Hello Mikal and all,

I think the question arises as to what we mean by "using" a language.  One can use a language by interacting in the language.  By the same token, one can also use a language by making it the object of comparing and contrasting languages being used, whether structurally or semantically (I suppose this falls into the terrain of metalinguistics).

I've also worked and continue to work with multilingual classes. A manner in which one can acknowledge and accommodate the variety of languages not shared by all learners is to make facets of each one the object of instruction for the benefit of all.  Essentially, this is a "two-way bilingual" approach in full bloom.

Part and parcel of multicultural and multilinguistic societies is that there are times when we some do simply not understand others.  I often do not understand others even when we are interacting in the same language!  The key, I believe, is seeking clarification (by some called strategic competetence, which is not, in my opinion, an occasional effort, but key in language development), drawing attention to the language groups present, and implementing cooperative learning strategies wherein groups are stratified at times so as to have individuals from different language groups purposefully interact.

For me, as I have previously noted, the bottom line is that the greatest disservice we can provide, metaphorically speaking, is to deprive everyone of healthcare just because not everyone has access to it.

Finally, should not classrooms mimic the prevailing characteristics of their surrounding communities and their inhabitants?  

Michael


 
Michael A. Gyori 
Maui International Language School 
www.mauilanguage.com




________________________________
From: Steinbacher Mikal <Mikal.Steinbacher at lwtc.edu>
To: The Adult English Language Acquisition Discussion List <englishlanguage at nifl.gov>
Sent: Wed, October 7, 2009 10:34:17 AM
Subject: [EnglishLanguage 5050] Re: Can using the L1 be rude?

Micheal, 

I rarely teach low level classes, so my students usually have enough English to speak only English in the classroom, so this is generally not a problem for me.  However, most of my classes have students with at least 6 or 7 L1s, ( I've had as many as 17!)so working with a class like you describe would be nearly impossible in most schools in the Pacific Northwest.  

Given the world I teach in, I agree with Rosemary that teachers using one L1 in the classroom is rude, unless it is only for clarification or short explanation. Any lesson information should be in English only unless you can translate it for all languages represented in the the classroom.

Regardless of the "community" you build in the classroom, I think a consistent focus on one L1 would have a negative impact on those with a different L1.


Mikal Steinbacher
Instructor, ABE/ESL/English
Lake Washington Technical College


      
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