Language Information



LifeHealthInsurance.ca

Bridging the Language Gap Using Bilingual Picture Books


There are more than 39 million Hispanics live in the United States making it the fifth largest Spanish-speaking nation in the world. It is estimated that within five years, only Mexico will have more Spanish-speakers than the U.S. Schools are offering bilingual courses and fully integrated bilingual curriculum. In some areas of the country , Spanish even exceeds English as the first language of the residents. Families are integrating languages into their neighborhoods regularly.

We propose bridging the language gap with bilingual picture books that both educate and entertain. The presence of both English and Spanish in the same book allows cross-cultural access and language development. Reading is a wonderful family experience which allows children to explore character development, expanding imagination and develop problem solving skills. The addition of another language educates and the illustrations in a picture book support the learning in an entertaining way.

Raven Tree Press offer bilingual books in a variety of styles and choices.

Full text translation-Full text translation means the text of the story is presented in English and then again in Spanish. Both texts are generally placed on the page with an icon separating the two for ease of reading. A different ink color is also generally used to further offset the two languages.

Embedded text-Take a story in English and sprinkle in a little Spanish. We call it embedded text. The word that will be embedded is usually first introduced in English and then reiterated in the sentence, or at least in the same paragraph in Spanish later. Once the word is introduced, it can be used again and again in context of the story. The context of the story and the illustrations are of utmost importance when using embedded text as they aid in making the leap from one language to another.

Wordless-Can a wordless book be effective in learning language? Definitely! Wordless picture books and picture books with limited words are both beautiful and educational. They help children develop language, creative thinking and enhance future reading and writing skills. Using wordless picture books, children learn that reading follows a left-to-right pattern. They learn that stories generally have a beginning, a middle section and an ending. They also learn to identify details, see cause and effect, make judgements and draw conclusions. We present an instruction page in both English and Spanish for creative uses of our books.

Concept Bilingual-In concept bilingual books, we take one concept of language and focus strictly on that. Counting, for example. The story is presented in English, but the concept (numbers in this case) are presented in both English and Spanish. Keywords are easily learned using this format.

Raven Tree Press includes an English/Spanish vocabulary page to help readers with keywords in either language.

Raven Tree Press children's bilingual picture books are available at favorite bookstores, online booksellers and at the publisher's web site www.raventreepress.com.

Publisher Note: Book excerpts and artwork can be imbedded in this article easily to clarify points if interested. Please contact me for further details.

Raven Tree Press is an independent book publisher specializing in bilingual picture books in English and Spanish.

Contact: Raven Tree Press
Dawn Jeffers, Publisher
www.raventreepress.com
dawn@raventreepress.com
920-438-1605 phone
920-438-1607 fax


MORE RESOURCES:

Padres breaking down language barrier
MLB.com
This is not an uncommon occurrence for Miley, who is in his fourth year of teaching the English language to the Padres' Latino players, an experience he ...

and more »


Los Angeles Times

WORD OF MOUTH: Remaking foreign-language films in English
Los Angeles Times
Foreign-language films don't tend to do well at the US box office, but Hollywood is happy to remake them. 'THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO': Noomi Rapace ...
The Girl With the Dragon TattooEntertainment Weekly
'Dragon Tattoo' Has Designs On US AudiencesNPR

all 32 news articles »



TPMDC (blog)

When a 'Yes' on the Health Care Bill Turns to 'No'
FOXNews
VAN SUSTEREN: With the language as is, is there any doubt in your mind you're a no? VAN SUSTEREN: Are there others Democrats who voted yes who are feeling ...
Stupak: I Won't Give Up Until Matters Are Resolved in Health CareFOXNews
Health Care Reform, With or Without YouFOXNews

all 17 news articles »


FOXNews

Catholic opposition to health bill fades
Boston Globe
That language, crafted with the input of politically powerful bishops, ensured the narrow passage of the health care bill in the House. ...
UPDATED: Perriello okays Senate bill abortion language, still undecided on ...Washington Post (blog)
Stupak Ally in House Approves Senate Abortion RestrictionsNew York Times (blog)
Kildee OKs abortion provision, will support health billThe Detroit News
NPR (blog) -Roll Call (subscription) -LifeNews.com
all 604 news articles »


New York Daily News

Head of Arabic-Language School Resigns
New York Times
The principal of the city's only Arabic-language public school stepped down abruptly on Tuesday, just days after a federal commission ...
Judge: NYC Wronged Arabic-Language PrincipalClaimsJournal.com
Principal of Arabic Language School DepartsWNYC
Principal of Arabic-language school in NYC resignsWCAX
New York Post -New York Times (blog)
all 32 news articles »


Frederick News Post (subscription)

Advocate works to provide access to health and language services
Frederick News Post (subscription)
Joel Minton's interest in furthering his career as a teacher of English as a second language began on a trip to South Korea in 1999 and ...

and more »


District learns to keep bond language flexible
De Soto Explorer
Because the savings were acquired through efficiency in technology, officials said, language in the 2002 bond issue specified the money would then have to ...

and more »


Upcoming releases: 'Greenberg,' 'Hot Tub Time Machine'
Detroit Free Press
Rated R for sexuality, drug use and language. "Hot Tub Time Machine": Four friends who are bored with adult life travel back to their '80s heyday thanks to ...

and more »


New York Times

On Language With Ben Zimmer
New York Times
He founded our On Language column in February 1979 and proceeded to write tens of thousands of words about phrases (fashionable and not), usages (proper and ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2006