Digital echoes of heritage: toward a culturally balanced pedagogy in technology-enhanced bilingual education
Journal for Multicultural Education
ISSN: 2053-535X
Article publication date: 6 February 2024
Issue publication date: 25 April 2024
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the integration of heritage language and culture in technology-enhanced bilingual education and examine the dominance of the English language and culture in computer-assisted language learning settings.
Design/methodology/approach
This research used a narrative inquiry methodology. The data came from semi-structured interviews with 25 bilingual teachers in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and Texas.
Findings
The study found a significant bias in the use of technology toward the target language, often at the expense of heritage language and culture. The curricula analyzed were predominantly focused on superficial cultural elements of the target language, leading to a neglect of deeper cultural engagement.
Originality/value
This research highlights the phenomenon of cultural cringe within bilingual education and the skewed use of technology toward the target language.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author expresses deep appreciation to Dr Cheryl J. Craig, the chair of his dissertation committee, for providing essential feedback on his dissertation, which significantly contributed to the basis of this study. Also, the author would like to acknowledge the use of ChatGPT 4 in enhancing the readability of this manuscript under human oversight. However, the author remains ultimately responsible and accountable for the whole content of the work.
Citation
Davoodi, A. (2024), "Digital echoes of heritage: toward a culturally balanced pedagogy in technology-enhanced bilingual education", Journal for Multicultural Education, Vol. 18 No. 1/2, pp. 192-205. https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-10-2023-0107
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2024, Emerald Publishing Limited