A Framework on Socially Responsible Language Education – «SORELA»

Beschreibung

Since its foundation, the University of Teacher Education Lucerne (UTE Lucerne) has been committed to internationalization through networking and mobility, and thus to promoting knowledge exchange across different geographical educational spaces. The aim of this project is to strengthen the institution’s internationalization strategy by initiating both thematic and structural innovation in the field of language education in cooperation with the Autonomous University of Barcelona (AUB).

1) Thematic innovation: This project aims to address the issue of social (in)justice in language education by promoting socially responsible language education in an international context. Addressing social injustice in language education requires critical thinking about the relationship between languages, cultures, and social inequalities. The project will also involve gaining a comprehensive understanding of the cultural environment and power structures embedded in language teaching. Additionally, it will help (future) teachers develop critical awareness and reflect on their own roles in(re)producing the social order in and through language education. To assist (future) teachers in this task, the project team will develop a framework on socially responsible language education and implement it in pre- and in-service teacher training by means of co-teaching (see structural innovation).

2) Structural innovation: The internationalization strategy of UTE Lucerne is grounded in relational internationalization, which prioritizes institutional and interpersonal relationships in the production and exchange of knowledge. In line with this approach, this project aims to introduce innovative teaching practices, specifically international co-teaching practices in collaboration with the AUB. Co-teaching offers numerous benefits for both students and teachers, and values such as equity, critical thinking, and partnership will be central to the co-teaching model. Additionally, to emphasize the importance of inclusivity, the co-teaching approach will incorporate translanguaging, which involves using learners' complete linguistic repertoires for input and output in the classroom. Translanguaging also intends to promote critical thinking, creativity, and cross-curricular learning.