Marlene Zepeda is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Child and Family Studies at California State University, Los Angeles. A former preschool and elementary school teacher, Dr. Zepeda’s current scholarship focuses on dual language learning in Spanish speaking preschool children. Dr. Zepeda has participated in a number of activities relevant to dual language learners. For the California State Department of Education, Dr. Zepeda led a group of national experts in the development of California’s Early Learning Foundations for English Language Development for 3 and 4 year olds, the first effort of its kind in the nation and contributed to a series of research papers associated with California’s Best Practices for Dual Language Learners.
She has authored a number of publications focused on teaching strategies for dual language learners. She is currently involved with two major research projects focused on understanding the language trajectory of Spanish dominant 3 year olds learning English and a study of the efficacy of preschool curriculum developed for use with Spanish speaking preschool children learning English: The Nuestro Niños School Readiness Study. Dr. Zepeda received her BA in Child Development from California State University, Los Angeles and her MA and Ph.D. degrees in Developmental Studies and Early Childhood Education from the University of California, Los Angeles.
