The Skin That We Speak
The whole time I was reading this article I was thinking about my ELL kids and how what Delpit was saying about African American language as a second language applied to my Spanish speaking students. I loved that her 11 year old daughter acknowledged that she knew the difference between her new found language and Standard English, and when to use each of them. I also appreciated the fact that Delpit could see the opportunity to relate to and teach students through their interests, such as the “Luster’s Pink Oil Lotion Moisturizer”. I think she hits a key point of effective instruction—the kids have to be able to relate and see purpose in what they are learning.
I have to say though, I was a little offended by some of her statements. She stated that students rarely get to talk in class. Teaching 1st grade as well as 30% Hispanic population, I know the importance of oral language development and giving students plenty of opportunities to talk to each other, if for nothing else than just the practice of using the language. She also said that when students do get the opportunity to speak and use “what the teacher considers to be bad English,” the students are told they are wrong and must “fix” their mistakes. She implies that the students are embarrassed by their teacher, made to correct their grammar, and feel bad about. She says this like it is common practice. I understand her point, but I think she needs to keep in mind that there are lots of teachers out there who welcome and embrace cultural differences in our students, including their native language.
Marcia Smith
Comments (4)
Marcia,
I could not agree with you more! I teach 1st grade and most of my students are hispanic. I think it is so important to give them the opportunity to speak to each other. It is really funny to sit and listen to their conversations because they can be very amusing! I do not tell my students that they are wrong. I let them speak the way that they speak, but I do require them to speak correctly and they end up fixing their speaking themselves. Do you agree?
Natalie
Posted by Natalie Enns | June 7, 2010 8:31 PM
Posted on June 7, 2010 20:31
I was also offended by some of Delpit’s statements also. My students are given the opportunity to speak in class. I encourage all of my children to participate with class discussions. I have never told my students that they were wrong and to fix their mistakes the way Delpit implied teachers do. A third of my class is Hispanic and I have never and would never want my students to feel uncomfortable for speaking a different language or for struggling to express themselves in English. It bothers me how all teachers are lumped together for the mistakes of a few. Pam Aubuchon
Posted by Pam Aubuchon | June 7, 2010 8:38 PM
Posted on June 7, 2010 20:38
I teach 1st grade as well, and I have my students talk frequently to each other about what we are learning. I once heard a person say that whoever is doing the most talking in a classroom is the one learning the most. At least 1-2 times each day I have my students turn "knee-to-knee" with a partner, or discuss in small groups, things we've discussed in whole group. They love this and I love to listen in on their conversations.
I only have one ELL student in my class, but I have never made him feel uncomfortable for not being able to speak using correct grammar all of the time. Marsha Warren
Posted by Marsha Warren | June 7, 2010 9:19 PM
Posted on June 7, 2010 21:19
Marcia,
I also felt slightly offended that Delpit assumed that the students sit at their desks, don’t speak, and listen to the teacher talk all day. Like you, I deliberately plan my lessons so that the students spend minimal time sitting quietly and listening to me lecture. Because the majority of my students are ELLs, teachers at my schools include speaking as a goal in every lesson by posting and using a language objective essential question. While some teachers may embarrass his or her students by berating their use of English, I believe most teachers encourage and accept the students and plan lessons and activities accordingly.
Laura Corbello
Posted by Laura Corbello | June 8, 2010 7:28 AM
Posted on June 8, 2010 07:28