Reconceptualizing Linguistic Repertoires in an Australian Context: “Learning About Language and Learning About My Friends”

• In Event: Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: Research on Cultural and Linguistic Capital

Abstract

This paper presents a study of the everyday language experiences, practices and skills of 105 Australian students, aged 10 -14 years in four urban schools. Students and teachers became co-researchers in investigating how and in what ways they used language every day. Analysis revealed these students who spoke 31 different languages and dialects did not initially recognize the value of their practices. Students were translating in multiple languages and engaging in multimodal, multilingual activity and saw little or no connection between their everyday language worlds and in school learning. It is argued that fostering students’ awareness of their inherent skills and abilities can be transformative, and can have a powerful influence on student achievement, self-efficacy and identity.

Author

• Jacqueline A. D'warte, University of Western Sydney