LANGUAGE MYTHBUSTER
LANGUAGE MYTHBUSTER
Transforming Deficit Myths About Learning, Language and Culture
September 28th, 2019
Samuel Gawrys-Strand
So here's the deal: we've got way too many language deficit myths floating around in our schools. (In case you're curious about how many would be acceptable, the appropriate number is ZERO) People make all kinds of assumptions about why some students are "at risk" just because they're not part of the mainstream population. If we've learned anything from our years of existence, it's that the mainstream ruins everything. It's about time we put these pesky rumors to bed and transform our thinking.
THE MYTHS
MYTH NUMBER 1!
What is the basis of the first myth on our list? (Spoiler alert: it's a racist and classist thing) According to the article, minorities and children from low-income families tend to be labeled as "at risk" when it comes to language. But it's TOTALLY not about race or class. Nononononono, it's just about cultural background, poor parenting, finances, whether or not they come from immigrant families, biological determinism, how and where they were raised........wait...
All these characteristics serve to shift the blame onto the "victims" of the apparent language deficit so that the people responsible for perpetuating said myths are in no way held accountable. Plus, let's be real, the English language is a hot mess.
MYTH NUMBER 2!!
"'At risk' children need to be separated
from the regular class and need a structured program based on hierarchical notions of language
development" (page 371). Yes, let's remove students from their learning environment and put them in a program that judges their language skills based on what society considers "proper English". Do any of us really speak like a school essay? No. No we don't. Colloquialism and dialects exist. Educate yourselves, school corporations.
MYTH NUMBER 3!!!
Standardized tests are the best and most accurate method of identifying and categorizing students as "at risk".
Do...do I even need to explain why this is ridiculous?
MYTH NUMBER 4!!!!
The parents don't care about their kids. That's why they struggle with language. The parents just can't be bothered to help the children they've lovingly raised. If only parents would read to their kids, they would grow up to be perfect English speakers. Seriously I don't even know what to say about this...
Let's Transform our Thinking!
Here are just a few adjustments we can make in order to transform our view of language learners:
1. Assume children are proficient in at least their native language and value the diversity. Work your way up from there.
2. Recognize that children don't have to be removed from a normal classroom setting in order to be successful. In fact, research shows that language-rich diverse environments actually benefit students.
3. You can monitor students' language development by observing how they utilize their language in the classroom as well as their use of English.
4. ASSUME THAT PARENTS CARE ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN SERIOUSLY WHAT THE ACTUAL FU-
So there you go! It's time to get out there and transform the way society views language deficits!
Oh, before you leave here's some questions for you to ponder:
How would you address these kinds of myths if they were brought up by a fellow teacher? (Sometimes teachers gossip about their students. It's not ideal but it happens.) What could we do to potentially transform their thinking on the matter?
What are some assessment methods we've learned about that can more accurately monitor the progress of our English language learners? (I mean it doesn't take much to be more effective than standardized tests but that's a personal grudge and it's beside the point) How would you implement them into your classroom?
What are some implicit assumptions you've made about people based on their race, culture, income, etc.? What can we do to curb those biases when it comes to students?
How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Mr.G,
ReplyDeleteYou should start a blog?? Seriously this was so funny and educationally written as well. We both know that these teachers like to gossip and that students get pulled from class to work on their language skills. I think one way that we can help educate other teachers who aren't 'woke' is by providing facts. We can hand them the research articles and just state the benefits of keeping all children in the classroom. I also think that having this type of discussion with administrators could beneficial in helping to change the culture of the school but that might be tricky.
Dani,
DeleteYes; facts facts facts! It frustrates me that for some reason facts and evidence just don't seem to matter to a lot people anymore. Even the people providing facts are often hostile about it. We need to stop, sit down, and discuss these things civilly so that the teachers will be more willing to consider the facts. Use articles and research to support your position. The key to convincing others is discussion, even if it's simply a one-on-one interaction.
Sam,
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your blog post! To answer a couple of your questions, if these myths were brought up by another teacher I would simply inform them that they may need to connect with the students parent. The benefit of this would be to check-in with the students home life as well as keeping the parent involved. You can't say the parent doesn't care if there was no effort on the teacher's end to reach out to the parent! Also informing teachers to read an article or a book is another great way for teachers to keep themselves informed. I believe it is important to have an open mind and be accepting of all students in your classroom. If this is how the teacher acts in the classroom it will latch on to the students and the students will follow in your footsteps. Creating a positive classroom environment will set the example of accepting all students. It is important to take the steps necessary for each student succeed and these steps will look different for each student!
