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A Teacher\u27s Guide to Plurilingual Pedagogy
Get PDFLanguage teaching practices have been dominated by monolingual, deficit approaches in which students are expected to compartmentalize languages, ignore prior knowledge, and emulate how natives speak the target language—though there have also been many teachers who have challenged these approaches through the years. Plurilingualism and plurilingual pedagogy reject such ideas and practices and instead seek to cultivate linguistic repertoires (including partial or uneven skills across languages), engage prior knowledge and lived experience, and develop metalinguistic and metacognitive competencies. Drawing on decades of research in applied linguistics and associated fields, plurilingual pedagogy aims to teach language in a way that is more reflective of how it is used in real-world settings. While it has been widely discussed in academic circles, it has yet to be fully incorporated into educators’ practices, especially outside of Canada and Europe. As both an approach and a practice, this pedagogy allows instructors to bring equity into the classroom by valuing students\u27 linguistic and cultural identities while also building student confidence. After introducing plurilingual pedagogy, comparing it to other language teaching approaches, and exploring its benefits, this paper explores four associated teaching practices. Finally, the Knowledge, Attitude, Skills, and Awareness framework for teacher development (Freeman, 1989) is adapted to help teachers link the larger goals of plurilingual pedagogy to specific learning objectives. The goal of this paper is to synthesize current research on plurilingual pedagogy and promote its ideas in a way that is pedagogically and methodologically useful for practitioners in the field
Pathway Provider Programs: The International Student Experience
Get PDFAs part of their commitment towards internationalization, many higher education institutions seek new recruitment practices to increase international student enrollment, to both enhance cultural diversity and increase the potential for revenue. Partnering with third-party pathway providers offers international students an opportunity to refine their English language skills, all while taking for-credit-bearing academic courses that ultimately prepare them for their second year upon matriculating into their degree-seeking programs. One difference between direct-entry international students and pathway program international students is the additional level of support for the latter.
This study explores the following research question: What are the experiences of international students that have participated in a pathway provider program in the United States? Informed by Sanford’s theory of “challenge and support,” the value of the additional support international students receive during the pathway program is validated by the comprehensive data obtained by qualitative research methodology, which included surveys of pathway program alumni and pathway provider professionals as well as interviews with students. The findings of this study present seven themes describing the experiences of international students. They include rationale for studying in the United States, rationale for pursuing a pathway program, adjusting to new environments, pathway program experience, after the pathway program, advice and suggestions, and experiences from pathway program professionals. Implications for pathway programs include developing additional student programming to increase English language acquisition and socialization efforts with other students.
Keywords: International students, pathway programs, student support, student experienc
Black Lives Matter
Get PDFThe notion of systematic racism continues to exist even today among African-Americans. The systematic racism that they face prevails in every area of their life, whether it is social or economical. This paper examines the experiences of systematic racism that African Americans go through in their daily lives and to what extent they believe that reparations can be used to address those inequalities and be a means to overcome racism in the United States. The literature reviewed focused on various aspects on the history of racism and inequality in the United States, systematic barriers in education, as well as the wealth gap and the case for reparations. The methodology of the study was carried out in the form of interviews. The interviews were conducted with African-Americans from middle class backgrounds. The purpose of opting for the aforementioned individuals is that they would provide helpful insight into the systematic racism from their own personal lives. The data analysis was carried out through the use of the NiViVo method, which focused on highlighting the key themes that emerged from the interviews. The findings revealed that systematic racism still exists today within the country and continues to effect various aspects of the participants\u27 lives
Integrating Adult Mentorship Module Within Youth Oriented Programs
Get PDFABSTRACT
World Learning (WL) is a non-governmental entity focused on the advancement of leaders around the world through educational exchange programs and sustainable development initiatives. Its Youth Exchange Unit comprises an experienced and inventive team designing and implementing cultural exchange programs centered on capacity and skills building in civic engagement, teambuilding, leadership, youth workforce development, and entrepreneurship. Through such experiential learning initiatives, WL staff have recognized the correlation between mentorship and positive youth development.
Recognizing the short- and long-term benefits that quality mentorship can generate for youth, this capstone project integrates a tailored adult mentorship module within upcoming WL youth-oriented exchanges. The module is founded on the backward design theory, experiential learning theory, a detailed literature review on mentorship models and findings from the Needs Assessment involving WL’s adult participants/mentors’ alumni and program staff. The adult mentorship module will address a critical gap within WL’s youth exchanges while contributing to WL’s implementation and pedagogy related to adult participants. The integration of the module within existing programs will contribute to positive youth development, invest in adult participants/mentors’ development and enrich the sustainability of the exchange beyond its life. Centered predominately on the pre-program and post-program phases, with program implementation phase addressed as a transitional portion, the module progressively fosters the adult participants’ capacities to serve as effective mentors to youth upon returning to their home communities. This framework allows youth exchange program activities to occur alongside the mentor’s training module avoiding duplication of efforts on WL’s staff and participants’ input.
