Oral Language Development in Special and Bilingual Education

This course explores the development of oral language(s) in bi/multilingual children with and without exceptionalities and those raised bilingually. It addresses theories of home (or first) and new (or second) language development, literacy development, and critical theory to practice approaches to support the learning needs of bi/ multilingual children with exceptionalities. Candidates will learn how to assess the oral language development skills of bi/multilingual children with exceptionalities, analyze and interpret findings, and apply them to improve direct instruction, enhance routine practices, increase parent/family engagement, and/or advocate for policy change. Lectures, readings, assignments, and course activities will foster candidates’ abilities to enhance young children’s oral language development in the new/home language. Twenty (20) hours of field work focused on the needs of bi/multilingual children with exceptionalities is required for this course.

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