Words and Actions: Teaching Languages Through the Lens of Social Justice

by Cassandra Glynn

The second edition of Words and Teaching Languages Through the Lens of Social Justice features an expanded framework, a variety of new unit, lesson, and activity examples from different languages and levels, and additional content on how social justice education fits within the context of contemporary approaches to language instruction. The revised text provides concrete examples to help readers navigate the opportunities and challenges inherent in adopting a social justice lens, such as the differences between a good cultural lesson and a social justice lesson. Expanded chapters also provide support for adapting curriculum in different contexts, including those that emphasize immersion, comprehensible input, Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS), and content-based instruction. New educator voices and examples from both commonly and less commonly taught language classrooms provide an authentic picture of social justice work taking place in classrooms across the United States. A new chapter about critical moments in the classroom has also been added to provide a clear guide and explicit tools to help teachers address complex events and challenging moments in the classroom.

Genres: Teaching

184 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2015

Reviews

[Chispita Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

complex topics that age quickly; the appendices need more appendices already. hard to believe that a book written in 2018 needs so much updating, though it is still incredibly useful 💔💔💔

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a great read if you are a pre-service or early career teacher. There are some terrific ideas in the book, but it focuses pretty heavily on the mechanics of unit planning and writing objectives and assessments, rather than specific types of social justice activities that lend themselves well to a world language classroom. There are, however, a number of sample units, assessments, etc throughout the book. Veteran teachers may find themselves having to sift through a lot of information that is already familiar to them to uncover the "good stuff", but it's in there.

[Ashley Ruhl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful advice for implementing a social justice based curriculum into classroom teaching. It covers strategies and obstacles that a teacher may face as she/he moves toward a more socially conscious focus in a world language classroom, but many of the strategies feel as if they could be used in other classes as well.

[Erin Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent, timely, and well-organized book. I own/read the first edition, but I know there is at least one other, and I'd like to read that one too.

My professional action area is global education, and social justice education is RIPE with ties to the global ed movement. I see opportunities for collaboration there.

I highly recommend this book to all world language educators!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazingly clear and informative resource for world language teachers interested in incorporating more social justice into the classroom. It's beyond important to normalize these tough conversations in the classroom and to give students tools to express themselves, reflect and learn.