From Learner-Centered Education (LCE) to Emancipatory Learner-Centered Education (ELCE): a comparative case study of language education for adult migrants in four European countries

Gravani, M. N., Slade, B. , Brown, M., Jõgi, L. and Borg, C. (2023) From Learner-Centered Education (LCE) to Emancipatory Learner-Centered Education (ELCE): a comparative case study of language education for adult migrants in four European countries. Prospects, (doi: 10.1007/s11125-023-09633-0) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

This article discusses the findings of qualitative case-study research that looks at pedagogical contexts of adult education programs for migrants in Cyprus, Scotland, Malta, and Estonia. The goal of this research is to understand how Learner-Centered Education (LCE) is promoted within a human-rights framework and implemented as an approach to emancipatory social change. The findings show significant discrepancies in the implementation of LCE. Differences emerged between educational interventions that influence the language-learning and assimilation-integration processes of adults with migrant backgrounds. Informed by these findings, this article builds a case for Emancipatory Learner-Centered Education (ELCE)—a pedagogical approach that goes beyond course adaptations, to engage migrants in consciousness-raising and confidence-building, while fostering communal action between migrants and adult educators.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: The authors would like to acknowledge the Open University of Cyprus for funding the research.
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Slade, Professor Bonnie and Borg, Professor Carmel and Jogi, Professor Larissa
• Authors: Gravani, M. N., Slade, B., Brown, M., Jõgi, L., and Borg, C.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education > People, Place & Social Change
• Journal Name: Prospects
• Publisher: Springer
• ISSN: 0033-1538
• ISSN (Online): 1573-9090
• Published Online: 09 March 2023
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Prospects 2023
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License