Abstract

This volume provides a state-of-the-art snapshot of language and education research and demonstrates ways in which local and global processes are intertwined with language learning, use, and policies. Reflecting but also expanding on Nancy Hornberger’s ground-breaking contributions to educational linguistics, this book brings together leading international scholars. Chapters present new research and cutting-edge syntheses addressing current theoretical and methodological issues in researching equity, access, and multilingual education. Organized around three central themes --- bilingual education and bilingualism, the continua of biliteracy, and policy and planning for linguistic diversity in education --- the volume reflects the holistic and dynamic perspective on language (in) education that is the hallmark of educational linguistics as a field.

The papers in this volume eloquently celebrate the research findings and theoretical insights that Nancy Hornberger has contributed to the field of educational linguistics. The reader is made vividly aware of the direct impact that language planning decisions have on the lives of children, families, and educators and we are enabled to share in the passion for equity and justice that Nancy has infused throughout her work during the past 30 years.

Francis M. Hult is Assistant Professor of Applied Linguistics in the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio. His research examines the globalization of English as it relates to language planning and multilingualism, with a particular focus on Sweden. He is the founder and manager of the Educational Linguistics List. His work appears in journals such as the International Journal of the Sociology of Language, Language Problems and Language Planning, and Language Policy. He is co-editor (with Bernard Spolsky) of the Handbook of Educational Linguistics (Blackwell, 2008) and editor of Directions and Prospects for Educational Linguistics (Springer, 2010).

Kendall A. King is Associate Professor of Second Languages and Cultures at the University of Minnesota, where she teaches about and conducts research on language policy, sociolinguistics and bilingualism. Recent projects have examined transmigration, parenting practices, and Spanish-Quichua-English language learning and use in Washington D.C., Minneapolis, and Saraguro, Ecuador, and the relationship across (im)migration status, second language learning, and school engagement for Latino youth. Her recent work appears in the Modern Language Journal, Discourse Studies, Applied Linguistics, and the International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. She is an editor of the journal Language Policy.

From bilingual education and the continua of biliteracy, to language planning and educational equity, this outstanding volume addresses key debates in educational linguistics, capturing both the depth and breadth of Nancy Hornberger’s legendary influence on an important field. Editors Francis Hult and Kendall King have ensured that Hornberger’s impact will remain vibrant for generations to come.

Hult and King conduct here a masterful choir of voices that deepen our understanding of Nancy Hornberger’s impressive contributions to educational linguistics. By providing diverse local grounding to global issues of language and education, these different voices are raised to honor Hornberger, choirmaster par excellence, in praise of her complex views on the continua of biliteracy, bilingualism and bilingual education, and policy for language diversity in education. The result is a lucid volume that will become essential reading in educational linguistics. Ofelia García

An excellent book for a very distinguished recipient and mentor by two highly qualified editors: who could ask for anything more?