Decolonising the Language Classroom – with Dr Amina Douidi

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consultant Dr Amina Douidi talks about racial basis in teaching, materials, and assessment in the context of the language classroom and shares actions we can take to address the problem.Click here to watch this episode with closed captions.KEY TALKING POINTSIdentifying BiasAmina explains that racial bias in the classroom often manifests through disciplinary issues. Teachers might disproportionately describe students with negative characteristics based on their race or ethnicity. These biases are rooted in societal and historical hierarchies.Decolonising MaterialsTo decolonise the curriculum, Amina suggests diversifying teaching materials. Highlighting contributions from minority groups to society can make the curriculum more representative and relevant.Inclusive LanguageTeachers should identify and eliminate problematic language, including sexist, racist, ableist, or ageist terms. Reflecting on biases in both the languages used in the classroom and students' home languages is crucial.Assessment PracticesAmina shares an example from Orlene Badu's book "How to Build Your Anti-Racist Classroom," where integrating relatable literature for black Caribbean students improved their reading and writing skills.Sustainable ChangeAmina emphasises the importance of collaborative efforts among teachers to review and revise curriculum and practices. Long-term, sustainable changes, rather than quick fixes, are necessary for meaningful impact.ABOUTDr Amina Douidi is a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Intercultural Communication consultant in English Language Teaching (ELT). She collaborates with publishers and education providers as a trainer, reviewer, and researcher, focusing on promoting anti-racist, decolonial, and inclusive practices. She earned her PhD from the University of Southampton, where she researched the intercultural potential of Algerian English textbooks and their use in the classroom. She speaks Arabic, French, Spanish and English and is an amateur volleyball player.Visit Amina's website or LinkedIn to learn more.REFERENCES1. Badu, O. (2023) How to Build Your Antiracist Classroom. SAGE Publications.2. An Open Letter from the ELT Community in Solidarity with Palestine (March 2024). Available here.3. ELT Professionals for Palestine LinkedIn page.Say thankshttps://ko-fi.com/tesolpopCREDITSProducer Laura WilkesEditor Haven TsangThanks to our lovely guest, Dr Amina Douidi. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.