Language, Culture, and Teaching : Critical Perspectives for a New Century

by Nieto, Sonia

• ISBN13: 9780805837384
• ISBN10: 0805837388
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-08-01
• Publisher: Lawrence Erlbau

Summary

Tremendous cultural and linguistic diversity is evident in our schools today. This text by one of today's best-known and most highly respected multicultural educators presents examples of real-life dilemmas about diversity that teachers will face in their own classrooms; ideas about how language, culture, and teaching are linked; and ways to engage with these ideas through reflection and collaborative inquiry. A thoughtful integration of articles and book chapters published by Dr. Nieto along with creative pedagogical features, Language, Culture, and Teaching: Critical Perspectives for a New Century: *explores how language and culture are connected to teaching and learning in educational contexts; *examines the sociocultural and sociopolitical contexts of language and culture to understand how they may affect student learning and achievement; *analyzes the implications of linguistic and cultural diversity for school reform and educational equity; *encourages critical reflection on classroom practices related to linguistic and cultural diversity; and * offers in each chapter critical questions to help readers build on the knowledge they have gained by analyzing the concepts further; classroom activities that provide suggestions for applying what they have learned to their own teaching context; and community activities suggesting projects beyond the classroom context, in settings ranging from the school or district to the state or national level. New times deserve new textbooks that engage teachers in viewing students' cultural and linguistic differences in a more hopeful and critical way, and in changing classroom practices and school policies to promote the learning of all students. Although no easy answers are available to fix the problems and uncertainties teachers encounter every day, there are thoughtful ways to address them that respect teachers' and other educators' professionalism, honor the identities of students and their families, and validate the nation's claim to educate students of all backgrounds. The aim of this text is to help practicing and preservice teachers accomplish these goals.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Series Editor's Foreword	ix
Preface	xiii
Beginnings: Language, Literacy, and Culture: Intersections and Implications	1	(26)
I SETTING THE GROUNDWORK
Multicultural Education and School Reform	27	(24)
Cultural Difference and Educational Change in a Sociopolitical Context	51	(28)
We Speak in Many Tongues: Language Diversity and Multicultural Education	79	(24)
II IDENTITY AND BELONGING
On Becoming American: An Exploratory Essay	103	(16)
Lessons From Students on Creating a Chance to Dream	119	(44)
Writing for Real: Exploring and Affirming Students' Words and Worlds	163	(18)
III IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PREPARATION OF CRITICAL TEACHERS
Diversity: What Do Teachers Need to Know?	181	(24)
Bringing Bilingual Education Out of the Basement and Other Imperatives for Teacher Education	205	(22)
Conflict and Tension, Growth and Change: The Politics of Teaching Multicultural Education Courses	227	(30)
IV PRAXIS IN THE CLASSROOM
Affirmation, Solidarity, and Critique: Moving Beyond Tolerance in Multicultural Education	257	(20)
What Does It Mean to Affirm Diversity in Our Nation's Schools?	277	(8)
Author Index	285	(6)
Subject Index	291