Ethnic Studies and Foreign Language Teacher Education in the United States: A Response to Population Shifts

Abstract

The following article looks at current changes in US immigration patterns, resulting in a constant influx of non-white populations, and demonstrates how these changes have drastically altered the nature of American society and school populations, in particular. It also contends that the newest immigrants do not see assimilation as a viable model, but rather, they advocate cultural pluralism. Based on immigration shifts, the article goes on to argue that cultural pluralism represents a more judicious way to deal with the many groups, values, and themes which comprise the American mosaic. Further, it attempts to show how ethnic studies, particularly with regard to foreign language teacher education programmes, constitutes both a reasonable response to the social forces that continue to shape American society, and a valid educational model. Finally, the paper offers concrete suggestions on how to integrate an ethnic proficiency component into foreign language programmes.