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Multilingual Literacy, Grades 4–12
What You Need to Know About Teaching Reading to Emergent English Learners
Multilingual learners need reading instruction across all content areas. This book provides core content teachers with evidence-based strategies, bridging the research on reading with second language learning. Implement a whole-school approach to building vocabulary, reading comprehension, and academic discourse.
Evidence-based reading strategies for multilingual learners
Adolescent multilingual learners need reading instruction in every content classroom. Authors Margarita Espino Calderón and Karen Johannesen Brock provide an evidence-based, whole-school guide that bridges the research on reading with second-language learning. Get practical instructional strategies for vocabulary, reading comprehension, writing, and academic discourse to help core content teachers set a new standard for literacy and achieve equitable student success.
Grades 4–12 classroom teachers, specialist teachers, and school leaders can use this book to:
- Discover new research-validated methods and approaches to literacy instruction for multilingual learners
- Improve multilingual learners' vocabulary acquisition through preparation and discussion of assigned texts
- Merge the science of reading and second-language learning practices to enhance multilingual learners' literacy
- Enforce language and literacy development through peer discussions and writing tasks
- Receive recommendations for coaching teachers and professional learning for each component
- Shape educational policy that promotes a healthy school culture in support of multilingual learners
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“Rather than presenting a dichotomy of stances and asking readers to choose a side, Multilingual Literacy, 4–12 offers an extended position built on reading research. By adopting a whole-school approach to multilingual literacy, educators come to see the value of biculturalism for all students as integral for framing literacy. This is a must-read for all educators!”
“Margarita Calderón and Karen Brock make a compelling case for offering multilingual students the right kind of support and meaningful interaction opportunities so they may learn content concepts, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, and develop language and literacy simultaneously. Numerous tools, summary charts, authentic classroom examples, and visually engaging illustrations further enhance the text's powerful message!”
“There is little disagreement among educators that the ability to read and write at grade level in English is a foundational skill essential for student success. In Multilingual Literacy, Grades 4–12, Calderón and Brock provide practical, research-based answers that educators can immediately implement to support multilingual learners. These strategies strengthen students' English literacy and empower them to master rigorous academic content across disciplines. This book is a true gem for educators committed to ensuring that multilingual learners thrive.”
“Multilingual Literacy, Grades 4–12 offers a clear, research-based, and highly practical approach to strengthening literacy instruction for multilingual learners. Calderón and Brock translate research into actionable strategies that educators can immediately implement to build vocabulary, deepen comprehension, and support meaningful student discourse. Their focus on integrating language and literacy within core content instruction provides concrete tools for creating engaging, academically rigorous classrooms. This is an essential resource for teachers, instructional coaches, and school leaders committed to improving outcomes for multilingual learners.”
“Most of the attention around teaching literacy is targeted to grades K–3. Equal attention has not been paid to the development of literacy in grades 4–12, particularly for multilingual learners. Written from an asset-based orientation and grounded in the theory that the development of literacy and multilingual literacy includes writing and discourse as well as reading, this book is a wonderful contribution that fills the current void in grades 4–12.”
“With so much attention being paid to early literacy in the primary grades, Multilingual Literacy, Grades 4–12 responds to the crucial need to address literacy for older multilingual learners. This book provides a comprehensive approach to literacy in English and students’ home language, describing the various student profiles needing targeted language and literacy instruction. Teachers, administrators, and teacher preparation professors have a new resource that summarizes the research on literacy for multilingual learners with many concrete classroom practices that place multilingual learners at the center of literacy instruction.”
