10:17:50 Hello, everyone, and welcome to our first episode of our podcast, Teachers of the Future.
10:17:55 That show where we explore the evolving world of education with the people shaping it. I'm your host, Joseph, and in today's episode, we're talking about something every future teacher needs to be thinking about from day one.
10:18:08 How do we design classrooms that are responsive to linguistic variation and affirming of linguistic diversity?
10:18:14 But even more importantly, how do we as future teachers actually put this into practice?
10:18:20 Joining me are three incredible future educators who bring experience, insight, and actionable strategies to help to help us make our future classrooms language inclusive spaces, let's meet our guests.
10:18:34 Hi, I'm Gianna and I'm from Mineola, New York, and I attend Adelphi University.
10:18:39 I'm a psychology major, but I'm in the STEP program to become an elementary school teacher. I am Italian and partially speak and understand, but English is my first language.
10:18:50 Hi, my name is William. I'm from Flow Park, New York, and I attend Adelphi University.
10:18:56 I'm a communications major, but I'm in the STEP program to become an elementary school teacher, preferably fourth grade.
10:19:01 I was born in Guatemala and I can understand Spanish But English is my first language.
10:19:10 Hi, I'm Ava. I'm from Bayside, New York, and I attend Adelphi University.
10:19:15 Where I major in exercise science. I'm passionate about exploring how language and culture come together Especially in educational settings.
10:19:25 Awesome. Let's get into it. To begin, allow me to quickly discuss what we will be going over because there's a bit of a mouthful.
10:19:33 So let's break it down. To be responsive to linguistic variation means recognizing that students speak in many different ways through different languages, dialects, and cultural expression.
10:19:44 And that these ways of speaking are legitimate, meaningful, and worthy of inclusion.
10:19:49 And to affirm linguistic diversity mean we're not just putting up with different language styles. We're actively valuing them and how we teach, communicate, and connect with our students.
10:20:00 Why does this matter for us as future teachers? Because language is tied to identity.
10:20:05 If we ignore or try to erase a student's language, we risk erasing a part of who they are So today we're diving into how you Yes, you a future educator can intentionally build classrooms that welcome all voices from day one.
10:20:19 Now that we all have this understanding, we can go back to our main question. How do we design classrooms that are responsive to linguistic variation and affirming of linguistic diversity?
10:20:31 Allow me to begin personally and my future classroom, I will design a learning environment that's responsive to linguistic variation by first making sure all students feel the way they speak.
10:20:43 And the languages or dialects they bring with them are respected and valued.
10:20:47 I want my students to know that their language is not something to fix or hide, but something to be proud of.
10:20:53 I will incorporate books, media, and learning materials that reflect diverse language use And I'll encourage students to share their home languages and ways of speaking during Discussions and assignments.
10:21:07 I'll also use trans language strategies where students can move between English and their home language to make meaning.
10:21:13 Because I believe that honoring their full linguistic range supports deeper learning.
10:21:19 Most of all, I would create a classroom culture where students are never made to feel less than.
10:21:23 Because of how they speak. I want them I want them to see that their voice matters and that their language is a strength, not a barrier.
10:21:32 And that is all for me. Let's shift our focus to the responses of our guest speakers.
10:21:37 I really found what you said interesting, Joseph, and it got me thinking about how I feel about this topic and what I want my learning environment to feel like. When I become a teacher, which is only a few years away now.
10:21:48 I want my classroom environment to be a place where students feel empowered by the language that they speak and the way that they speak it.
10:21:55 I don't want my students to walk into my classroom and feel ashamed of the language that they speak and feel that they need to hide it or create a fake persona for school.
10:22:03 I want to recognize and encourage all forms of languages in my classroom, especially those that carry value, history, and identity.
10:22:11 To me, it will not matter what language they are choosing to speak in. I just want to make it known and that the students understand their voices matter and that their voices are and will be heard.
10:22:20 Our hosts previously mentioned a concept called translanguaging that is allowing students to create conversation using both English and their home language.
10:22:28 I believe that using this concept allows students to write and speak in their own voices. It also allows students to use their full linguistic range to process and and express ideas, especially when it helps them to learn more effectively.
10:22:41 Something else that I will do is give my students the opportunity to share their linguistic and cultural background through assignments and projects. This will give students the opportunity to share not only with their classmates, but me as well where they come from and how their cultural backgrounds make them who they are as an individual.
10:22:58 Something that I have learned over time is that language is something that is deeply personal to individuals and if I want to create a class.
10:23:04 Create an inclusive classroom, I have to treat it that way. So for me, designing a linguistically responsive and affirming learning environment is not just something to consider a teaching strategy. It is something It is a commitment to equity, identity, and belonging.
10:23:18 I honestly completely agree with the both of you. I personally think creating a very inclusive classroom is something that's very important and beneficial to Honestly, just younger children and honestly just at any age I want to touch upon mainly like books and just forms of media that I think can help a lot of the students in any classroom.
10:23:41 I remember always being in elementary school, there would always be like a reading circle Or just like a corner in a classroom where there's like little bookshelves. I honestly think… having a very inclusive classroom starts from very early communication and media, especially in today's day and age, there probably is a lot of iPads in the classroom and laptops, computers, which is nice. But I think getting back to the basics is something that a lot of classrooms need to do.
10:24:07 So definitely in a classroom that I can design for more linguistic you know.
10:24:16 Equality is having that little reading corner for these students to feel more inclusive. You know, they can have it in English, get the same book in Spanish, or honestly just any language that is in the classroom. I think creating this inclusive classroom for uh to encourage all forms of language language.
10:24:37 Is something that is very important and will make all the students feel heard. They can feel like they matter.
10:24:45 I think definitely not stereotyping anybody. Is also something that shouldn't ever be done. And honestly, I think giving background to as to why I would want to create… inclusive classroom. You know, I come from Guatemala. I was born there. I wasn't raised there
10:25:07 But I have been stereotyped into not knowing English. I've been given Spanish packets because just the way I look.
10:25:13 I think that's very demeaning and I truly think that It takes a really good teacher or professor to get to really know a student for them to feel comfortable in the classroom. So definitely, I think those can create a very good inclusive classroom.
10:25:29 Feeding off you guys, which I completely agree with what all of you said, designing classrooms that respect linguistic diversity starts by understanding that language is tied to a student's identity and culture.
10:25:41 Teachers can create more inclusive environments by encouraging students to use their language or dialects that they're comfortable with rather than pushing everyone to speak the same way.
10:25:53 It's also important to train educators to seek linguistic diversity as a strength, not as a barrier or an incorrect way of speaking.
10:26:02 This can include using approaches like translanguaging where students can switch between languages based on what works best for them.
10:26:11 Lastly, involving the families and communities they surround themselves in in the conversation.
10:26:17 Helps ensure that the classroom reflects the important values and languages of the community.
10:26:22 Which can make students feel more seen and valued overall. It's not about creating a safe space It is about creating a safe space where all linguistic backgrounds are respected.
10:26:38 Wow, these were such powerful responses, everyone. It seems that we are almost out of time, so I would like to thank you all so much for being here today. For those of us building our first classrooms, this conversation is gold.
10:26:50 To our listeners, keep this in mind as you step into your new role. Every voice belongs in your classroom.
10:26:56 Every language has a place and you have the power to make sure that's true.
10:27:01 This has been Teachers of the future. Thanks for listening and we will see you next week for more linguistic conversations. Goodbye!