Four-letter words
I teach design and my students have a fair amount of studio time to work on projects in class. Sometimes their casual talk contains four-letter expletives. I tend to let it slide, but wonder if I shouldn't. Any thoughts on this?
Janet,
I support your position because to expect anything less of the students is to short change them in their preparation. They need to see why they need to meet all of the standards of their field which includes the soft skills as well.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with this approach. Health care courses are intended to prepare professinals for the workplace, and it is not only important fr instructors to model professional behavior but it is critical thatwe demand it of the students. They are expected to graduate with the tools they need to function ss professional caregivers, and some of those tools include protocol for socially and professionally acceptable behavior.
Larry,
Like your strategy as you are helping them to develop a professional vocabulary as well as have some fall back words if needed to keep them from using words that can offend patients and their families not to mention employers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
My occupation involves health care settings which involves the general public, including children. I ask my students to find alternative words that are not profane that still allows them to express sudden exasperation, such as "fudge" "darn" "shucks" "foowey" "fiddlesticks" etc.
Biomedical Instructor
Vickroy
James,
This is one of my concerns as well. I feel that we must use the appropriate language as professionals and have the same expectations for our students. It is easy for them to use these words without thinking and if they become a part of their career language they can find themselves in trouble once they are in the work place. Much easier to work on now rather than later when the consequences are much greater for the students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Another thing to consider is that if you let it slide, there is no telling how it could be impacting other students in the area, and those students are generally looking to the instructor to set the tone with regards to language/behaviors; the students do not want (nor should they be expected to) to enforce rules or police their classmates.
I recently had an experience where another instructor and his students were using profanity in his classroom. He had no idea that my students were able to hear every word spoken. Several of my students raised concerns about this, and I assured them that I would address the situation. I chose to have a one-on-one discussion with the other instructor and we were able to get it resolved without having to escalate the issue to the school administration.
Martin,
I think each instructor has to find a comfort level with this type of language. In my classes I do not accept nor tolerate such language because I emphasize that I am training them to work with customers so that type of language is not acceptable when working with clients. I remind them that by my reminding them now they will develop a professional language base that will help their career prosper. The student feedback on this has been they appreciate my working to help them to have appropriate language, dress and conduct for their career area.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
