This chapter was very interesting.
It is sad to read about how minorities continue to be discriminated for
being different from the standard American culture. People of different
backgrounds embody the characteristics of their own culture. Language
and dialect is a big part of culture. When teachers judge students'
intellectual abilities based on the vernacular language used by members
of a particular group, the assessment is unfair and inaccurate. Teachers
are wrong to think that students who do not speak the standard English
are less intelligent than those that do.
There are many people who speak perfect English and still struggle with academics. Hence, standard English may be necessary, but it is not enough to guarantee academic achievement. We should not condemn students who do not speak the standard English. Teachers should be trained to work with the language that students bring to the classroom and use it as a way to connect with the students and engage the student during the learning process. As far as the low achievement rates of inner city students, the focus should not be heavily placed on the students language. Instead, we should focus our attention on the real factors that negatively affect learning for these children. These factors include overcrowded classrooms, and lack of funding and resources in these schools.
There are many people who speak perfect English and still struggle with academics. Hence, standard English may be necessary, but it is not enough to guarantee academic achievement. We should not condemn students who do not speak the standard English. Teachers should be trained to work with the language that students bring to the classroom and use it as a way to connect with the students and engage the student during the learning process. As far as the low achievement rates of inner city students, the focus should not be heavily placed on the students language. Instead, we should focus our attention on the real factors that negatively affect learning for these children. These factors include overcrowded classrooms, and lack of funding and resources in these schools.
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