Although I am a graduate assistant here at ISU this year, this chapter brought back memories of my experiences in teaching K-12. I remember thinking all the hats that a middle school/high school teacher has to juggle within a 50 minute class period – parent, counselor, police office, cheerleader and, oh yes, an educator. The book expresses even the numerous roles found within being “just” the educator: “[we must help] our students pass writing exams, proficiency tests, reading tests, university entrance exams, and at the same time work to reform the exams” (160).
One of my high school teaching experiences was in a rural area of Missouri. On my first day, I stepped into the school, and every last student there was WHITE (maybe saw four African-Americans the whole time I was student teaching). I have always grown up with diversity, and I honestly was a little uncomfortable right at first, especially with some of the ethnocentric attitudes I encountered. Keep in mind I am teaching a Spanish course, both in language and culture. One of our cultural discussions one day lead us to the topic of racism, especially of that district in Missouri. My students told me how they could never invite their African-American or Mexican friends over to their grandparents’ (even some to their parents’) house because of the existing stereotypes. With this in mind, I truly do understand how TESOL can be a political topic, especially in a dominantly monolingual nation. In my academic choices of pursuing a masters in Spanish and a certification in TESOL, I have heard such responses as: “How are you ever going to use that?”, “But you are so smart, why Spanish?”, “Oh good, our ‘citizens’
Also, I was personally intrigued by the Silver International newspaper mentioned on page 182, so I researched it. You can click on this link to see some of the past articles: http://silverinternational.mbhs.edu/ GREAT RESOURCE.
This was one of my favorite chapters yet that we have had to read in this class.
Very relevant. Very interesting. Kinda in your face. Me gusta.
I really appreciate what you have written here, especially the part about the existing stereotypes and the, "well, why Spanish? We live in America." I find this particularly happens when I express the importance of learning more languages in American now with our diversifying culture. It's a very touchy subject and sometimes I feel like I'm walking on a fine line.
ReplyDeleteI took my wife to Spain in 1971 and while I was there I spoke Spanish. The month before we lift I taught myself to speak Spanish...a little. I slaughtered the language but they loved me trying. At a young age I knew language was the glue that holds a people together.
ReplyDeleteI know a little about racism because I crossed America in the 1950s hitchhiking. In the Deep South you could get killed for going in the Colored bathroom. That was ignorance. But I learned the majority of whites were freedom loving people and wanted freedom extended to black folks. Then like now, it only takes a few bad apples to spoil the barrel and they can be any race. If American's learn what we are up against, we are the most charitable people on the face of the earth. Knowledge of culture is where the rubber meets the road. Teaching that is tough but most valuable.
Good post!