Dealing with profanity
Hi Patricia and class,
I once had a disruptive student due to his language - profanity was used in every sentence. When I spoke to him privately, he reminded me that he was an artist and artists speak this way. I reminded him that we have rules in the class and I expect every student to follow these rules and one of the rules (as mentioned in the syllabus) is that profanity will not be tolerated - and this has nothing to do with being an artist or business person. If he could not abide by the rules, then he would no longer be welcomed in the class. I did not have any problems thereafter....I wondered if this student was trying to see how far he could go.....
What are your techniques/methods to control profanity in your class?
I am constantly trying to eliminate profanity in the class. It seems so natural for some of them to use it regularly. I try to get them to filter their words. I also ask them how they would feel if a professional was using profanity in front of them. It seems like it's always the same students that can't seem to filter it. How can I eliminate it without embarassing the student.
I worked in pediatrics for many years before I started teaching. At work I ran accross younger employees cursing on the job. I would remind them that we had to keep things pedi freindly and go from there. Now I focus on the professionalism and the importance of representing yourself in a mature manner.
The first day of class, I press the issue of professionalism. Where profanity is used, I tell them I won't tolerate "potty mouth"... even during breaks. If I hear it... in or out of my class I will simply say "Potty mouth". And it gets their attention. I've even heard students use the term outside of class to students that are in other departments. I feel some "adults" are used to using profanity that it comes natural and they don't even realize it. So giving it recognition without being rude or offensive seems to work in some cases.
Hi Philip,
Professionalism is a must. Students learn professional behavior/ways from us.
Patricia
I tell my students that we try to teach the hvac field but we also want to teach you to be prof.
since most of the time we will be working around the general public and you can't be dropping the (F) bomb all over the place.
Hi Robert,
Students have to understand that profanity is not thought to be professional in nature. There are other ways to express things instead of using vulgar language.
Patricia
Our rules prohibit the use of profanity. The first time a student uses an inappropriate word, I remind the class in general that we need to use language that is appropriate for audiences of all ages. If a second time occurs, I ask that individual if he has ever seen the movie "A Christmas Story", (where Ralphie has the bar of lifebuoy soap in his mouth for using a bad word). Then I ask "do I need to get that bar of Lifebuoy soap?" Very rarely do I have rucurrences of profanity beyond this point.
Hi John,
Yes, great comparison. Our students need to know that they cannot say every thing they are thinking. Profanity is very unprofessional.
Patricia
If during one of my classes a student uses profanity, I stop what we are doing a try to address the issue of profanity by comparing the classroom to a courtroom. I tell my students that in a courtroom a judge would never tolerate the use of that type of language. By comparing a classroom to a courtroom, I feel that the students will see the importance of using professional language at all times. This approach will assist them in developing an attitude that one must always use proper language in a professional setting.
Hi Sarah,
I like how you include a blurb about profanity on your syllabus! Profanity is definitely a no no in the workplace. It will not be tolerated. Thank you for preapring your students for the real world.
Patricia
My syllabus states that professionalism is mandatory and lists profanity as one of the unprofessional behaviors not allowed in class. Students follow it mostly but when a profane word slips out, there is a lot of peer pressure to keep it clean and sometimes a light momemt of humor where the student is reminded by peers to keep it "PG". It's important to limit profanity for a few reasons. One is out of respect for the diversity within the classroom. Another is that when our students graduate and get jobs, they need to keep their language appropriate so this is good practice.
On the first day of class while I am going over the rules when I get to the part of profanity not being allowed. I talked to them about how they were raised in front of a TV or movie screen and how Hollywood has taught them this type of language is acceptable and everyone does it. Then I explain to them as a professional I do not use profanity in my home or in my buisness nor did I allow any of my employees to use foul language. Then I offer them a list of four letter words that begin with the letter F that is not profanity such as fish-food -find- fact-ford-fiat. This seems to lighten the mood and gives them a different direction other than dropping the F bomb.
