ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we’ll begin our discussion of culturally relevant language and vocabulary study. As we’ll explore in more detail in this chapter and the next, language study is a wonderful opportunity for culturally relevant teaching. In this chapter, we’ll first examine what students’ funds of knowledge are and how they can be applied to language and vocabulary instruction. Then, we’ll consider the benefits that come from incorporating funds of knowledge into language study, such as how such an approach democratizes the knowledge in a classroom and emphasizes the importance of language and vocabulary. Next, we’ll look in-depth at an instructional process to use when incorporating students’ funds of knowledge into language study. Finally, I’ll share key ideas that can help you put the ideas discussed in this chapter into action in the classroom.
