January 28th, 2008

When reading this chapter I had a very powerful connection to the section on the “Codes of Power” p. 98.  I was reading about code switching and find that I am often doing this myself.  I grew up VERY southern.  As if my accent isn’t bad enough, I use words like “warsh” instead of “wash”, “orttoo” for “ought to”, and “jeet” for “did you eat”.  I honestly have to watch my speech.  I learned code switching very early in my life.  I had teachers that would constantly correct my language and I finally conformed.  I am thankful that I am able to speak in Standard English but at home my language is very different.  I use my own experience with language in my classroom.  I speak in very clear Standard English as a model for all of my students, especially my ESOL students.  I find that modeling appropriate language helps these students to learn and speak the language themselves more quickly.  I also use some slang with my students to model code switching as Kay Goodloe talked about on p. 99 and they love it.  I think it is important for students to keep their current language, the language they come to school with from home, as well as learn the “correct” way to communicate based on the demands of the society in which these students will inevitably grow up and work in.  To teach my students how to become outstanding citizens means to teach them how to function in society beginning with how they present themselves through language.