M9 Dropbox 1 IRIS Module Cultural and Linguistic Differences What Teachers Should Know

.docx

School

Kennesaw State University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

2120

Subject

Linguistics

Date

Dec 6, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by JusticeWolf3724

M9 Dropbox 1: IRIS Module: Cultural and Linguistic Differences 1)Why is it important for teachers to reflect on cultural and linguistic diversity? To become culturally responsive teachers, teachers must understand how greatly culture affects their students and how they learn. Culture shapes and influences the way students learn and the nature of today’s classrooms. Reflecting on culture and cultural differences in the classroom can help to lead teachers to choose better instructional methods for planning instructions accordingly, that may well meet the needs of their students to succeed. When a teacher is made aware of any cultural differences and shows students respect, it lets the students know that they are accepted. If students feel like a teacher wants to learn about their culture, they will feel accepted by their teacher. To become culturally responsive teachers, it is important to keep in mind students’ linguistic diversity. To become responsive to linguistic diversity, teachers should familiarize themselves with students’ styles of communication, always remembering how challenging education can be for those students whose communication happens to differ from that of the school culture. Teachers need to reflect on linguistic diversity because it affects how the students communicate with the teacher. A culturally diverse student may take the body gestures of the teacher as rude or vice versa. Also, teachers must be prepared to work with ESL students so that they are receiving the same fair education that the English students are. Reflecting on cultural and linguistic diversity can help to create a classroom environment that is accepting of all students and respects diversity. Linguistic and cultural differences in students can affect their overall learning habits as well as their emotional development so it is important that their diversity is recognized and responded to in the correct form. It is also important for teachers to reflect on their own culture, values, and behaviors, to gain a better understanding of themselves

so that they can understand and help support students’ needs and teach effectively. Therefore, it is important because it can allow teachers to gain a deeper understanding of what they know and consider how they might improve their teaching strategies. 2)Explain the difference between BICS and CALP. Why is it necessary for teachers to understand the distinction between these two types of language proficiency? As students progress through the stages of second language acquisition, they develop two types of language proficiency: social and academic, often referred to as BICS and CALP. - BICS is Basic Interpersonal Communicative Skills (social language). This refers to a student’s ability to understand basic English, like conversation. These are language skills needed in social situations, it is the day-to-day language needed to interact socially with other people. At this level of proficiency, students can understand face-to-face social interactions. Students acquire this social language by interacting with their peers, family members, and playmates. - CALP is Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (formal academic language). CALP is the student's ability to use more complex/ advanced language and understand it effectively, like what they would use in their academic work. This is essential for students to succeed in school. Students need time and support to become proficient in academic areas. Students typically acquire CALP in a period during which they spend a significant amount of time struggling with academic concepts in the classroom. Teachers need to be aware of the distinction because most of the time their students will use forms of BICS when communicating and it is also important for teachers to be aware of the distinction so that teachers do not misinterpret the fluent English their students use when

speaking to their peers as an indication that those students are English proficient. Teachers must understand the difference because students may be able to effectively communicate with peers but struggle to understand content in the classroom. Teachers must understand and distinguish the two because a student could be strong in social language, such as effectively communicating with their peers, but struggle with academic language, such as understanding the content in class, making it harder for them to learn. When those same students struggle academically, it is important for teachers to not discount language as a factor. Teachers should know this is not because the student has a learning disability or does not try in the classroom, rather, it is because their BICS are developed, but not their CALPS. CALPS takes more years to develop than BICS, it takes about 3-5 more years. When there is a lack of knowledge about social and academic language it leads to inaccurate student ability assumptions, possibly causing teachers to have low expectations for their students, having instructions that lack appropriate scaffolds and supports, and having inappropriate referrals to special education. Teachers need to be able to identify which category their students fit into so that they can help them with their needs and best meet these needs. It would also be important because educators could help their students develop and improve communication skills needed for social and academic purposes inside and outside of school. Understanding both enables teachers to effectively monitor students' interactions and socialization across the school setting, guiding them on critical decisions. 3)In the Challenge, Mr. Bennett wrote notes home to Maria’s family. Why might this have proved problematic? What other options might you recommend to Mr. Bennett for communicating with Maria’s parents? Writing notes to Mario's family may have been problematic because they just moved from Mexico and may not understand what Mr. Bennett wrote in his notes to home because they may

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help