Criticality Teacher Identity And In Equity In English Language Teaching

This edited volume, envisioned through a postmodern and poststructural lens, represents an effort to destabilize the normalized “assumption” in the discursive field of English language teaching (ELT) (Pennycook, 2007), critically-oriented and otherwise, that identity, experience, privilege-marginalization, (in)equity, and interaction, can and should be apprehended and attended to via categories embedded within binaries (e.g., NS/NNS; NEST/NNEST). The volume provides space for authors and readers alike to explore fluidly critical-practical approaches to identity, experience, (in)equity, and interaction envisioned through and beyond binaries, and to examine the implications such approaches hold for attending to the contextual complexity of identity and interaction, in and beyond the classroom. The volume additionally serves to prompt criticality in ELT towards reflexivity, conceptual clarity and congruence, and dialogue.

The self-inquiries in this edited volume exemplify the dynamism that permeates global ELT, wherein English language educators and teacher educators are increasingly operating across blurred national boundaries, creating new ‘liminal’ spaces, charting new trajectories, crafting new practices and pedagogies, constructing new identities, and reconceptualizing ELT contexts. This book captures the diverse voices of emerging and established ELT practitioners and scholars, originally from and/or operating in non-Western contexts, spanning not only the so-called non-Western ‘peripheries’, but also peripheries created within the ‘center’ when certain members are minoritized on the basis of their race, language, and/or place of origin. The chapters address a range of related issues occurring at the intersections of personal and professional identities, pedagogy and classroom interactions, as well as research and professional practices in liminal transnational spaces.

The first volume to focus on race, ethnicity, and accent as elements of language teacher identity, a valuable guide for in-service teachers and teachers-in-training Language Teacher Identity presents a groundbreaking critical examination of how ideologies of race, ethnicity, accent, and immigration status impact perceptions of plurilingual teachers. Bringing together contributions by an international panel of established and emerging scholars, this important work of scholarship addresses issues related to native-speakerism, monolingualism, racism, competence, authenticity, and legitimacy while examining their role in the construction of professional identity. With an intersectional and holistic approach, the authors draw upon case studies of practical teacher experiences from Brazil, Canada, Germany, Norway, Mongolia, Pakistan, and the United States to provide teachers with real-world insights on responding to the assumptions, biases, and prejudices that students, student teachers, and teachers may bring into the classroom. Topics include the impact of policies and ideologies on teacher identity development, the intersection between L2 teacher identity and teacher emotion research, awareness of ethnic accent bullying, and the use of transraciolinguistic approaches in the classroom. This unique new work: Provides a broad overview of the different types of challenges language teachers face in their careers Focuses on race, ethnicity, plurilingualism, and accent as fundamental elements of a language teacher’s identity Discusses the sensitive political and social factors that complicate the role of a language teacher in the classroom Covers the teaching of a wide range of languages, including English, Japanese, Portuguese, French, Spanish, and Norwegian Addresses key issues and significant gaps in contemporary research on language teacher education, including the experiences of teachers of two or more languages Employing a variety of methodological and theoretical approaches, Language Teacher Identity is a forward-looking look at an exciting area of research and theory in language teacher education and training. It is essential reading for students training to become language teachers, in-service teachers, and for students and scholars in applied linguistics with a focus on TESOL, teacher and language education.

This book brings together the current theory, research and practical perspectives from different parts of the world on language teacher identity in an attempt to better understand the nature of identities teachers in different contexts develop. By linking theory to pedagogy, the book examines how second language teacher identities are shaped and explores the various links between teacher identities and variables that affect the formation of identities. Theory and Practice in Second Language Teacher Identity includes a foreword by Jack Richards (University of Sydney and RELC), an afterword by Peter de Costa (Michigan State University) and holds 20 invited chapters by established and active scholars and teacher educators to discuss the various aspects of in-service and pre-service second language teacher identity development. It also addresses the way the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted teacher identities and examines under-researched issues, such as the intersection between gender and race in second language teacher identity development and identity construction in second languages other than English. What does it mean to be a teacher of English as a second language in an age of globalization, new media, technological revolution and de-institutionalized knowledge? How do teachers gain pre-service and in-service expertise, a sense of professional identity, and educational integrity? And how have they dealt with the extra-burden imposed by the pandemic? This thought-provoking volume offers valuable perspectives on these important issues in the professional development of English teachers worldwide. — Prof. Claire Kramsch, University of California, Berkeley, USA. The way we see ourselves and are seen by others influences our social and professional interactions. Teacher identity and sense of agency is therefore not merely a matter of research interest for it impacts learners and learning, which makes the topic of this book extremely important. With chapters located in a wide range of countries – from USA to Australia via UAE, Thailand and others – and drawing on a variety of research methods, the book synthesizes extant research and develops many new research avenues. It does so not only with theory in mind but with practical lessons for teachers and teacher educators and thus becomes an essential volume for our libraries and studies. — Prof. Michael Byram, University of Durham, UK. In this compelling collection, co-edited by Karim Sadeghi and Farah Ghaderi, the authors address key questions about language teacher identity in contemporary applied linguistics: What is the relationship between language teacher identity and language teacher agency? To what extent does ideology impact language teacher identity? How do language teachers navigate an increasingly globalized and unequal world? Authors from different regions of the world draw on diverse methodologies to share insightful research on both pre-service and in-service language teacher identity, making an important contribution to applied linguistics and TESOL at a time of great social and educational change. — Prof. Bonny Norton (FRSC), University Killam Professor and Distinguished University Scholar, University of British Columbia, Canada. “Theory and Practice in Second Language Teacher Identity” captures recent thinking about language teacher identity. The broad array of excellent chapter contributions explores multiple dimensions of identity, from teacher agency and emotions to the disruptive effects of the Covid pandemic on teachers’ professional lives and practices. The studies draw on a number of theoretical perspectives and demonstrate the use of both familiar and innovative research methodologies. The relevant topics, the up-to-date bibliographic sources, and the useful research findings make this edited volume an essential addition to your bookshelf. — Prof. Gary Barkhuizen, University of Auckland, New Zealand.

