Integrating Decolonization and Anti-Racism into the World Language Curriculum

Y

15

Teachers

Second Language Learning; Second Language Instruction; Educational Change; Racism; Decolonization; Curriculum Development; German; Colonialism; Critical Thinking; Cooperative Learning; Social Justice; Web Sites; Social Media; Learning Activities; Activism; Secondary School Students; College Students; History Instruction; Foreign Countries

Germany; Austria; Switzerland

2164-5965

This paper explores ways to integrate social justice issues pertaining to decolonization and anti-racism into the world language classroom at all levels of instruction. It describes tasks designed to introduce language learners briefly to German colonialism, raise awareness of colonial legacies in contemporary German-speaking societies, and familiarize students with current decolonization initiatives. By engaging students with the complex diversity of German-speaking societies, the tasks provide examples for diversifying and decolonizing the language curriculum while fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and transcultural sensitivity. The examples highlight approaches to anti-racist pedagogies and ways of incorporating social justice practices across all levels of instruction and applicable to all languages.

As Provided

2024

EJ1418083