Beyond Perfection: The Beauty of Imperfect Language Learning

Many people believe that bilingualism is an “all or nothing” pursuit, where anything less than perfect fluency in two languages falls short of being truly bilingual. This mindset puts a lot of pressure on parents and can discourage many from trying to raise bilingual children. For example, a child might understand their parents’ native language but prefer to respond in English. Rather than being recognized for their bilingual abilities, they might be unfairly viewed as “not really bilingual.”

To take perspective, we need to dismantle this “gold standard” of bilingualism that demands native-like fluency in both languages. Bilingualism is not a rigid benchmark but exists on a spectrum, where every level of proficiency holds unique value. Languages themselves are dynamic and alive, constantly shifting and evolving, which makes each step in a bilingual journey meaningful and worth celebrating. Receptive bilinguals, for instance, may not speak a second language fluently but can deeply understand it. This isn’t a "lesser form" of bilingualism; receptive bilinguals possess unique strengths in comprehending cultural nuances and embodying unspoken traditions, allowing them to bridge cultural divides in ways that monolingual/monocultural individuals cannot.

Dominant bilinguals, who are more proficient in one language while maintaining meaningful skills in a second, bring their own distinctive contributions to the table. Consider someone who grew up speaking Spanish as their first language and learned English later in life. While they might still feel more at home speaking Spanish, they have developed strong English skills to excel in a professional setting—perhaps working as a community health worker. This person may conduct complex discussions in Spanish with patients and families while seamlessly switching to English to coordinate with medical staff. Their proficiency in both languages, though not perfectly balanced, enables them to bridge critical gaps in care, build trust, and create deeper connections. This ability to navigate multiple linguistic and cultural contexts adds real value far beyond any pursuit of native-like perfection.

Ultimately, breaking free from the unrealistic ideal of perfect bilingualism means embracing the beauty of imperfect language learning. Every step on the spectrum of bilingualism holds value, reflecting the dynamic, evolving nature of language itself. When we let go of the idea that it’s “all or nothing,” we empower more people—especially children—to approach bilingualism in meaningful, unique, and impactful ways that celebrate its messy and vibrant reality.

Empowering Students Through Storytelling: Humanizing Pedagogy in Action

Imagine a classroom where every student feels truly seen and heard, and where their voices, backgrounds, and experiences shape their learning journeys. This is the goal of humanizing pedagogy — an approach that views students as whole people, and not just as academic performers. Rooted in the work of Paulo Freire and Maria del Carmen Salazar, humanizing pedagogy emphasizes the value of students’ lived experiences, histories, and identities. Freire describes this as recognizing students as “fully human” rather than “reduced to things,” while Salazar calls for teaching that respects students’ personal and cultural knowledge. One powerful way to bring this philosophy to life is through storytelling, where students share their own stories, creating a classroom culture of empathy, connection, and relevance.

Allowing students to tell their own stories helps cultivate a classroom culture where every voice matters. For example, in a history class, students can be encouraged to share family stories that relate to the historical period being studied. Perhaps a student’s grandparent has a memory of the Civil Rights Movement, or maybe someone has a family connection to a recent migration story. These personal insights add depth to the lesson while allowing students to bring their backgrounds and experiences into the learning process. When students contribute in this way, they are not only connecting with the material but also sharing pieces of themselves with their peers, fostering empathy and understanding.

Creating space for storytelling doesn’t require overhauling the curriculum; it can be woven into everyday interactions. Simple prompts like “Has anyone had a similar experience?” or “Can you think of a time when you faced a challenge like this?” can invite students to reflect on their lives in relation to the lesson. As they share, they learn to connect academic concepts to real-world experiences. These moments can be powerful, making abstract ideas more concrete and encouraging students to see themselves within the subject matter.

For storytelling to truly humanize the classroom, it’s essential to create a supportive environment where students feel comfortable sharing. Establishing norms around respectful listening is key. Encourage students to listen actively, ask open-ended questions, and show appreciation for their peers’ stories. Modeling openness yourself by sharing personal anecdotes related to the lesson can also set the tone, demonstrating that everyone’s stories have value. This builds trust and shows that the classroom is a safe space for authentic expression.

Storytelling as a teaching tool may seem simple, but it can profoundly shift classroom dynamics. By giving students space to share their experiences, you invite them to connect with each other, deepen their understanding of the material, and feel valued as whole people. In this way, storytelling is more than just a technique; it is a pathway to humanizing pedagogy, helping students see themselves as active participants in their learning journey.

