Education and Human Sciences, College of (CEHS)
Date of this Version
Spring 2025
Citation
Liu, X. C., Trainin, G., Guan, C.M., & Yu, H. (2025). Teaching Advocacy: Bridging the Gap Between World Language Classroom and Community. Global Goals, Global Languages. Proceedings of The Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Language.
Abstract
World Language education in the United States faces significant challenges, including declining enrollments and diminished community support. This paper introduces Teaching as Advocacy as a proactive framework to address these issues, proposing a mindset that integrates advocacy seamlessly into teaching practices. By leveraging community engagement and emphasizing "Connection" and "Community," the framework extends classroom learning into real-world contexts. Strategies such as cross-disciplinary collaborations, service-learning projects, partnerships with ethnic communities, and strategic use of social media amplify the impact of language education, demonstrating its value through tangible outcomes. This paper offers practical examples to showcase how Teaching as Advocacy revitalizes World Language (WL) programs, connects classrooms to communities, and fosters public awareness of the benefits of WL learning and cultural appreciation. By adopting this approach, educators can advocate effectively for World Language programs, building sustainable, community-centered support systems that champion linguistic and cultural diversity.