ANNUAL BILINGUAL CONFERENCE STRESSES BI-LITERACY, MANY ROLES IN SUCCESS OF BILINGUAL STUDENTS
Editor's Note: For a complete conference schedule or to set up an interview with Dr. Barbara Flores, please call Mary McAdam in the Office of Public Affairs at (512) 593-2146.
(KINGSVILLE, Feb. 24, 1997) -- Bilingual educators from throughout the state will gather at Texas A&M University-Kingsville March 6-8 for workshops and presentations on issues in bilingual education and improved bilingual teaching strategies and techniques. About 800 educators are expected to attend.
The conference will feature a keynote address by Dr. Barbara M. Flores of California State University San Bernardino on the development of biliteracy in children as well as more than 50 workshops or sessions, and more than 25 exhibitor booths. Workshop and session topics range from new research in neurophysiology that calls into question the role of the native language in bilingual education to hands-on classroom techniques such as developing critical thinking skills through the use of songs and dialogue. Several sessions focus on parental involvement.
Dr. Gustavo Gonzalez, chair of the Department of Bilingual Education and a conference organizer, said the conference theme is "Coming Together for Success." "We want to emphasize that it takes all of us to help students achieve success in school. It involves the community and parents as well as teachers and teachers' aides. We want to acknowledge the different roles in the success of students with limited English proficiency."
Flores, who will speak at 9 a.m. on Friday, March 7, is known for her research in the development of bi-literacy, or proficiency in two languages, by children, said Gonzalez. She is currently co-directing a four school-wide Whole Language Literacy Project for the Coachella Unified School District in Coachella Valley, California, a rural agricultural area. The project's main objective is to improve the academic achievement of Spanish-speaking children whose families are farm workers and service workers.
Flores has two new books coming out soon, "Whole Language for the Bilingual Classroom Teacher" and "Bilingual Children's Construction of Literacy and Biliteracy." She also recently edited the Spanish version of "Home Play," a family literacy series. In addition she co-authored "Whole Language: What's the Difference" and "Reading in the Bilingual Classroom: Literacy and Biliteracy" and has published numerous articles in educational journals.
The conference starts with a reception and registration on Thursday, March 6, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in Ballroom A of the Student Union Building. The general session featuring Flores' address opens at 9 a.m. Friday morning in Ballroom A. Concurrent sessions will be held 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Participants can relax Friday night at a dance with music provided by Tex-Mex Express of Premont. The conference winds up Saturday morning with a mariachi breakfast at 8 a.m. and closing ceremonies beginning at 9 a.m.
On-site registration is $65. For more information on registration, please call the Bilingual Education Department at (512) 593-2871.
-TAMUK-
- Mary Sherwood