Identity and literacy in the context of linguistic diversity

Identity is shaped in a diverse web of connections, and the ways in which identity can be expressed is equally varied.
Literacy is one of the factors that contribute to identity and where identity can be expressed. Early years educators are responsible for supporting the children in their charge as they develop both their identity and their language, including their literacy skills. In preparation for this role, early years educators training at the Protestant University of Applied Sciences Berlin therefore explore their own literacy, writing autobiographical texts to reflect on in this connection. In this paper, we examine student responses to the question of what and how they read and write in which language. Taking centre stage, then, are the trainee teachers’ current literacy practices. These are derived from previous literacy biographies and offer background for the trainees’ work in education.