Living Linguistic Diversity in the Classroom: A Teacher Inductee Explores Dual Language Books

Abstract

This article addresses strategies for promoting culturally responsive pedagogy through the implementation of a language awareness curriculum that includes a structured reading intervention program using dual language books. The research builds on the premise that resources such as dual language books can give teachers the opportunity to effectively implement strategies in multilingual/multicultural classrooms that build on children's cultural capital and create a stronger learning community. Through a longitudinal study, the researcher followed the trajectory of one teacher inductee to examine how her involvement with this project prepared her to work with and teach in a multilingual/multicultural setting of diverse learners. The article examines the following 2 questions: (a) How are teachers being prepared to work within culturally and linguistically diverse classrooms, and (b) What role can dual language books play in the diverse classroom of a pre-service/first-year teacher?