Maddy,
DeleteParental involvement is SO important! It benefits literally everyone; the parents, the students, the teachers, the administrators. If you don't reach out to the parent you shouldn't be surprised when they don't reach out to you. They feel excluded, and so they begin to question their relevance in the student's education. We NEED to establish a relationship with the parents for our students' sakes, and it's sad that some teachers don't bother.
Sam,
ReplyDeleteI told you - you should be a writer! Such a great blog! Responding to teachers when they bring up some of these myths can be a very sticky situation right now - since they're our mentors. I find redirection the best way to deal now. As far as assessment I think we will probably be in the same predicament that our mentor teachers are now (being required to have computerized assessments for the students). The best way to make it fair for the students is to make them proficient in the tools necessary to take the assessments. Our kindergarten class had to take an assessment in language arts using a computer for the first time a couple of weeks ago. It was a disaster. It took hours longer than it should take, it did not in any way reflect what they know and the teachers and students were just overwhelmed and "done" with the process. I think that it would have helped if the teachers would have spent time teaching the students how to use the computers by modeling the "how" and then creating a lesson that would mimic the use of the computer being used for the assessment. I know there are far better ways to assess what a child understands, but it seems that the schools still want data from standardized assessments.
Dee,
DeleteI agree, it's hard watching these myths in action and lacking the authority to do something about it. I like that you made a point to consider the teachers' perspective as well. Teachers experience so much pressure when it comes to curriculums, mandatory testing, and standards they are expected to meet and follow. Making sure our students are proficient with technology is honestly one of the best things we can do for them in an age that is switching to digital mediums for practically everything. Thanks for the great comment!
Sam,
ReplyDeleteThis blog was incredibly well written! You make some really good points. You said, "All these characteristics serve to shift the blame onto the "victims" of the apparent language deficit so that the people responsible for perpetuating said myths are in no way held accountable." It is sad that this quote is so accurate. It is so easy for teachers to blame all other factors without taking into consideration how the system may be failing them or what actions they are doing that could be harmful to their students. I think it is always important to check yourself as a teacher. Talk to fellow coworkers about these things and help keep them in check too. I heard many past teachers gossiping about students to their new teacher this year during student teacher. My mentor teacher said she tries not to listen to the gossip and begins the year with a fresh perspective of all students. I think this is so important. You make not be able to control what other teachers say and do but you can control your own thoughts and actions!
Alaina,
DeleteI agree, it is so much easier to deflect responsibility and not consider the perspectives of other people. What's worse, that level of egocentrism is something we were supposed to have grown out of as children! This is the same kind of blindness that has perpetuated racism and white supremacy. Out of sight, out of mind. But once again, we as adults should have this little thing called object permanence that we developed when we were INFANTS. There are going to be people that we simply cannot sway, but you're right when you say we have the power to control *our* actions and thoughts. Love this comment.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteGreat Job, Sam!
ReplyDeleteI really liked your post and all of the myths that you discussed within your blog posts! I love that you brought up the fact that we should change our mindsets in how we view "At-Risk" students. First of all, it is so important to not label these students as at-risk to begin with, because these labels follow children throughout their whole schooling. To answer your first question, I think that there is no way to combat gossiping about students by teachers because it has happened for decades. However, we can change our mindset about what we do with the information that is given to us about a student. If we have a positive outlook on all students, it will be much more beneficial for us and for our students. To add to my original comment, I would like to answer the question about another way that we can assess students rather than standardized testing. We can learn a lot about our students by just observing them, I think that this is more telling than a test can ever be. Testing includes many factors and is done during isolated times. Observing a student's progress is easier for the teacher and it allows the teacher to get more information in a more organic way.
Aubrey,
DeleteSadly the likelihood of stamping out teacher gossip is pretty much literally zero. But I think that we can do our best to address and educate when the situation arises. We can't change everyone, but maybe we can change a few. In the meantime, it's our responsibility to take these comments and dismantle them so that we don't fall into the same level of ignorance. I agree that observation is invaluable when it comes to assessing our students organically and accurately. That scantron doesn't know anything about the student other than the bubbles they filled in. Who they are MATTERS. Thanks for the comment!
