Our Linguistic Landscape: Preparing Teachers to See, Hear, and Affirm the Community

• In Event: Preparing Teachers for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students

Abstract

This research study reports on an innovative pedagogical tool, The Linguistic Landscape, designed to prepare future teachers to support the linguistic and culturally diverse learners in their school communities. Participants documented the linguistic diversity in the communities where they work, creating visually rich presentations of how language is visible in their communities. After viewing their peers’ presentations, participants wrote a reflection paper, linking the presentations to scholarship and considering the implications for practice.
Through discourse analysis, the following themes emerged from the 41 presentations and reflection papers: surprise at the diversity; concerns for students in predominantly English-speaking communities; new awareness of history, globalization and migration; stronger commitment to ELLs; and desire to use the activity with their own students.

Author

• Mary E. Curran, Rutgers University