Date of Submission

7-27-2023

Document Type

DiP

Degree

Doctor of Education

Department

Education

Keywords

English language learners, sociotransformative constructivism, dialogic change model, adaptive expertise, culturally responsive practices, oracy

Abstract

Abstract

During the past decade, classrooms in the province of Alberta, Canada, have become more culturally and linguistically diverse. Despite having a strong desire to meet the academic needs of their students, most teachers do not have a well-developed understanding of pedagogy specific to teaching English as an additional language. This Organizational Improvement Plan (OIP) presents educators in the Central School District of Alberta (a pseudonym) with a pedagogical framework that promotes the development of more equitable and democratic classrooms for English language learners (ELLs). Sociotransformative constructivism (STC)—a union of social constructivism and critical cross-cultural education—lays the theoretical groundwork for the OIP through its four key tenets: authentic activity, reflexivity, metacognition, and dialogic communication. The STC paradigm demands that educators teach not only for understanding, but for diversity as well. Through collaborative-transformative leadership, school-based teaching staff are invited to grow in their knowledge and skills in the areas of student engagement, culturally responsive practices, adaptive expertise, and oracy instruction. A dialogic change model and adaptive expertise model of professional learning (PL) guide the change implementation process. Students and families are invited to contribute to the pedagogical shift through personal narratives and the sharing of diverse worldviews. The adoption of the proposed framework and its accompanying PL opportunities results in pedagogical practices that elevate ELL voice, status, and academic achievement in the context of a more democratic and culturally affirming school experience.

Keywords: English language learners, sociotransformative constructivism, dialogic change model, adaptive expertise, culturally responsive practices, oracy

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