Michelle Lefebvre
I was recently reading an article about code-meshing when I came across this piece of advice: “Become a language ethnographer: Complete a neighborhood walk and document the multiple languages in your school community” (Zapata & Laman, 2016, p. 368).
This article describes several classrooms where teachers encourage their students to use all of their languages. To do this, these teachers bring in dual language books and invite members of the community to give presentations to the class in different languages. The authors argue that this inclusive approach better reflects how students use language and that students are more engaged in literacy tasks when they are able to use language creatively in order to express themselves (Zapata & Laman, 2016).
The authors of this article suggest that if teachers want to adopt this kind of approach, becoming a language ethnographer might be helpful. Personally, I think they’re right. Surely knowing more about the languages spoken in my community will make me a more effective, democratic teacher.
While I’m not currently teaching in a school I do hope that one day I will be able to enact this kind of approach. Plus it’s sunny and I’ve been cooped up all day, so I’m setting off to find out which languages (besides English and French) are represented in my neighbourhood.
The first thing I noticed was that this was kind of hard; there are a lot of languages in my neighbourhood and I didn’t recognize some of them. But, with the help of Google translate, here is what I found:
- On a Covid-19 public health information poster, I saw Filipino, Vietnamese, Chinese, Yiddish, and Persian.
- I saw many signs written in Malayalam and Tamil on South Indian restaurants and grocery stores. I also saw Tamil on the signs of a jewelry store and a salon.
- The sign outside of a synagogue was written in Hebrew.
- Inside a supermarket, I found signs and labels written in Indonesian, Filipino, Vietnamese, and Chinese.
- The sign on a grocery store was written in Russian.
I think that being more aware of the languages in my neighbourhood could be the first step in building a bridge between the community culture and the school culture.
So, are you ready to become a language ethnographer? Do you think it provides teachers with useful information? What impact could incorporating elements of students’ cultural backgrounds in the classroom have?
Reference
Zapata, A., & Laman, T. T. (2016). “I write to show how beautiful my languages are”: Translingual writing instruction in English-dominant classrooms. Language Arts, 93(5), 366-378.
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for sharing this interesting topic which is very relevant to our everyday life here in this highly multicultural city: Montreal. Being a language ethnographer is definitely a useful way for teachers to better understand students linguistic and cultural backgrounds in the specific community. These pieces of information, if well-used, can definitely facilitate classroom teaching by building a positive teacher-students relationship. Students will feel being understood and respected by the teachers. Additionally, bringing in different cultural and linguistic elements into the classroom would also help generate a more equal classroom atmosphere and motivate students to fully engage in class.
Dongqi Zheng
Hi Michelle, thanks for introducing the term “language ethnographer”. I think it provides valuable implications for teaching. I believe that reflecting the idea of being a language ethnographer would build an affective classroom environment, which is beneficial for improving the efficiency of teaching and learning. When students realize that their own cultural elements have been integrated into the classroom and are respected by the teacher, it will be easier for them to establish trust and closer connection with the teacher. It just reminds me of a well-known saying by Confucius: “Be close to the teacher and believe in his way.” (“亲其师，信其道”) It generally means that only when students get close to and respect their teachers, will they be willing to believe and accept the knowledge taught by the teachers. Thus, building mutual respect, trust and empathy between teachers and students is conducive to stimulating students’ interest and enthusiasm for learning and creating a harmonious learning environment.
-Wenwen
Hi Michelle,
After reading your post, I can excitedly say that I am ready to become a language ethnographer! The neighbourhood walk that documents multiple languages within a school community is a great activity to immerse students within practices of critical reflection and intentional observation. I am a proponent of testing lessons or new concepts on myself first, therefore reading your article I knew immediately that I will definitely be testing out a neighbourhood walk individually, prior to taking my students to become a language ethnographer myself!
Responding to your questions, I do think the idea of language ethnography provides teachers with useful information, while also allowing them to practice cultural appreciation and cultural awareness that they can integrate into learning situations in the classroom. This activity prompts self-growth and reflection among educators and students alike which I also think will only further contribute to the authenticity of the lesson. The idea of inviting guest speakers to share their languages also aligns with QEP (Quebec Education Plan) broad area of learning; “citizenship and community” in particular.
Incorporating elements of students’ cultural backgrounds in the classroom has the potential to influence learning and the classroom culture on various levels. Through my teaching experience especially referring to a previous stage, many of the students were trilingual and the languages the spoke were never appreciated, it was a french school and even the use of English in the hallways was prohibited. Therefore, integrating moments in which students can use of all their languages would create an authentic learning experience that instils genuine cultural appreciation and inclusivity.
-Tia Goodhand
Hi Michelle,
I really enjoyed reading your post! Thank you for sharing the great idea of “being a language ethnographer” It is so true that there are multiple languages around us, no matter in our neighborhood or the school community. In my opinion, Incorporating students’ cultural backgrounds in the classroom can provide an opportunity to encourage students to research and share information about their background, which can contribute to foster a trusting relationship with classmates. In addition, It is an effective way to build a safe and comfortable environment, thus facilitating students’ motivation to learn and participate in class.
Bingtong