Culture and Language Diversity
Students from different cultural backgrounds bring their customs and value systems into the classroom. From an instructor's viewpoint, all of the language variaatins and slang are important to consider especially when students are required to communicate in classroom participation and on essay types of assessment tools. All students should be heard as long as no one ethnic group is claiming superiority over another.
Robin ,
yes, the more we can help those students who are struggling or who are not native English speakers, the greater chance they have of being successful in our classes.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
I am in total agreement with this. I recognize and acknowledge ELL students must first "think" in their native language and then define their thoughts into their second language, English. giving some students a little extra time along with understanding, garners their respect for me and the classroom environment and creates less intimidation for the students.
Gary,
this is a great activity & food does seem to be a great uniter.
Dr. Ryan Meers
Zelda,
yes & the more we can try to understand those backgrounds & help the other students understand as well, the more successful these students will be.
Dr. Ryan Meers
During one class we had students bring in ethnic foods and talk briefly about their cultures and traditions. We found that even though we are all so different, we are all very similar. And, food is always a plus.
Students' backgrounds are reflected in class discussions as well as in their understanding of the course itself. It makes a huge difference in giving instructions and wording of exams.
sTUDENTS OF ANY ETHNIC BACKGROUD SHOULD BE ASSESSED FOR THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF EXPECTATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE COURSE
While it is highly important to keep in mind that ELL students will have a hard time with what some words may mean, it is important not to talk in such simple terms as to belittle the rest of the class. Although the students may be going to a career college, it is vital to understand they are still in college. A level of responsibility is still required on the part of the students, including the ELL students who should understand it will be more difficult (hence the motivation/end goal thing comes into play). Does that mean I neglect the ELL students and tell them to figure it out? By no means! However, it is important to keep things at a college level and not demean those who are paying hard earned money for a college education. There are additional ways to help the ELL students including supplemental tutoring and making sure they understand what they need to understand to be successful in the course and in their careers. I do not believe in dumbing down the words. However, we can restate points in layman's terms. There is no harm in that. Let us not make the college experience a low-level waste of time and money. It should be beneficial to everybody.
I agree, being romanian, the expressions used at school was difficult to understand. My parents didn't teach me proper english, they themselves didn't understand english. IT is challenging, and I understand the patience needed.
Sherri,
this is definitely true; we have many terms or expressions that we take for granted & we need to understand they don't always make sense to those outside the culture.
Dr. Ryan Meers