sam,
ReplyDeletei loved the usuage of your memes as they were hilarous but so true. english is such a hard language to adapt to i cannot imagine how frustrating it is to those trying to learn english with all the rules and different ways of saying things. i think that answering your first question we have taken enough classes that have given us enough information i could confidently deter teachers away from gossiping about their students. i even had to deal with this already this year. alot of teachers seem to gossip and automatcially dismiss the children not speaking english as their first language as theyre bad and behave badly when in reality they had no idea the instructions. once i spoke to these students in their first language they automatically complied and were obedient. i think your blog was well put together and you added alot of questions to really think about. good job sam
Bailee,
DeleteI completely understand the hesitancy to address teacher gossip in our current position. Given our lack of experience and the fact that we as student teachers are there to learn not judge, it would be inappropriate for us to "correct" those we are studying under. I remember how uncomfortable I felt the first time I overheard some of the teachers talking about a student's "behavioral problems". It's an awkward position to be in, but that's just the way it is right now. I hope that when the time does come, we will have the courage and conviction to stand up for our students and address these myths when they arise. Thanks for the comment! Glad you enjoyed the blog. ^_^
Sam,
ReplyDeleteI love the way you explained the myths and described the damage they are doing. Especially, they way you talked about myth number two. It is crazy to me how teachers and administrators still think taking kids from their classroom is the best thing for them. The students need to be around their peers and learning from one another. I also agree with you that their languages should be valued in the classroom and incorporated in the curriculum. "Proper English" shouldn't be the only language that is allowed in the school and classroom. The way I would go about this discussion if it came up with another teacher would be by giving them the facts. Show that students do better when they see themselves, their backgrounds and cultures in the classroom and curriculum. I would also invite them to sit in on one of my lessons and see how I incorporate my students in what I'm teaching and in what they are learning. Great job Sam!
Abby,
DeleteSeriously though, I've talked numerous times about the difference between the way we write and the way we speak. That's one of the reasons I chose to (and enjoyed) writing this blog as if I were saying the words out loud. It felt so much more natural and organic, and you all still understood the main point. We can't just say "that student isn't using proper English and uses slang terms so obviously their literacy skills are at risk". Meanwhile those same people turn around and text their friends saying "C U in like 2 mins, lol" WHAT?? What was I talking about? Right, literacy. Glad you liked the blog!
Sam,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this. The way you discuss the language and culture deficit myth makes it clear that we need to get it out of our schools. Even something as obvious as assuming that parents care about their children seems like it is not so obvious anymore, and it is kind of sad that we are making this assumption based solely off of a cultural/language difference from the norm. As teachers, I think it is important to remember that we are not in a position to judge whether or not a parent "cares for their child," whether we feel like it is or not. To change the thinking of my fellow teachers, I feel like I would simply continue asking for more information as to why they believe what they are saying is true. If we push and push far enough, maybe they will notice that their assumption is based off a deficit myth and start to begin seeing their students through a different lens.
Stephanie,
DeleteNowadays it seems like so many concepts and ideas that should be common sense still go right over some people's heads. We're all guilty of making unjust assumptions, but for the default position to be "the parents don't care about their child" is really disconcerting to me. I agree that the best way to get through to people is taking the time to *understand* their viewpoint. Find out *why* they believe the child isn't being cared for so you can determine how best to approach the situation. Like you said, sometimes they might even recognize the problematic thought process on their own just by mapping it out. I think we should make a habit of using this approach whenever we encounter someone whose beliefs differ from our own. :)
Great job Sam!
ReplyDeleteOne of my biggest things is when someone assumes that a parent doesn't care. Who are we to decide who does and does not care about their own children? Just because they may parent differently than they do doesn't mean we get to judge their parenting or whether or not they care about their child. It's crazy, yet I've heard teachers say it with my own ears.
You should never assume a parent doesn't care. Maybe they don't have time to show you they care in the way you want to see, but that doesn't mean they don't care.
Mara,
DeleteIt's frankly embarrassing when teachers make blanket-sweeping assumptions like that with no real evidence behind it. That just screams "PRIVILEGED". Just because we don't know what's going on at home doesn't mean we get to just decide what it's like. In fact, that's precisely the reason for NOT making those assumptions. Maybe the teacher hasn't made an effort to reach out to the parents, or maybe there's a language barrier, or maybe the *teacher* is the one who doesn't actually care. Make an effort! Glad you liked the blog. ^_^
Sam,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, OH MY WORD! I LOVED THIS! WHERE ARE YOU HIDING YOUR SECRET BLOG?! This was just so thoroughly entertaining. Secondly, I KNOW for a fact that teachers gossip about students on a regular basis about how their parents don't care and how they are "at-risk" based on a standardized test. This is ridiculous. Yes, some things need to be discussed and shared for advice purposes or for example of situation purposes, but I've heard teachers straight up complain about having students like this. I guess my question of conviction to these teachers would be, "Aren't you a teacher? Didn't you come into this profession to improve the lives of students? How can you complain about the fact that you don't have to but that you GET to have the opportunity to teach this child?" I feel like sometimes teachers need a real refresher on WHY they started teaching in the first place. The stresses from the state and district can be heavy, but teachers have to remember why they started teaching in the first place to keep them centered. The best way is to ask these questions rhetorically and then leave them with it. I wouldn't want to offend them, or make them angry. I would just want to remind them that our mission as an educator is to help each and every student that walks in our doors, even if they did fall into the myths you listed. Great post, Sam!
