BeLiFS Becoming Literate in Faith Settings

Centre for Language, Culture and Learning

Educational Studies DepartmentGoldsmiths

University of London

Eve Gregory

Cultivating Connections, Edmonton, Canada, 15-17 July, 2010

Research Team

Head of Project: Professor Eve Gregory

Co-directors: Dr John Jessel

Dr Charmian Kenner

Dr Vally Lytra

Ruby Mahera

Researchers: Halimun Choudhury, Bangladeshi Muslim

Arani Ilankuberan, Tamil Hindu

Amoafi Kwapong, Ghanaian Pentecostal

Malgosia Woodham, Polish Catholic

Research Questionsa) What is the scope and nature of literacy

practices in each faith setting?b) How do teaching and learning take place

during faith literacy activities across different settings?

c) In what ways have faith literacies changed over time and in the London setting and how are these changes perceived across generations?

d) How does participation in faith literacies contribute to individual and collective identities?

Research MethodologyCollaborative ethnography (Conteh et al, 2005)

Phase 1: Ethnographic observations in the faith settings Interviews with the faith leaders Attendance at religious services and classesPhase 2: Case-studies of the faith literacy activities

Audiorecordings / photos of events Recordings of faith literacy events Interviews with children/their teachers/relativesPhase 3: Children will interview the older people They will prepare a book togetherPhase 4: Interviews with the children Discussions with faith setting leaders

Bangladeshi British Muslims in Whitechapel, East London

Tamil Hindus from India and Sri Lanka in Manor Park, East London

Pentecostalists from Ghana in Goodmayes, East London

Polish Catholics in Norwood, South London

The Polish Parish house

Love Lane

The Polish school

The Polish community centre

www.gold.ac.uk/clcl

(e.gregory@gold.ac.uk)

Thank you!