Linguistic Diversity & Equity: Teaching Emergent Bilinguals, Matunas, Spring 2021

Course Description

This course offers an introduction to the challenges and opportunities linguistic diversity brings to K-12 and postsecondary education in Vermont, with a focus on the following topics:

1. What trends in language diversity and multilingual education are present in Vermont schools today? How have historical and sociopolitical factors shaped multilingualism, monolingualism, and language education in the U.S. and in Vermont?
2. What particular challenges do English learners and other multilingual/language minority students, including refugee-background students, face in Vermont classrooms?  How can schools support first- and second-language development and academic achievement for emergent bilingual students in order to reduce the achievement gap and educational inequity those students face?  How can educators address the additional challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic and remote learning pose for our emergent bilingual students?
3. How can educators utilize the strategies and resources outlined in the Vermont Multi-tiered System of Supports (VTmtss) framework to create greater educational equity for language minority students in keeping with Vermont’s emphasis on Proficiency, Personalization, and Equitable Learning (Act 77 Flexible Pathways legislation)?
4. What assets do emergent bilingual students bring to our classrooms and schools, and how can teachers and administrators use culturally responsive practices to tap into those assets to enrich the educational experience of all students?

Audience: All educators

Vermont Transferable Skills Addressed:

Clear and Effective Communication

Responsible and Involved Citizenship

Informed and Integrative Thinking

Course Goals & Objectives

Course Goals:

1. To recognize the trends that shape linguistic diversity, linguistic equity, and language education for learners in your context
2. To utilize the strategies and resources outlined in the Vermont Multi-tiered System of Supports (VTmtss) framework to create greater educational equity for language minority students in keeping with Vermont’s emphasis on Proficiency, Personalization, and Equitable Learning (Act 77 Flexible Pathways legislation)
3. To leverage linguistic diversity and increase linguistic inclusivity to enrich the educational experience of monolingual and multilingual learners

 Course Objectives:

1. Identify barriers to academic and social achievement and equity faced by emergent bilingual learners in your context
2. Identify assets that emergent bilingual learners bring to your context
3. Develop a practical unit plan that taps into the assets emergent bilingual learners bring and addresses the challenges they face

Required Texts

Required Readings/Texts:

None required to purchase.

PDF readings and other materials (videos, podcasts) will be provided electronically, including pieces by Ofelia García, Jo Anne Kleifgen, Héctor Tobar, Dahlia Aguilar, the Migration Policy Institute, USCRI Vermont, Shawna Shapiro, Jared Gange, Cynthia Reyes, Naja Ferjan Ramirez, Gabriel Wyner, John McWhorter, Katherine Kinzler, Corey Mitchell, and Nelson Flores.

Other Suggested Readings/Texts:  Additional suggested readings will be provided electronically on the Canvas course page.

For additional course information

Adrienne Matunas
(802) 468-1371

For additional registration information

Bethany Sprague
(802) 468-1325

Register online now!