Biliteracy and Cross-Cultural Teaching: A Framework for Standards-Based Transfer Instruction in Dual Language Programs

A comprehensive guide for dual language educators!

Unlock the full potential of bilingual education and elevate your teaching practice with this indispensable resource for K–12 educators working in Spanish/English dual language programs. With this comprehensive guide on curriculum design for biliteracy instruction and cross-cultural teaching, you’ll discover a model for creating inclusive, dynamic, and effective multilingual and multicultural learning environments.

Authored by leading experts in bilingual education, this book offers a robust decision-making framework and wealth of strategies to foster effective transfer of knowledge and skills between languages. It equips teachers with the tools they need to design and implement standards-based instruction that integrates four critical domains:

Language: Using contrastive analysis, explore the commonalities and differences between Spanish and English and how these promote oral language proficiency as a basis for biliteracy. Learn how to help students develop metalinguistic awareness to enhance their understanding of the structures and functions of both languages of instruction.

Literacy: Support students’ comprehension of grade-level texts in both languages by focusing on literacy foundations and language-specific skills. Effective strategies for leveraging points of transfer to achieve biliteracy are highlighted to ensure that students can navigate the literacy demands of each language with confidence.

Content: Educators are empowered to create standards-based dual-language lessons in the content areas using the Language–Concept Connection. This approach supports students’ mastery of both conceptual knowledge and content-specific vocabulary, enriching their understanding and performance across academic subjects.

Culture: Cultural proficiency is integral to bilingual education. Discover how to identify and teach dimensions of culture and use authentic multicultural literature to design lessons that not only deepen students’ knowledge of their own culture but also broaden their appreciation of others’.

Each chapter is anchored in professional knowledge base objectives and includes Reflection and Action questions that encourage educators to critically engage with the material. Model lesson plans are also included to showcase practical strategies that educators can use to excel in their complex and vital role in dual language programs.

Jill Kerper Mora, Ed.D., is Associate Professor Emerita from the School of Teacher Education at San Diego State University. Dr. Mora’s career as a biliteracy educator began in Texas where she was an elementary bilingual teacher, a secondary Spanish teacher, and a consultant for the Texas Education Agency’s Region IV Service. She has been a university teacher educator for thirty years, specializing in preparing teachers for work with culturally and linguistically diverse students in Texas, California, and Mexico. She brings an international perspective to the arena of Spanish language and literacy education. In 2003-2005, Dr. Mora served as Resident Director of the California State University International Program and Bilingual Teacher Credential Program in Querétaro, Mexico. Dr. Mora has received numerous honors and awards for her activism and scholarship. In 2002, she received the California Association for Bilingual Education Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarly Activity for her MoraModules Website for biliteracy and English language development educators. In 2009, Dr. Mora was recognized with the Promoting Biliteracy Award from the Two-way California Association for Bilingual Education for her strong advocacy for educational equity for language minority students. In her active retirement, Dr. Mora provides professional development workshops for school districts and university teacher education programs through her MoraModules Website at moramodules.com. The website includes a Book Companion Website to accompany her textbook Spanish Language Pedagogy for Biliteracy Programs (2016) published with Montezuma Publishing.

Silvia Dorta-Duque de Reyes, M.A.Ed., has made significant contributions to education, where her leadership and expertise have shaped various standards and frameworks documents. In partnership with the CCSSO and the California Department of Education, she took on a pivotal role in directing and coordinating the translation and linguistic augmentation of the Common Core State Standards for Language Arts and Mathematics into Spanish (2012). This effort ensured accessibility and inclusivity by establishing a guide for equitable assessment and curriculum development, resulting in high levels of biliteracy. She served as an Expert Panel Member for the development of the California ELD Standards. Subsequently, she continued her involvement with the California State Department of Education as a Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee Member. Her influence extended to the development of the California Spanish Language Development Standards, affirming her commitment to fostering language proficiency and biliteracy for all students. Silvia's expertise spans various areas within education, including curriculum design, English Language Arts, English Language Development, Spanish Language Arts, staff development, and parent involvement. Her specialization lies in biliteracy, with a particular emphasis on academic writing and the strategic organization of instruction to facilitate cross-linguistic transfer from Spanish to English. Recognized for her outstanding contributions, Silvia Dorta-Duque de Reyes has received prestigious accolades such as the National Association for Biliteracy Education Leadership Award. Additionally, she has been honored by the California Association for Bilingual Educators with the Administrator of the Year Award and the Leadership in Professional Development Award, underscoring her impact on educational leadership and professional capacity building within the bilingual education community. Silvia Dorta-Duque continues to leverage her expertise as a National Biliteracy Consultant and Author for Benchmark Education, where she leads the development of high-quality dual language programs and continues to influence and inspire educators nationwide.