MADE IN AMERICA (Ch. 4); MYTHS AND REALITIES (CH. 3) [9/19/2011] [ENG394]

MADE IN AMERICA Response:
The quote on pg 91 defines the theme of the chapter, "Where am I? Doesn't anyone know how to speak English? Is this some kind of foreign country?" The quote was from a general education student that walked into ESL classroom. This shows the ignorance that many have about language learning, and what it is to be "American."
Language learning is not something that is just picked-up, it takes time to acquire it and express it. Students of new languages have fears of being ridiculed or being seen as invisible. I feel that the students need to be made feel more a part of the school. This falls on the school as a whole, to make the newly immigrated students feel welcomed.
The argument over which techniques of teaching English is the best approach. Some argue for embracing students' previous languages, as others think students should just be learning English, and that's all. Personally, I am a believer in embracing students' cultural and language identities. However, many administrators and/or school boards would not agree with that due to state standards and funding. It isn't fair, but it is something that we as an educational cohort need to handle. It is not right for us to embrace this cultural segregation, because all that does is ignite and continue practicing and teaching ignorance.


MYTHS AND REALITIES Response:
The chapter touched on native language (NL) myths such as students only speaking the target language, or that bilingual education is too expensive. I feel that the myths discussed were more of just ignorance, insensitivity, and laziness. These myths are visibly seen, however, in schools that are trying to meet educational standards. Schools have to make decisions on how they can budget their curriculum so that they can still find a way to meet expectations and yearly progress. These schools that are forced to cut-down on bilingual programs are not doing what is best for ALL their students, they are just doing what is best on their pockets, and that isn't right. All students come from different "walks of life," and we need to embrace that, not trying to take away their identities. The question comes though is "How struggling schools can overcome these social injustices?"

Teach on mates!
#equality
The TESOL Bro,
Tommy T.