Words were all we had : becoming biliterate against the odds / edited by María de la Luz Reyes ; foreword by Luis C. Moll.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Reyes, María de la Luz.

Series:

Language and literacy series (New York, N.Y.)

Language and literacy series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Education, Bilingual--United States.

Education, Bilingual.

Native language and education.

English language--Study and teaching.

United States.

Bilingualism--United States.

Bilingualism.

English language--Study and teaching--United States--Spanish speakers.

English language.

Native language and education--United States.

Physical Description:

xviii, 174 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm.

Place of Publication:

New York : Teachers College Press, [2011]

Summary:

This engaging collection examines the personal narratives of a select group of well-respected educators who attained biliteracy at a young age, and in the era before bilingual education. Their autobiographical accounts celebrate and make visible a linguistic potential that has been largely ignored in schools and underscores the inextricable and emotional ties that Latinos have to Spanish. Teachers can glean important lessons about the individual potential of their Latino students from the lived experiences of Latinos whose success dispels the myth that Spanish is an obstacle to learning. These stories of tenacity and resilience offer hope for a new generation of bilingual learners who are too often forced to choose between English and their native language.

Unique views of how Latino students navigated a restrictive schooling system that continues to ignore Latinos' linguistic and cultural resources.

Powerful accounts of the support that Latino parents provided to help their children to do well in school and strive for excellence.

Illustration of the important role that caring teachers can play in a child's life when they encourage students to learn in two languages. Book jacket.

Contents:

Part I Embracing Biliteracy with Conviction and Purpose

1 On Learning to Tie a Bow, and Other Tales of Becoming Biliterate / Sonia Nieto Nieto, Sonia 15

2 Words Were All We Had: Reflections on Becoming Biliterate / Josue M. Gonzalez Gonzalez, Josue M. 26

3 A Lifelong Quest for Biliteracy: A Personal and Professional Journey / Carmen I. Mercado Mercado, Carmen I. 36

Part II Novelas, Revistas, Fotonovelas, and Prayer Books: Stepping Stones to Biliteracy

4 Literacy as Comida: Learning to Read with Mexican Novelas / Lilia I. Bartolome Bartolome, Lilia I. 49

5 Prayer Books and Hymnals: Textual Stepping Stones to Biliteracy / Maria de la Luz Reyes Reyes, Maria de la Luz 60

6 Border Literacies: Con-Textos Bilingues / Maria V. Balderrama Balderrama, Maria V. 71

Part III Resistance, Agency, and Biliteracy

7 Obstinate Child / John J. Halcon Halcon, John J. 85

8 Becoming a Bilingual Cross-Cultural Educator / Steven F. Arvizu Arvizu, Steven F. 96

9 Saving La Nena / Concepcion M. Valadez Valadez, Concepcion M. 107

Part IV Island and Mainland Influences on Biliteracy

10 Borinquen Querido: Growing Up Bilingual in a Military Family / Maria E. Franquiz Franquiz, Maria E. 121

11 Pedro, Peter, Pete, and Pito / Pedro Pedraza Pedraza, Pedro 133

Conclusion: Overcoming the Odds-Lessons Across Generations / Maria de la Luz Reyes Reyes, Maria de la Luz 143.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780807751800

0807751804

9780807751817

0807751812

OCLC:

693206420