In this talk, Ramón Martínez delves beneath the label of “English Learner” to reveal the complexity of Latina/o/x students’ everyday language. He highlights how their everyday linguistic dexterity overlaps with the kinds of language and literacy privileged in academic settings. He shares examples and findings from his ethnographic research in a Los Angeles school that can inform the design of robust learning environments for Latina/o/x children and youth.

This lecture is part of the Wisconsin Ideas in Education Series, presented by the Early Career Faculty of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin—Madison with support from the Wisconsin Center for Education Research.