ERIC Number: EJ1311286
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Nov
Pages: 31
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1030-8385
EISSN: EISSN-2209-0916
From the Periphery to the Centre: Securing the Place at the Heart of the TESOL Field for First Nations Learners of English as an Additional Language/Dialect
TESOL in Context, v29 n1 p5-35 Nov 2020
Indigenous learners of English as an Additional Language or Dialect (EAL/D) have historically not been the central focus of TESOL expertise here in Australia, or overseas. Despite moves towards inclusion increasing over the last two decades, there is an ongoing tendency for Indigenous EAL/D learners to remain on the periphery of current TESOL advocacy, research and practices in Australia. They are still often overlooked, as identification processes and support settings for migrant and refugee services are mismatched to Indigenous EAL/D learning contexts. Indigenous EAL/D learners, especially with un-/under-recognised contact languages (creoles and related varieties), can remain invisible in classrooms with mainstream curriculum and assessment practices (Angelo, 2013; Angelo & Hudson, 2018; Gawne et al., 2016; Macqueen et al., 2019). Hence, we argue that understanding and consideration of Indigenous EAL/D learners' needs should become a priority in TESOL initiatives. This paper aims to place Indigenous EAL/D learners at the centre by alerting the TESOL field to a recent body of research and development on new Indigenous contact languages and whole class EAL/D teaching and assessment practices. Clarifying substantial issues and providing solutions, the paper makes Indigenous EAL/D its central focus, highlighting areas that otherwise result in "forgettings" about needs particular to Indigenous EAL/D learners. Thus informed, the Australian TESOL profession will surely include First Nations EAL/D learners at the heart of future discourse and initiatives.
Descriptors: Second Language Learning, Second Language Instruction, English (Second Language), Nonstandard Dialects, Indigenous Populations, Language Attitudes, Creoles, Language Variation, Teaching Methods, Student Needs, Student Evaluation, Evaluation Methods, Foreign Countries, Metalinguistics, Content and Language Integrated Learning, Language Proficiency, Language Tests, Cultural Differences, Cultural Awareness, Elementary Secondary Education
Australian Council of TESOL Associations. P.O. Box 2019, Smithfield, New South Wales 2164, Australia. e-mail: actaexec@yahoo.com.au; Web site: http://www.tesol.org.au/Publications/TESOL-in-Context
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A