Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Universal Journal of Educational Research
Volume
8
Issue
4
Publisher
Horizon Research Publishing
Publication Date
3-28-2020
First Page
1557
Last Page
1571
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Abstract
Students benefit from culturally responsive teaching (CRT). CRT is central to dual language (DL) education - an additive approach that is effective for educating emergent bilinguals and closing the achievement gap. Students' achievements in DL education models are higher than in any other type of language learning pedagogy – ESL, Bilingual and Monolingual. The purpose of this research was to identify the CRT practices that are employed in DL classrooms; so that teachers in other educational settings (i.e. mainstream, ESL, bilingual) might implement similar practices and improve their effectiveness with diverse students. Using survey responses from Dual Language teachers (N = 151), this study examined the intersection of CRT practices and DL teachers self-reported practice. This empirical study reveals that three out of the eight features of Gay's CRT framework were present in DL teachers' practices: validating, multidimensional, and empowering. DL teachers validate students' experience through speaking affirmations, offering texts that represent and reflect students' culture, differentiating instruction, and providing cooperative learning experiences for students. The CRT practices that are multidimensional involve establishing a welcoming and safe climate and including performance assessment to authentically evaluate students' learning. Finally, DL teachers empower their students by offering instruction that facilitates independence in learning. These study findings provide a unique window into DL teacher practice, which can be leveraged by administrators and mainstream teachers to improve the achievement of diverse learners in every classroom.
Recommended Citation
Tammy Oberg De La Garza , Alyson L. Lavigne , Shouqing Si . "Culturally Responsive Teaching through the Lens of Dual Language Education: Intersections and Opportunities." Universal Journal of Educational Research 8.4 (2020) 1557 - 1571. doi: 10.13189/ujer.2020.080450.
