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Multiliteracies Workshop

Introduction to the Multiliteracies Pedagogy for Second Language Instructors

In today’s world, communication takes many forms and it is reshaping what it means to be literate.  As a result, foreign language programs are rethinking how to make the curricula more engaging, effective and relevant. Language teaching that focuses strictly on the development of traditional language skills is no longer enough. Learners need opportunities to develop critical thinking, analytical and multimodal communication skills (Cope & Kalantzis, 2015; New London Group, 1996).

The multiliteracies framework (New London Group, 1995; 2000; Paesani & Menke, 2023) is a student-centered learning approach that fosters dialogue, reflection and active application of knowledge. Learning is viewed not only as a linguistic but a cognitive and participatory social practice within particular social contexts. To name a few benefits, studies have shown that learners who engage with the multiliteracies pedagogy not only improve their academic performance but also experience a positive shift in attitudes toward language learning (Rossomondo & Lord, 2023), develop metalinguistic awareness and a growth mindset (Amgott, 2020, 2023), and acquire a more nuanced communicative competence (Yoon & Brown, 2017).

This workshop introduces participants to multiliteracies pedagogy that is centered around texts sourced directly from language discourse communities (intended for language users, not learners).  Participants will develop activities of this pedagogical framework that help them take on a role as facilitators of learning and active co-constructors of knowledge where the activities and engagement they create are providing opportunities for them to share their previous knowledge and experiences and produce new thoughts, think critically and develop analytical and multimodal communication skills.

Open to Instructors of Languages other than English 

Dates and Time: Saturdays, January 17, 24, 31, and February 7 and 14.
9:00AM to 12:00 PM EST
Level: Post-secondary
Modality: Synchronous virtual
Facilitators: Borbala Gaspar & Yuri Kumagai

Registration: Open until filled. Register here.

Participants will learn how to use this pedagogical framework to create and implement language learning curricula, and be guided through:

  • defining, selecting, and evaluating target-language texts for their courses.
  • developing a lesson plan using the stages of the multiliteracies pedagogical framework.
  • designing activities that build their learners’ textual understanding, and help their learners connect form with meaning and explore cultural practices and perspectives.

By the end of the workshop, participants will have a set of ready-to-implement lessons tailored to their course objectives and learner needs and a deeper understanding of how the multiliteracies approach can transform language teaching and learning. 

For registered participants: Click on the button below to access the workshop materials.

Multiliteracies Workshop Participants
Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International

This entry is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.

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