Dani,
DeleteYES! My goodness I have seen WAY too many teachers throughout my life who bring to my mind the question: "Why are you even a teacher?" We can't just shift our responsibility onto standardized testing and copy-pasting guidelines and core standards into our lessons. I *know* this job is going to be hard. I *know* that I'm gonna feel overwhelmed. I *know* that I'm not gonna love my job every day. But I also KNOW that that is how life works! And I chose this profession for a reason. Thanks for the comment!
Sam,
ReplyDeleteI love the wittiness of your blog! It made me laugh the entire time and was one of the best blogs I think I've seen! To answer some of your questions, I think I would just try to say positives about the child, and not necessarily make remarks about the comments they are making (which is what I'm doing now in student teaching). I think when I'm actually in my career, I will want to address it head on, and just tell the other teachers that I value what they say, but that I don't want any outer biases about my students, I want to form my own relationships with them. I'm hoping that my actions will just be of example to my colleagues, and hope that I don't lose my shit :-)
Also ... A woodchuck would chuck as much wood as a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood
Jazlyn,
DeleteFINALLY SOMEONE ANSWERS THE IMPORTANT QUESTION! XD Glad you liked the blog. I agree that sometimes the best way to curb those kinds of assumptions is to work directly against the grain and reinforce the positive qualities of our students. Drown out the gossip with praise! I believe that one day we will have the authority to face this kind of gossip head on, but it's great that you already have a method in mind.
This was a really nice write up Sam, lots of expressive writing. In our special ed class we have learned about RTI and how to implement peer based learning in the classroom. It is my opinion that students that a school views as at risk, will not view traditional authority figures like teachers with any level of trust because traditional authority figures in their life have harass and bullied them. if change is going to come it should be through the medium of other students and forming a relationship with class first, before trying to build a one on one relationship with the student.
ReplyDeleteI agree that so often the very reason that children are considered to be "at risk" is because they've been *labeled* as such, which only increases the chance that those students will begin conforming to the "role" they've been assigned. If teachers don't trust the students, they should expect the same treatment in return. Additionally, it is very important to establish a classroom community so that developing relationships is far easier.
DeleteHey other Sam!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate this post a lot because language is one of my passions! It’s so hard to see some of the brightest kids knocked down and discouraged by these myths about their abilities. I’ve noticed that some kids have incredible speaking and writing abilities in their native language, but when it translates to English it seems that their abilities are at a much lower level. The reality is just that they need their teacher’s support to bring the skills they’ve acquired in their native language into practice with English. Students need to be shown that the skills that they come into the class with ARE useful and they can be built upon. If I were talking to a teacher and I noticed that they continually blamed a child’s family for their English speaking/writing abilities, I would first ask if the teacher had taken the time to get to know the child’s family and work as a partnership to use transfer his/her skills into English. See how the child’s language proficiency changes when they realize that it isn’t just the “English speakers” in the class that have a voice- give them a platform to also share their native language with the class in different ways. These students aren’t disadvantaged, troubled, or at risk. They simply need to be part of “language-rich environments” (as you stated in your blog), that will give them a platform to stretch their abilities!
Other Sam,
DeleteI think that this is another manifestation of the concept of "lost in translation". A students literacy skills are based on the language they were raised speaking. You wouldn't expect an English-speaking student's performance to be judged on how well they read, write, and speak Japanese. It's not that they don't understand literacy, it's that *we* don't understand *their* literacy. If we're going to make progress with a student we have to set an appropriate baseline based on what they already know and the language they already speak.
Sam,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It is so important to value diversity and use it as an advantage in the classroom. You are so right and we should never assume parents don't care because that is not doing anything beneficial for the students or ourselves as their teacher. To answer your question about how I would address these myths if they were brought up by fellow teachers, I would just educate them on what I think because maybe they truly don't know any better. Just giving them my opinion and why I believe what I do may make them think twice about things they assume about students. It is so important for us as teachers to keep an open mind about each and every one of our students and show that we believe in them even if they may not believe in themselves.
Alexis,
DeleteI'm glad that you would choose not to just assume the teacher is totally ignorant. That would make us just as bad as those we are trying to educate. Obviously their own personal experience has shaped the way that the teacher thinks. We need to understand where they are coming and *then* educate them about the subject. Provide an opinion and have a discussion. Love it!