Developing critical language awareness in future English language educators across institutions and courses

Abstract

Abstract In English language teacher education, we must offer opportunities for future educators to critically engage with topics surrounding the globalization of English, neocolonialism, and standardized notions of language, such as ‘native speaker’ proficiency. Critical language awareness (CLA) pedagogies, pedagogical approaches that facilitate students’ awareness of language and power relations, have been posited as effective avenues to explore such topics. Yet, there is a dearth of examples of such pedagogical activities in language teacher education contexts. In this study, we draw on frameworks of CLA and dialogue to explore the potential of a discussion activity focused on topics of language, race, and power. Future English language educators across course sections and institutions engaged in discussions related to CLA topics and submitted reflections on their discussion and the activity itself. Qualitative analysis of the reflections demonstrated that discussions with a partner from a different course section or institution facilitated: (a) reflexivity on identity, (b) identifying, critiquing, and questioning language ideologies and practices, and (c) applying CLA to teaching contexts. As such, this study has implications for research in language awareness and language teacher education and furthermore highlights the potential of intentional discussion opportunities related to CLA across courses and institutions.