Literature+Study

Professional book club Genishi, C., & Dyson, A.H. (2009). //Children, language, and literacy: diverse learners in diverse times//. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

//Looking At Differences Through a Siciocultural Lens// I am done reading the text and I was wondering if this is okay. The section on "Looking at Diferences Through a Sociocultural Lens" draws on the sociocultural theory propounded by Vygotsky and firmly reiterated by theorists and linguists such as Bruner, Harste (critical literacy), and Rogoff. These theorists believe that children learn through sociocultural interactions. Activities that engage children are more meaningful and applicable then the ones that are disconnected, alien, and unrelated to their cultures. These activities become meaningful through language use and according to Genishi & Dyson (2009), "...language is cultural means of expression that, like culture itself, has multiple facets and uses" (p. 9). "The Norm is Diversity" raises serious concerns about acculturation. This sesction also calls for action with regard to the need to change the curricula depending on children's diversity. Children from various backgroubds need culturally relevant pedagogy and one-size-fits-all will deter progress in diverse children. Standardised curricula puts some students at risk because learning in such context calls from transmission of knowledge rather than expressive learning. Transmission language learning does not follow the sociocultural learning theory. In summary, the children are diverse, while the pedagogical practices are not.

Chapter 3///Diverse Language Learners in Diverse Times: When the Norm Isn't English//"

The Societal Context for Multilingual Learning