tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839104329994693160.post900483023297758512..comments2010-05-04T21:53:47.680-04:00Comments on Snow Day and Beyond: The Advantages of BilingualismDr. Lesley Bogadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01304182571326626786noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839104329994693160.post-23412550969021233292010-03-31T20:37:29.353-04:002010-03-31T20:37:29.353-04:00Thia -
Awesome connections to the previous pi...Thia - <br /> Awesome connections to the previous pieces we have read as well as personal connections! Your explanation of code switching the views of Collier and Carter. It is very important that we find a way to embrace the "awesomeness" as you put it, of these dialects. By giving a student the chance to identify with their culture and show that they have a place in society is ideal. Now we just have to get there! <br /><br /> I always hear from the language teachers at my school that the English department is not doing their job because the kids don't know proper grammar and the basic rules that they should. I wonder if we were to promote bi/multilingualism more if we would increase our students' attention to the rules of the language as well as promote a more welcoming environment for students of all cultures.Laurenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15833155464847743040noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839104329994693160.post-16018308823722269232010-03-31T20:12:24.948-04:002010-03-31T20:12:24.948-04:00Thia,
I found the information you shared about Se...Thia,<br /><br />I found the information you shared about Senegal and your husband so interesting! I find it fascinating you have traveled so much! I too wonder why our schools don't embrace bilingualism. I wonder if it is the notion that in America, we simply speak English. Even if there are many langauges, especially Spanish, that are spoken as well, perhaps it is just "English rules"??? I'm not sure. It is important to include in our classrooms and lessons as it is a part of our daily lives and especially our students'.Miss Alexionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07851690280601432022noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839104329994693160.post-11775839166888882002010-03-31T19:40:47.898-04:002010-03-31T19:40:47.898-04:00Thia,
I love your idea about pulling in Joe's...Thia,<br /><br />I love your idea about pulling in Joe's language into his lessons, and maybe even using it in your classroom. I think that it would enhance his appreciation for his home language and help to make him feel more confident about his skill and even help him in grasping the concepts in your classroom. I also think it would be good for our English speaking students to be exposed to language in context of learning. It makes me think about how my district is so focused on literacy of reading and writing across the curriculum. Perhaps we need more of this in the language department as well.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing those two stories-- your experience in Senagal, and your husband's experience as a child and his speaking French. Both stories were very interesting, and proof that multiple languages can be a part of our culture if we work hard enough.Katehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10802604704165250611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5839104329994693160.post-43323609728402892302010-03-31T16:54:18.748-04:002010-03-31T16:54:18.748-04:00Thia -
One of the quotes from Collier's chapt...Thia - <br />One of the quotes from Collier's chapter that seems to mimic your ideas is on page 227 when he is discussing number 3: "Don't teach a second language in any way that challenges or seeks to eliminate the first language." He goes on to say, "to affirm the home language means that they will not be told that they are wrong, or what they say is vulgar or bad. Instead, the teacher analyzes with the students the differences betweent heir dialect and the standard variety: grammatical patterns, pronunciation differences, vocabulary items, varying social contexts, and so on" (237). Like you said, code switching has many values and I think can lead to many teachable moments, much like Zeke used in his classroom.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00378255838745571937noreply@blogger.com