This book is about the challenges that come with initiatives to develop a more humanized, intersectional and negotiable landscape for English Language Teaching (ELT). It sets out to problematize ingrown and ingrained practices in English teaching, weaving together obscured practices, undisclosed agendas and ideologically motivated (inter)actions to expose the unspoken agendas at work. Drawing on his own experience of being part of an English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) programme at an urban Japanese university, the author presents a case for rethinking language education in Japan. This book will be of interest to applied linguists, language teachers and teacher trainers, cultural anthropologists, and anyone interested in the cultural politics of education, especially language education.

This book addresses two critical calls pertaining to language education. Firstly, for attention to be paid to the transdisciplinary nature and complexity of learner identity and interaction in the classroom and secondly, for the need to attend to conceptualizations of and approaches to manifestations of (in)equity in the sociohistorical contexts in which they occur. Collectively, the chapters envision classrooms and educational institutions as sites both shaping and shaped by larger (trans)communal negotiations of being and belonging, in which individuals affirm and/or problematize essentialized and idealized nativeness and community membership. The volume, comprised of chapters contributed by a diverse array of researcher-practitioners living, working and/or studying around the globe, is intended to inform, empower and inspire stakeholders in language education to explore, potentially reimagine, and ultimately critically and practically transform, the communities in which they live, work and/or study.

Addressing the critical issue of teacher identity tensions, this edited volume looks at the tensions between teachers’ instructional beliefs, values, and priorities, and the contextual constraints and requirements. It examines how teachers deal with these tensions to avoid demotivation and burnout, which play a significant role in identity construction. Tensions are inseparable from growth and transformation but have the potential to disrupt teacher identity construction. Therefore, continual efforts to resolve tensions in teaching are inevitable. The process of resolution or reconciliation might be extended, and teachers could need support in that process to minimize the possible negative impacts on their identities. This process can simultaneously generate positive outcomes for teachers’ growth and learning. Therefore, how teachers perceive, respond to, and grapple with tensions are critical experiences that offer windows into the complexities of teacher identity negotiation. The volume paints a picture of the personal, professional, and political dimensions of teacher identity tensions in various international contexts. The chapters draw on empirical studies with clear pedagogical implications to illustrate what identity tensions language teachers face in and outside the classroom during their career trajectory, how language teachers cope with identity tensions in their professional life, and how teacher educators can integrate identity tensions into teacher learning activities. This book is beneficial for students and lecturers in applied linguistics, educational linguistics, and educational psychology. It will also be helpful of interest to teacher educators, teacher education researchers, teacher supervisors, and MA and doctoral students interested in research on language teacher identity.

In today’s educational world, it is crucial for language teachers to continuously evolve in order to best serve language learners. Further study on the best practices and challenges in the language classroom is crucial to ensure instructors continue to grow as educators. The Handbook of Research on Language Teacher Identity addresses new developments in the field of language education affected by evolving learning environments and the shift from traditional teaching and assessment practices to the digital-age teaching, learning, and assessment. Ideal for industry professionals, administrators, researchers, academicians, scholars, practitioners, instructors, and students, this book aims to raise awareness regarding reflective practice and continuous professional development of educators, collaborative teaching and learning, innovative ways to foster critical (digital) literacy, student-centered instruction and assessment, development of authentic teaching materials and engaging classroom activities, teaching and assessment tools and strategies, cultivation of digital citizenship, and inclusive learning environments.