Growing up Overseas: Perceptions of Second Language Attrition and Retrieval Amongst Expatriate Children in India

This study involves expatriate children whose first language (L1) is English and who learned Hindi as their second language (L2) while their parents worked in India. The purpose of the study was to investigate the linguistic experiences of the children after they had left India, particularly experiences with L2 attrition. Through semi-structured interviews, subjects shared their stories of L2 acquisition and attrition. Common experiences which contributed to the attrition of the L2 included periods of non-use of the L2, social responses to the use of the L2, the lack of development of Hindi literacy and subjects’ attitude toward using the L2. Some of the subjects were able to retrieve the L2 on return trips to India and an examination is made of their perceptions of what supported this retrieval process. These include exposure to the “environment” of India and personal motivation. The conclusion provides questions and suggestions for further research to contribute to a better understanding of the linguistic experiences of expatriate children. Cette étude concerne les enfants expatriés de langue maternelle anglaise qui ont appris le hindi comme deuxième langue (L2) alors que leurs parents travaillaient en Inde. Le but de cette étude était d’enquêter sur les pratiques linguistiques usuelles de ces enfants une fois qu’ils avaient quitté l’Inde, avec un accent particulier sur l’érosion de la L2. Au cours d’entrevues semistructurées, les participants ont raconté comment ils ont acquis et oublié la deuxième langue (L2). Les facteurs usuels d’érosion de la L2 comprennent des périodes de non utilisation de la L2, les réactions sociales à l’utilisation de la L2, le manque de développement de l’alphabétisation des participants en hindi, et leur attitude envers l’usage de la L2. Certains des participants ont pu récupérer la langue suite à un retour en Inde; ils attribuent cette récupération à plusieurs facteurs, notamment l’exposition à un environnement indien et la motivation personnelle. La conclusion formule des questions et des suggestions pour mener d’autres recherches afin de mieux comprendre les expériences linguistiques des enfants expatriés

Peer coaching in a school in Cairo, Egypt: Implementation, barriers, and pathways to effective adoption

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how peer coaching was introduced in one school in Egypt and to identify barriers and opportunities for successful implementation. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology included semi-structured interviews with eight teachers, participant observation of their classes and meetings, and three focus group meetings with teachers and school administrators. Findings – Ladyshewsky’s (2017) five key aspects of peer coaching are considered in the findings: establishing peer partners, building trust between the partners, identifying specific areas to target for learning, training on non-evaluative questions and feedback, and supporting each other as new ideas are attempted. Each aspect of these is reviewed in light of the implementation process in the school. Practical implications – The study provides practical suggestions for teachers and school administrators that include considerations for implementation. Numerous connections are made to research on peer coaching that is relevant to the implementation of peer coaching in schools in Egypt and other countries in the Global South. Originality/value – The study provides an examination of the implementation of peer coaching in a school in Egypt. Thus, it contributes to the limited literature on peer coaching in the Global South. The discussion and conclusion sections consider further questions and research opportunities for effective practices in peer coaching in international contexts

Teacher Candidates’ Involvement with Reading Interventions in High Needs Schools: Wrestling with the Everyday

The demands on new teachers as they enter the teaching profession are extensive and deep-rooted. This article provides insight into how faculty within a teacher education program in Ontario, Canada considered one service program emphasis and how it shed light into the everyday world of teacher candidates as they wrestled with the everyday activity of trying to support struggling readers. We identify this process of forging relationships and developing professional skills as we examine the experiences and reflections of teacher candidates as they journey through their involvement with the program. As such, we take Dorothy Smith’s (2005) perspective that the everyday world is problematic. Those things which we take for granted, and assume to be obvious, or have been assumed by reading research to be normative, are not necessarily so

Daughters of Single Fathers: Working as a Team

In this paper, we consider the perspectives of daughters of single fathers as they reflect on their experiences and relationships with their fathers. The paper provides an opportunity to consider an under-represented group in the literature on single parent families. Three themes emerge from the qualitative research design: parental expectations and involvement, household tasks, and family relationships. We consider these themes in light of the work done by Bronte-Tinkew et al (2010) and Risman (1986) regarding the involvement and support of single fathers in the lives of their children. We conclude by providing suggestions for teachers and other professionals regarding single fathers and their daughters

