Journal of Immersion and Content-Based Language Education - Volume 6, Issue 2, 2018

Building on and extending the frameworks of Teacher Language Awareness (TLA) in second/foreign language education and content-based/CLIL education (Andrews, 2007; Lindahl & Watkins, 2015; Andrews & Lin, 2017), this paper argues that effective teaching of academic content in an L2 requires a special kind of teacher knowledge that goes beyond simple addition of content knowledge and Knowledge About Language (KAL). Through an ethnographic case study, the researchers investigated the development of a science teacher’s TLA and teacher identity through her participation in a school-university collaborative project. Based on analysis of data from classroom observations, interviews, and lesson video stimulated commentaries, the researchers have developed a model focusing on CLIL teacher professional development as a collaborative, dynamic and dialogic process, where both teachers and teacher educators (TEs) are co-developing their knowledge and expertise in CLIL.

Although it has long been touted as a key ingredient to successful immersion practice, no research to date has examined immersion teacher educators’ (ITEs) knowledge base as it relates to the work of content, language, and literacy integration in curriculum planning and teaching. Thus, it is difficult to know whether or not ITEs are ready and able to support the pedagogical transition toward better-integrated practice in the immersion classroom. This qualitative study set out to fill this gap in our knowledge by exploring ITEs’ understanding of the nature and role of language and literacy in the context of their discipline of expertise through the use of an analytic framework designed to examine ITEs’ knowledge base. Key findings point to the need for the elaboration of a professional development (PD) program specifically dedicated to supporting ITEs’ continuous knowledge growth, particularly when it comes to the issue of pedagogical integration.

Inadequate teacher preparation for immersion programs remains a challenge. While there is a significant dearth of research on teacher development in immersion education, research focusing on immersion teacher educators (ITEs) is even more scant. Using self-study methodology, this study explores the professional learning and experiences of three teacher educators (TEs) as they construct new professional identities as ITEs as part of engagement in Lesson Study. The paper particularly focuses on two Mathematics teacher educators (MTEs) who were newcomers to the immersion education setting. A community of practice (CoP) framework was utilised to provide insights into what Vygotsky (1987) terms the twisting path of all three TEs as they engaged in the CoP. Critical moments of defending content as priority, negotiating an integrated space, and becoming immersion-responsive were revealed. CoP played a vital role in facilitating new professional identities and illuminates in multiple ways the exclusive and complex process of becoming an ITE.

As of late, French immersion (FI) teachers have been encouraged to adapt their instruction to support the inclusion and success of students with learning difficulties. In particular, pedagogical concepts such as Universal Design for Learning (UDL) (National Center on Universal Design for Learning, 2014) and differentiated instruction (Tomlinson, 2004) have been promoted as means to do so. This study used observations of nine FI teachers’ classes with the view to exploring their adaptations for students with learning difficulties in hopes of identifying future professional development directions. The observations revealed that the FI teachers were aptly adapting their instruction for the class as a whole whereas they were less apt to modify for individual students. In order to further their inclusive practices, the FI teachers in this study would benefit from future professional development opportunities that focus on differentiating instruction for individuals and conversations about if and how teacher language choices can provide additional means of differentiation.

The knowledge and pedagogies needed for immersion classrooms are unique and complex. Although there is a growing body of research on immersion pedagogy, there is a dearth of research on professional development (PD) experiences that positively impact immersion teacher practices. This paper focuses on exploring immersion teacher perceptions of PD experiences in the area of language-focused content instruction that have a positive impact on their teaching. The theoretical framework guiding the study is “communities of practice” (CoP) (Wenger, 1998), and survey and focus group data were analyzed in relation to Wenger’s four realms of CoP (community, practice, meaning, and identity). Findings revealed specific features of high impact assignments and PD experiences. The paper concludes with implications for designing meaningful and effective PD experiences for immersion educators and others who teach in CBI settings.

This article describes findings from a qualitative study which focused on the professional experiences of post-primary teachers working in schools in Gaeltacht areas, regions where Irish is traditionally spoken as a community language. The research aimed to provide an in-depth analysis of the personal and professional challenges and advantages associated with the role of teacher in this unique educational setting and aimed also to investigate teachers’ engagement in professional support services available to them. This paper addresses the latter question by focusing on teachers’ experiences of continuing professional development (CPD). Findings from this research indicate that teachers’ engagement and participation in CPD is low due to their dissatisfaction with current provision. According to participants, current CPD services do not address the complex sociolinguistic environment in which their professional practice is situated or their professional development needs within this context. Suggestions for policy and practice in CPD directed at Gaeltacht and immersion teachers are also considered.

Over 11% of Canadian students are currently enrolled in French immersion (FI) – a program where French is a subject of study and is the language of instruction in at least two content areas. Research shows that stakeholders in FI initial teacher education (ITE) programs identify French language proficiency development as an area of high priority; however, Canadian ITE programs do not typically provide linguistic support. This article reports on an adaptation and implementation of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) (specifically, the European Language Portfolio [ELP]) as part of a remedial 24-week French writing course in an FSL ITE program focused on developing French proficiency. Student-teachers (n = 25) and the course instructor identified strengths and challenges associated with this initiative via surveys and interviews. Findings show participant convergence and divergence on the portfolio experience, raising implications for decision-making related to its use in ITE programs targeting FI teachers.