“Mum, let’s write it all down”. Identity texts as facilitators of multilingual literacy
Abstract
This paper presents a research carried out in three multilingual classrooms where identity texts are used as a central pedagogical tool adapted to each level: Pre-primary, second and sixth year of Primary Education. Results show that identity texts foster the inclusion of home languages in the school context and encourage the collaboration of families. The process was documented through classroom observations and interviews to educators and parents, and verifies that the proposed tasks promote plurilingual literacy in both alloglot and non-alloglot students. Besides, the main strategies for the management of linguistic repertoires developed by children are presented. Conclusions point at the need of a well-defined and structured use of home languages throughout the school years, including a specific role for families’ involvement.
Keywords
Identity texts, Literacy/plurilingual literacy, Multilingualism, Home languagesReferences
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