letter knowledge proved significant predictors of both concurrent and later reading achievement a year…

Discusses the incidence of codeswitching in primary schools in South Africa and examines the speakers' motivations for employing codeswitching. The discussion is informed by current theoretical frameworks in codeswitching research. Implications of codeswitching for education in South Africa are considered. (Author/VWL)

Vanuatu, a politically independent republic located in the Pacific, is one of the smallest nations but also one of the most linguistically diverse. Regarding local languages in Vanuatu, language planning has been very difficult, with the approach having been one of maximum non-involvement, although changes are now envisioned. (Author/VWL)

Defines an anti-bias curriculum as accepting the legitimacy of children's home languages, acknowledging all attempts at communication, and promoting active involvement of traditional, extended, and non-traditional families. Examines anti-bias education, language, and literacy. Identifies six tenets of anti-bias educators. Advocates laying the…

Advocates a new sentimental education that recognizes our migrant condition of double consciousness as a normal outcome of creativity and flexibility that plays between the different languages and cultures. (Author/VWL)

Examines the language practices in three immigrant families of South Asian ancestry who reside in Canada and have chosen French immersion education for their children. Based on interview data, presents a profile of the inter- and intra-generational language interactions that distinguish each family. Describes their reasons for maintaining their…

Describes the language situation in Nepal in social and historical perspective, as well as by looking at language planning and policy implemented by the national government over the last 50 years. Discusses local languages, multilingualism, and lingua franc. (Author/VWL)

Sets the language policy scene in Sweden in the broader perspective of the ongoing restructuring of global and local linguistic hierarchies. Analyzes myths about global English, the equality of the 11 official languages in the European Union, and the extent to which linguistic human rights are guaranteed. Trends in each of these language policy…

Drawing on theoretical perspectives related to play and identity, play as a literary and social text, and multimodality, I present an analysis of a play narrative centred on the theme of playing house. The narrative exemplifies the interconnections between literacy and identity in the social and cultural world of a young girl growing up in a…

The purpose of this article is to describe a school that has successfully prepared its students for a multilingual society using a 2-way bilingual immersion program. Students' high SAT scores, as well as their participation at school and in the community, provide evidence that acquiring 2 languages does not sacrifice academic achievement.…

This paper discusses the political, or ideological, use of official languages (English and French) data in Canada. A more pragmatic use of official languages data would enable policy actors to better address the unequal relations between English and French. Specific suggestions are made in order to move the debate in that direction. (Contains 7…

The cultural values of multilingual students are sometimes at variance with Western academic practice, in matters such as plagiarism. In accepting this, however, it is important to avoid stereotyping. Instead we should respect and make use of the students' own traditions of study. It is also time to acknowledge that ideas and language are…

As the authors look ahead toward the World Forum on May 2005, they consider prospects of coming together with international, multilingual leaders in early care and education. They asked some questions to stimulate thinking and to share cross-cultural perspectives on the topic of "Culture and Leadership". In this article, the authors…

This is a unique and groundbreaking collection of questions and answers coming from higher education institutions on diverse fields and across a wide spectrum of countries and cultures. It creates routes for further innovation, collaboration amidst the Sciences (both Natural and Social) and the Humanities and the private and the public sectors of…