A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Using Language Portraits to Promote Critical Self-Reflection for Teaching Multilingual Students




AuthorsTigert, Johanna M.; Crawford, Jessica; Jones, Loren; Fotouhi, Golnar; Peercy, Megan Madigan; Hardy-Skeberdis, Melanie; Fredricks, Daisy E.

Publication year2026

Journal: Journal of Language, Identity and Education

ISSN1534-8458

eISSN1532-7701

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1080/15348458.2026.2630200

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15348458.2026.2630200

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/516215472

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

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Abstract

The study examined how pre-service teachers (PSTs) of Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages used language portraits to express their identities visually and in writing. We conducted a qualitative analysis of both the visual and ideological layers of the portraits, focusing on what identity elements PSTs included or did not include in them, and the level of criticality achieved in their multimodal reflection. We found most color choices PSTs made were arbitrary, but certain languages were linked to body parts through function or emotion. Patterns indicating language hegemonies and legitimacy emerged through language inclusion and omission, and only few PSTs depicted translanguaging on their portraits. Lastly, engagement with race varied, with white PSTs often avoiding racial representation. Our findings highlight the need for teacher educators to foster deeper discussions on race and language ideologies and use the portrait assignment to promote more critical reflection. Discussing language portraits would help PSTs challenge internalized assumptions and develop more humanizing understandings of themselves and their pedagogies.


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Funding information in the publication
The research reported in this paper was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Spencer Foundation [201900094]. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Spencer Foundation.


Last updated on 10/04/2026 11:13:14 AM