The multilingual mind : issues discussed by, for, and about people living with many languages / edited by Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa.

Includes bibliographical references (pages [257]-276) and indexes.

Myths about multilingualism ; Teaching languages using the multiple intelligences and the senses / Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa -- Role of the sense of smell in language learning / Sara Ackerman Aoyama -- Multiliteracy skills / Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa -- Two-way immersion programs in the United States / Jennifer Frengel -- Relationship between musical ability and foreign languages : communication via sounds and via words ; Language, math, and thought : Vygotsky's concept of inner speech / Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa -- Multilingual mathematics / Marie Petraitis -- In the beginning was the word : language and the womb / Andrea Bader-Rusch -- First choice option : from birth / Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa -- Bilingualism from birth / Manuela Gonzaĺez-Bueno -- Trilingualism : a study of children growing up with three languages / Suzanne Barron-Hauwaert -- What, you only speak one language!? ; a trilingual family's story / Nicola Kup̈elikilinc ̧-- Third culture kids : a special case for foreign language learning / Tracey Tokuhama-Espinosa.

Publisher's description: The bulk of the world's population is multilingual, and one in seven Americans speak a language other than English at home. Multilinguals crave answers to question both basic and profound, questions relating to linguistic identity, schools, multiliteracy, how languages are actually learned, and why there are so many variations on individual success. Tokuhama-Espinosa combines solid research, humor, and real-life examples into 21 informative and entertaining essays about people who experience the world with multiple languages. This book tackles common misconceptions about polyglots ("too many languages can cause brain overload," "some languages are easier to learn than others," "an adult cannot learn a foreign language as fast as a child," etc.). Other topics include: BLCurriculum choice BLTeaching languages using the multiple intelligences BLHow different education systems can influence multilingual skills BLLanguage's relationship to mental tasks such as music and math BLLanguages from the womb and bilingualism from birth BLThe growth of the trilingual family BL The societal situation of "third culture kids" (those growing outside of their parents' native country) BLA special case for foreign language development BLThe emerging cross-area study of multilingualism and cosmopolitanism BLQuestions of linguistic identity BLChallenges to normal foreign language learning, such as dyslexia, Downs Syndrome, and deafness.