Michele Back

Bridging the gap between disciplines to tackle the complexities of language education, Michele Back serves as an Associate Professor of World Languages Education at the University of Connecticut's Neag School of Education. With a focus on nurturing future educators, she collaborates with teacher candidates specializing in Spanish, French, Latin, and Chinese Language Education. Her work is deeply rooted in the belief that language education is a powerful tool for fostering global citizenship and understanding. Michele's research delves into the professionalization and development of language teachers, aiming to equip them with the skills necessary to navigate and thrive in diverse educational settings. She is particularly interested in how discourse shapes and constructs identities, exploring the nuanced intersections of race and language. Her scholarly pursuits extend to the development of a pedagogy of symbolic competence, which seeks to empower learners to interpret and engage with cultural symbols and meanings effectively. A proponent of translanguaging and multilingual ecology, Michele investigates how these concepts can transform educational environments and communities of practice. Her work emphasizes the importance of embracing linguistic diversity as a means to enrich learning experiences and foster inclusive spaces. Through her research, Michele aims to contribute to a more equitable and dynamic approach to language education, one that recognizes and values the complex identities of learners. In addition to her academic endeavors, Michele is committed to advancing the discourse on global citizenship, encouraging educators and students alike to consider their roles in an interconnected world. Her contributions to the field of language education reflect a dedication to bridging cultural and linguistic divides, ultimately striving to create a more inclusive and understanding global community.