Educational Leadership in Haiti: A Case Study of Innovative and Exemplary Leadership in a Fragile State

In this study, we consider three school leaders in Haiti who provide examples of innovative and exemplary leadership practices in the midst of challenging circumstances. Using a framework of innovative (Moolenaar, Daly, & Sleeger, 2010; Rogers, 2003) and exemplary leadership practices (Kouzes & Posner, 2006), we examine three themes that emerged from interviews with the three participants, observations of their work in the field, and interviews with other educational stakeholders in their communities. We raise considerations for leadership practices that include: The importance of social and professional networks, barriers and opportunities to innovative practice, and collaborations involving community, regional, national, and international partners. The paper provides suggestions for further exploration in examining educational leadership in fragile states such as Haiti

Incarceration, Relationships, and Belonging: Insights into the Experiences of Two Male Youth Recently Released from Custody Facilities

This paper explores the family, school, and community experiences of two male youth who had recently been released from custody facilities and how these experiences contributed to their sense of belonging and self-esteem. Addressing the limited literature on self-esteem and belonging of young men who had been incarcerated, the exploratory study considers key themes of trust, family, friendships, and perceptions of belonging and self-esteem which emerge from interviews and guided journal writing sessions. A key finding is that alternative literacy programs, such as journal writing, provide mechanisms to engage young men in building their self-esteem and sense of belonging. The paper concludes with recommendations for teachers, community program facilitators, and social workers to support marginalized youth after having been released from incarceration as they re-enter family and community life

“How Can He Be So Cruel?” Examining Issues of Trust in School Improvement Efforts

In this case, a high school vice-principal encounters tension and anger when she rewrites a staff member’s report card comments without his knowledge. The case narrative examines the conflict that arises when, under time constraints and pressures to produce student reports, the vice-principal acts on a decision she believes is ethically correct only to find that she incurs a significant setback with staffing relationships largely due to wavering of trust. The analysis examines how transformational leadership builds self-efficacy in all staff founded on trusting relationships. Professional reflection provides a conduit through which educational leaders can assess their own practice and implement the changes needed to sustain school improvement planning

“Is it because I’m black?”: Creating Space for Diversity in the Christian University

This paper examines the experiences of a black female faculty member as she enters the Christian university where there is limited ethnic diversity. She experiences critical student responses to her teaching which lead her to consider the reasons why she may be experiencing such resistance. As she confronts the possibility that it’s because she’s black, she enters into an on-going dialogue with a white male faculty member. Their experiences and conversations create a space for shared learning. The paper raises the question of how Christian universities might intentionally create space for faculty of color to feel welcome and embraced in the community

“My classroom is a bigger place”: Examining the Impact of a Professional Development Course on the Global Perspective of Experienced Teachers

How do experienced teachers develop a global perspective through a professional development course and how can this perspective impact classroom practice? These are the two key questions which this paper examines. We utilize Guskey’s (2002) model of teacher change as a framework for understanding the results of a study involving experienced teachers who took a professional development course which had a focus on global education. The participants engaged in a number of activities four months after the completion of the course to explore how the course had impacted their classroom teaching practice. Common themes were identified through participant reflective papers and questionnaire-responses which gave insight into what the participants felt were key aspects of learning in the enhancement of their global perspective. The paper provides an opportunity to consider Guskey’s (2002) model for teacher change, particularly the sequence with which teacher attitudes and beliefs change. As well, we discuss how teachers’ commitment to global citizenship can be shaped and how this might impact classroom practice

Educational Leadership in Haiti: A Case Study of Innovative and Exemplary Leadership in a Fragile State

In this study, we consider three school leaders in Haiti who provide examples of innovative and exemplary leadership practices in the midst of challenging circumstances. Using a framework of innovative (Moolenaar, Daly, & Sleeger, 2010; Rogers, 2003) and exemplary leadership practices (Kouzes & Posner, 2006), we examine three themes that emerged from interviews with the three participants, observations of their work in the field, and interviews with other educational stakeholders in their communities. We raise considerations for leadership practices that include: The importance of social and professional networks, barriers and opportunities to innovative practice, and collaborations involving community, regional, national, and international partners. The paper provides suggestions for further exploration in examining educational leadership in fragile states such as Haiti