Blog #8: Rodriguez and Clinical Observation

Richard Rodrigeuz speaks on a central point in his texts. He describes becoming billingual as almost a bad thing. His whole point is that there are two, or maybe more than that, ways of teaching students in schools when it comes to language barriers. I think that students learning a second language is absolutely crucial to their development, and it should be mandated in schools. However, his take on the matter seems a bit extreme. 

To claim that his family was torn apart (to some degree) by having to learn a second language is a bit dramatic. What did he expect to happen when he came to America? That would be like me going to Italy and expect their school systems to start teaching in English because it would have made me feel, "...less afraid. I would have trusted them and responded with ease". He makes it sound like it's a bad thing. 

While I agree there is a time and a place to speak one's native language in school, I think that it's more important to learn the language of the country that you are presently in. For instance, I'm currently studying French because it's a dominant part of my heritage, and because I would like to visit French speaking countries in the future. So, I haven't gone to any of those countries yet because I cannot speak their language yet. To me, it's disrespectful to go into someone else's home and expect them to bend to your will. 

I'm not saying that he believes that, but to me that is the message that was conveyed. He did, however, bring up a very good point in the beginning of the reading. He states that his classmates in first grade could have become billingual easier than him. I can't speak to whether or not they would have had it easier, but I can say that children are much more susceptible to learning a language when they're young. This is because the brain is still heavily developing, so it is open to more things. The older you get, the less open you brain becomes. This is why it is so difficult to learn a language as an adult. 

I don't believe that he wrote those texts with malintent behind them. To me though, it just seems a bit dramatic for the scenario that he is describing. 

School Observation:

I have been working with a second grade class at Frank D. Spaziano Elementary school. For the most part it has been quite educational for me. There are a couple stragglers in each class, but out of roughly 45 or so students, that's not too bad. I help with two classes technically. Since the school I'm at is ESL, my class gets switched between English and Spanish throughout the day.

The hardest part is helping the kids that speak little to know English. I try to use my phone to help translate, but some of these kids are totally lost, which isn't their fault. Most of the kids can speak good English, which helps me tremendously. 

There isn't a whole lot more to say. Working with elementary school students wasn't my first choice, but I have definitely learned a lot these past several weeks doing it. These kids are completely innocent for the most part, so I've learned how susceptible they are to any mannerisms that we may give off. I also know now how hard it really is teaching elementary school, so I have a newfound appreciate for elementary school teachers.