Why interculturalism does not always translate into action: Insights from teachers in an Australian primary school
Article
Article Title | Why interculturalism does not always translate into action: Insights from teachers in an Australian primary school |
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ERA Journal ID | 20008 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Tualaulelei, Eseta (Author) and Halse, Christine (Author) |
Journal Title | The Australian Educational Researcher |
Journal Citation | 50 (3), pp. 747-762 |
Number of Pages | 16 |
Year | 2023 |
Publisher | Springer |
Place of Publication | Netherlands |
ISSN | 0311-6999 |
2210-5328 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1007/s13384-022-00523-6 |
Web Address (URL) | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13384-022-00523-6 |
Abstract | For intercultural education to impact learners and, in turn, wider society, teachers must turn intercultural perspectives into actions in their professional contexts. This article examines why teachers who hold positive intercultural views might not be compelled to teach to these in their classrooms. Focusing specifically on education for culturally diverse learners, this article presents a critical ethnographic study of two teachers working in a multicultural Australian primary school. It analyses the tensions that complicate teachers’ work for intercultural education, and suggests that competent, well-intentioned teachers might be discouraged from responding pedagogically to their students’ cultural or linguistic backgrounds because of perceived constraints in the contemporary neoliberal educational environment. This prompts our recommendation that future research seek ways to open up new conditions of possibility for teachers to act on their perspectives including opportunities for increased cross-cultural engagement and dialogue. |
Keywords | Intercultural education; Culture; Language; Teacher agency; Neoliberalism |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 390410. Multicultural education (excl. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, Māori and Pacific Peoples) |
390401. Comparative and cross-cultural education | |
390299. Education policy, sociology and philosophy not elsewhere classified | |
Byline Affiliations | School of Education |
Deakin University | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q757z/why-interculturalism-does-not-always-translate-into-action-insights-from-teachers-in-an-australian-primary-school
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