Keywords: adult mentors, mentorship, training, youth, positive youth developmen
Draagmoederschap: Surrogacy in the Netherlands
Get PDFIn this paper, I investigated surrogacy in the Netherlands by interviewing four surrogates and one intended parent about their experiences. I found that the participants shared several common experiences and opinions, especially related to why they chose to be surrogates, how surrogates and intended parents negotiate their relationship during and after pregnancy, the tensions of passing on parenthood and merging families, the (non-binding) contracts that surrogates and parents create, Dutch law, and commercial surrogacy. I argue that much of the discourse around surrogacy relitigates many of the arguments made in favor and against sex work, in that it sets surrogacy apart from other labor as somehow different or special, and it essentializes surrogates as reducible to their biological capabilities. I also argue that surrogacy is another mechanism by which the Netherlands upholds heteronormative standards of family, gender, and sexual presentation. Finally, surrogacy, and the Netherlands’ laws that regulate it, reveal a key tension in the creation and maintenance of families, especially non-normative families
Public Perception of Forest and Fire Management Policy in Portugal
Get PDFThe impacts of forest fires are growing as climate change creates more frequent ideal temperature conditions for extreme wildfires. With the devastating fires it experienced in 2017, Portugal stands as an example of the impacts of dangerous wildfires and is working on developing a plan to protect its country from this rising threat. Important in the plan development is the opinion of the many stakeholders involved and the public whom the fires impact. Using an interview and survey approach, this study gathers public and stakeholder opinion on the forest and fire management policy in Portugal to understand what issues in the policy need to be addressed. Results show that both the public and stakeholders feel that the issue of rural abandonment in combination with small private landowners are the most pressing issues that need to be addressed to allow for the proper forest management that will protect Portugal from the impacts of wildfires
Evaluating the Pragmatic and Moralistic Approach to Drug Policy and Addiction in Opioid Epidemic Outcomes
Get PDFDrug use, policy and outcomes differ in all countries; however, trends exist in response to these circumstances and can typically be evaluated through a pragmatic and moralistic lens. The public health, and evidence-based pragmatic approach differs from the law enforcement-centered moralistic approach, specifically in outcomes of people suffering from substance use disorder. Particularly for opioid use disorder, countries that have taken the pragmatic approach in response to opioid epidemics have had dramatic results. Two of the countries discussed include Switzerland and Portugal, with additional information on the Netherlands. In contrast, current opioid epidemics exist in certain countries who maintain a moralistic approach - namely the United States, with additional information on Canada who is experiencing a parallel epidemic. Though evidence demonstrates a pragmatic approach to drug policy and addiction will faire positive outcomes, hesitance to implement public health prevention and harm reduction policies remains. This paper discusses the context, dynamic, and policy behind countries that were able to combat the opioid crisis, while comparing these lenses to countries that struggle to achieve similar results. Moreover, this paper includes recommendations for countries with rising opioid epidemics to expand pragmatism in their approach to drug policy and addiction to improve the health of their populations
Development-Induced Displacement in Kiryandongo District: A Case Study of the Karuma Hydroelectric Power Plant
Get PDFThis paper assesses the effects of the development induced displacement due to the Karuma Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Awoo village and surrounding areas in Karuma Town. Recently, Uganda has pursued several large-scale development projects that have repeatedly displaced people. Despite having strong displacement and resettlement framework, there is a continued pattern of failing to implement such framework, threatening the livelihood and well-being of those displaced.
Interview with key informants from several government agencies, such as the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development the National Environmental Management Authority and Ugandan Generation Electricity Company Ltd have illustrated the political framework and the perceived benefits on the community. Several Focus Group Discussions within the community has revealed that displacement and resettlement framework was poorly implemented or not implemented at all. Corruption, lack of accountability and lack of transparency contributed to the government’s poor implementation. Therefore, displacement had an overwhelmingly negative effect by lowering the standard of living for PAPs, crippling their autonomy as Ugandan citizens and exacerbating rural inequality.
Uganda must take several drastic and immediate changes to their political framework and implementation. The government must rewrite their framework in order to promote stronger and less biased monitoring by hiring a third-party monitoring consultant. Additionally, the government must have a proper plan and funding for RAP and CDAP before starting construction that will have phases for the rollout. Finally, CBO’s like KAHLCO must be used as the primary spokesperson for the community and must be continually and persistently engaged with the framework development and implementation process
Through the Eyes of Lawyers and Advocates: Navigating the Court System for Women Impacted by Domestic Violence in Morocco
Get PDFHow do Moroccan women impacted by domestic violence navigate criminal legal systems in Morocco? Is the progressive family law present in Morocco due to recent reforms fully implemented in court systems? How can systems be improved to better support women impacted by violence? This study originally sought to answer these questions by surveying lawyers at NGOs in the Rabat area who act as advocates for women impacted by domestic violence. As a result of their expansive knowledge of criminal legal systems and experiences aiding hundreds of women, lawyers are in a unique position to critique the criminal legal system and comment on changes that are needed to make the justice system more accessible to women. This research was cut short as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, so as a result, this paper is limited to a literature review and my intended methodology, which I designed before leaving Morocco. In order to support further reform of family law and criminal legal systems it is imperative that research of this nature continues to be conducted to shed light on how women are affected by these policies in their daily lives
Bird Diversity in the Ecuadorian Chocó: A Proposal for Avitourism in Villaflora and Manduriacu Reserve
No full textEcuador is rich in avifauna, and the Chocó bioregion of Northwestern Ecuador is a hotspot for bird endemism and diversity. However, many rare and beautiful species are threatened by human activities such as logging and mining. It is essential that communities are able to find alternative solutions that bring economic benefits and improve public health. Avitourism is an economically beneficial and environmentally friendly solution. This study examined avifaunal biodiversity in Villaflora and Manduriacu Reserve, a small town in the cloud forest of the Chocó region. Point counts on pre-existing trails were used to assess bird communities as well as search for uncommon species. A very high level of biodiversity was found in the region, as well as a number of rare and significant species for tourism. If the residents of Villaflora are interested in shifting to avitourism in place of resource extraction to increase income as well as create a stronger defense against mining companies, there is great potential for a successful ecotourism sector