Beyond Practicality: Why Bilingualism Enriches Children’s Lives

In a globalized world, where borders are shrinking and cultures constantly intersect, being bilingual or multilingual is frequently celebrated for its practical benefits. We tell young people that knowing multiple languages opens doors – they can help family members, assist tourists, or navigate foreign countries with ease. This perspective is valid, and indeed, multilingualism offers a wide array of advantages in an interconnected world. Yet, there’s a depth to being multilingual that goes beyond these everyday benefits, a depth that goes beyond practical significance.

When you speak more than one language, you experience the world in a uniquely layered way. Languages are not just codes for the same set of universal meanings; they each bring their own histories, cultures, and perspectives. A word in one language might capture a feeling or concept that doesn’t exist in another—like the Chinese phrase '人情味' (rénqíngwèi), which describes the warmth and empathy found in human relationships, something richer than mere friendliness. Multilingual individuals constantly shift between these perspectives, accessing a nuanced, embodied understanding of life and culture that others might not fully understand or appreciate. This cognitive and emotional flexibility doesn’t just change how multilinguals communicate – it shapes how they think, feel, and connect with the world around them.

At its core, multilingualism offers another way of being human. Through each language, we see the world from a different lens, challenging us to grow in empathy and open our minds to new possibilities. Every language is embedded with cultural nuances that shape how we express identity, convey respect, and approach problem-solving—for instance, the Chinese concept of '面子' (miànzi), or 'face,' which emphasizes respect, dignity, and social harmony in interactions. Living with multiple languages is diversity embodied in thought and expression. Existing as a multilingual being isn’t simply a skill; it’s a dynamic way of experiencing and interacting with the world.

So, while it’s beneficial to remind kids of the tangible benefits of being bilingual, we should also honor the profound beauty of their multilingual minds. Let’s celebrate multilingualism not just as a tool for communication, but as a way to foster empathy, deepen our connections across cultures, and enrich our human experience.

From Elementary School Teacher to Teacher Educator

I always imagined I’d spend my career as an elementary school teacher. Becoming a professor? That was never part of my plan.

But then, during my own teacher education journey, I encountered some truly remarkable professors. Jan Riggsbee at Duke, who enrolled me in an independent study when I couldn't articulate my reasons for becoming a teacher, helping me find my voice as an undergrad. 🙏🏾 Icy Lee and Paul Sze at CUHK, who taught with such passion, clarity, and fervor while their research centered the lived experiences of teachers. 🙏🏾 Carol Benson at Columbia, who worked directly with teachers all over the world, showed me how to translate research and teaching to policymakers and advocacy. 🙏🏾 And Heather Woodley at NYU, who embodied meta-teaching practices, modeling the tenets of critical pedagogy that she preached to her teacher candidates. 🙏🏾

And so, my career took an unexpected turn when my wife and I went back to graduate school. I (somewhat reluctantly) left the classroom after six fulfilling years because I had developed countless questions about language education—questions about pedagogy, curriculum, systemic inequities, and global concerns about who gets to speak certain languages and how we prepare them to do so.

Transitioning to teaching adults—specifically pre-service teachers—was an adjustment, and not a day goes by that I don’t miss working with young children. But the potential and privilege of working with passionate teacher candidates who are eager to walk alongside and shape the lives of children is truly remarkable. Together, we consider how they might become a fierce advocate, a trusted role model, a speaker of truth, an educator to the children they teach. Teaching is such sacred work.

And so, with immense gratitude to the California Council on Teacher Education and the teacher candidates (now teachers!) who I've gotten to work with, I express my heartfelt thanks for this recognition and honor: the Outstanding Emerging Teacher Educator Award. It affirms and validates that while I'm no longer in the elementary classroom, my work in teacher education—through research, teaching, and service—is making a meaningful impact in the lives of students and teachers.

#TeacherEducation #TeachingJourney #LanguageEducation #PassionateEducators #LifelongLearning #TeacherImpact #FutureTeachers

Humanizing Schools for Mandarin Teachers in America

The landmark Lau vs. Nichols Supreme Court decision of 1974 fundamentally reshaped the landscape of bilingual education in the United States, guaranteeing English learners access to a meaningful education. Over the past fifty years, dual-language programs have emerged as a promising model to foster bilingualism and cultural competence. However, beneath the surface of these programs lies a persistent challenge that remains largely unaddressed: the workplace environments of the bilingual teachers who are essential to their success.

Mandarin Dual Language Bilingual Education (MDLBE) programs, the second most common DLBE program in the U.S. after Spanish, face unique pressures. These programs are grappling with teacher shortages, coupled with the racial and linguistic biases faced by Mandarin-speaking educators. Many of these teachers experience "outsiderness" in a system that, while claiming to promote bilingualism, continues to privilege English. This hierarchy of language not only undermines the cultural and linguistic goals of dual-language programs but also dehumanizes the very teachers who make these programs possible.

