Understanding Bilingualism, Bilinguality, and Bilingual Education in an Era of Globalization is written by Dr. Ai-Ling Wang, and provides a comprehensive guide for scholars seeking to expand their knowledge of bilingualism and its impact in the modern world. The book is divided into three parts, with the first part focusing on the theoretical background and definitions of bilingualism, bilinguality, and bilingual education. The second part examines bilinguality from cognitive, neuro-linguistic, socio-linguistic, and psycho-linguistic perspectives, exploring how bilingual speakers benefit from their cognitive development and what areas of cognitive advantage bilingual speakers enjoy. The final part of the book discusses bilingual education and how bilinguals choose a particular language depending on the situation, interlocutors, topic, and personal preference and proficiency.
Dr. Wang emphasizes that bilingualism is not limited to speaking two languages, and multilingual and multicultural aspects must also be considered. Throughout the book, the author explores various aspects of bilingualism, including its formation, benefits, and challenges, and discusses whether bilinguals are provided with equal opportunities to schooling and whether bilingual programs actually help students with mainstream language while maintaining their home language. Overall, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of bilingualism and its impact in the era of globalization.