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  Case: English Only!
We recently finished reading and discussing The House on Mango Street in my 7th grade English class. Students had mixed reactions to the book, but they were really into discussing the issues in the book. Last Tuesday, I assigned my students to small groups to discuss Esperanza's (the main character in the book) experiences in her new school. Two of my Hispanic students in one of the groups started speaking Spanish to each other, but it was obvious that they were talking about Esperanza's experiences. So, I did not mind this. However, some of my other students started staring at these students and two of them said "English, please! You are in America." I told my students that it was okay for them to speak Spanish because they were on task. Then, some of my other students protested my position and said "if all international students speak their native languages, then how are we English-only speaking students going to understand anything?" How should I respond to this situation because it seems like I will have this issue again? Should I not allow any other language in the classroom?
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
I feel you did the exact same thing I would have done. Your student is right, you are in America and the English-only speaking students aren't going to understand them but I would remind that student how the international students may feel when they don't always understand the lingo/slang that Americans use. Also, by allowing them to speak Spanish, you're introducing it to your English-only students which is enriching their lives. I don't think you did anything wrong at all. Great teaching moment!
 
     
     
  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, this is an opportunity to let the native English speakers learn what it is like to be a foreign language speaker. Empathy is sometimes a hard learned lesson.
Rated On: February 16, 2013 5:04 pm
Rated By: Melissa Moore
 
     
     
  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 great teaching moment.
Rated On: October 14, 2014 7:45 pm
Rated By: ehaZeb
 
     
     
  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 think this is so important, and i agree with this completely.
Rated On: October 21, 2014 1:40 am
Rated By: qyryMa
 
     
     
  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 like how you added "How do you think the international students feel when they don't always understand the lingo/slang that Americans use". You had them put themselves in their shoes.
Rated On: October 19, 2015 1:52 am
Rated By: yvesat
 
     
     
  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 a great solution because that is a great point made!
Rated On: October 17, 2016 3:09 am
Rated By: Raven B
 
     
     
  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 and would use this suggestion if I were in this situation.
Rated On: October 15, 2017 4:12 am
Rated By: ByGeDa
 
     
     
  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: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this
Rated On: February 28, 2018 1:04 am
Rated By: agedyQ
 
     
     
  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 solution is great! I think it's good to let students speak in the language they are comfortable with, especially when doing work so long as they stay on task. It helps them become less anxious and may help them become more confident in their answers to participate in class!
Rated On: October 14, 2018 12:55 am
Rated By: eguQep
 
     
     
  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
Rated On: October 27, 2018 7:42 pm
Rated By: Carla Crumb
 
     
     
  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 with this solution. Celebrating diversity in the classroom is so important!
Rated On: October 9, 2020 11:02 pm
Rated By: vydeDe
 
     
     
  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: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this
Rated On: October 15, 2020 9:38 pm
Rated By: Angela Mitchell
 
     
     
  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: Agreed. I would have done the same.
Rated On: October 18, 2020 7:19 pm
Rated By: Mutyre
 
     
     
  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 think this is a good approach to this solution.
Rated On: October 31, 2021 3:39 pm
Rated By: Pearl Reberkenny