Blog 4 - In Response to Hall

Chapter six in Hall was really interesting this week. Hall describes how language and culture are usually taught as separate entities within the classroom. This presents a problem because it almost erases the student's identity. The student came into the class holding a particular identity of which culture was a major part. Yet, usually what happens within the classroom, is the teacher becomes so focused on having the student learn English or following the standards, that the student's culture and identity are pushed back. Hall explains that this then creates a crisis; the student is no longer allowed to be himself. The student is forced to conform.

Hall produces an alternative to this crisis. Incorporating the student's culture and language within the classroom. Allow the student to have a more active role within the curriculum. Use the student's background and history to influence the atmosphere of the classroom. In this manner, the student is given the freedom to keep his identity. The student is allowed to use his new knolwedge to change and influence his identity, while not completely erasing it.

I conncected this article with Bonny Norton's piece that we read the other week about allowing the student's culture to become an important part within the classroom (and not just because Hall mentioned Norton in the chapter). I believe it is vitally important to connect language and culture within the classroom and curriculum. Make the information relevant to the student and the student will be able to connect more with the material and will want to learn. I believe this works with any classroom, not just a TESOL class. Any student will connect more with the material if it is made relatable to the student. Now, I understand that this is not always applicable, but any way that the teacher can draw the student in is helpful and imporatant. It gives the student more power and feel less like and "alien" within a different country.

I think of all the chapters we have read in Hall so far, I enjoyed this one the most. I felt like I was really able to connect with the information and feel that it will help me a lot within my own classroom, regardless of the content area.