Focusing on the lives and experiences of four Mexican children in an American middle school, the critically acclaimed author of Con Respeto examines both the policy and the instructional dilemmas that surround the English language education of immigrant children in this country. Using samples and analysis of the children’s oral and written language as well as an examination of their classrooms, school, and community, this book addresses the difficulties surrounding the teaching and learning of English for second language learners. This comprehensive volume discusses: classroom activitiesthe amount of time it takes to “learn” Englishhow English language learning affects learning in other areasthe consequences of linguistic isolationhow ESL students are testedIt also presents exclusive data on academic English development at various stages in a two-year process that raise important questions about current ESL teaching policies.