Language barriers shouldn’t be learning barriers — explore how you can uplift and empower multilingual students.
In conversation with
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In this episode, we discuss the importance of recognizing and valuing multilingual learners, with a focus on the connection between language and identity. Maria Luisa Garcia Underwood, Senior Professional Development Advisor at CPET, and Vince Moua, CPET Professional Development Coach, and Teachers College Zankel Fellow, share origin stories of their personal and professional passion for supporting multilingual learners. Alongside Teaching Today host Dr. Roberta Lenger Kang, they explore the challenges faced by students whose primary language at home is not English, and the need for educators to create safe spaces for linguistic mobility. We share practical ways educators can use available tools and resources to connect with students who may have language barriers, and emphasize the need for ongoing conversations to better support and affirm multilingual learners in classrooms.
Breakdown
In this episode, we bridge theory and practice in the classroom as we discuss the following:
Language, Identity, and Personal Experience Language is fundamentally intertwined with personal identity, similar to gender, race, or ethnicity. This connection is exemplified through personal experiences, such as Maria's journey as a Cuban immigrant balancing English acquisition while maintaining her native language, and Vince's experiences with linguistic barriers in academic settings. The discussion highlights how language proficiency stereotypes often incorrectly link language ability to intelligence and aptitude. Personal stories reveal how individuals must navigate different cultural spaces through linguistic mobility and code-switching, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining and celebrating one's home language throughout the English acquisition process. Challenges and Support in Multilingual Education Multilingual learners face unique challenges in educational settings, particularly when their primary language at home isn't English. These students carry an additional burden of learning a language they may have limited access to outside of school. Educators must recognize and reflect on each child's specific needs, understanding that language acquisition occurs through constant communication and exposure, even when students cannot immediately produce the language. Supporting multilingual learners requires specific strategies, such as getting to know students from the beginning of the school year, celebrating their home languages, and utilizing available tools like Google Translate to facilitate communication. The creation of safe spaces where individuals can express themselves without fear of judgment is crucial for effective learning. Decolonizing Language Education and Cultural Understanding The educational approach to language learning requires a critical examination of socio-historical contexts and power relations to avoid perpetuating oppressive systems in the classroom. This includes understanding how histories of voluntary versus involuntary migration shape dispositions toward learning English and participation in standardized schooling. Educators need to adopt a decolonial lens that values multilingualism and diverse knowledge systems. This perspective emphasizes the importance of storytelling, particularly for communities like Hmong Americans, where language is integral to cultural identity. The value of multilingual communities extends beyond those who speak languages other than English, benefiting the entire educational community through diverse lived experiences and perspectives. Taking Action
Summary assisted by Zoom AI Companion and Claude (Anthropic, 2024)
Explore considerations for adapting and implementing new curricula, focusing on teacher support and administrative roles in the process.
In conversation with
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This conversation, Beyond the Package: Analyze, Adopt & Adapt Curriculum, revolves around the challenges and benefits of adapting and implementing new curriculum in educational settings, with a focus on the role of administration and teachers in the process. The conversation between Courtney Brown and Dr. Roberta Lenger Kang also touches on the evaluation and selection of curriculum, emphasizing the importance of cultural relevance and responsiveness, and the potential benefits and drawbacks of prepackaged curriculum. Lastly, the conversation highlights the importance of supporting educators and expanding access to resources, as well as the need for educators to be critical consumers and to create authentic learning experiences that integrate skills across disciplines.
Breakdown
In this episode, we bridge theory and practice in the classroom as we discuss the following:
Understanding and Selecting Curriculum The foundation of curriculum in education encompasses content and instructional strategies used in teaching, which can be presented in various formats including day-to-day lesson plans, assessments, and differentiated instruction. Pre-packaged curricula, while often high quality, are typically designed for broad audiences and may not align with specific state or district expectations. The first step in choosing a curriculum will be determining its alignment with state standards and expectations, including high-stakes assessments. Cultural relevance and responsiveness are crucial considerations, incorporating the concept of "doors and windows" to expose students to both familiar and unfamiliar concepts. It’s important to remember that these curricula are often created by private industry for profit and may not be specifically tailored to particular state or district needs. Implementation Challenges and Teacher Support The implementation of prescribed curriculum presents significant challenges, particularly regarding fidelity of implementation. Teachers often experience stress when expected to follow scripts or cover all topics, considering each class and student being unique. Understanding the curriculum's language and format requires substantial time and effort to adapt it to the school community's needs. Teachers need to internalize and customize the curriculum, including unit templates and lesson plans, while maintaining opportunities for differentiation. The process demands administrators provide adequate time and support for teachers to adapt and implement effectively. There are also concerns about moving away from interdisciplinary and project-based learning, potentially furthering siloed disciplines. The concept of "implementation with fidelity" needs clear definition at both school and district levels, with recognition that teachers need agency to adjust based on student needs. Benefits and Professional Development Prepackaged curriculum offers several advantages to educational communities, providing a shared understanding and coherent learning experience while relieving teachers of curriculum design responsibilities. This proves especially valuable for new or struggling teachers, allowing them to focus on implementation and student relationships. While not a comprehensive solution for improving teaching, a well-structured curriculum can support teacher effectiveness through regular deep dives into its components. Professional development plays a crucial role in providing teachers resources, expertise, and practical strategies as they adopt and implement curriculum. Content and practices can be differentiated based on teachers’ strengths, with some focusing on curriculum development and others on facilitating learning. This approach recognizes that curriculum development and instructional design are complex tasks requiring expertise and time that teachers may not have in abundance. Taking Action
Summary assisted by Zoom AI Companion and Claude (Anthropic, 2024)
Dive into essential elements of successful co-teaching: communication, mutual respect, and leveraging each teacher’s strengths.
In conversation with
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This conversation, Rethinking Co-Teaching for Success, focuses on the Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) model and its impact on educational practices, emphasizing the importance of peer-to-peer role models and the challenges of co-teaching. The team also discusses various co-teaching models, their effectiveness depending on the type of student engagement activity and learning goals, and the challenges of implementing these models in different teaching scenarios. Last and definitely not least, the importance of advocacy, trust, and relationship building in co-teaching is highlighted, along with the need for mental preparation and understanding of each others’ roles to effectively advocate for students.
Breakdown
In this episode, we bridge theory and practice in the classroom as we discuss the following:
Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT) Model ICT is a policy-driven approach supporting students with special needs and language barriers through reduced student-teacher ratios and diverse learning environments. When implemented effectively, it leverages peer-to-peer role models, though success depends heavily on the co-teaching relationship. Co-Teaching Dynamics and Models The six established models include one teach one assist, one teach one observe, parallel instruction, stations, and alternative teaching. Model selection should be driven by learning goals and student data rather than mandate. Team teaching proves most effective when leveraging both teachers' expertise, particularly for modeling dialogue or different problem-solving approaches. Essential Elements and Challenges Successful co-teaching requires explicit communication, mutual respect, and understanding of each partner's strengths. Common challenges include time constraints, building trust in new partnerships, balancing different teaching styles, and managing high-needs students without adequate planning time or content expertise. However, co-teachers can remain effective by being present as learners, using strategies like scribing during discussions, and adapting models to suit their classroom's specific needs. Taking action
Summary assisted by Zoom AI Companion and Claude (Anthropic, 2024) |