Peer Review #6: Bilingualism

Bilingual research looks at the acquisition of two languages whether simultaneously or consecutively. Much research has been done in this field with Cummins at the forefront of bilingual research. He has created the threshold theory which hypothesizes that any positive cognitive benefit from bilingual communication relies on the speaker’s competence in each language. There are two thresholds. For obtainment of the first threshold, a child must become competent in one language reaching age-appropriate skill. This obtainment avoids any negative effects of acquiring a second language. The second threshold is obtained with age appropriate competence in both languages. Cummins labels this term “balanced bilingualism.” Once a child has become balanced, cognitive advantages appear over monolingual children.

After reading through Chapter 17 and your experience, is there any benefit with the way bilingualism is addressed in the classroom?


Lazaruk, W. (2007). Linguistic, academic, and cognitive benefits of French immersion. The Canadian Modern Language Review, 63(5), 605-628.

Peer Review #5: Special Education and the Government

One of my passions is children with special needs so it will be the focus of my peer review. Trace the government's involvement in special education. Has the government done enough or not enough to aid this population. Is inclusion the best idea? Or more specifically the implementation of it?

Peer Review #4: kindergarten and nursery schools

Kindergarten and nursery schools seems to have ideas and procedures in common but also very distinct differences in their origins, purposes and executions. Please compare and contrast kindergarten and nursery schools.