University of Chester academic and student speak about importance of inclusive language at Oxford conference
An academic and a student at the University of Chester have spoken about the importance of inclusive, multilingual pedagogy in the classroom at a packed conference in Oxford.
Dr Chandrika Devarakonda, Associate Professor in the University’s School of Education in the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, and PhD student Niki Cooper-Robbins each gave a presentation at the recent NALDIC32 Conference.
Dating back to 1992, NALDIC – the National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum – provides a professional forum for the teaching and learning of English as an additional language (EAL), supporting bilingualism, raising the achievement of ethnic minority learners, and promoting the development of research, policy and practice.
At the conference, held at Saïd Business School, Dr Chandrika gave a talk on Cultural and Linguistic Brokering Roles of Migrant and EAL Children in Schools: perspectives of educational professionals. This small-scale qualitative research project explored educational professionals’ perspectives and experiences of the cultural and linguistic brokering roles undertaken by migrant children, for whom English is an additional language within schools and settings in North-West England. It was made with the valuable input of senior lecturer Dr Rebecca Crutchley
Their findings related to benefits and challenges for children in their brokering role. Benefits included cognitive development by enhancing problem solving skills, cognitive flexibility, and language processing abilities, while challenges included creating stress and confusion due to heavy responsibilities, feelings of shame and embarrassment related to parents’ poor English skills.
Niki gave a presentation with University of Cologne researcher and lecturer Alexandra Inglis, titled “How do you say that in your language?”: Translanguaging, Identity and Learners’ Right to Linguistic Autonomy in Education.
The phrase “How do you say that in your language?” is a question that can often be heard in multilingual classrooms, and, at first glance, seems easy enough to answer. However, there are times when dealing with this question requires linguistic, cultural and political awareness.
To avoid making well-intentioned assumptions, the presentation - drawing from Niki and Alexandra’s identities as multilingual educators and researchers - explored the nuances of translanguaging within the multilingual classroom.
Niki graduated from University College Chester in 1996 and, following a 25-year career in international education, has returned to studying at the now University of Chester with a PhD as an overseas student, based in the Netherlands.
She said: “Chandrika is my PhD supervisor, so the opportunity to attend this external conference together and disseminate our research was from my perspective, a great opportunity and experience.”
Dr Chandrika said: “The conference was stimulating as it provided opportunities to listen and interact with experts and developed awareness of interesting and new perspectives around linguistic diversity.”
For more information on the University’s Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, visit: https://www.chester.ac.uk/about/faculties/arts-humanities-and-social-sciences/