Description
Book SynopsisOver the past 40 years, Jim Cummins has proposed a number of highly influential theoretical concepts, including the threshold and interdependence hypotheses and the distinction between conversational fluency and academic language proficiency. In this book, he provides a personal account of how these ideas developed and he examines the credibility of critiques they have generated, using the criteria of empirical adequacy, logical coherence, and consequential validity. These criteria of theoretical legitimacy are also applied to the evaluation of two different versions of translanguaging theory – Unitary Translanguaging Theory and Crosslinguistic Translanguaging Theory – in a way that significantly clarifies this controversial concept.
Trade ReviewIn this book, Jim Cummins not only presents his ideas and writings, giving insights into their origins and evolution, but importantly, he answers his critics. The volume provides an up-to-date analysis of translanguaging, considering its strengths and its criticisms, and offers practical translanguaging ideas for classrooms and curriculum activities. This book is Jim Cummins’ finest contribution to the literature. * Colin Baker, Emeritus Professor, Bangor University, UK *
This evidence-based, nuanced and scholarly volume is Cummins at his best. Courteous and collegial, Cummins distinguishes between defensible complementary theory, and enthusiastic but conjectural false dichotomy. The single purpose is to guide educators towards how best multilingual students can learn and succeed if we are to ensure equity and social justice. * Kathleen Heugh, University of South Australia, Australia *
In this volume Cummins brings the reader along on an inspiring journey that spans over 40 years and offers a unique synthesis of a life-long dedication and contribution within the field of bi- and multilingual education. The journey starts with a retrospective look at Cummins’ revolutionary and frontier-pushing theoretical hypothesis on early research in bilingual development within education and ends with presentations of innovative and creative crosslinguistic and multilingual pedagogies. * Siv Björklund, Åbo Akademi University, Finland *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements
Lily Wong Fillmore: Foreword
Series Editor’s Preface
Tove Skutnabb-Kangas: Preface
Part 1: Evolution of a Theoretical Framework: A Personal Account
Chapter 1. Core Ideas and Background Influences
Chapter 2. Resolving Contradictions: Cognitive Consequences of Bilingualism
Chapter 3. Linguistic Interdependence: Accounting for Patterns of Bilingual Academic Development
Chapter 4. Language Proficiency and Academic Achievement
Chapter 5. Power Relations in School: Constructing or Constricting Identities?
Chapter 6. Reversing Underachievement: An Integrated Framework
Part 2: Critical Analysis of Competing Theoretical Claims
Chapter 7. How Do We Assess the Legitimacy of Theoretical Constructs and Claims?
Chapter 8. Is ‘Academic Language’ a Legitimate Theoretical Construct?
Chapter 9. Are ‘Linguistic Interdependence’ and the ‘Common Underlying Proficiency’ Legitimate Theoretical Constructs?
Chapter 10. Unitary Translanguaging Theory and Crosslinguistic Translanguaging Theory: A Comparative Analysis
Part 3: Instructional Practice in Dialogue with Theoretical Concepts
Chapter 11. Teachers as Knowledge Generators: Learning from Inspirational Pedagogy
About the Author
References
Index
