The Delphit and Dowdy article made me reminiscent of the students I teach. My class and school is majorly Hispanic, mostly of Guatemalan descent. There are several different dialects spoken by our students yet English seems to be the chosen language for our instruction. We have one ELL teacher who speaks fluent Spanish and one parent educator who assist the teachers when working with our 225 students and their families. Often when in a bind our custodian will have to step in and act as interpreter.
Most of my students were able to take advantage of the opportunity for them to attend PreK which they frequently enter with no prior knowledge of the English language through their early education or with the guidance and knowledge of another sibling. As I have worked exclusively with these students in Kindergarten and first grade, they are able to become very bilingual speakers using English in the classroom and Spanish as their social language. I am so amazed by their intellectuality and am to an extent jealous of their ability to speak a second language. I am so eager to learn how to speak Spanish having very minimal knowledge, only basic words that students have taught me over the years. However in many situations the child begins to disassociate themselves from the Spanish language and even in instances of refusing to speak it in the home which can be very hurtful to the parents. Often when I have tried to have a fluently bilingual student assist me in communicating with a non-speaker, the fluent student will repeat the phrase in English similar to the way I have said it. As an educator accepting and being open-minded about communication is imperative when working with our students. The goal is to have the student become comfortable enough in an academic situation so that learning can occur. With constant corrections from instructors the child will resent the classroom instead of it as the safe haven that it can truly be. Culture, language, and dialect are all key aspects in defining the self-concepts of our students.
Nikki Leggins
Comments (5)
Nikki-
I think it is wonderful that you are open to the cultural differences in your classroom. I never thought in teaching, there would be so many teachers who are biased against diverse cultures. I saw a large amount of that last year and I am glad to say I am now in a school where all cultures are welcomed and diversity is celebrated. I think it is important that students understand that we as teachers appreciate all of their differences and that we are okay with their cultural beliefs and ideas. I think it is wonderful that you want to learn Spanish so that you can help your students. I found that I was so much more respected by both parents and students alike because I embraced how students spoke and communicated, not shunned those differences. Keep that attitude up!
Renee Hennings June 6, 2010
Posted by Renee Hennings | June 6, 2010 3:08 PM
Posted on June 6, 2010 15:08
Nikki-
"Culture, language, and dialect are all key aspects in defining the self-concepts of our students." I too, feel that it is important to allow students to speak in their own language, as well as write in their own language. With the changing society, and flux of immigrations coming into our country, it is vital that we are accepting to other cultures and languages. One of the most valuable traits and challenges of teaching in a public school is that we are to teach all children. I believe as teachers we have to work to make ourselves better in being willing to adapt to our students. I realized my first year teaching the importance of learning Spanish. I regret that I did not take a language course in college. One of my future goals as a teacher is to take a course in Spanish.
Posted by Katie Johnson | June 6, 2010 3:40 PM
Posted on June 6, 2010 15:40
Dear Nikki,
Wow! You have first-hand knowledge of what the articles were describing. I can't imagine what it must be like for the students and the teachers to have such a language barrier at first. Also, I liked the point you made about how if the children are continuously corrected, they will be discouraged. It makes sense that if you're trying so hard to do something well, and you are told over & over that you're wrong, eventually you will give up. I'm also surprised that you only have one ELL teacher for 225 students! ~Reshawna Greene
Posted by Reshawna Greene | June 6, 2010 5:12 PM
Posted on June 6, 2010 17:12
Nikki,
I also would like to learn how to speak Spanish. I love to hear my Spanish Speaking Students talk in their native tongue on the play ground or at lunch. When they speak with their friends their eyes light up and I can see that instant connection. I admire you for your desire to learn how to communicate and relate to your ELL students and their families. As teachers, language barriers can be very hard to cross, but I am sure the families of your students appreciate your attempts to make them feel a part of your classroom. As a teacher, it does bother me that students feel like their “Mother Tongue” is inferior to the “Standard English.” I try to make all my students feel welcome and appreciated in my classroom; however, I do have the hardest time connecting with my Spanish Speaking Children. I think this is largely due to the language barrier. Do you have any ideas or activities that work well for you? I want to encourage you to keep going. It sounds like recourses are limited at your school with only 1 person to 225 Spanish Speaking Students. Parents and students can see the difference you are making, even when it seems like you are aiming for a target in the dark. You are helping change lives. Thanks for your hard work and dedication to all students no matter their race or language.
Posted by Emily Rhoney | June 6, 2010 5:39 PM
Posted on June 6, 2010 17:39
Overall the best thing that has worked in my classroom has been for us to become a family. After teaching K for the last seven years I looped up to first this year with about 8 of my students from the previous year. First grade has been different but these kids have made it a wonderful experience. I have 15 students in my class with no instructional assistant so the children have me solely to rely on. The most valuable thing has been for us all to respect each other. I am firm with my students and very open and honest. We discuss things and they make a lot of our decisions (with a little "guidance" from me). They have learned that I depend on them as much as they depend on me. I have become very close with this group of students after 2 years and will honestly miss them at the end of the year. I have also built an open rapport with their parents and have had many of them ask me the last week if I was going to go teach 2nd grade because they wanted me to have their child again. It's a crazy thought but if I were to loop up through the years it would be with this group of amazing students.
Posted by Nikki Leggins | June 7, 2010 11:21 AM
Posted on June 7, 2010 11:21