CERLI, Centre for Research on Learning and Instruction, and CELE, Centre for Research on Lifelong Learning and Education, present one researcher each month. In November Lecturer Soili Norro from CERLI takes the spotlight.
My doctoral dissertation focused on Namibian primary school teachers' beliefs and practices in a multilingual context, as well as the language ideologies that influence them. My data consisted of a survey targeted at teachers, teacher interviews and focus group discussions, and classroom observations. Like many other researchers, I faced challenges in data collection due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I managed to gather a small amount of data in early 2020, before schools closed as the pandemic broke out. In the autumn 2021, I was able to return to Namibia to complete the data collection, and I defended my thesis in April 2023.
Researching this topic is crucial because the language of instruction, which students often have only partial proficiency in, poses learning challenges in many African countries. From the very beginning, or at least at an early stage, the language of instruction shifts from students' home language to a European language introduced by colonialism: English, French, or Portuguese. The challenges created by the language of instruction often intersect with other forms of marginalisation. Similarly, immigrant-background students in Western countries face these same challenges. Studying this topic in different contexts allows experiences and best practices developed in one place to provide tools to support learning for both teachers and students elsewhere. Perceptions of the significance of the language of instruction influence attitudes and, consequently, practices. Therefore, understanding the underlying language ideologies prevalent in society is also important.
In my daily work, I currently focus primarily on teaching and fulfilling my duties as vice principal at Rauma Teacher Training School. I was on leave from teaching for most of the time I spent working on my dissertation. After that, I returned to my work as an English and French teacher. I intend to continue my research as a postdoctoral researcher, but for now, time has only allowed me to co-author some articles and serve as a peer reviewer for a few articles.
When I am not researching or teaching, I spend time with my family, reading, gardening, or cooking. Travelling and spending time in nature are my favourite ways to unwind from work and its challenges. Friends and my church community are also important to me.
My message to those working in the field of learning and teaching research: I am very interested in collaborating on various research projects. Topics related to the language of instruction, its significance, and language-aware teaching are particularly close to my heart.
