Your languages are a superpower: Empowering, sustaining and resisting

Abstract

Inspired by Aviak Jonhston’s book “What is your superpower?”, we have developed an approach to language stimulation that centers and values children’s language knowledges. Their languages are a superpower.  In this talk, I will provide an overview of the community-based participatory research in which we co-lead language stimulation groups with preschool-aged children in preschool and community contexts. I will begin by outlining the importance of a community-based participatory approach when working with marginalized communities to create a more equitable research process. In particular, this research approach works towards reducing inequities identified by community partners by valuing and amplifying their voices.  Then I will review how the language stimulation groups were developed and how we have continued to adapt to new challenges, including leading the groups in an online context during COVID-19. Together with our community partners, these language stimulation groups aim (1) to empower parents and children to use their home language(s) in community and preschool, (2) to build sustainable practices to transmit the home language and build capacity in the community, and (3) to support parents and communities to resist dominant language ideologies. Finally, I will explore ways of rethinking how bilingualism research can serve the needs of families and communities to strengthen their community cultural capital.

Dr Andrea A.N. MacLeod’s bio:

Andrea MacLeod is a professor in the Communication Sciences and Disorders department and an Associate Dean in the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at the University of Alberta. Her research has focused on the speech and language abilities of bilingual children and adults. She works with local stakeholders to better understand the language development of immigrant children in inner city schools, to support early language development of refugee children, and to train clinicians and educators in providing support for these children.