Teaching Diversity and Inclusion: Examples from a French-Speaking Classroom by E. Nicole Meyer, and Eilene Hoft-March

Abstract

Reviewed by: Teaching Diversity and Inclusion: Examples from a French-Speaking Classroom by E. Nicole Meyer, and Eilene Hoft-March Jessica L. Sturm Meyer, E. Nicole, and Eilene Hoft-March. Teaching Diversity and Inclusion: Examples from a French-Speaking Classroom. Routledge, 2022. Pp. 199. ISBN: 978-0-367-64827-5. Diversity and inclusion are essential to education, particularly language and culture, both as policy and as course content. I am not certain it is possible to cover all aspects of diversity and inclusion in one text, but I believe the editors and the authors of the included chapters have done a remarkable job in the attempt (and I cannot imagine what they might have omitted). The 17 chapters of the three sections of Teaching Diversity and Inclusion work to de-center the traditional White, male, cis-gender, heterosexual, neurotypical, physically able experience that has dominated society (and education) for so long. Section I, "Unscripting and Claiming Identities," focuses on creating a classroom atmosphere where students can learn safely regardless of their personal characteristics. As Kris Aric Knisely writes in chapter 2, "we cannot separate language from the people using, doing, and continually (re)shaping the language" (22). The four chapters of Section I provide guidance for the language teacher to consider queerness, gender identity, differences of physical ability, and race in the classroom. Section II, "Inclusively Speaking," gives concrete suggestions for building course curricula that are inclusive of sex, gender identity, learning differences, la Francophonie, and French language culture beyond France. For example, in chapter 8, Jessica S. Miller describes the process of re-designing the beginning and intermediate French language sequence at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to "transform the way […] students view the French-speaking world from a singular entity to a complex amalgam" (88). In Section III, "Embracing Cultures/Extending Contexts," the spotlight shifts from the language classroom to literature and culture courses. These seven chapters document courses on topics such as the Francospheres of Latin America, global foodways, hip-hop culture, and post-Holocaust writing. Each chapter of this important text provides teachers with tools for creating an inclusive classroom as well as plenty of food for thought on the vast dimensions of diversity and inclusions that are so crucial to a 21st century education. Teaching Diversity and Inclusion is an important reference that should be on every teacher's shelf (French or other languages) and should serve as a reference point for those developing new language textbooks and curricula. The text could be an excellent supplementary material for methodology classes but is equally useful for the veteran instructor at any level. As the world changes and we become more aware of previously-ignored needs for inclusivity, the authors and editors of this text have provided us a clear roadmap into the future of French (or any language) classrooms. [End Page 260] Jessica L. Sturm Purdue University (IN) Copyright © 2023 American Association of Teachers of French