Double Entry Journal #5

Negative teacher attitudes can affect the performance of students in the classroom. Sometimes these students can be misdiagnosed as having a language disorder because the teachers don't want to take the time to work with them. Students can lack confidence and shut down completely. The way the teacher things about language can affect the way assessments are given and graded, where the student is placed for ability groups, the mind set of the student, and others.

Research has shown that teachers with a negative attitude are more critical towards the students with dialects other than "standard English." Teachers, and other people, tend to base a students qualities and intelligence on their dialect. They see a diverse dialect as a deficit of the student. They see their dialect as having a handicap.

Assessment pitfalls occur because not enough is being assessed about the child. Typically, all students are assessed the same. There is no changing it to fit each individual student. A child's culture should be brought in the factors of how a student should be assessed.

Three approaches can be used to change a students dialect diversity into and asset. The awareness approach, critical pedagogy, and the critical awareness approach. The awareness approach allows expression in the students native dialect. It also compares and contrasts students native dialect with Standard English. Critical pedagogy is where the teacher allows the students to have a voice and gives them the chance to analyze the language power structure. Critical awareness approach combines the previous two approaches. Students are taught Standard English but are also taught to think critically about it. Students are given opportunities to use their dialects.

All through my schools years I was never introduced to a culturally diverse classroom. By coming to FSU I feel the professors have done a great job of teaching us how to function in a diverse classroom. Of course I won't be completely comfortable until I am actually in one and have the chance to work with students. I feel like I am prepared and have resources and tips to help me succeed.

Reference:

Wikidot.com. (2009, September 4). Linguistic diversity in ece. Retrieved from http://ecelinguisticdiversity.wikidot.com/teacher-attitudes