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Exploring a Community of Practice Perspective: Language, Gender and Ethnicity in a Multicultural Junior High Classroom.

Authors :
Wiltse, Lynne
Publication Year :
2001

Abstract

This study considered the sociocultural nature of learning for students in a multicultural classroom setting, specifically investigating student-student and student-teacher relationships in a junior high classroom using a "community of practice" perspective. This framework was chosen to determine what contribution a community of practice analysis can make to the study of social interaction in a classroom setting. The study focused on the experiences of students and teacher over one year in a grade 9 language arts classroom at a Canadian inner city elementary-junior high school. The school was ethnically and linguistically diverse and a large number of students spoke English as a second language (ESL), although they were integrated into mainstream classes. Data sources included participant observation, contextual field notes, transcripts from semi-structured interviews, and samples of student writing. Although second language learning was important for "outsiders" becoming "insiders," the linguistic profiles and language learning needs of ESL students are not easily understood in terms of fixed concepts of ethnicity and language. At the research site, issues of ethnicity and gender surfaced as more prominent than those related to second language learning. (Contains 23 references.) (BT)

Details

Language :
English
Database :
ERIC
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
ED453125
Document Type :
Reports - Research<br />Speeches/Meeting Papers