Plenarvorträge
Prof. Dr. Karim Fereidooni: Diversitätssensibilität
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In meinem Vortrag gehe ich auf die Konstruktion von ‚Normalität' in unserer Gesellschaft ein und problematisiere diesen Konstruktionsprozess, weil dadurch Ausschlüsse entstehen. Ferner stelle ich unterschiedliche Theorien und Studien zum Thema Diversitätssensibilität dar. |
Dr. Christine Muir: Language teacher wellbeing in the new realities of a changing world
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Teachers are at the heart of every classroom. They are responsible not only for students’ academic development but for creating safe and engaging learning environments to help students thrive. However, for teachers to be able to do this successfully, care for their wellbeing is critical.
Recognition of the importance of teacher wellbeing is at an all-time high in the wake of the global Covid-19 pandemic, however, so too are the challenges faced by all educational stakeholders. Forced displacement, whether necessitated by geopolitical conflict or natural disaster, are contributing to increasing global migration and superdiversity in classrooms. Students bring with them increasingly complex personal challenges, often exacerbated by persistent practical hurdles related to cost of living and the personal/familial sacrifices made to support their studies. As frontline employees, teachers’ workloads and working environments are increasingly strained. Against this shifting landscape, many higher education institutions are themselves facing unprecedented financial difficulties, and departments of languages and linguistics often find themselves at the forefront of this. Caught between the two, language teachers are required to navigate a highly dynamic professional environment.
In this talk, I will celebrate key findings in a growing body of research around (language) teacher wellbeing. I will use this to reflect on needed future directions and ways in which teacher wellbeing can be better ensured and strengthened. Speaking directly to teachers themselves and to institutional representatives in positions of power, I will share a message of hope for the future and practical suggestions for positive change.
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