I had to say a big amen when I read in chapter 12 that language preference and discrimination is "based on politics, not on science." There is no perfect language. Languages are all useful and enable communication. I hear a lot of teachers comment on elementary ELL students, especially kinder age. The teachers say, "They don't know ANYTHING." Actually they do. They just might know things in another language. They might not have been read to, but a lot of English speakers don't have that luxury either. They might not know how to write their name but they might be able to change a diaper (something I never did until I was 32). All students have some sort of knowledge, whether or not it matches up with school culture. After reading chapter 12, I agree with the author that we need better conversations about language and diversity in our teacher training programs. And here in NC we need more teachers who are not white, who come from some of the same ethnic backgrounds as the students.
The other comment I would like to make is regarding chapter 9. As teachers we are quick to defend ourselves and say that we accept all children and speak to them respectfully. I liked that the author pointed out that what we say isn't necessarily interpreted the same by all children. We might think we are praising or accepting, but what is our tone? Have we made a joke previously that the students overheard? Do we make comments during a read aloud that show our prejudice? "Teaching requires listening, not merely to your students but to yourself being listened to." (159) Whenever I have taped myself teaching I have been shocked at some of the things I said or how "Southern" I sound.
Ashley Catlett
Comments (7)
I agree with both of your points. The title for my is "language validity is based on politics, not science". I am taking a reading assessment class this semester and part of our discussion in the last class is how to listen carefully to the students as they read orally during an informal assessment. The professor mentioned that it will be very hard to understand the student sometimes based on their dialect, but it is not fair to penalize them based on the dialect.
I also agree with you when you say that there needs to be more diversity within the teaching staff. I just graduated from ASU in December and when I was student teaching there were 5 student teachers, and all of the S.T. were white.
Posted by Elizabeth Griffin | February 6, 2009 11:08 AM
Posted on February 6, 2009 11:08
I agree that it would be nice to have more diversity in school faculty, but how would that get done? Unfortunately, there's are usually reasons as to why there is more diversity in some areas than others. It would not be a draw to me, as a minority, to come to a place where I know I would be one of the few of the same race, where you run the risk of being ostracized. The area where I teach is not very accepting of diversity at all, and adults in the area are some of the biggest culprits. Maybe this will change once we as teachers show this acceptance in our classroom and bring in material that shows different cultures. One can only hope that someday acceptance will be the norm EVERYWHERE.
Posted by Christy Rivers | February 6, 2009 12:12 PM
Posted on February 6, 2009 12:12
oops, I meant *there are* rather than *there's are*...in a hurry! :)
Posted by Christy Rivers | February 6, 2009 12:14 PM
Posted on February 6, 2009 12:14
Ashley,
You have mentioned what I also view as a missing component in education--reflecting diversity in faculty. I would think most districts and principals would welcome a faculty that is more representative of the student body. I also know that our profession, at least here in America, is predominantly populated by whites. Maybe we have not done enough to convince our minority students that they CAN and SHOULD be teachers. Maybe we have not given them much of a reason to desire to be teachers. I think we should be purposeful in our teaching, looking not to reproduce ourselves but to grow an educational system that will be much more reflective of who America will be.
Posted by Lisa Rasey | February 7, 2009 8:43 AM
Posted on February 7, 2009 08:43
Hi Ashley. I am in total agreement with you on the need for more discussion of language and cultural diversity in our teacher training programs. At first I sat amazed by my students reactions to language diversity in their internships, but then I realized that they have never been given much of a chance to read, discuss and reflect on how to be accepting of diversity. Just like teachers in our K-12 schools are overwhelmed by a massive curriculum, our higher education schools feel similar pressure. Right now all schools of education are undergoing the creation of new programs but where does the discussion of language diversity fit? How do we get it all in so that new teachers leave with understanding of how to teach within the basic subject areas, how to manage their classrooms, how to evaluate student progress and how to appreciate the diversity of all of their students? I think it is difficult task for administrators to get it all in but it’s a task that we all need to promote and encourage. Just as K-12 teachers find a way to get it all in, teacher educators need to work to do the same.
Posted by Amie Snow | February 7, 2009 10:13 AM
Posted on February 7, 2009 10:13
Ashley,
I am in complete agreement with your thoughts from chapter 12. Our society's standards seem to be driven by a few rather than the majority. You have just reminded me again, that everyone knows something, it is finding the vehicle in which to have the student communicate their knowledge. Your reflections tie in perfectly with the quote at the beginning of Chapter 12, "The world is richer than it is possible to express in any single language." -Ilya Prigogine
Wow! That quote should be handed out in legislatures, school board meetings, faculty get togethers all over this country. We just narrow and minimize the world at times by thinking our response to it can only be delivered in standard English. I've got to continue to mull this quote over in relation to my own environment.....
Posted by stefoni shaw | February 8, 2009 11:31 AM
Posted on February 8, 2009 11:31
Ashley,
The quote you cited was also a big "aha" moment for me when I first read the book. I think we can apply that concept to race, gender, and class, don't you think?
You've also given me a great idea for next semester when this course is offered again. I think it would be powerful for teachers to audiotape themselves and do an analysis of their own "language in the classroom!"
Posted by Alecia Jackson | February 13, 2009 10:28 AM
Posted on February 13, 2009 10:28