Our Philosophy
The philosophy of the School of Education is contained in a document called our Conceptual Framework, which actually embraces a number of philosophies and theories of education. The official conceptual framework has been approved by the faculty and guides our course offerings and syllabi. There is also a shortened version for quick reference.
Click below to view the Conceptual Framework:
Bilingual Education & TESOL Program Philosophy
The mission of the Programs in Bilingual Education & TESOL is to prepare teachers for service in a linguistically diverse society, with the goal of helping students develop proficiency and literacy in both their native languages and additional (second) languages.
A consistent philosophy undergirds all curricula in the programs. The faculty seeks to implement its vision of an equitable education that goes beyond uniformity and standardization. The program affirms the validity of multiple modes of expression, the value of culturally diverse points of view, and the benefits of bilingualism in our society as a whole. It views teachers as participants in the process of education, both their own and their students', and as agents in the transformation of education to reflect more fully the needs of the communities served.
Courses are solidly grounded in content and in pedagogy, and in the connections between the two. The approach to teaching and learning involves both inquiry (looking outward) and reflection (looking inward). Students explore the historical, cultural, psychological, and linguistic foundations of the various forms of bilingual and language education from theoretical, empirical, and practical perspectives.
The program strives to create and articulate a strong and clear position vis-à-vis linguistic pluralism in schools and society and to prepare its teachers to take an active role in educational advocacy.
