Language = Power

My parents were coffee farmers in Vietnam. To them, graduating from middle school was an unreachable dream. My grandparents did not have that kind of money, to send the kids to school and to feed the family. For both of my parents, they were obligated to drop out of school and started working in the fields to help support the family. They had to accept that responsibility. Though, they know people can not live off just acceptance. Acceptance does not equal food, a career, or an improvement to the community. My parents taught me the concept to accept what you can not change and change what you can not accept. I can not alter my native language and neither can I alter the language of power in America. That, I must accept. Also, I have learned from my parents the power of language. People use English the universal language to communicate, exchange, and prosper. As a minority student, I can learn the language of power to survive. That does not mean Vietnamese language is less important. My parents always say language equals power. If that is true then two times the language equals two times the power.

It would be nice if anyone can comment on my grammar. I would like to know what to improve on.

ThuNguyet Le

Lisa Delpit

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.