Laws, policies, and decisions affecting immigrants, undocumented workers, nonnative speakers of majority languages and native users of sign languages nation- and worldwide. A new restrictionism?

Francisco Ramos, Yvette Lapayese, Editors

BEIS/TEDS Bilingual Basics is a peer-reviewed publication of the Bilingual Education Interest Session of TESOL. Its audiences include all types of bilingual education teachers (including teachers of English to Deaf students), researchers, and teacher educators in TESOL. As such, the publication has an international scope. Manuscripts for the next special theme issue should address issues related to laws and decisions affecting immigrant populations, undocumented workers, or nonnative speakers nation- and worldwide. We feel this is an important topic given the tremendous impact of transnationalism in recent years. Below are some questions to consider in framing manuscripts for this issue although manuscripts focusing on other related aspects of activism for linguistic minorities are also welcome. While manuscripts in languages other than English may be submitted, they are subject to the availability of multilingual reviewers.

• What laws, policies, and decisions seem to have particularly targeted speakers of minority languages and Deaf children’s education?
• How can TESOL counter some of these misinformed decisions while continuing to promote English language learning and advocate for multilingualism or primary language preservation?
• Are we witnessing the rebirth of a new restrictionism?
• What are some governmental-adopted policies impacting the education of linguistic minorities and sign language users?
• How do these policies impact students enrolled in different educational settings?
• How can current knowledge of language development and learning be used as we seek to promote better language policies and practices?

The deadline for submissions is 30 April 2012. Manuscripts should be approximately 1,200 to 2,000 words in length and must be formatted according to the guidelines of the American Psychological Association Publication Manual (6th edition). Submissions may be e-mailed to framos@lmu.edu.