Crossing borders to teach English language learners

A teacher’s identity is thought to evolve in a continuous, situated fashion, amidst dynamic interaction between cognitive, affective, social, cultural and political factors. However, the literature provides little insight into the impact on the ongoing identity construction of class teachers when they encounter a few students with English as an additional language (EAL) in their mainstream classes. This paper reports on a year‐long study involving eight class teachers in four different New Zealand primary schools. Data from in‐class observations, interspersed by a series of individual reflective discussions, revealed how the presence of EAL students in the mainstream setting created tensions, the resolution of which shaped class teachers’ professional identities. Tensions surfaced in data on class teachers’ self‐efficacy perceptions, selection of teaching roles, relations with support teachers and professional development priorities. These findings thus provide fresh insights into how new situations may impact on class teachers’ self‐identities. In particular, this investigation suggests the need for schools, teacher educators and policy makers to assist teachers in challenging, and indeed moving outside of the socially prescribed borders that have traditionally defined their professional identities within the school, in order to build shared practices and more collaborative ways of solving problems.     

A cross‐cultural study: deaf students in a public mainstream school setting

The 1000 primary school students in this study included a minority population of nine deaf children. The underlying foundation of this mainstream environment allowed for accommodations, but only to the extent that the non‐deaf majority was not overtly impacted. Explicit messages of equality and implicit notions of normal were often in conflict. Deaf students learned that acceptance was granted to those who complied with the mores of the majority. The author draws on current pedagogical theory and study findings to offer four principles that will help insure a more inclusive educational experience for deaf and non‐deaf students as they are educated together: (1) care must be taken to understand the lived experience of all students; (2) consideration must be given to scheduling issues; (3) sign language interpreters must be provided for all curricular activities; and (4) all students should be acculturated in the dynamics and issues pertaining to a cross‐cultural learning experience.     

Envisioning collaboration: including ESOL students and teachers in the mainstream classroom

The inclusion of language learners and the imperative to meet the needs of English language learners in the mainstream classroom call upon teachers of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL teachers) and mainstream teachers to work together; however, little research has been done in US contexts to understand collaborative efforts between ESOL and mainstream teachers. Research thus far has focused on the inclusion of English language learners (ELLs), but this paper argues that we need to look more closely at the inclusion of teachers of ELLs, by examining how three ESOL teachers and three of their mainstream counterparts envision their work as collaborative. We found that when pairs envisioned their work as collaborative, they created a synergy that constructed a broader network of resources for ELLs by bringing together more people, materials, ideas and abilities than either teacher was able to generate alone. This network allowed both teachers in the pair to become part of a larger conversation, and connected both teachers to others who were working to foster the academic success of ELLs.     

Editorial

It is arguable whether Singapore's mainstream schools are moving towards ‘inclusion’ by providing support for students with mild to moderate disabilities through the provision of a newly created para-professional called the Allied Educators (Learning and Behavioural) [AED(LBS)]. Since 2005, the government has provided an incremental supply of these trained para-professionals to offer both in-class support and withdrawal sessions. Many primary and secondary schools have one such para-professional catering to an unpredictable number of children with and without assessed learning needs. This paper draws upon data from a study investigating how a group of 30 newly qualified AED(LBS) para-professionals shaped their professional role during their first year in school. Data were generated through an online survey, interviews; and analysed through theories on identity and communities of practice. Findings focus on how the participants had learned to grow into their roles despite contradictory expectations; how they learn to work with student diversity they had never encountered; and how schools should be learning communities to embrace and include the new AED(LBS). The paper discusses the need to define ‘inclusivity’ and the need for the education system to become more professionally inclusive towards AED(LBS).     

Inclusive schooling: if it's so good – why is it so hard to sell?

What does the take-up of new technology have in common with the adoption of inclusive pedagogies to support students with additional needs in regular classrooms? Both are profound changes in the way we do things. Both are in response to changes in society. Both are championed by true believers and villainised by those more resistant to change. In this paper I consider why inclusive education has been so difficult to sell within schools, despite empirical evidence that is highly supportive of this practice. I review meta-analyses on the academic outcomes of students with disability in inclusive and segregated environments and discuss why the apparent benefits of this approach are not universally appreciated by Australian classroom teachers. I then compare the adoption of inclusive education with the uptake of innovative technology to develop an appreciation of what may be required for teachers to gain an understanding and commitment towards inclusive education.     

Mapping inclusion of a child with autism in a mainstream kindergarten: how can we move towards more inclusive practices?

ABSTRACT

This study identify and reflect on barriers to inclusion that children with autism can meet in kindergarten. We use a single case study with participant- and video observation to map inclusion for a single 5-year-old boy with autism, in a mainstream kindergarten in Norway. Analysis identified three modes of inclusion; distance-keeping, maintaining proximity and interacting. The mapping procedure demonstrated that barriers to inclusion continue to operate. The extent of the child's participation seemed to relate to what he was doing and who he was with; overall, limited social inclusion amongst peers being achieved. Results indicated that predictable frameworks and teacher support increased participation. We discuss how participation for children with autism can be promoted. Our study points toward the need to extend current adaptations and support to children with autism within the educational settings, to enable a more inclusive practice.     

论道德形势和正确把握我国当前道德形势

道德形势是社会道德生存和发展状况的总体展示,是诸种道德行为和道德现象的综合化呈现,也彰显和表征着社会的人心所向和忧患所系.围绕如何认识和把握道德形势,伦理思想史上形成了道德乐观主义、道德悲观主义和道德达观主义三种观点.马克思主义是理性的道德乐观主义者和辩证的道德进步主义者.正确认识我国当前道德形势,要求我们坚持马克思主义伦理学的基本立场,运用唯物史观和辩证法加以整体把握,注意区分“主流”与“支流”,理性看待“滑坡”与“爬坡”,在看到问题和危机的同时坚定信心,并采取切实有效的措施和对策促进公民道德建设开拓新局面,进入新境界,创造新业绩,为促进中华民族的伟大复兴营造良好的道德氛围,提供动力的支撑和价值的引导.     

强势方言亚文化对主体文化的自觉

首先阐释了语言、文化的内涵,从语言与文化的关系探讨强势方言亚文化与普通话主体文化的关系。在当今大力推广普通话,全球兴起学汉语热的时代背景下,强势方言表现出一种对普通话主体文化的自觉,强势方言这种本真状态反映了当今方言普通话共生共存的语言生态,在此作者提出了新时代环境下我们应该树立主体多元复合的语言观。     

郑振铎小说的独特价值

郑振铎20世纪20年代的家庭小说与30年代的历史小说在作家的思想状态、作品的选材倾斜、内在结构、叙述态度等方面都有明显区别,而在诗的氛围、悲剧色彩、散文笔法、朴实风格等方面又有共同之处.家庭小说还具有文化小说、情绪小说的某些因素,采取了"追忆"的视角.历史小说则具有讽谕性与非讽谕性、典型性与类型性、严谨性与灵活性相结合的特色.郑振铎小说以其独特性增添了现代小说园地的春色,对现代小说的发展作出了贡献.     

基于影响关系模型的主流与新流创新转换研究

为探寻主流与新流创新的转换规律,借助演化理论,构建主流与新流创新的影响关系模型,提出新旧创新流之间影响关系的变化机理。并以青岛海尔公司为案例研究对象,对主流与新流创新在协同发展和转换的过程中影响关系的变化进行验证。研究发现,企业主流与新流创新的转换不仅是新旧创新流交互的结果,也是企业为顺应外部环境变化所进行的战略转型。