Learning a Language to Promote Critical Reflection: A Self-Study

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session 35
  In Roundtable Session: Self-Study and Language Learning

Abstract

In this self-study two teacher educators enrolled in an accredited evening course to learn the indigenous language of their country. They were hopeful that becoming a novice would deepen their understanding of what it was to learn something challenging and complex. With an expert second language teacher educator as our critical friend we use self-study methodology to unpack our experiences as learners and its implications for our practice as teacher educators. Data was generated through professional journals entries and email correspondence. We found that being positioned as students provoked reflection on second language learning, increased empathy for students in own teacher education classes and provided an increased confidence to be more culturally responsive in our teaching.

Authors

• Dawn Garbett, University of Auckland

• Alan Ovens, University of Auckland

• Lynn A. Thomas, Université de Sherbrooke