ECIS ESLMT Conference 2017

This presentation will focus on the importance of developing and nurturing partnerships with the growing number of non English-speaking families whose young children attend International Schools. Using the portraiture framework (Lawrence-Lightfoot and Davis, 1997; Lawrence-Lightfoot, 2005; Hackman, 2002) and the “funds of knowledge” approach (Moll, Amanti, Neff, and González, 1992) a language and literacy portrait of non English-speaking families will be presented. Guided by the question “What is good here?” the portrait describes the language and literacy richness of non English-speaking families, explaining how their classroom participation brings linguistic diversity to life and how they can help foster international understanding, international mindedness and inter-lingual awareness in all children. To help teachers connect with non English-speaking families, a new partnering framework is introduced and explained. Field-tested strategies for creating and nurturing partnerships will be shared and discussed.