To "Put a Name on" Biliteracy: The Manifestation of Critical Biliteracies Among Seal of Biliteracy Graduates

• In Event: 79.051 - MTCC Roundtable Session 37
  In Roundtable Session: 79.051-3 - Explorations of Biliteracy

Abstract

Recent research suggests that U.S. K-12 dual language programs do not benefit all students equally. Through a framework of critical biliteracies, this presentation draws upon interview data with recent biliteracy seal recipients, who also completed a K-12 dual language program, to explore participants’ conceptualization of biliteracy, their understandings of culture, and their perceived benefits of biliteracy seals. The presentation highlights the ways in which DL students negotiated culture in the classroom and reveals the often unevenly distributed benefits of the biliteracy seal across Latinx and White participants. We present representative quotations from participants to highlight key themes and to generate audience discussion. We conclude with recommendations for augmenting DL education with principles of critical biliteracies.

Authors

• Soria Elizabeth Colomer, Oregon State University

• Chris K. Bacon, Boston College