In my research with Dr. Helen Chan Hill, we explored the experiences of Mandarin DLBE teachers and found that despite their critical role in the success of these programs, they often feel marginalized. Educators reported feeling isolated, unrecognized for their cultural knowledge, and subjected to raciolinguistic profiling—assumptions about their English proficiency and competence based on their race and accent. This treatment reinforces a broader issue in U.S. schools: the failure to fully embrace linguistic and cultural diversity, even in environments that are meant to do so.

If we are serious about creating equitable, inclusive educational environments, we must move beyond surface-level changes and examine the deeper systemic biases that continue to shape school cultures. This means creating humanizing, culturally sustaining spaces for both students and teachers. It is not enough to offer dual-language programs; we must ensure that the educators who run them are valued for their full range of skills—linguistic proficiency, cultural insight, and professional expertise. These teachers are more than just language instructors; they are professionals who bring valuable perspectives that enrich their classrooms and school communities.

https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/9ZC95BHWXYIIUD7JVKYR/full?target=10.1080/15235882.2024.2412519

Bilingual Schools as Community Lifeways: Reflections on Mid-Autumn Festival

This morning, as I walked into my daughter's school and saw vibrant lanterns adorning the entryway, lovingly put up by parent volunteers, a wave of nostalgia hit me. Clutching a tin of double-yolk mooncakes, I was transported back to my childhood in Hong Kong, where the Mid-Autumn Festival was a time of joy, family, and light. Seeing these familiar symbols in a school far from where I grew up made me reflect on the beauty of schools that actively celebrate important festivals from different cultures.

At first glance, these decorations might seem like simple gestures—bright colors to light up the hallways and "teachable moments" about diverse cultures. While they do serve these important purposes, when schools create spaces to celebrate cultural events, they become more than just places of learning—schools transform into community hubs: generative spaces for community members to be seen and known; culturally responsive spaces that decenter dominant narratives and elevate diverse ways of being; safe spaces for individuals to make sense of their multicultural identities.

Schools transform into community hubs that breathe life into cultural traditions, drawing in students, teachers, and parents and fostering deep community connections. Would parents have observed Mid-Autumn Festival if the school had not organized a special celebration? Would teachers have called it a work day and then headed home, only to see friends from across the world celebrating on social media? Would students have acquired a few "nice to know" words and phrases that made the festival interesting but not relevant to their lives? When schools make the effort to celebrate important festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival, they do more than preserve cultural traditions—they actively shape and strengthen the bonds that hold generations of communities together. These spaces don’t just reflect diversity; they generate new ways for cultures to flourish and continue, making everyone feel seen and valued.

As I bring these mooncakes back to my family, I am filled with gratitude for schools that recognize and invest in the power of cultural celebration. Schools are the heart of our communities, serving as spaces for identity formation and ensuring that our cultural practices remain alive and vibrant for future generations.

中秋節快樂!

What Color Is Your English?

“What color is your English?”

This provocative question challenges the assumption that language, particularly English, is neutral and free of racial bias. In their article, Sender Dovchin and Vander Tavares explore how the perception of English is deeply intertwined with the race and appearance of the speaker, leading to linguistic racism. Faculty of color in Western higher education, regardless of their linguistic proficiency, often face discriminatory assumptions that their English is somehow "inferior" or "foreign." This bias not only undermines their professional standing but also reinforces the harmful notion that English spoken by people of color holds less value compared to that spoken by white individuals.

Linguistic racism has implications far beyond higher education, extending into K-12 education and broader society. In schools, students of color often encounter similar biases, where their language abilities are judged through a racial lens, potentially affecting their academic performance and self-esteem. These early experiences of linguistic discrimination can shape their educational trajectories, limiting their opportunities and reinforcing societal inequalities. Still, I believe higher education is a crucial battleground for challenging and dismantling these deficit ideologies. The field of raciolinguistics, which examines the intersection of race and language, provides a framework for future teachers and leaders to address the assumptions and biases we've been socialized to believe. By fostering inclusive environments in universities, we can not only support faculty and students of color but also set a precedent for valuing linguistic diversity across all levels of education and society.

Read the full article here: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/what-colour-your-english-linguistic-racisms-impact-faculty-colour

Bilingual Education is More Than Language: A Lifeway for Community and Justice

My daughter just began kindergarten in a Mandarin dual-language immersion school in Los Angeles. For our family, this milestone represents much more than just her entry into formal education—it’s a meaningful opportunity to maintain and nurture our heritage language. Bilingual education offers her a way to stay connected to her roots while growing up in an increasingly globalized world. Yet, the value of bilingual education extends far beyond language acquisition. It’s a powerful tool for advancing social justice, preserving intergenerational ties, and fostering cross-cultural understanding.

