Descriptions

The bulk of the world's population is multilingual, and one in seven Americans speak a language other than English at home. Multilinguals crave answers to questions both basic and profound, questions relating to linguistic identity, schools, multiliteracy, how languages are actually learned, and why there are so many variations on individual success. Tokuhama-Espinosa combines solid research, humor, and real-life examples into 21 informative and entertaining essays about people who experience the world with multiple languages.
This book tackles common misconceptions about polyglots ("too many languages can cause brain overload," "some languages are easier to learn than others," "an adult cannot learn a foreign language as fast as a child," etc.). Other topics include: BLCurriculum choice BLTeaching languages using the multiple intelligences BLHow different education systems can influence multilingual skills BLLanguage's relationship to mental tasks such as music and math BLLanguages from the womb and bilingualism from birth BLThe growth of the trilingual family BL The societal situation of "third culture kids" (those growing outside of their parents' native country) BLA special case for foreign language development BLThe emerging cross-area study of multilingualism and cosmopolitanism BLQuestions of linguistic identity BLChallenges to normal foreign language learning, such as dyslexia, Downs Syndrome, and deafness

Table of Contents:

Myths About Multilingualism
• Myths About Multilingualism by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa

Schooling and Foreign Languages
• Teaching Languages Using the Multiple Intelligences and Senses by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa
• The Role of the Sense of Smell in Language Learning by Sara Ackerman Aoyama ·
• Mulitliteracy Skills by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa
• Two-Way Immersion Programs in the United States by Jennifer Frengel
• The Relationship Between Musical Ability and Foreign Languages by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa
• Language, Math, and Thought: Vygotsky's Concept of Inner Speech by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa
• Primary Multilingual Mathematics by Marie Petraitis

Degrees of Multilingualism
• Languages in the Womb by Andrea Bader-Rusch
• First Choice Option: From Birth by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa
• Bilingualism from Birth by Manuela Gonzalez-Bueno
• Trilingualism: A Study of Children Growing Up With Three Languages by Suzanne Hauwaert-Barron
• What, You Only Speak One Language!? A Trilingual Family's Story by Nicola Kupelikilinc

Society and Languages
• Third Culture Kids: A Special Case for Foreign Language Learning by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa
• The Yellow Streetcar: Thoughts and Stories About a Polyphonic Identity by Christina Allemann-Ghionda
• Linguistic Hegemony: Is There a Superior Language by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa
• Foreign Adoption and Bilingual Children in Scarce Language Environments: Let the Internet Help! by Maria Johnson
• Multilingualism and Cosmopolitanism by Konrad Gunesch

Individual Differences
• A Voice Within a Voice: Federman Translating/Translating Federman, A Question of Linguistic Identity by Raymond

Federman
• Challenges to Normal Foreign Language Learning: Dyslexia, Downs Syndrome, Deafness by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa
• Conclusion by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa