I was looking through different news stories online and I found the
following article and video. I think it is worth taking a few minutes to
look at and read.
The girl, Miranda, was not allowed to play in her middle
school basketball game because she said “I love you” in her native language, Menominee.
The teacher told her to stop speaking in the other language, but she really wasn’t
speaking in the other language she just said one phrase. The teacher also said,
"[H]ow would you like it if I started talking Polish?" I would imagine
that the young girl would not mind if she said “I love you” in Polish. She is
just saying one phrase, why is this such a big deal? I was reading the same
story but by a different writer and it said that Miranda was taken out of the
game because she had an “attitude” problem after be reprimanding by the
teachers. I would have an attitude problem too if I got in trouble for that. It’s
not like she was talking negatively about the teacher in the language she
simply said one phrase and got in trouble for it. I would understand if she was
plotting against the teacher with her friends in another language but this is
just ridiculous. What if there was a student who did not know English or had
limited English proficiency? What if a student only knew how to say a word in
his/her native language and could not express it in English?
Maybe the school has a policy that students cannot speak
other languages in class and that is another argument but this girl said one
phrase. If another person said “hola” jokingly would that person not be allowed
to play a sport or get a detention? I just think it sends the wrong message to
students to punish them for being culturally diverse. Instead of looking at
this as a negative the school should be happy they have diversity within the
school and embrace the culture of the local tribe. The only message this girl
gets sent home with is that her language is wrong; why else would she not be
allowed to utter even one word of it in class?
I’m sure there is more to the story than we are seeing in
this one article but I was still outraged by this. You would think that in this
day and age something like this would be a non-issue or non-factor but
apparently there are some people out there who just like to cause a scene.
Kim -- thanks for sharing the article. I completely agree with how ridiculous this punishment sounds! I think you say it best when you write "it sends the wrong message to students by punishing them for being culturally diverse." While yes, students should be learning and doing their academic work in proper, formal English, what is the hurt for students to use various languages to expose other students to their culture? Shouldn't we be embracing these ethnic difference, learning from them, and producing a culturally responsive generation of citizens?
ReplyDeleteThe greatest thing that students can bring to the classroom is their varying perspectives and experiences. The best learning can occur when one hears and thinks about others' points of view. Simple words and phrases, especially respectful ones like "I love you," should be appreciated and embraced in a classroom environment. We are trying to make school a safe place for our students to be themselves and do their best. We truly can't do that by punishing them for showing their true colors or their roots. As teachers, it is our job to lift students up and help them understand that they are important, valuable, and capable people in this world.
How would you like it if I started speaking in Polish? What ignorance surrounds our culture! If anything we should support to use of two languages. Never is it appropriate in any school setting to shun ones native language, even if it’s a sporting event. Such an action is a major step back in the language acquisition of any ELL. In addition it wasn’t like the individual was cursing at the teacher. It was an endearing phrase that meant no harm to anyone. Most importantly this experience could be traumatizing to the students psyche. They may now feel that their language and culture causes problems for themselves and prevents them from being “normal”. This girl may be completely turned off to trying to assimilate into American culture, or even worse is disgusted with her own. It truly angers me that individual such as this teacher willingly declines the rich culture of their students. Hopefully, one day we can get past these ignorant actions.
ReplyDeleteAt one point, the article or video mentioned that a majority of attending students are from this Native American tribe!
ReplyDeleteDoes this school have any awareness of their own student body?
And, what if this student spoke in Latin? And, the teacher couldn't recognize the official language of the Catholic Church. Would she still be punished?
The teacher and the school seemed simply Draconian in their reaction. The cherry on the icing on the cake was the teacher's apology.
Simply, this is sad . . .
I hope this girl overcomes this and excels.
I honestly can't believe that this sort of thing still exists in our society today. We should be celebrating diversity, not dismissing it. As teachers, we're taught to make our classrooms a comfortable, welcoming environment for our students to learn in. What kind of message does this send to the students in this school? Hide who you are and where you came from? It take tremendous dedication to learn a second language, especially if that second language is necessary for the person to function in a society. Having that first language allows you to communicate with your friends and loved ones in your native tongue so that you never lose the language. Hopefully something positive comes from this and all students in this school won't be afraid of sharing their cultures.
ReplyDelete