Cultural Diversity and Discourse Practices in Grade Nine

Lynne Wiltse is assistant professor in the school of education at Thompson Rivers University, British Columbia.

• Prologue, 1 Beginning The Story: Introduction, 2 Forget Your Perfect Offering: Theoretical Framework, 3 There Is a Crack In Everything: Methods, 4 That's How The Light Gets In: Illuminating Community Practices, 5 Let The Light Shine In: Disrupting Community Practices, 6 Ringing The Bells: Accept My Imperfect Offering, Epilogue, References

"Lynne Wiltse draws the reader into the interpretive quest. She uses a complex narrative process, displayingr ather than arguing for a multi-vocal presentation of textual knowledge..Thus the active reader is led through a process that may open up learning, rather than provide absolute 'truths' and irrefutable findings. This study points to solutions for developing English literacy in public school students from multi-ethnic and multi-language backgrounds..[It] could transform the learning environment for students who are still subject to the notion that speaking a language other than English (or French) in school is unacceptably rude and reduces their ability to learn the official languages." -Marilyn I. Assheton-Smith, University of Alberta (Emerita)