Multilingual Education Yearbook 2021: Policy and Practice in STEM Multilingual Contexts

This edited book explores the challenges and complexities of teaching and learning STEM subjects in multilingual settings, highlighting the impact of policy and practice on educational processes, developments, and outcomes. It combines language issues with policy and practice in multilingual contexts and offers insights from STEM research and practice to inform language policies and their implementation. The book is relevant to stakeholders in STEM education, including researchers, teachers, and policymakers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 255 pages
Publication date: 06 May 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This edited book delves into the intricate interplay between policy and practice in the teaching and learning of STEM subjects in multilingual settings, highlighting their profound impact on educational processes, developments, and outcomes. Its unique selling point lies in its comprehensive exploration of not only language-related challenges in STEM education but also the interconnectedness of these challenges with policy and practice in multilingual contexts. By integrating STEM research and practice, the book offers valuable insights into how language policies can be informed and shaped to enhance learning outcomes for all students.

This book appeals to a diverse range of stakeholders involved in STEM education, including researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, tertiary-level teachers, teacher educators, curriculum developers, and other professionals responsible for STEM education subjects. The authors have crafted the text in a manner that is accessible to a wide audience, including those with backgrounds in language education.

The book is organized into four chapters, each addressing a different aspect of the intersection between policy and practice in STEM education. In the first chapter, the authors provide an overview of the current landscape of STEM education, highlighting the global demand for skilled professionals in these fields and the challenges associated with teaching and learning STEM subjects in multilingual contexts. They argue that policy and practice must be aligned to ensure that all students have access to high-quality STEM education, regardless of their language proficiency.

Chapter 2 explores the role of language policies in STEM education, examining how they can either facilitate or hinder the teaching and learning of STEM subjects. The authors discuss the importance of language proficiency for STEM education, the challenges faced by multilingual students in accessing STEM education, and the strategies that can be implemented to support their learning. They also examine the role of language testing and assessment in determining student eligibility for STEM programs and the implications of these assessments for language policies.

Chapter 3 focuses on the experiences of STEM teachers in multilingual settings, examining their challenges, strategies, and perspectives on teaching and learning STEM subjects. The authors highlight the importance of teacher training and professional development in preparing teachers to work with multilingual students and the challenges that arise from cultural differences and language barriers. They also explore the role of teacher collaboration and peer support in fostering effective teaching practices.

Chapter 4 examines the impact of policy and practice on educational outcomes in STEM education, highlighting the disparities that exist between different groups of students. The authors discuss the role of equity and inclusion in STEM education, the strategies that can be implemented to promote these values, and the challenges that arise from implementing policies that prioritize equity and inclusion. They also examine the role of technology in enhancing access to STEM education and the implications of digital divide for educational outcomes.

In conclusion, this edited book provides a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the challenges and complexities between policy and practice in STEM education in multilingual settings. It offers valuable insights into how language policies, teacher training, collaboration, and technology can be leveraged to enhance educational outcomes for all students. By highlighting the interconnectedness of policy and practice, the book encourages educators, policymakers, and researchers to work together to create inclusive and equitable STEM education systems that support the growth and development of all students.

Weight: 427g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030720117
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021