The phrase "language barrier" wasn't imagined from
nothing. Language is a type of gate. If we have full use of the language in our
culture, we feel successful; we make friends; we can communicate our needs to
others--our teachers, for one. When a student comes into the classroom,
teachers need to help open the gate by taking the time to see if they are
trapped behind a language barrier.
I am reminded of when I was a tutor at the community college
from which I received my Associates degree. One of the students I was helping struggled
terribly in her English writing course. In order to get to know why this
seemingly bright individual might be having trouble, I decided to ask her about
herself. I discovered that she was a refugee from Afghanistan and had the
equivalent of a doctorate degree in her homeland, but due to the language
barrier, she could not access her knowledge effectively in her new
environment.
The significance of her plight touched a chord that
continues to reverberate through my heart. The ability to communicate opens
doors—and a lack thereof can close and even lock them.
Teachers have the opportunity to help students get the tools they need to
access what they know, enabling students to experience encouragement and
inclusion instead of failure or ostracism because they happen to be on the
other side of the gate at the moment.
I never thought of the barrier being more like a gate. Thought provoking. Found you through Bloggy Moms.
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