Originally uploaded by WolfS?ul
Recently I have been observing a number of K-5 teachers of English language learners doing their practicum in order to get their ELL Endorsement. Part of the Endorsement requirement for ELL is that the instructor is required to demonstrate a respect for each child’s culture. In a bilingual classroom, in which most language learners are Spanish-speaking, there are various, more-or-less obvious ways to support a child’s culture: relevant texts, classroom decorations, films, and whatever creativity an individual teacher may show.
Of course, most classrooms contain mixed students and so culture awareness is more of a challenge. Nevertheless, it is imperative that teachers try to instill cultural pride in each student by finding available materials, studying the customs of a country and making each child feel unique, important, and proud This is a job for the schools and the families because greater society works against cultural pride, and therefore humanity, one of two ways.