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  Case: My Colleague Speaks Broken English
In my school we practice team teaching. One of my colleagues and I share the same students. She teaches Science and Social Studies, while I teach Math and Language Arts including Reading. Because we teach lower elementary students—2nd grade—I pay special attention to modeling correct use of English in both writing and speaking in my lessons. This is where my problem begins. My team teacher is an immigrant from Korea. She speaks English well, but she makes mistakes regularly. I can see some of my students making mistakes in their speech and writing that mimic the mistakes I hear from my team teacher. What should I do about this? I do not want her to get in trouble because she is a very good teacher. If I inform her about what I have observed in her speech, would I be culturally insensitive? How should I tell her about this? I am at a total loss.
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
I think if this teacher is a "very good teacher" she would want to know that her broken English is affecting the students. I would approach her with some of your students work portraying their mistakes attributed to her speech. I would try not to come across as aggressive, but only showing loving concern for your students and stating how great of a teacher she is and you would want to know. I don't think stating this problem would be culturally insensitive, so long as you come across as understanding how hard it must be to learn another language and TEACH another language. Overall, it's the students that matter and if they are being affected negatively, something needs to be said so changes can be made.
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments:
Rated On: February 12, 2013 6:35 pm
Rated By: Mary Beth Brammar
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments:
Rated On: April 24, 2013 3:11 am
Rated By: Elizabeth Powers
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Great solution. It focuses on the root of the problem with the students' speech while respecting the co-worker.
Rated On: October 17, 2014 9:08 pm
Rated By: Megan Lee
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments:
Rated On: March 1, 2015 8:14 pm
Rated By: Ashley Noe
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree, If she is a good teacher, then talking to her about her broken English shouldn't be a problem but make sure you come across caring and affectionate. I would use this if I were in your situation.
Rated On: July 1, 2015 10:38 pm
Rated By: TaPeBu
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: You make a great point! I think acknowledging that it is difficult to learn and teach a new language will give her confidence to work on those areas that need improvement.
Rated On: October 13, 2015 1:54 am
Rated By: uVeWar
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is very true and a great idea.
Rated On: October 19, 2016 1:36 am
Rated By: Elisa Perez
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Great solution!
Rated On: October 13, 2017 4:01 pm
Rated By: Lavede
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree, she’s obviously a good and dedicated teacher so informing her of your concerns would probably be received well enough. Though it is best to convey the desire to not sound offensive.
Rated On: October 19, 2019 4:05 am
Rated By: maVeqy
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Yes, a good teacher would want what's best for the students
Rated On: July 1, 2021 6:59 pm
Rated By: yTuWeG
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: It is an interesting scenario but letting her know will help improve her teaching and maybe can see new strategies on how to teach them Englsih.
Rated On: October 31, 2021 3:12 pm
Rated By: Pearl Reberkenny