Lisa Delpit

Question 1

If you are preparing to teach, what are you taking away from Delpit’s article regarding language and power that might help you as a teacher, and how could you apply these ideas to your proposed level of teaching?

I am an English major and I am planning to teach English at the high school level. Lisa Delpit’s article was very insightful and helpful for someone interested in going into education, I think especially in the realm of English. I think the first step to making the classroom a place where everyone can learn, and everyone can work successfully, is simply realizing the influence of the “culture of power” and how it is acted out in the classroom. Being a white, middle class, American, I think that it could be easy to take for granted that I am a part of the “culture of power” and do my minority student a disservice without even realizing it. Becoming aware of the language and “culture of power” is key to then pushing forward and creating working solutions.

Being explicit is another tool that I think is good to employ inside the classroom. As someone who enjoys clear directions as well, I think this is an easy way to begin a better process of communication. I think it is also good to be always open to discussion and to initiate discussion with the student’s parents as authorities on their children and their needs. It is also important to listen to your students. Truly be attentive to what they are saying, and how they are learning and responding.

I think there is a lot of helpful information in the “Silenced Dialogue” but once again I think the change can only come when teachers keep themselves aware and realize that there is a “culture of power.” As a teacher, you cannot remain ignorant simply because you are not affected, but must continually be learning and adjusting to help students to succeed.