¶ … nation continues to grow in diversity, our education system will have to deal with problems associated with language and cultural differences. The purpose of this discussion is to analyze the impact of language, culture and community on education. The main focus of our analysis will be the importance of a common language in the classroom. We will begin our discussion by providing the definition of language.
Defining Language
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, language is defined as the "Communication of thoughts and feelings through a system of arbitrary signals, such as voice sounds, gestures, or written symbols." (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language) Language can be share amongst people in a particular culture, ethnic group or people that are members of the same generation. Language allows individuals to express their thoughts and feelings and is essential to success in academics.
Importance of Common Language in the Classroom
Language is one of the most important components of any society and allows individuals to communicate with one another. In the educational environment speaking a common language is essential to the learning process. When teachers and students speak and understand the same language the results can be dramatic. Students are able to learn more comprehensively and teachers are able to communicate more effectively with parents. According to a report entitled "Creating Crisis"
Claudette Leffall-Hardy, an African-American teacher...
He feels that "they can always turn to me and talk to me." (Fata et al. 2000)
Spanish speaking teachers and teachers with second language
learning skills to aid students in the
classroom are of particular importance. Recently Latino-Americans became the largest minority in
America. This translates into a dyer need to recruit teachers that speak the language and that possess the skills to teach children how to speak English. A report published by ERASE concedes that Teachers who share their students' culture and life experiences bring to the classroom an extra knowledge about those students, which they can use to fashion
teaching that works. They also serve as cultural mediators among school, parents, and community. Teachers are much more likely to reach out, and to reach out successfully, to
parents with whom they feel "at home" culturally. This mediation function has special salience in communities where many parents do not speak English. A teacher who speaks the parents' language and literally knows the
place "where they're coming from," can help draw them into their children's education. That
parental involvement is a crucial component of
academic success. (Gordon et al. 2000)
The need for increased acceptance of language and culture is also essential in early childhood education. An article entitled "Issues of Language and culture impacting the early care of Latino Children" explains that many early childhood programs have a no Spanish policy. According to the article, these policies prohibit Latino children from speaking Spanish during school. These facilities argue that encouraging children to only speak English will aid them in learning the language faster…
