Culture in the Classroom
Originally uploaded by Robert Pollack
Recently I have been observing several ESL teachers doing their practicum as a final step in achieving an Endorsement. I have noticed five behaviors in these very multicultural classrooms that struck me as almost paradoxical for an ESL teacher. I will raise these in the form of questions and hopefully some you can share your thoughts.
1. In our classrooms we have children who may speak a half a dozen languages or more. In the U.S. we primarily rely on English to teach and the children hear this language outside of the classroom. However, each child may come from their own speech community. The cultural link between English and that community may be arbitrary. This seems to lead to the following paradox: We stress the link between language and culture in class; while at the same time indicate that the link may be arbitrary. I am not sure whether this is simply an issue I have or whether it is shared. Do you find this an issue in your classroom?
2. We tend to teach contrastively and cognitively these days. However, almost all of us say we teach communicatively. Paradox: To what extent does the ‘Natural Approach’ disrupt a more cognitive type of learning?
3. There is a problem I have noticed that teachers have when they ought to be shifting a little in methodology. Shaping contexts of interaction cannot be done directly by supplying facts. Pragmatic understanding can only be acquired by a feel for the whole social context of the communication. So it is rather like an ‘if-then’ affair and requires the switching of pedagogic approach to grasp the pragmatics of a stretch of discourse. Can teachers switch gears like that?
4. Are teachers aware that their own discourse shapes the environment? (This has always been a taboo question!)
5. Can we debunk stereotypes without perpetuating them? How do you deal with this issue?
I think these are a few issues that we seldom talk about but they are there with us daily. Can you contribute to this conversation so we can address these together?
– Dr. Paul Schneider, Director of Teacher Education Programs, WAL