Literacies for LCTLs Workshop Series

The Literacies for LCTLs workshop series touches on two pressing topics in the teaching of LCTLs through multiliteracies pedagogy: implementing multiliteracies pedagogy in introductory LCTL classrooms and developing students’ knowledge of language forms through multiliteracies activities. Each topic is addressed through a two-part workshop series; resources from each of the workshops are provided below.

Facilitators: Yuri Kumagai, Smith College and Borbala Gaspar, University of Arizona

Using Multiliteracies Pedagogy with Novice LCTL Learners 

Workshop 1 - A Kaleidoscopic Look at Texts: Engaging Novice LCTL Learners Through Literacies-Informed Teaching

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Workshop Description

The term kaleidoscopic implies a wide range of possibilities when it comes to promoting language learning with a variety of multimodal texts. In this workshop, we explored how different textual genres can be used in beginning less commonly taught language (LCTL) classrooms to promote students’ literacies development. Specifically, we focused on the textual types found in linguistic landscapes and social media platforms and discussed texts in relation to research findings to address some of the challenges LCTL language educators face related to literacies-informed teaching practices. Attendees acquired tools to help them select and analyze texts of different genres. 

Resources

Workshop 2 - Building Our Kaleidoscope: Supporting Novice LCTL Learners to Experience, Conceptualize, Analyze, and Apply Texts

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Workshop Description

In this workshop, participants designed activities that support novice LTCL learners as they engage with multimodal target language texts. Activities targeted the four activity types of multiliteracies pedagogy (experiencing, conceptualizing, analyzing, applying), which help learners see texts through different lenses and foster their linguistic competence. In addition, participants explored the possibilities that social media platforms and linguistic landscapes can offer LCTL teachers working with novice learners. 

Resources

Using Multiliteracies Pedagogy to Focus on Language Forms

Workshop 1 - Teaching Grammar and Vocabulary through Multimodal LCTL Texts: A Prism of Language, Conventions, and Cultural Content

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Workshop Description

In this workshop, participants explored how multiliteracies pedagogy can transform the way we teach vocabulary and grammar for less commonly taught language (LCTL) learners. Much like a prism refracts light into a spectrum of colors, multimodal texts can facilitate integration of language, conventions, and cultural elements into a cohesive instructional approach. Through practical examples and hands-on activities, participants applied criteria for selecting appropriate texts to meet learning goals. They also formulated, experimented with, and evaluated ideas for engaging learners with texts, with a special focus on grammar and vocabulary. 

Resources

Workshop 2 – A Prism of Possibilities: Building Multiliteracies Grammar and Vocabulary Lessons Through Multimodal LCTL Texts

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Workshop Description

By viewing text as a prism that offers a range of activities and opportunities for skillful student engagement, LCTL teachers cultivate a diverse teaching repertoire grounded in multiliteracies pedagogy. The multiliteracies approach helps learners recognize grammar and vocabulary in context while encouraging them to view texts through multiple lenses. In particular, participants in this workshop explored the potential of multimodal texts across a variety of genres, spotlighting not only grammar and vocabulary, but also culture and context. Through hands-on experiences, participants designed engaging activities using multiliteracies activity types (experiencing, conceptualizing, analyzing, applying) that integrated grammar, vocabulary, culture, and pragmatics. This approach not only enhances learners’ language and meaning-making skills but also deepens their understanding of the target language community, breaking down boundaries and offering a richer, more nuanced perspective.

Resources