I have to admit that yes I communicate differently with people of other cultures, especially those who speak a different language. I often find myself speaking slower, drawing pictures with my hands to attempt to assist the other person I am speaking with to better understand. I know from past experience working with families whose primary language was Spanish , however, that they often understand us better than they can communicate with us. Using one of the resources this week, I would like to be more mindful and thus take more time to get to know the background of the family. I also like the idea of 'creating a third culture' which the common ground would be the child in my classroom giving us a 'bridge' between my culture and theirs. Finally, I would like to become more creatively flexible which may be easier said than done. As I continue on this educational journey and this course on communication, my goal is, as is in any other course I have taken, to learn more to become more effective both inside my classroom as well as outside my classroom.
Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Redmond, M. V. (2011). Interpersonal
communication: Relating to others (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn &
Bacon.
Can I ask some of the ways you would be effective outside the classroom?
ReplyDeleteHeidi,
ReplyDeleteI admire your goals! I believe it is imperative we learn about each child and their family so their culture can be properly represented within our classroom. I want each child to be proud of who they are as well as their traditions and beliefs.
Blessings,
Susan
Hi Heidi,
ReplyDeleteI have had to use the Spanish speaking children in my class as a bridge too, to help me understand their culture and communicate better with their parents. I have been very fortunate to have a Hispanic coworker that is in the classroom next door to mine, to explain and translate when needed. Also, she has been teaching me some Spanish too. At times we talk to each other in Spanish and when I do not understand or can not answer all the way in Spanish she helps me by teaching me new words and phrases.
Being apart of building the bridge for us all to walk talk and walk across so we can understand each other is crucial and such a positive experience. It does put us outside of our comfort zones sometimes but just knowing that the desire to learn from and communicate with each other is there make it all possible.
ReplyDelete