Curriculum and Assessment: Dual Language Learners
The number of preschoolers who are Dual Language Learners (DLLs) has been rapidly increasing throughout the state of Wisconsin in recent years. Many community and school programs are struggling with how to appropriately assess and teach these young learners given their different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
The Wisconsin Early Childhood Collaborating Partners provides basic information on culturally and linguistically responsive ways to assess and instruct these very young learners. Links to additional resources are also provided in every topic area. Additional resources and information will be added to this Web site periodically.
FACTS & TIPS SERIES: The following FACTS & TIPS documents are intended to give programs and practitioners easy access to information and practical tips for working with young dual language learners, Birth-5 years, and their families. The FACTS & TIPS series will cover a wide range of topics including culture and families, language development, assessment, service delivery, effective instruction, language use, and interpreters.
OTHER RESOURCES:
- Heritage Languages in America - Based out of the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL), includes links to informational brochures, teaching materials, news reports, scholarly articles, digests, and books.
- Responsiveness to ALL Children, Families, and Professionals: Integrating Cultural and Linguistic Diversity into Policy and Practice (pdf)
- IDEA Partnership English Language Learners Dialogue Guides - Includes sections on Definition, Assessment, Culturally Responsive Teaching, Effective Classrooms, Disproportionate Respresentation in Special Education, Language Development, Math Instruction, Parent Outreach, Reading Instruction and Response to Intervention.
- Culturally and Linguistically Responsive Practices with Dual Language Learners (DLLs) Q&A (doc) - This document defines Dual Language Learners, describes various program models and assessment tools and offers links to additional resources
- Accessing and Building on Background Knowledge of Preschool Dual Language Learners (doc) - Practical suggestions to enhance learning by expanding on children's prior knowledge and cultural background
- Making Language Comprehensible for Dual Language Learners (DLLs) (doc) - Strategies to increase language comprehension and expression by Ruth Reinl, EC Consultant: Preschool Dual Language Learners, 2009
- Additional resources related to Dual Language Learners - Department of Public Instruction listing of additional resources
- Where We Stand on Responding to Linguistic and Cultural Diversity (pdf) - Position statement by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAECY) 2009
- Where We Stand on Assessing Young English Language Learners (pdf) - Position statement by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) 2009
- Understanding the Impact of Language Differences on Classroom Behavior - Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning Brief by R. M. Santos, M. M. Ostrosky