Pockets of Hope: Cases of Linguistic Flexibility in the Classroom

• In Event: 69.056 - Roundtable Session 31
  In Roundtable Session: 69.056-15 - Language Practices of Bilingual Students

Abstract

This study adds to the small but growing body of work demonstrating the academic value of linguistic flexibility and hybridity in supporting student learning. Specifically, our findings from two elementary classrooms illustrate the way that translanguaging contributes to students’ understanding of content-area material as well as their mastery of language arts skills. Issues of “academic language,” language variation (African American Vernacular English, Spanglish) and code-switching are three domains often talked about separately. In our discussion and implications of this work, we attempt to bring together these perspectives to extend current knowledge on how to value and use a broader spectrum of language practices for academic purposes.

Authors

• Leah Durán, The University of Arizona

• Kathryn I. Henderson, The University of Texas - San Antonio