My advisee Jin-Wei Hung has been awarded the International Research and Scholarship Grant for his dissertation research ‘Language Socialization and Academic Adaptation of Chinese Heritage Language Learners in Study Abroad Context’. This grant is awarded by OSU’s Offices of International Affairs, Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge, and Student Academic Excellence.
multilingual
U of Cambridge Interfaith Week webinar
As part of University of Cambridge’s 13th World Interfaith Harmony Week programming, we are holding a webinar Language Learning in/as Religious Education on February 2, at 15:45 GMT. I will join Adel Mozammel (Darul Ihsan School), Anastasia Badder (Cambridge U), Jo-Ann Myers (Leo Baeck Institute), and Youmna Helmy (Cambridge U) to explore how religious communities draw on language as a semiotic resource aimed at specific goals, and how different methodologies can reveal aspects of the aims, processes, factors, and outcomes of sacred language learning and use. The event is free, just register in advance to get the Zoom link.
6th FLRT Symposium
FLRT held its 6th Graduate Student Symposium for Foreign Language Research and Teaching January 20th. In addition to 13 great papers by students, keynote speaker Professor Ester de Jong (University of Colorado Denver) gave a talk on multilingualism and language teacher preparation.
Sessions at AAA 2022 in Seattle
I am participating in 2 sessions at the 2022 Meeting of the American Anthropological Association in Seattle. The panel ‘Using Anthropology Of Language And Literacy To Address Equity In Unsettling Times’ brings together educational anthropologists who draw on anthropological theory and methods to examine the teaching and learning of language and literacy, drawing on theoretical frameworks that challenge dominant understandings. The round table ‘Refugee Education Across The Life Span In Unsettling Times’ showcases research on/with the language and literacy dimensions of the refugee experience.
Seminar for U of Cambridge UK Inter Faith Week
I will be part of a virtual seminar ‘Language Learning in/as Education’, hosted by the University of Cambridge as part of the upcoming UK Inter Faith Week. The seminar will feature talks by Dr. Anastasia Badder (University of Cambridge) and Dr. Jo-Ann Myers (Leo Baeck College), and responses from Dr. Farah Ahmed (University of Cambridge) and me. We will explore the nature of ‘progress’ n Progressive religious contexts and the significance of language and literacy learning for religious community identity, focusing on Jewish and Muslim educational contexts. The seminar will take place on Zoom on Wednesday, 16 November, 12:30 – 1:45pm (UK time). Check out the short article on InterFaith Week events and a recording of our panel.
Intercultural English Language Programs at OSU
The Ohio State University’s English as a Second Language (ESL) Program has a new name: The Intercultural English Language Programs. The new name reflects a more expanded notion of English language learning. Learn more about our programs.
Language Pod 10th anniversary!
This Stroop Effect cookie comes from our after-hours reception in COSI’s Life exhibit to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Ohio State’s Language Sciences Research Lab at the Columbus Center of Science and Industry (COSI). Guests had opportunities to experience what it’s like to be in a research study about language, ask our computer “Avatar” questions about the pod, and chat with our student researchers. Language Pod Director Laura Wagner spoke about the past decade and on what we hope to accomplish in the future!
FLRT leadership for 2022-2023
Congratulations to the newly elected FLRT leadership! Onur Ozkaynak will serve as President, Sheila Ameri as Vice President, Lanoke Paradita as Treasurer, and Chia-Hsin Yin as Secretary. Many thanks to the outgoing leaders, Emre Basok, Yuseva Iswandari, Juyeon Yoo, and Susan Atai.
Advancing Ohio’s English Learners
The Ohio Department of Education has funded Advancing Ohio’s English Learners (AOEL), a project for which I am a co-PI. The purpose of AOEL is to create a comprehensive system of supports for English learners and their families whose school learning and engagement have been negatively impacted during the coronavirus pandemic. Belinda Gimbert (Education Studies) and Melissa Ross (Center on Training and Education) lead the four-part project. Peter Sayer and I will lead Activity 3, the development and dissemination of digital resources for K12 educators who work with English learners.
Saida Mohamed AAUW Dissertation Fellow
I am a member of the dissertation committee of Saida Mohamed, a doctoral candidate at Arizona State University. Saida has just been awarded an Association of American University Women (AAUW) American Dissertation Fellowship for the 2022-23 award year. Her dissertation examines the multilingual literacies (Somali, English, Kiswahili, Classical Arabic) of three families and their five to fourteen-year-old children of Somali and refugee background living in Nairobi, Kenya. Through the lenses of literacy as a social practice and funds of knowledge, Saida explores the connections between the children’s dugsi, school, and home language and literacy learning experiences and analyze how children and parents live and understand these experiences.