This article, a narrative inquiry, documents my professional learning as an educator through sustained research into the role of the bilingual teaching assistant over a period of 30 years from the late 1970s to the year 2000 in England as a teacher and today as a teacher educator in the UAE. It also represents a data-based analysis of the role of…

This article draws on the analysis of 26 interviews with newly qualified primary teachers (NQTs) in one multilingual city in England, towards the end of their induction year. Interview analysis focused on three themes: developments in pedagogic practice, collaboration with colleagues, resolutions for change or development. Detailed thematic…

Early education programs in the United States are experiencing an increase in the number of English learners and, consequently, an increase in dual-language programs that best serve the needs of these children. Dual-language programs enable children to communicate orally and in written forms in both their native languages and in English. This…

Considering the issue of World Englishes, the present study attempts to investigate whether Japanese teachers of English (JTEs) prefer assistant English teachers (AETs) with native-like pronunciation yet minor inappropriate grammar use or those with native-level grammar yet English recognizably accented by their native language, and to what extent…

This article reports on a teacher education program's preparation of bilingual paraeducators during a period of conflicting educational reform of structured English immersion in Massachusetts. Drawing on nexus analysis of discourses (R. Scollon & S. W. Scollon, 2004), we discuss factors faced by Latino educators. These include competing…

This article discusses findings from a case study of one elementary bilingual paraeducator, highlighting how the recognition of situated cultural capital enabled her to move from traditional to constructive marginality. I argue that her actions, the actions of others, and conditions within the school enabled her to use culturally relevant funds of…

The purpose of this study is to examine the strengths that biliterate paraprofessionals bring to the teaching workforce. Paraprofessionals, such as teachers' aides, are commonly used in classes for English-language learners. Because of the pending teacher shortage for English-language learners, a variety of teacher preparation programs have been…

This report discusses findings from a study that examined issues surrounding the collaborative relationship between Latino paraeducators and the classroom teachers with whom they worked. Specifically, the study examined the types of activities that the paraeducators engaged in, the input they had in classroom instructional activities, the…

Second language learners continue to languish in California public schools in spite of six years of promises following passage of the controversial ballot initiative "English for the Children" (Proposition 227) to fix the education of English Language Learners (ELLs) through English-only instruction. In addition, with the development of new…

A case study examined a Texas bilingual teacher education program that recruited local paraprofessionals and Mexican teachers (normalistas). Interviews, writing samples, and observations of seven students revealed that normalistas were open to seeing merit in U.S. educational methods, while paraprofessionals began to question the deficit model…

A critical ethnography of three Mexican American bilingual interns examines the barriers that minority individuals face in gaining licensure to teach. These include a salary reduction, a stressful workload, teacher exams, inability to use their bilingual education skills, and mentors with no experience in bilingual education or at the interns'…

The Futures in Quality Education Workforce (FQEW) program provides current teacher aides and school secretaries an alternative pathway to becoming credentialed teachers. Offered by the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College in conjunction with 12 local school districts, the program offers alternative coursework and…

Hiring increasing numbers of paraeducators can provide additional learning support and a linguistic/cultural link to the community. However, such personnel may have frenetic schedules, responsibilities divided among several schools, and inadequate supervision and communication links. Recommendations for principals, teachers, and bilingual…

Responds to a teacher's question concerning what to do now that a child who speaks no English has joined her class. Emphasizes the importance of the parent-school connection. Presents 18 brief, specific class activities and actions to take to make language minority children feel welcome in the classroom. (RS)

Discusses five functions intrinsic to the work of the bilingual paraprofessional: informer, supporter, model, supervisor, and advocate. (BF/JH)