Learning and teaching English as an additional language or dialect in mainstream classrooms

The chapter is an introduction to the edited book entitled: "An EAL/D Handbook: Teaching and learning across the curriculum when English is an additional language or dialect". It provides a conceptual framework through which readers can view the subsequent contributions by classroom teachers of EAL/D students and their mentors. The chapter addresses EAL/D learner backgrounds, identities, and the linguistic and cultural resources they bring to the classroom. In addition the chapter provides an overview of the knowledge teachers need in order to provide supportive learning environments for EAL/D learners, principles for thinking about EAL/D learning and teaching in the 21st century, and knowledge about language, language learning and designing EAL/D teaching and learning.