"With terrific observations of children—well detailed and carefully crafted—this book analyzes how the social life in the classroom provides a supportive context for children's English language use."
—Anne Haas Dyson, College of Education, Michigan State University

"The author manages to present theory and principles of good teaching at the same time as she puts you right into the classroom. This book is so real and full of kids' words and actions that it has value for educators interested in children from any perspective."
—Cindy Ballenger, Brookline Teacher Researcher Seminar

How does a teacher who only speaks English address the challenges of working in a multilingual classroom? And what happens if she is the only fluent English speaker? This book features Mrs. Barker, an experienced ESL teacher who believes in the potential of her kindergarten second-language learners and uses identifiable strategies to maximize it. Illustrating how to make constructive use of "what children bring to the table," this volume promotes sound early childhood educational practice in any classroom.

Featuring carefully crafted observations and recordings of six of the children, their peers, and the teacher, the author:

• Demonstrates how full of communication a multilingual classroom for young children can be, showing how the participants negotiate to create meaning together.
• Analyzes how social life among children provides a supportive context for their English language use.
• Describes the innovative strategies a teacher may use to support children’s English learning, including the hows and whys of the activities.
• Challenges traditional definitions of productive environments for learning language, providing broader options for language and literacy curriculum among ESL learners.