How multilingual learners are portrayed in recent news media
A cross-platform content analysis
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 11229454 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lindsey W Rowe (0000-0001-8874-7560, Clemson University, corresponding author), Heather Dunham (0000-0001-6615-5214, Clemson University), Katie McGee (0009-0002-8893-3915, Clemson University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-14 |
| Publication date | 2026-02-25 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Discourse Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0159-6306 • E-ISSN: 1469-3739 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/01596306.2026.2635397 |
| OpenAlex | W7133857589 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 18 |
This paper explores how multilingual learners (MLs) are described in recent news media related to U.S. education. Drawing on narrative and languaging lenses, we use qualitative methods to identify terms used to describe MLs across popular news media platforms in 2022-2024. Specifically, we ask: (1) What terms for multilingual learners are used across news media platforms? (2) What topics are discussed in relation to terms? and (3) What discursive moves and narrative trends are used when describing these learners? Terms used to describe MLs included English Language Learner, multilingual, bilingual, immigrant, migrant, refugee, international, and undocumented. Topics discussed in relation to these terms included: assessment/testing, bilingualism, demographics, financial aid, instruction, program/service models, resources, staffing, student academic performance, student experience, and visa/legal status. Discursive moves examined speakers, definitions for MLs, locations, and whether MLs were acted/acted on, while narrative trends included: support, special groups, surge, strain, and uncertain times
Content analysis · Critical discourse analysis · Discourse analysis · Genre analysis · Multilingualism · EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning · Literacy, Media, and Education · Second Language Learning and Teaching
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(Un)deserving Mexican activists
Translanguaging and Languaging Relations as Complementary Theoretical Lenses for Analyzing Classroom Interactions
Emergent Bilinguals and Tesol
Language and languaging
A raciolinguistic analysis of the neoliberal promotion of dual language education in a new Latinx South state
Refugee-background students and the institutional responsibility of schools
Understanding media mentalities and logics
From 'special but shadowed' to beloved but expendable
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |