This book provides a comprehensive first introduction to bilingualism and bilingual education. In a compact and straightforward style, bilingualism at individual, language minority group and national levels are discussed. Written as a foundational textbook for students and teachers, it provides a detailed and integrated map of bilingualism and bilingual education. This second edition is extensively revised and updated, with new research findings added, more study questions, more commentary, updated references and bibliography. Two new chapters on literacy in multicultural societies and biliteracy in the classroom have been added and the following new topics covered: History of Bilingual Education in the United States; Assessment of Bilingual Children; Special Education and Bilingual Children; Bilingualism and the Economy; Deaf People and Bilingualism; Bilingual Teaching Methodology; Two-way Bilingual Education/Dual Language Education; European Schools Movement.