I couldn't imagine having to double think every aspect of my being just to be accepted, but I guess that is exactly how minority groups feel. To feel like you had to change who your are just to be "adequate". Language is a part of our soul and part of what makes us who we are. I think it is very important for teachers to gain knowledge about the home language of children. The example in the article about the employee that was brillant in computer technology, but her speech pattern was an issue. None of the companies could move past her language to appreciate her expertise. So, do we as a society negatively assess someone's intelligents and potential based on what we can only see and hear? I understand that in the professional world the issue is professionalism, but who sets the standards for what is professional? If I hold an administration position I have to ask myself, do I want the person that will do the best job, or do I want the person that will reflect my standards and what I consider professional? Who says that what I say is professional isn't wrong? If someone can't be themselves and be comfortable being who they are...that's sad. We all have students everyday trying to please us. Do we really want teacher pleasers, or would we rather have students that feel comfortable with who they are and have the freedom to be who they are? This goes back to the article when students' interests are addressed in school, they are more likely to connect with the school, with teachers, and with their work. Is that not what we want for our students? I think we must look at the BIG picture...are they learning what they need to be successful in life and are we creating life-long learners. Language is part of who we are and we must strive to understand the differences...it's a multicultural world and the teachers more so than the students need to understand the differences we have within our own classrooms. With that being said, I do strongly feel that students should be taught proper English and grammar and be encouraged to speak it. BUT, we must embrace who they are and the dialect that is part of their family without doing more harm than good. As teachers we sometimes listen to the way our students speak rather than what they are saying. We need to listen beyond the words and hear what is being said.
Karin Scott
Comments (5)
This is truely a multicultural world. Students do need to be taught proper english that is important, but I think before we start picking apart thier grammer skills we first must understand where the students are coming from. Once we understand the whole student and begin to build those relationships we can slowly begin the process of working to bring students to the professional standard. We are not setting the standard low if we first choose to understand the child as a whole and make a connection before correcting the child on his/her language. We have to model that professionalism and build the trust then we can make a change in every student. You were right on in saying laungage is part of the soul!
Posted by Kara Scott | June 7, 2011 10:47 AM
Posted on June 7, 2011 10:47
Hi Karin! After reading these articles I thought about how awful it would be to have the feelings of inadequacy and ignorance, as well as many other things, the way minority people often feel. You would always feel like you had to act like you were someone else- not who you are. That is very sad. It is important for students to learn proper English, but can't we be open to learning about their language and culture? I agree that we definitely need to pay more attention to what students are saying, not how they say it.
Posted by Lisa Beach | June 7, 2011 12:53 PM
Posted on June 7, 2011 12:53
Karin, I like your comment about listening more to what the students are saying rather than how it is said. I think as educators, we should teach grade level grammar but also find opportunities to worry less about what "sounds right" and more on the content of their words and their meaning. My concern as a new 3rd grade teacher is can students comprehend EOG material that is written in standard English if we are not making a conscience effort to use that formal language in the classroom. I'm ready to acknowledge and accept cultural diversity as it makes our society rich and exciting, but I think when our teaching is within the language arts block of our day, we must model and encourage proper English for our students.
Posted by Michelle Carlson | June 7, 2011 6:05 PM
Posted on June 7, 2011 18:05
Karin, reading these articles definitely forces us to think about things from a different perspective. If we are not part of the minority, it is difficult for us to understand how others feel. I cannot imagine having to "double think" everything I say. If I had to do that every time I spoke, I feel sure that I would have difficulty even forming my thoughts. We need to realize that we are simply adding more pressure to these students, and as a result, probably hindering their education instead of facilitating it.
Posted by Holly Lawson | June 7, 2011 11:03 PM
Posted on June 7, 2011 23:03
You really dug into the complexity of the issues, Karin! Language is indeed a social practice and therefore there are indeed multiple ways of "listening" and "expressing." You have actually foreshadowed many of the articles that you'll read in future weeks! Nice work.
Posted by Dr. Jackson | June 9, 2011 11:07 AM
Posted on June 9, 2011 11:07