Wendy Royal - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Uploads
Papers by Wendy Royal
The World Around Us: Canadian Social Issues for ESL Students grew out of the idea that motivation... more The World Around Us: Canadian Social Issues for ESL Students grew out of the idea that motivation is the key to successful language learning and that "motivation comes from work that is interesting and relevant" (p. v). It comprises a variety of articles from Canadian and United States books, newspapers and magazines. What constitutes the content of these articles are contemporary issues many ESL students feel intrigued by and want to find out more about. These issues, as many ESL teachers know, often include such problems as intercultural marriages, poverty in Canada, crime, and euthanasia. The book results from its authors' many years of classroom experience teaching English through social issues. Aimed at intermediate to advanced students, the book is divided into 10 chapters, as well as introductory and review chapters. Each chapter is divided into three sections: background knowledge, new information, and reflections. The "Background Knowledge" section a...
This study investigates how students understand and experience critical pedagogy in four cultural... more This study investigates how students understand and experience critical pedagogy in four culturally diverse ESL classes in Northwest University, located in a multicultural metropolis in Canada. I conducted the study in my own classes, simultaneously examining my practice and its impact on my students since teachers‟ and students‟ identities are entwined. Through dialogue and negotiations among teacher and students, critical language pedagogy provides an innovative approach to teaching English language skills that enables students to challenge inequality, since language is a powerful tool, often used to control, persuade or exclude. I chose a critical ethnographic case study as the most appropriate methodology for uncovering the multiple ways ESL students make meaning of a pedagogical process that has to date received little practical guidance. My study, which took place over one academic year, offers an introspective and detailed portrait of the pitfalls, practicalities and possibil...
Advances in Higher Education and Professional Development
In this chapter the author discusses The Philosopher's Teahouse initiative which provides a forum... more In this chapter the author discusses The Philosopher's Teahouse initiative which provides a forum for students across cultures, linguistic backgrounds and disciplines to dialogue on current social issues and learn from each other's cultural perspectives, thereby building relationships of inclusion and empowerment. The author explores the research and theoretical framework that informed The Teahouse, including an explanation of critical multicultural language pedagogy, the connection between language and power and how critical multicultural language pedagogy addresses these issues. She discusses how she applied the theory to establish a student-focused multicultural forum at a Canadian university, outlining the objectives, past themes, the organizational process involved and the impact of the program on students and faculty. She ends the chapter with an analysis of the challenges and implications of The Teahouse in preparing students for equal and active participation in a pluralistic society.
The World Around Us: Canadian Social Issues for ESL Students grew out of the idea that motivation... more The World Around Us: Canadian Social Issues for ESL Students grew out of the idea that motivation is the key to successful language learning and that "motivation comes from work that is interesting and relevant" (p. v). It comprises a variety of articles from Canadian and United States books, newspapers and magazines. What constitutes the content of these articles are contemporary issues many ESL students feel intrigued by and want to find out more about. These issues, as many ESL teachers know, often include such problems as intercultural marriages, poverty in Canada, crime, and euthanasia. The book results from its authors' many years of classroom experience teaching English through social issues. Aimed at intermediate to advanced students, the book is divided into 10 chapters, as well as introductory and review chapters. Each chapter is divided into three sections: background knowledge, new information, and reflections. The "Background Knowledge" section a...
This study investigates how students understand and experience critical pedagogy in four cultural... more This study investigates how students understand and experience critical pedagogy in four culturally diverse ESL classes in Northwest University, located in a multicultural metropolis in Canada. I conducted the study in my own classes, simultaneously examining my practice and its impact on my students since teachers‟ and students‟ identities are entwined. Through dialogue and negotiations among teacher and students, critical language pedagogy provides an innovative approach to teaching English language skills that enables students to challenge inequality, since language is a powerful tool, often used to control, persuade or exclude. I chose a critical ethnographic case study as the most appropriate methodology for uncovering the multiple ways ESL students make meaning of a pedagogical process that has to date received little practical guidance. My study, which took place over one academic year, offers an introspective and detailed portrait of the pitfalls, practicalities and possibil...
Advances in Higher Education and Professional Development
In this chapter the author discusses The Philosopher's Teahouse initiative which provides a forum... more In this chapter the author discusses The Philosopher's Teahouse initiative which provides a forum for students across cultures, linguistic backgrounds and disciplines to dialogue on current social issues and learn from each other's cultural perspectives, thereby building relationships of inclusion and empowerment. The author explores the research and theoretical framework that informed The Teahouse, including an explanation of critical multicultural language pedagogy, the connection between language and power and how critical multicultural language pedagogy addresses these issues. She discusses how she applied the theory to establish a student-focused multicultural forum at a Canadian university, outlining the objectives, past themes, the organizational process involved and the impact of the program on students and faculty. She ends the chapter with an analysis of the challenges and implications of The Teahouse in preparing students for equal and active participation in a pluralistic society.