I have been working on part two of the big assignment. So far, my favorite part of the assignment has been the audio clips. They have really been good examples of how scary it can be for a non-English speaking student to come to the United States where no one speaks their language. I could imagine that it would be very difficult for me to jump into a new culture and country without knowing the language. I would feel lost and alone.
I am interested by the terms culture split and successful acculturation. A culture split is when the child practices their own culture at home but only practices the American culture when outside of the home. I have seen a child do this while working at my daycare. One day, several of the Chinese students were teaching me some Chinese words. Many of them were eager to teach me because it made them feel proud of their culture. One of the boys however, when asked how to say Don't Cry in Chinese, told me that he's not allowed to speak Chinese at school. He said, "I speak Chinese at home with my dad, but I speak only English here with you." His father didn't want his son speaking any Chinese at school. I'm not sure if this was because of shame or just that his father really wanted him to learn English, but I thought it was sad. Many of the other students at the daycare have successfully blended their own cultures with American culture. I think these children grow up proud of their own culture and American culture. They are proud that they can be a part of both. No child should be ashamed of their culture. Has anyone else had an experience with a child making a culture split?
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3 comments:
Not only children, but everyone should be proud of their culture. It is one characteristic that makes each person unique and special. I have not experienced a culture split to my knowledge, but I think that it is very upsetting that a parent would tell a child that he or she cannot speak their native language outside of the home. At the daycare center in which I work, we proudly label items in each classroom in a variety of languages. For instance, the "table" might have a picture of a table and the word "table" written in English, Chinese or Spanish. I think it is a great way to expose young children to a variety of cultures. I think that it is wonderful to see students speaking more than one languages. It will definitely be beneficial in the work force also. Most jobs would like for their employees to speak multiple languages. I think parents should be proud of their language and use it whenever there is an opportunity. Interesting blog Kristen!!
Wow Kristen, that is pretty sad about that little boy. Usually you hear the opposite that the children go back to speaking their native language right away when you get back home. This young boy seems like he might be conflicted between home & school. He has his parents telling him one thing but maybe he feels pressure to speak Chinese at school because his friends are doing it too. Its great that you recognized his pain and comforted him.
I am proud of my culture and I am bilingual wherever I go. I learned English with pictures and that gave me the chance to learn more and identify each object, which I like to use it with my students.Some of them get mad because I use English and Spanish, but I am teaching Spanish and that is a great way to learn.
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