This foundational textbook equips pre-service and in-service educators with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed language and literacy education decisions in school. It also shows multiple pathways for advocacy through classroom and school practices and policy-making, and sets an agenda for research from a multilingual perspective.

Foundations for Multilingualism in Education: from Principles to Practice takes a comprehensive, pluralistic approach to theory and research on multilingualism in education. De Jong goes beyond traditional discussions about "the best bilingual or multilingual model", and introduces four core principles that are applicable across a wide range of multilingual contexts (including bilingual, multilingual, and English-medium programs):

1. The Principle of Striving for Educational Equity
2. The Principle of Affirming Identities
3. The Principle of Promoting Additive Bi/Multilingualism
4. The Principle of Structuring for Integration

Teachers, administrators, policymakers, and researchers who use this text explore the implications of these principles for practice, policy-making, and research.

Key Features

• Guiding questions and key terms preview major concepts
• Tables, figures, U.S. and international examples, glossary, index make chapter content accessible and practical
• Critical issues question, application and reflection activities, and recommended readings at the end of each chapter extend student learning