Annotated Bibliography of Sources on the
Topic of Language Acquisition

Allen, R.  (2002, Fall).  Acquiring English: Schools seek ways to strengthen language learning. Curriculum Update Newsletter, (pp.1-8).

This article discusses the different ways that schools are trying to improve the language learning process. The article references the resources that are needed to make a successful language learning environment and the importance of recognizing and embracing the differences in students.

Arizona Education Association. (2002, January). Language acquisition programs for English language learners. Retrieved February 2, 2005, from http://www.arizonaea.org/PDFs/203stmtofpolicy.pdf

This article specifically states Arizona’s policy regarding language acquisition programs. The policy was adopted in 2002 and the policies are still currently in effect within the state.

Bilingual education. (2000, September 14).  Education Week.  Retrieved February 2, 2005, from http://www.edweek.com/context/topics/issuepage.cfm

This article defines and explains the original objective of creating bilingual education programs within the United States and their significance. The article looks at the successes and failures of past and present legislation.

Bloom, D.  (2003). Language acquisition.  Encyclopedia of Education (Vol. 4, pp.1384-1392).  New York: Guthrie.

This article is from a specialized encyclopedia and helps to define what language acquisition means. The information contained in the article breaks down language acquisition into simpler terms and into separate phrases.

Brock, C.  (2001, May).  Serving English language learners: Placing learners learning on center stage.  Language Arts, 78(5), pp.467-475.  Retrieved February 2, 2005, from Infotrac.

This article addresses the important considerations teachers working with English language learners need to take into account to be more successful in teaching their students. It also shows the significance of teachers learning a second language as a way to bridge the gap between themselves and their students.

Cofresi, N., & Gorman, A. (2004, Winter). Testing and assessment issues with Spanish-English bilingual Latinos. Journal of Counseling and Development, 82(1), 99-106. Retrieved February 2, 2005, from Education Index.

This article looks at the deeper issues of language acquisition such as the labels placed on students, the diversity of the students placed in language acquisition programs and the complexity of learning a second language

Crawford, J.  (1998, November).  Ten common fallacies about bilingual education.  Best Evidence: Research Foundations of the Bilingual Education Act, pp.1-6.  Retrieved May 31, 2001, from ERIC.

This article tackles the ten most common misconceptions regarding bilingual education and attempts to correct them. The information regarding the misconceptions is broken down into easy to ready sections.

Curan, M. (2003, Autumn). Linguistic diversity and classroom management. Theory into Practice, 42(4), 334-340. Retrieved February 2, 2005, from Education Index.

This article discusses the issue of language acquisition in terms of classroom management techniques and the change in classroom dynamics once a new student enters into the picture not being able to understand any English.

Donegan, C.  (1996, January).  Debate over bilingualism, CQ Researcher, pp. 1-32.  Retrieved February 2, 2005, from CQ Researcher Online.

This article discusses the controversial issue of making English the official national language. More importantly than that, it discusses the importance of addressing the needs of those American citizens who do not speak English.

Forrest, S. (2004, September/October). Implications of no child left behind on family literacy in a multicultural community. The Clearing House, 78(1), 41-45. Retrieved February 2, 2005, from Wilson Web.

This article discusses the seriousness of the issue of the acquisition of language within the classroom. The article also looks at the No Child Left Behind Act effects on language acquisition legislation.

MacWhinney, B. (2003). Language and education. Encyclopedia of Education (Vol. 4, pp. 1384-1388). New York: Guthrie.  

This excerpt discusses language acquisition. It breaks it up into the basic components of human language, methods for studying language acquisition and phases in language development.

Manning, M. L., & Baruth, L. G. (2000). Multicultural education of children and adolescents. (3rd. ed). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

This article discusses the complexity of language acquisition as a whole and the practices that schools are currently using that are either hindering or improving students’ progress.

Nowak-Fabrykowski, K., & Shkandrij, M. (2004, December). The symbolic world of the bilingual child: Digressions on language acquisition, culture and the process of thinking. Journal of Instructional Psychology, 31(4). Retrieved February 2, 2005, from Education Index.

This article gives background information on how the education system initially began addressing the issue of language acquisition among their students. The article quotes numerous research studies that look at how children are able to best absorb the complex subject of language. It also states several opinionated theories on current types of bilingual education processes.

Office of English Language Acquisition. (2004). Declaration of rights for parents of English language learners. Retrieved February 2, 2005, from http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oela/index.html?src=mr

This particular article comes directly from a government website and outlines the United States current policy regarding language acquisition. The website’s information helps to define the organization’s policy, publications and legislations.

Plissner, M. (2001, June). Learning to love language in a bilingual school. The New York Times, p. A 13. Retrieved February 2, 2005, from ProQuest.

This article takes an in-depth look at a single case study of a school taking the first steps to initially address the challenge of bilingual education.

Shore, K. (2001, March). Success for ESL students: 12 practical tips to help second language learners. Instructor, 110(6), 30-33. Retrieved February 2, 2005, from Infotrac.

This article looks at statistics regarding students undergoing the transition into learning English. The article looks at students’ needs and the critical elements that need to met within a classroom environment if students will be able to succeed.

Snow, C.  (2003). Bilingualism, second language learning, and English as a second language.  Encyclopedia of Education (Vol. 1, pp.182-184).  New York: Guthrie.

This article in the Encyclopedia of Education discusses the difficulties in learning a second language, specifically English. It is unbiased and simply discusses the facts regarding learning acquisition.

Steinberg, J. (2004, December). In American education, bilingual means learn English. The New York Times, p. 4.3. Retrieved February 2, 2005, from ProQuest.

This article addresses the importance of tackling the tough issue of bilingual education within the United States and the harsh ramifications if the problem goes on overlooked.