In the United States, where English monolingualism dominates, many communities face the threat of losing their heritage languages. Bilingual education provides an opportunity for children from immigrant and minoritized backgrounds to affirm the value of their home language and cultural identity in a society that often pressures assimilation. It challenges the longstanding history of marginalization that non-English-speaking communities have endured. By creating educational environments that celebrate linguistic diversity, we begin to dismantle the language hierarchies that have contributed to social inequities for generations.

Bilingual education isn’t just about preserving languages—it’s about creating spaces where culture can truly thrive. Dual-language immersion schools provide students, parents, and teachers with an authentic way to engage with their culture, offering what Dr. Helen Chan Hill calls a "lifeway." These schools create a space where individuals can live their culture as they know it, share their knowledge, values, and beliefs without fear of marginalization, and breathe their deeply rooted ways of life into the next generation. The practices, values, and traditions that have been handed down from generation to generation are allowed to exist as they were meant to, not just in the home, but in the school and broader community.

Ultimately, bilingual education is about more than just language acquisition; it’s about justice, connection, and community. It provides the next generation with the tools they need to navigate a diverse world while honoring the legacy of those who came before them. For my daughter and countless others, bilingual education offers a pathway to a richer, more connected life, where diversity is celebrated, and everyone can take pride in who they are and where they come from.

Humanizing Pedagogy: Why It Matters and How to Do It

Pedagogy, or the methods and approaches used by educators to teach and facilitate learning, plays a crucial role in education. It determines how knowledge is transmitted and how students engage with and make sense of the material being taught. In recent years, there has been a growing movement towards "humanizing" pedagogy, which puts the focus on the whole student and not just their academic abilities.

So, what is humanizing pedagogy? At its core, it is about creating a positive and inclusive learning environment that values and respects the individual needs, experiences, and backgrounds of each student. It recognizes that students are more than just their grades and test scores, and that their personal and social development shaped by historical, cultural, and intergenerational knowledge is just as important as their academic progress. As Paulo Freire notes, to humanize is to see someone as fully human; to overcome situations where students are “reduced to things.”

Why is humanizing pedagogy important? There are many benefits for both students and educators. For students, a humanizing approach can increase engagement, motivation, and well-being, as they feel seen, heard, and valued as individuals. It can also promote equity and social justice, as it acknowledges and addresses the diverse needs and challenges faced by different groups of students.

For educators, humanizing pedagogy can lead to improved job satisfaction and effectiveness. When educators are able to create a positive and supportive classroom culture, they can foster stronger relationships with their students and build trust and mutual respect. This, in turn, can lead to more meaningful and engaging learning experiences for all.

So, how can educators implement humanizing pedagogy in their classrooms? Here are a few strategies:

1. Use student interests and experiences as starting points for learning. This can make the material more relevant and engaging for students, and also helps to validate and incorporate their unique perspectives and backgrounds.

2. Incorporate social-emotional learning (SEL) into lessons. SEL skills, such as self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy, are crucial for students' personal and social development and are also linked to academic success.

3. Value diversity and inclusion. This means creating a safe and welcoming space for all students, and actively working to dismantle biases and stereotypes. It can also involve incorporating diverse perspectives and voices into the curriculum.

4. Build relationships with students. This is perhaps the most important aspect of humanizing pedagogy. By getting to know your students as individuals and showing genuine care and concern for their well-being, you can create a positive and supportive classroom culture.

5. Integrate humanizing pedagogy into lesson planning and delivery. This means considering the whole student when designing lessons and assessments, and using teaching methods that are interactive and experiential rather than just lecture-based.

In conclusion, humanizing pedagogy is a vital component of effective education. By putting the focus on the whole student and creating a positive and inclusive learning environment, educators can enhance student engagement, motivation, and well-being, and also promote equity and social justice. By implementing the strategies outlined above, educators can begin to incorporate humanizing pedagogy into their practice and transform the way they teach.

Human Connection... Online

Starting a new job in the midst of a pandemic was not easy. Learning to teach digitally to prepare a critically-engaged, equity-centered, compassionate, and empowered teacher workforce was a heavy burden. My greatest fear, however, was not being able to meaningfully engage and cultivate authentic relationships with my students.

As I reflect on the journey of this past semester, which culminated last night with heartfelt, mutual appreciation, I’ve learned a thing or two about the power of human relationships and connection. Without ever shaking a hand or making eye contact beyond the lens of my computer, I’ve learned that when we show up as ourselves, and choose to extend love, grace, and support to one another, we’re able to build something rather spectacular.

To my first ever class at Pepperdine, thank you for showing up and for making this a semester to remember.