Podcast Series: Taking a Multilingual Stance in Linguistically Diverse Classrooms
- Marianne Turner
- Mar 11
- 1 min read
Prof. Ester de Jong (University of Colorado, Denver) in conversation with A/Prof. Marianne Turner (Monash University)
In this podcast series – designed for teachers, teacher educators and scholars – Ester and Marianne will examine how linguistic diversity can be meaningfully leveraged in today’s classrooms.
Episode 1: Sociohistorical context and the power of empathy
In this first episode, we explore different kinds of (competing) political orientations to language in education in the US and Australia, and highlight the limitations of English-only approaches. We also discuss how activities that promote empathy amongst teachers can be a good preliminary strategy for exploring the significance of a multilingual stance.
Episode 2: Multilingual Stance as a Journey, not a Destination
In the second episode, we discuss the benefits of thinking about multilingual stance as a continuum, rather than simply in opposition to a monolingual stance. We see this continuum as a way for teachers to think about how to harness students' language practices for their learning in contenxt-sensitive ways.
Episode 3: Fostering and affirming multilingualism for all students
In the third episode, we focus on the foster/affirm end of the multilingual stance continuum, and the positioning of multilingualism as the norm for everyone, including monolingual students. In our discussion, we address the benefits of having a school-based language policy and what this might look like.
