scholarly journals "Step into learning when ready": Towards a strength-based approach to Indigenous language education in a university setting

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Bergier ◽  
Kim Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Language Education ◽  
Indigenous Language ◽  
Strength Based ◽  
University Setting

“It’s a Black Hole . . .”: Exploring Teachers’ Narratives and Practices for Digital Literacies in the Adult EAL Context

2021 ◽  
pp. 074171362199151
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Tour ◽  
Edwin Creely ◽  
Peter Waterhouse
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Ethnographic Study ◽  
Digital Literacies ◽  
Strength Based ◽  
Approach To Teaching ◽  
Teachers Perspectives

A strength-based approach to teaching digital literacies can advance language education for adults from refugee and migrant backgrounds, preparing them for life in a new country. This article draws on a 6-month ethnographic study at an adult English language center in Australia and explores teachers’ perspectives and practices related to teaching digital literacies to understand how prepared they are to employ learners’ own resources. Using sociomaterial theory, this research found that English as an Additional Language (EAL) teachers’ narratives about learners focused on what they lacked rather than what they brought to learning. It also found that while teaching practices utilized some strength-based pedagogical principles, the teachers viewed their work as being deficient. They did not always recognize their agential power nor did they overtly understand that the technology itself afforded this power. The article concludes with implications for EAL practice and professional learning of teachers who work in the adult sector.

scholarly journals Efforts and Concerns for Indigenous Language Education in Taiwan

2019 ◽  
pp. 443-465
Author(s):  
Chen-Feng Joy Lin ◽  
I-An Grace Gao ◽  
Pi-I Debby Lin
Keyword(s):  
Language Education ◽  
Indigenous Language

scholarly journals The Needs of Educators in Intercultural and Bilingual Preschools in Chile: A Case Study

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rukmini Becerra-Lubies ◽  
Aliza Fones
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Indigenous Language ◽  
Sociocultural Perspective ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Second Language Teachers ◽  
Mapuche People ◽  
K 12

Several studies have examined the lack of or the insufficient preparation of K-12 educators to work in intercultural and bilingual (IBE) schools in Chile, but little is known about the preparation of educators to teach in IBE preschools. Even less is known about teachers’ perceptions of their own preparation. This work contributes to a growing body of literature that examines the experiences and practice of second language teachers in Indigenous language education settings from a sociocultural perspective. This qualitative case study focuses on teachers’ perceptions of their preparation to teach Mapudungun, the language of the Mapuche people, in urban IBE preschools in Chile. Three research questions guide this study: What are teachers’ perceptions of their needs regarding their preparation to teach Mapudungun in urban IBE preschools? What are the current challenges that teachers face teaching Mapudungun in urban IBE preschools? Which experiences fostered their ability to teach Mapudungun? The findings of this study have implications for the incorporation of more complex notions of Indigenous language learning that are linked directly to Mapuche culture and its sociopolitical context, as well as the inclusion of teachers’ experiential knowledge in the preparation of teachers for work in IBE schools.

Sámi language teachers’ professional identities explained through narratives about language acquisition

2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-97
Author(s):  
Madoka Hammine ◽  
Pigga Keskitalo ◽  
Erika Katjaana Sarivaara
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Indigenous Communities ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Indigenous Language ◽  
Professional Identities ◽  
Multilingual Education ◽  
The Future ◽  
Indigenous Teachers

AbstractConducted in northern Finland, this study examines Sámi language teachers’ professional identities through their narratives of language acquisition. We focus on how teachers’ professional identities are shaped by their language acquisition process. The results are based on the narratives of nine North, Inari and Skolt Sámi language teachers. Two aspects of teachers’ narratives were significantly linked to their identities as Sámi language teachers: (1) their backgrounds (indigenous/non-indigenous) and (2) their language acquisition experiences (acquired Sámi language in childhood/adulthood). Indigenous teachers appeared to express their professional identities strongly despite their challenging acquisition experiences and were inclined to work towards the future of Sámi languages. In addition, non-indigenous teachers were willing to further the development of Sámi languages although they are not indigenous, which perhaps contributes towards the future of Sámi languages. Teachers narrated complex thoughts about language acquisition and their professional identity and helped develop indigenous language education in their respective indigenous communities. We recommend that teachers’ in pre-service and service education should prepare and support indigenous language teachers by sharing knowledge about multilingual education practices and coping skills, particularly to help the latter manage varied tasks and heterogeneous contexts. Thus, this research study shows that both teachers’ language acquisition experiences and their current work situations shape their professional identity.

Revitalizing indigenous languages through indigenous immersion education

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 303-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Hermes ◽  
Keiki Kawai'ae'a
Keyword(s):  
Research Agenda ◽  
Heritage Language ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Language Immersion ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Indigenous Languages ◽  
Indigenous Language ◽  
Cultural Traditions ◽  
Language Identity ◽  
Immersion Education

This article provides a context for understanding indigenous immersion education and the issues surrounding the model as a critical strategy for revitalization of indigenous languages. Through articulating narratives and drawing on literatures internationally, an image of indigenous language education models emerges. Inspired by strong heritage language learner identities, program models are shaped around building family and community relationships, revitalizing cultural traditions and practices, and re-establishing indigenous language identity in its homeland. Indigenous language immersion models vary as they are developed in vastly different contexts. Three distinct contexts — Ojibwe, Māori, and Hawaiian — are described to illustrate the diversity and range of models. The article closes with some reflections from practice that will provide a context for building a research agenda to advance the revitalization of indigenous languages through immersion.

scholarly journals Language-in-education policies and Indigenous language revitalization efforts in Canada: Considerations for non-dominant language education in the Global South

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Onowa McIvor ◽  
Jessica Ball
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Language Revitalization ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Global South ◽  
Indigenous Language ◽  
Education Policies ◽  
Indigenous Language Revitalization ◽  
The Right

Indigenous languages are struggling for breath in the Global North. In Canada, Indigenous language medium schools and early childhood programs remain independent and marginalized. Despite government commitments, there is little support for Indigenous language-in-education policy and initiatives. This article describes an inaugural, country-wide, federally-funded, Indigenous-led language revitalization research project, entitled NE?OL?EW? (one mind-one people). The project brings together nine Indigenous partners to build a country-wide network and momentum to pressure multi-levels of government to honour agreements enshrining the right of children to learn their Indigenous language. The project is documenting approaches to create new Indigenous language speakers, focusing on adult language learners able to keep the language vibrant and teach their language to children. The article reflects upon how this Northern emphasis on Indigenous language revitalization and country-wide networking initiative is relevant to mother tongue-based education and policy examples in the Global South. The article underscores the need for both community level initiatives (top-down) and government level policy and funding (bottom up) to support child and adult Indigenous language learning.

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