As Taylor says, the elements of culture are intangible. That
is why there is so much discrepancy in what some may think as the ‘right’ way. Culture
can also be micro or macro, depending if it is describing a culture based on
the individual or based on a particular ethnicity, class, race, etc. Language
is also a part of a person’s culture; however, this language can be verbal and
nonverbal. Either way, they go hand-in-hand; one does not exist without the
other.
As stated within the text, there will be a growing number of
ELL students within our US schools. I have already seen an example of how
language and culture takes a role in the classroom with particular student’s ability
to learn the subject matter. In regards to what I teach, English/Language Arts,
it is especially important to understand and accommodate students who have a
diverse language or culture. This aspect affects their reading and writing
ability. Because of this, these students have to work extra hard to meet the
standards of their grade level.
Ch. 7 Question: As an English and Literature teacher,
I want to ask, how important is it to expose students to other languages and
cultures? How can this be accomplished?
I love your question! With a minor in Spanish, I love seeing students at least gain a basic knowledge of another language. It reminds me of the quote Dr. Cantu referenced in the video module where he said that one cannot know their own language until they've learned another. I think it would be neat in an LA classroom for students to read a book from another culture and to have some words in that book which are from a different language. Then possibly, as a supplemental piece, the students can learn some basic conversational words and practice with each other. This could possibly only be a day's worth of activities that would be a great enrichment for all the students!
ReplyDeleteAnother great way for exposure is through using cognate matching games. Kids love games and it is a way to see vocabulary written in two different languages that looks very similar. You could always encourage some "theater productions" by your students, like an important excerpt from a book about a different culture where they can dress up and do a performance for the other students. It really help the ELL students to acquire English because they have to practice using the words in a meaningful context.
ReplyDeleteI think a neat language study is to take a language that shares roots with English and then seeing what words are similar. I think the students would be surprised by how many words they already know in another language! Perhaps have them read a sentence or two and pick out words they know. Neat way to teach context.
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