The Power of Talk

How Words Change Our Lives
Felecia M. Briscoe - University of Texas at San Antonio, USA
Gilberto Arriaza - California State University, East Bay, USA
Rosemary C. Henze - San José State University, USA
The Power of Talk
January 2009 | 200 pages | Corwin
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ISBN: 9781452272405
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ISBN: 9781412956024
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Description

"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.

Contents

List of Tables

List of Tables

List of Figures

List of Figures

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

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

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

Description

"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.

Contents

List of Tables

List of Tables

List of Figures

List of Figures

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

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

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

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The Power of Talk

How Words Change Our Lives


January 2009 | 200 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 28/04/2023 9781412956024 $39.95
Hardcover 27/02/2023 9781412956017 $79.95
Lifetime 30/09/2024 9781452272405 $36.00

"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.


Table Of Contents:

  • 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

Recent Product Reviews:

Didn't get sufficent votes fromdepartment members to warrant adoption, however, I reference it in my Intro to Inclusive Ed course and recommend thatstudents purchase it and add it to their professional library. It's one of the best books I've seen forteaching in the language of the learner.
Dr Harry Dissinger, Administration and Leadership Program, Georgian Court University
"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
"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 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

Recommendations