Why Inuit culture and language matter: decolonizing English second language learning

While English as a second language is a component of the education programme in Nunavik, Canada, Inuit (Indigenous people of the Arctic) need to protect Inuktitut (Inuit language) as they navigate an online world where English is often the lingua franca on social media. Inuit qaujimajatuqangit (traditional knowledge) could provide the framework for decolonizing English as a second language education, as it has guided Inuit through centuries of change. This narrative literature review with commentary analysed 50 studies and related resources, summarizing Nunavik's colonial history of linguistic imperialism and how some Indigenous communities resisted colonialism by decolonizing their education programmes. This analysis found a gap in studies specific to decolonizing English as a second language education in the Inuit context; therefore, the findings extrapolated that Inuit can decolonize by decentralizing colonial practices and centralizing Inuit qaujimajatuqangit and Inuktitut. The literature review offers pedagogical recommendations for decolonizing English as a second language education in Nunavik and other Indigenous communities.

Automated summary

This literature review analyzes the research on decolonizing English as a second language education in Nunavik and identifies a research gap in this area. It explores the colonial history of Nunavik and how some Indigenous communities resist colonialism through decolonization of their education programs. The findings suggest that Inuit in Nunavik can decolonize by decentralizing colonial practices and centralizing Inuit traditional knowledge and Inuktitut.