Wait, Don’t Just Translate
Multidimensional Strategies for Emergent Multilingual Learners
Bilingual/ELL Learners | Differentiation & Multiple Intelligences | Teaching At-Risk Students
Empower emergent multilingual learners to thrive with multidimensional strategies that go beyond simple translation
When emergent multilingual learners enter a new classroom, educators often grapple with a complex question: to translate or not to translate? Wait, Don’t Just Translate offers a nuanced approach, moving beyond simple translation as a go-to strategy. Addressing the urgent need to foster true belonging, this book provides K-12 educators with a comprehensive, empathetic ... approach to honoring students' rich linguistic and cultural heritages without overreliance on translation.
Key features include:
- Authentic vignettes that let you walk in the shoes of emergent multilingual learners and better understand their unique experiences.
- Sample teacher-created materials and ready-to-use instructional tools that effectively move beyond translation.
- Self-assessment tools and reflection probes to continuously affirm and challenge your asset-based practices.
By embracing these inclusive practices, you’ll discover how to create affirming spaces where newcomer and emergent multilingual learners feel safe, valued, and empowered to thrive academically, linguistically, and socially.
"With AI and tech tools making translation fast and easy, many well-meaning educators are unknowingly overusing it in ways that can limit rather than expand the growth of newcomer Multilingual Learners. This timely and thoughtful book helps teachers move beyond good intentions -- helping them develop a clear, principled approach to deciding when translation supports learning and bilingualism, and when students need to wrestle with English themselves, whether taking it in through listening and reading or producing it through speaking and writing. Honigsfeld, Dove, and McDermott Goldman have written exactly the resource our field needs right now."
"As though one remarkable book from Drs. Honigsfeld, Dove, and McDermott Goldman, Nine Dimensions of Scaffolding for Multilingual Learners, wasn't enough, we’re now treated to yet another brilliant collaborative creation to support multilingual learner education. These three leading women researchers are sharing leadership to reshape the field of multilingual teacher preparation and professional learning through innovative, practice-centered approaches--for the true betterment of our schools and communities. Simply put, this book must live at your fingertips to guide your daily practices rather than sit idle on a bookshelf. Ultimately, Wait, Don't Just Translate, helps all educators serve our multilingual learners so each and every student wants to come to school and engage in their learning in very meaningful ways."
"Not sure when to translate and when to use other approaches? Wait, Don’t Just Translate: Strategies for Emergent Multilingual Learners provides clear guidance on this nuanced topic. As a teacher educator, I have used several books by Drs. Honigsfeld, Dove, and McDermott Goldman in my methods classes. I appreciate how complex concepts are presented in engaging, easy-to-understand formats. I receive great feedback on the texts I select for my courses. Teachers will value how this text helps them determine when translation is a good option and which other strategies and approaches they can use to support newcomers. Teachers will also be guided to reflect on other ways, beyond language learning, to support the newcomers they serve. I'm looking forward to teaching with Wait, Don't Just Translate: Strategies for Emergent Multilingual Learners!"