Linguistic Diversity and Inclusion in the Foreign Language Classroom

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ABSTRACT Discussions about inclusion in the foreign language classroom should address the issues of linguistic diversity and dialectal sensitivity. Foreign language departments are particularly vulnerable to linguistic conflict, but they can address such conflicts proactively. We argue that a linguistically diverse pool of teachers can work together more effectively by using an additive rather than a subtractive view of linguistic diversity. We discuss models for addressing issues of linguistic diversity in the language classroom. We also offer a set of activities to train new instructors in recognizing and addressing linguistic biases, with the purpose of minimizing their negative consequences in the classroom.