JOURNAL #1

Imagine for a moment that in your community there is a negative reaction toward English language learners and the prevailing comments you hear echo the notion, “They’ve been here their whole lives. Why haven’t they learned English yet?” What is your response to these community stakeholders?

My respond to these community stakeholders would be, have you ever been in their position or know what they’re going through. Many people that come from a different country and don’t learn English don’t get enough practice at home or they feel embarrassed to speak the language because of the way they sound. Many English speakers make fun of newcomers and the way they pronounce a word, this can make the person not want to learn the language at all or practice it. I would also tell them if they know their life style. Many children that come to the United States will get the help they need to learn the English language for free by going to school, but maybe the school is not enough for them. Maybe they still need outside resource to get more practice or a better understanding. Maybe the school doesn’t provide does children enough help, practice, or support to learn the language.

What might you need to change about yourself in dealing with confrontational issues as a teacher?

I believe I don’t need to change anything about myself when dealing with confrontational issues because I’m a very understanding, open-minded person. If a parent has a problem or an issue they would like to speak to me about. I would listen to them and tell them what I, as a teacher have been doing to help that