Using The Visual Arts to Enhance Critical Thinking and Language Production in Multicultural Classrooms

Abstract

Traditionally, US classrooms have emphasized rote memorization and an analytical approach to acquiring the English language, de-emphasizing critical thinking and the experiential. The curricularization of language acquisition has stripped away the sociocultural and implicit knowledge necessary to gain mastery of the language–which is concerning to students pursuing graduation, higher education, and lifelong pursuits. Learning a new language is universal and nonlinear, hence this session examines this phenomena and model strategies on how the arts can support more equitable learning spaces for all multilingual learners throughout the world. In this workshop, Dr. Veronica Alvarez and Ana Guzman, M.A., present research and model evidence-based strategies used in museum settings that enhance critical thinking and language production using works of art. In this session, participants will learn about current scholarship on how language is acquired, participate in accessible discussion-based strategies, and engage in dialogue about equitable and inclusive classroom spaces for all learners.

Presenters

Ana Guzman
University Field Supervisor/ Doctoral Student, Education, Pepperdine University, California, United States

Veronica Alvarez
Executive Director, Community Arts Partnership, California Institute of the Arts, California, United States

Details

Presentation Type

Workshop Presentation

Theme

The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life

KEYWORDS

Multilingual Learners, Language Acquisition, Museum Education, Equity, Inclusive Practices