Blurring the borders between research and practice: video as a tool to develop knowledge about language and empower (student) teachers in multilingual pre-school classrooms

• Published in: European early childhood education research journal 2021-05, Vol.29 (3), p.351-362
• Main Authors: Young, Andrea S., Mary, Latisha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bilingual Students; Cultural Differences; Empathy; Empowerment; Family Environment; French; Initial teacher education; knowledge about language; Knowledge Level; Language of Instruction; Language Usage; linguistic and cultural diversity; Multilingualism; Participatory research; Preschool Education; Preservice Teachers; Student Diversity; Student Needs; Student teachers; Teacher education; Teacher Education Programs; Teaching Methods; Turkish; Video; Video Technology
• ISSN: 1350-293X; 1752-1807
• DOI: 10.1080/1350293X.2021.1928720

This paper presents data collected within the context of a teacher education course designed to raise student teachers' critical language awareness. Firstly, we describe the process of selecting, editing and constructing a bank of thematic extracts of filmed classroom interactions and interviews for use in teacher education. Secondly, we explore the impact of these materials on students' willingness and desire to reflect on issues concerning language and consider the ways in which these resources were most effective in fostering student teachers' empathy and knowledge about language. The data analysis reveals that the use of the filmed extracts, in combination with theoretical readings and discussion, was highly instrumental in helping student teachers to develop a deeper understanding of the issues and the theory behind linguistically inclusive pedagogical practices and in empowering them to act as agents of change.