Prompt #6: Goldenberg

My classroom that I visit every week consists solely of English as a second language students. This is something that is very obvious the second you walk into the classroom. Each student can converse in a language that I do not understand. Sometimes this is interesting, because I always wonder what they are saying. The teacher and I handle this situation very well. We explain instructions thoroughly and also demonstrate what we want done so that the students can see and hear what we mean. Each child knows the routine of the classroom and much of this has to do with the structure and lesson plans that the teacher has made up. She has set a perfect example for me, so that I can handle a class full of students who do not all speak English very well.

The best way to communicate with a student who speaks a different language is to show them by example. They can interpret and understand what we want done by hearing us and also by watching us do the task. When a student does something wrong, the best way to fix the situation is to respond in a calm manner so that they do not get upset. It is always best to have a student learn from their mistakes. This is something that seems to be very present in my classroom. The teacher does not allow students to make mistakes, without a lesson being learned from them. We as teachers do not know what rules a child has at home, so we have to pretend like we are starting from scratch and teach them what we want them to do. The way a child conducts his or her self in the classroom has a lot to do with structure. A structured classroom is a great one. Human beings, especially kids are creatures of habit and a routine is the best way to keep a well balanced classroom.

I decided to relate this post to Goldenberg, since we are talking about linguistic differences. As teachers, Goldenberg says that we need to put ourselves in the shoes of a non English speaking student. The social culture and norms that seem okay and fine to us may be totally different to a non English speaking student. We need to take this into consideration so that these students have an equal opportunity compared to the rest of the class. This situation cannot be ignored, because it is our responsibility as teachers to recognize these issues and make the situation perfectly okay. As a teacher I hope that I can truly make a difference in every child’s life and prepare them for the future. Just because a student speaks a different language does not mean that they are not capable of learning. I am willing to go the extra mile to make sure that every student that goes through my classroom has a fair and well rounded education, because that is exactly what I want for my children someday!