Social Justice in Language Education

Taking Action

Edited by Albert Biel, Fabian Maria Esleben

Publication date:

15 April 2025

Publisher

Multilingual Matters

Dimensions:

234x156mm
6x9"

ISBN-13: 9781800417458

Because of its focus on mutual understanding, the language classroom is uniquely situated to discuss and enact ideas about social justice. This book brings together authors from different geographical and professional contexts united by a common goal: to bring about a change in language teacher education and language classrooms. The chapters represent the perspectives of authors at a range of stages in their careers; together they take the reader on a journey from conceptual dilemmas and their place in applied linguistics, through specific critical issues which are positioned within the theoretical landscape surrounding social justice, to projects with clear pedagogical implications. The book represents a much-needed step in broadening the conversation about social justice in and through language education, and will be of interest to language teachers and researchers as well as students of applied linguistics.

Contributors

Acknowledgements

Albert Biel and Fabian Maria Esleben: Taking Action: A Journey towards Social Justice in Language Education

Part 1: Conceptual Considerations of Social Justice in Language Education

Chapter 1. Carolyn Blume and David Gerlach: Searching for Social Justice in English Language Education in Germany

Chapter 2. Stacey Margarita Johnson, L.J. Randolph Jr. and Albert Biel: The Theory, Research and Practice of Social Justice in Language Classrooms: An Interview

Chapter 3. Katy Highet: The Ethics and Politics of 'Taking Action'

Chapter 4. Kaishan Kong and Andie Wang: Making Sense of Social Justice and Taking Action in World Language Education

Part 2: Looking at Language(s) in Social Justice Language Education

Chapter 5. Rachel Wicaksono and Clara Jean Wicaksono: Ethical Subjectivity and Ontologies of English: Implications for Social Justice in English Language Education

Chapter 6. Marta Guarda and Gisela Mayr: Infusing Social Justice into the Classroom through Inclusive Plurilingual Education: The Role of Teacher Attitudes and Beliefs

Chapter 7. Elizabeth J. Ehrling and Anouschka Foltz: Towards Social Justice in English Language Education: Promoting Multilingual Possibilities in the Classroom

Part 3: Looking at Content in Social Justice Language Education

Chapter 8. Thorsten Merse: Queering English Language Education: Five Propositions for the Future of LGBTIQ+ Inclusion

Chapter 9. Natalie Güllü and Mareen Lüke: Anti-Fatness and Fat Activism: Approaches for Addressing Structural Discrimination in Critical Language Education in Germany

Chapter 10. Ricardo Römhild: Sustainability and English Language Education: Taking Action for Socio-Environmental Justice

Part 4: What Taking Action Can Look Like: Concrete Social Justice Projects

Chapter 11. Annika Berg and Carolyn Blume: Negotiating Plurilingual Identities in Superdiverse Contexts – A Unit from Eighth-Grade English

Chapter 12. Jhon Eduardo Mosquera Pérez, Angela Hurtado Torres and Daniel Elias Pérez Diaz: Embracing Social Justice in English Language Teaching: A Proposal of Social Justice Aware Materials

Chapter 13. Niklas Collissi: Yourintuitionpodcast: A Podcast About Individual Experiences with Social Injustice

Chapter 14. Nina Kansy, Julia Kulpa, Stella Munkes and Lisa Weichsel: Lessons Learned - Reflecting on Social Justice Issues and the Significance of Taking Action in Language Teacher Education

Helen Sauntson: Conclusions and Future Directions: Language Education and Research as Social Justice Activism

Index

This important volume illuminates the power of socially conscious and transformative language education, clearly advancing the field. As we continue on the path of reshaping the field, educators, researchers, and students alike will find the contributions within invaluable for inspiration, reflection, and perhaps most importantly, implementation of the critical work we should be embracing to impact our world. Biel and Esleben have offered us a major step forward in that journey.