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11 - The Critical Role of Linguistics in Teacher Preparation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 February 2026

Marnie Jo Petray
Affiliation:
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Gaillynn D. Clements
Affiliation:
Duke University, North Carolina
Lynn Santelmann
Affiliation:
Portland State University
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Summary

This chapter explores the role of linguistics in language teacher preparation. Against a profound demographic shift currently underway in the US, it provides a rationale for preparing ESL and bilingual teachers who are well-equipped to work with diverse students in K-12 contexts. Crucially, the chapter explores two key points: the value of linguistic analysis and an equity-based approach to language teaching. Linguistic analysis allows teachers to recognize patterns in the language of their students; in doing so, teachers can isolate recurring errors, recognize where their students are in the learning process, and better target their teaching to address the errors and move students forward. The chapter also shows how linguistics training helps teachers understand language variation, dialects, and the role of society, especially for languages with less social power and prestige. It argues that teachers’ awareness of harmful language ideologies helps combat societal inequities that use language as a proxy for discrimination and subjugation. The chapter ends with suggestions for further reading and discussion questions for teachers and teacher educators.

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References

Recommended Reading

Gass, S. (2013). Second Language Acquisition: An Introductory Course. Version 4, 4th ed. London: Routledge.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lightbown, P. M., and Spada, N.. (2013). How Languages Are Learned. 4th ed. Oxford Handbooks for Language Teachers. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
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Park-Johnson, S. K., and Shin, S. J.. (2020). Linguistics for Language Teachers: Lessons for Classroom Practice. New York and London: Routledge.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Shin, S. J. (2018). Bilingualism in Schools and Society: Language, Identity, and Policy. 2nd ed. New York and London: Routledge.Google Scholar

References

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