SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKSHOP: Celebrating Our Differences: Unpacking Identity with a Decolonial Lens in the World Language Classroom
This workshop delves into how world language educators can unpack identity through a decolonial lens, centering the lived experiences of People of the Global Majority (PGM). Over 2.5 hours, participants will explore strategies to critically examine identity markers, challenge colonial narratives, and create equitable, inclusive classroom environments that affirm all students' identities.
Drawing from anti-bias, anti-racist, and culturally sustaining practices, this session provides educators with a toolkit of proven strategies used in the Elementary Spanish classroom. The workshop will empower educators to reflect on their own identities and lead students in doing the same, moving beyond superficial cultural lessons to cultivate critical consciousness and social change. Practical examples and strategies that have successfully worked in the WL classroom will be shared, offering actionable steps to create culturally responsive, decolonized learning environments where all students can thrive linguistically and socially.
Participants will leave equipped with ready-to-use strategies and resources to foster student agency, disrupt deficit narratives, and promote student’s linguistic expansion.
After this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Apply a decolonial approach to designing identity-focused units that center marginalized voices and disrupt colonial narratives.
- Analyze curriculum and materials with a critical lens to identify and address biases related to race, culture, and gender.
- Use practical tools and strategies to create brave, affirming spaces where all students, including WL students, feel seen, valued, and empowered to preserve their linguistic and cultural heritage.
- Provide actionable examples and strategies that have successfully worked in real classroom settings to incorporate diversity, equity, and inclusion into both daily activities and long-term projects.
Instructor
Françoise Thenoux is an educator specializing in anti-bias, anti-racist education, and equitable world language curricula. Known as "The Woke Spanish Teacher," she integrates social justice into language learning. A former Latina racialized immigrant in the U.S., Françoise has spoken at the Race Institute and the Barnes Foundation. She was also nominated for ACTFL's Award for Excellence in DEI. Now based in Chile, she continues to engage educators globally.
Target Audience
This workshop is designed for world language educators including teachers, program coordinators and/or teacher educators who work in the United States at the middle school, high school, and postsecondary/adult level.
This workshop is offered free of charge to language educators within the target audience on a first-come, first-served basis. Space is limited.
NOTE: This workshop is now full. Click on the box below to sign up on the waiting list.