Bilingual Education: An International Sociological Perspective.

Overview & Synopsis

This book emphasizes the value of bilingual education as an enrichment for all groups, not merely for heterogeneous populations or poor or dislocated populations. The book is aimed at teachers, administrators and concerned laymen. Part I of this book surveys the sociology of bilingual education. Language and culture in the global community and in the U.S. are discussed, and the values of linguistic and cultural diversity are asserted. Bilingual education is divided into four broad categories, and each type, with its programs and goals, is explained. The usefulness of a sociolinguistic perspective on second language teaching is demonstrated. Part II concerns international findings relating to bilingual education. The future is envisioned with more linguistic diversity and a greater number of languages being taught than now. Bilingual secondary education in 110 countries is reviewed. Social and economic characteristics of many nations are charted, and international perspectives on bilingual education are reviewed. The appendices in Part III furnish sketches of bilingual schools, an annotated bibliography of bilingual education, a history of bilingualism and a consolidated bibliography. (CHK)