Why Don't They Learn English Separating Fact from Fallacy in the U.S. Language Debate

This compelling book examines the often cited but poorly supported claims that immigrants fail to learn English, and the mistaken belief that immigrant communities cling to their heritage languages. The author reveals that, on the contrary, English is being learned at a rapid pace while heritage languages are disappearing quickly from family use. She shows us how current assumptions have a pervasive influence on language policy in the United States.Ultimately, the author argues for an educational approach that effectively embraces immigrant communities. This unique volume offers a short, readable introduction to these issues suitable for nonspecialists as well as educators, researchers, and other professionals.

About the author

Lucy Tse is an associate professor of education at California State University, Los Angeles. She is co-editor of the book Heritage Language Development and has published widely in the areas of second language acquisition, heritage language learning, and bilingualism and biliteracy.

Summary

This work examines the often cited but poorly supported claims that immigrants fail to learn English, and the mistaken belief that immigrant communities instead cling to their heritage languages, passing them from one generation to the next.

Product details

• Authors: Lucy Tse
• Assisted by: Donna E Alvermann (Editor), Celia Genishi (Editor), Dorothy S Strickland (Editor), Dorothy S. Strickland (Editor)
• Publisher: Teachers College Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 21.09.2001
• EAN: 9780807740965
• ISBN: 978-0-8077-4096-5
• No. of pages: 120
• Dimensions: 160 mm x 231 mm x 9 mm
• Weight: 168 g
• Series: Language and Literacy Series; Language and Literacy; Language and Literacy; Language and Literacy Series; Language & Literacy
• Subjects: Education and learning > Schoolbooks, general education schools; Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative linguistics