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The Power of Talk
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The Power of Talk
How Words Change Our Lives



January 2009 | 200 pages | Corwin

"I couldn't stop reading this book! It masterfully pinpoints how language plays a critical, fundamental role in our daily lives as educators. Most important, it shows us how our deepest thoughts are manifested in language and how we can deal with them in our continued efforts to dismantle gender, racial, and class prejudice."
—Susan Roberta Katz, Professor and Chair of International & Multicultural Education
University of San Francisco

"The authors show that by thinking critically about how we interact with others and by making the necessary changes in our own behavior, leaders can model respectful and collaborative ways of addressing and responding to others and gradually change the norms of the whole community."
—Gordon Wells, Professor of Education
University of California, Santa Cruz

"Any chapter is enough for a year's worth of conversation, and occasionally a good argument—among students, staff, and families. The book is an invitation to dialogue with one's peers, but it also prompts dialogue with oneself. A must-read."
—Deborah W. Meier, Educational Reformer, Writer, and Activist

Unlock the power of language to promote equity in your school!

This enlightening book shows how everyday speech can be a transforming force in today's schools, creating a more equitable environment for people of all backgrounds. Written by experts on language and diversity, this resource combines research-validated tools and real-world insights for addressing verbal communication issues within the classroom and schoolwide. Readers will find:

  • Case studies and vignettes that show how language contributes to school change and shapes community relationships
  • Thought-provoking exercises that strengthen language awareness and leadership skills
  • Guidance on effectively coaching students and colleagues on equity issues and the use of appropriate language

By using language to overcome barriers, foster collaboration, and promote respect, leaders can make a significant difference in the quality of life and work in schools.


 
List of Tables
 
List of Figures
 
Acknowledgments
 
About the Authors
 
Introduction
Why? The Same Old Problem

 
What? The Book’s Purpose

 
How? Achieving the Purpose

 
What Will You Get Out of This Book?

 
Avoiding the Master’s Language Tools

 
Overview of the Chapters

 
Where and When Might the Book Be Used?

 
 
1. The Power of Language: A Medium for Promoting Social Justice and Equity
In What Ways Is Language a Transformative Force in Society?

 
What Are Educational Equity and Social Justice

 
What Are Critical Discourse Analysis and Critical Language Awareness

 
Conclusion and Summary of Key Points

 
 
2. Becoming Effective in Using Critical Language Awareness
Noticing How Language Constructs Our Social World

 
Relating the Trees to the Forest, and the Forest to the Trees

 
Imagining Alternatives

 
Coaching

 
Teaching With Critical Language Awareness

 
Using Memorable Examples, Metaphors, and Quotes

 
Modeling, Teamwork, Inclusiveness, and Respect

 
Conclusion and Summary of Key Points

 
 
3. Avoiding Othering: Practicing Including
Introduction

 
A Change Agent in Action

 
How Is Othering Harmful?

 
Digging Deeper Into Othering

 
From Othering to Inclusion and Dialogue

 
Activities

 
Conclusion and Summary of Key Points

 
 
4. Disrupting Prejudice: A Communicative Approach
Introduction

 
Abstracting

 
Communicative Model

 
Developing a Data Culture

 
Activity: Developing Language Skills for Disrupting Prejudice

 
Conclusion and Summary of Key Points

 
 
5. Exceptionalizing or Democratizing?
Introduction

 
Exceptionalizing: How It Promotes Inequities

 
The Importance of Context

 
Cognitive Disequilibrium and Exceptionalizing

 
The Context of the Interviews

 
Recognizing Exceptionalizing Discourse

 
Revising for a More Democratizing Discourse

 
Activities for Developing Democratizing Language Skills

 
Conclusion and Summary of Key Points

 
 
6. Recognizing and Revising Stratifying Discourse
Introduction

 
Key Concepts

 
Recognizing and Revising Stratifying Discourse

 
Activities for Developing Language Skills for Social Justice

 
Conclusion and Summary of Key Points

 
 
7. Contesting Labels
Introduction

 
Contesting Labels

 
Acronyms as Deep Abstractions

 
Talk Strategies

 
Redressing Labels Through Institutional Action

 
Thoughtful Inaction

 
Activity: Crowning With Labels

 
Conclusion and Summary of Key Points

 
 
8. Conclusion: The Power of Talk
Revisiting the Book's Objectives

 
Using the Power of Talk for Social Justice

 
A Final Thought

 
 
References
 
Index

"In a down-to-earth style, the authors explain how, by paying attention to how we talk, people can make a difference to the quality of life and work in schools. Drawing on real-life examples, they show that by thinking critically about how we habitually interact with others and by making the necessary changes in our own behavior, leaders can model respectful and collaborative ways of addressing and responding to others and gradually change the norms of the whole community."

Gordon Wells, Professor of Education
University of California, Santa Cruz

"The authors appeal to educators on both a professional and a personal level. Changing the discourse will not only improve school achievement for students, but will allow educators to more effectively express their beliefs about equitable and socially just education."

Karen L. Fernandez, English/Language Arts Coach and Teacher
Denver Center for International Studies, CO

"I like the specific strategies in each chapter for helping educators become aware of how language influences beliefs and assumptions. I also like the suggestions for how to develop skills for using language in a more equitable way."

Lynn A. Smolen, Professor
University of Akron

"I really liked the tone the authors used throughout—it was never negative or condescending. The authors did a good job of explaining the effects of language without preaching or looking down on those who might not be aware of the effects their language has on others."

Christine Landwehrle, Language Arts & Reading Teacher
Bedminster Township Public School, NJ

"This book will be very useful for teachers and teacher educators. The organization and accessibility of the concepts in this book are a major strength. The examples that are given are concrete and make concepts easy to understand."

Theresa Abodeeb-Gentile, Assistant Professor
University of Hartford

"This book needs to be in the hands of every educator and administrator. Too many times, the adults involved in education forget the power of the words they use."

David Callaway, Eight-Grade Language Arts Teacher
Rocky Heights Middle School, Highlands Ranch, CO

"Any chapter is enough for a year's worth of conversation, and occasionally a good argument—among students, staff, and families. It is an invitation to a dialogue with one's peers, but it also works as a dialogue with oneself. I found myself both arguing with the authors and shifting my own stance as I went. A must-read."

Deborah W. Meier, Educational Reformer, Writer, and Activist

"I couldn't stop reading this book! It masterfully pinpoints how language plays a critical, fundamental role in our daily lives as educators. Most important, it shows us how our deepest thoughts are manifested in language and how we can deal with them in our continued efforts to dismantle gender, racial, and class prejudice."

Susan Roberta Katz, Professor and Chair of International & Multicultural Education
University of San Francisco

Didn't get sufficent votes from
department members to warrant adoption, however, I reference it in my Intro to Inclusive Ed course and recommend that
students purchase it and add it to their professional library. It's one of the best books I've seen for
teaching in the language of the learner.

Dr Harry Dissinger
Administration and Leadership Program, Georgian Court University
September 2, 2011
Key features
  • Includes many short case studies, stories, and vignettes
  • Written in an accessible, journalistic style
  • Contains practical tools and resources
  • Will fit nicely whervere Social Justice is a key issue or movement

Sample Materials & Chapters

Introduction

Chapter 1 excerpt


For instructors

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Rent or Buy eBook
ISBN: 9781452212807

Paperback
ISBN: 9781412956024
$39.95

Hardcover
ISBN: 9781412956017
$79.95

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