pothin
This user hasn't shared any biographical information
Homepage: http://pothin.edublogs.org/
Posts by pothin
Investigating Primary School Children’s Multilingual Identities
Sep 3rd
Chaired by Fiona Copland, the UKLEF SIG papers session took place during the BAAL 2011 conference. I presented a paper on children’s multilingual and multi-ethnic identity in a primary school context. The audience was warmly participative and it was great to hear their comments and suggestions. Hania Salter-Dvorak raised the question about the conversations teachers have regarding these bilingual children while Charlotte Franson stressed the importance and need of research that involves talking to these multilingual/bilingual/EAL children about their learning, identity, etc.
Abstract
Investigating Primary School Children’s Multilingual Identities: A Case Study
Author(s): Deivis D. Pothin
This paper investigates the negotiation and construction of ethnic and linguistic identities of four bilingual children in a primary school in England. By interviewing them, the teacher-researcher explores (1) how they define what ethnic and linguistic group(s) they belong to, (2) how they deal with inherited cultural heritage; and (3) how they use language to establish their ethnic identity. Reporting on the data collected in this one-form inner-city multicultural primary school in London, this qualitative pilot case-study takes into account the discursive practices of two boys and two girls aged 9 years old. The interview with the children took place after they watched a video of another boy who talked about how he felt being half-English and half-Polish. This was used as a hook to engage the children in the conversation.
In this talk, we examine some extracts of this teacher-initiated conversation and reflect on some of the discursive practices of these children from a social and ethnographic approach to the study of multilingualism. Drawing on Blackledge & Creese’s (2010) views on researching multilingualism as well as Edward’s (2009) views on language and identity, this paper is approached by taking into account the fact that although languages are social constructs, they are, at the same time, dimensions of one’s sense of self.
BAAL 2011
Sep 3rd
The impact round table was led by Ros Mitchell and Guy Cook, Diane Larsen-Freeman and Jeanine Treffers-Daller as discussants.
Diane Larsen-Freeman talked about how complexity theory should be applied when researching/talking/disseminating/investigating the different areas in applied linguistics. According to her, problems are not solved in a linear way but rather in a multifaceted manner; issues are not solved in a top-down manner but by specialists getting together and talking about it.
Ros Mitchell presented some examples of pilot projects funded by the Research Excellence Framework. She also highlighted the impact of Tony Young’s research and development of the Dementia Toolkit for Effective Communication. Jeanine Treffers-Daller talked about the importance of drawing attention to the impact of research.
The audience discussion on what kind of research impact is valid in terms of funding (REF) was very interesting. Ros said that if a piece of research that only has impact within Academia wouldn’t be valid. However if, for example, a piece of research has an impact on a wider audience outside academia then it would be more easily accepted.
Finally, Guy Cook claimed that applied linguistics needs to participate more actively in public debates and policies, e.g. language and education, social use of language, etc.
Aila 2017
Aug 29th
It has officially been confirmed that the next world conference of the International Association of Applied Linguistics will be held in Rio de Janeiro in 2017. Take a look at the beautiful presentation video below.
Literacy in Faith Settings
May 30th
Becoming Literate in Faith Settings: Language and Literacy Learning in the Lives of New Londoners is a very interesting project led by Eve Gregory (more information here). Being raised in a faith setting myself, I’ve always felt that the religious practices played an important role in developing my literacy skills.
