5 Multiculturalism
Questions for Discussion:
- How many languages are spoken in this class?
- What is ESL?
- What is dual immersion?
- What were the cliques or stereotypes in your school?
- What is an example of gender bias?
- Define personal characteristics and qualitiies such as gender, race, and ethnicity that contribute to the uniqueness of each individual. (Strands and Standards, Teaching as a Profession 3 CTE)
This chapter deals with the support of diverse cultural and ethnic groups in education.
Teacher Feature
Elementary Teacher of 2nd Grade Chinese Dual Immersion, Crystal Hatch.
Teacher Feature Reflection Questions:
- Why did Mrs. Hatch become a teacher?
- What does Mrs. Hatch believes makes her a good teacher?
- What is Mrs. Hatch’s favorite part of being a teacher?
- What advice would Mrs. Hatch give to new teachers?
Utah Education Flashback
The Deseret alphabet was devised as an alternative to the Latin alphabet for writing the English language. It was developed during the 1850s at the University of Deseret, now the University of Utah, and was promoted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon or LDS Church, under Church President Brigham Young (1801-1877).(https://omniglot.com/writing/deseret.htm)
Culture
Discussion
Discuss something that you do as part of your life and/or family that reflects your culture.
Examples: dinner time, church attendance, holiday traditions, spoken language
Culture
The knowledge, attitudes, values, customs, and behavior patterns that characterize a social group.
Ethnicity
Language Programs
Total Immersion
Total Immersion Language Programs are language learning programs that immerse students in the target language, with the goal of helping them become proficient in the language as quickly as possible. In a total immersion program, all instruction is given in the target language, and students are expected to communicate in the target language as much as possible. This type of program is often used for students who need to become fluent in a new language quickly, such as immigrants or international students.
Dual Immersion Language Programs
Dual Immersion Language Programs are language learning programs in which native speakers of two different languages receive instruction together in both languages. These programs offer instruction in two languages throughout the school day with the goal of becoming bilingual and biliterate.
Sheltered Instruction
Sheltered Instruction is an instructional approach used to teach content to English Language Learners (ELLs) in which teachers modify their instruction to make content more accessible to students who are still learning English. The approach is called “sheltered” because teachers shelter or modify the instruction so that ELLs can understand the content. In sheltered instruction, teachers use simplified language, visual aids, and other strategies to help students understand the content, while still challenging them to learn academic language and concepts. The goal of sheltered instruction is to help ELLs access academic content and develop English language proficiency at the same time.
Click here to review the ESL Coordinator Washington County School District Handbook.
Challenges for English Learners
An ELL, or English Language Learner, may encounter several language barriers when trying to communicate in English.
- Vocabulary: A limited vocabulary can make it challenging for ELs to express themselves accurately and convey their intended meaning.
- Grammar: The rules of English grammar can be complex and difficult to master, especially for those who are not exposed to English on a regular basis.
- Pronunciation: ELs may struggle with English pronunciation, which can make it difficult for others to understand them and for them to understand others.
- Dialects and Slang: English is full of idiomatic expressions and slang, which can be confusing for ELs who are not familiar with them.
- Cultural references: ELs may not be familiar with cultural references that are common in English-speaking countries, which can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications.
- Fear and anxiety: ELs may experience fear and anxiety when communicating in English, especially in situations where they feel that their language skills are being judged.
It’s important to note that language barriers can be overcome with practice and exposure to the language, as well as with the help of supportive teachers, friends, and colleagues who are willing to assist and encourage ELLs in their language learning journey.
Activity: Read and Discuss the Jabberwocky
Jabberwocky
By Lewis Carroll
- How are the pronunciations different?
- Does the meaning change with the reader’s expertise?
- How would this poem illustrate some difficulties that ELs might have with language?
Activity: Read and discuss a plan for the improvement of English Spelling by Mark Twain
For example, in Year 1 that useless letter “c” would be dropped to be replased either by “k” or “s”, and likewise “x” would no longer be part of the alphabet. The only kase in which “c” would be retained would be the “ch” formation, which will be dealt with later. Year 2 might reform “w” spelling, so that “which” and “one” would take the same konsonant, wile Year 3 might well abolish “y” replasing it with “i” and Iear 4 might fiks the “g/j” anomali wonse and for all.
Jenerally, then, the improvement would kontinue iear bai iear with Iear 5 doing awai with useless double konsonants, and Iears 6-12 or so modifaiing vowlz and the rimeining voist and unvoist konsonants. Bai Iear 15 or sou, it wud fainali bi posibl tu meik ius ov thi ridandant letez “c”, “y” and “x” — bai now jast a memori in the maindz ov ould doderez — tu riplais “ch”, “sh”, and “th” rispektivli.
Fainali, xen, aafte sam 20 iers ov orxogrefkl riform, wi wud hev a lojikl, kohirnt speling in ius xrewawt xe Ingliy-spiking werld.
- Did you find this difficult? A fluent reader of the English language might find this difficult. How difficult, then, would it be for an English Language Learner (ELL) to read?
Assimilation
Assimilation is the process by which individuals or groups adopt the customs, behaviors, beliefs, and values of the dominant culture of the society in which they live. In the context of Native Americans, assimilation refers to the efforts by the United States government to force Native Americans to abandon their traditional cultures and adopt the customs and beliefs of white American culture.
Beginning in the late 19th century and continuing through much of the 20th century, the U.S. government implemented a series of assimilation policies aimed at Native Americans. These policies included the forced removal of Native American children from their families and placement in boarding schools, where they were taught English and punished for speaking their native languages or practicing their traditional customs.
Other assimilation policies included the Dawes Act of 1887, which forced Native American tribes to abandon their communal land ownership practices and adopt individual land ownership, and the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, which attempted to encourage Native Americans to form modern governments and adopt white American economic practices.
The impact of assimilation policies on Native Americans was devastating, leading to the loss of traditional cultures, languages, and ways of life. Many Native Americans continue to struggle with the legacy of these policies today, as they seek to maintain their cultural identities and reclaim their ancestral lands.
Dawes Act of 1887
Reorganization Act of 1934
Utah Native American Boarding School
Vocabulary
Race
Ethnicity
Culture
Multicultural Education
Immersion
ESL
ELL
TESOL
Dual Immersion
Inclusion
Diversity
DEI
Acceleration
Assimilation
Bilingual Maintenance Programs
Collaboration
Gender Bias
Title IX
Stereotype
Assimilation
Dawes Act of 1887
Reorganization Act of 1934
Racism