Blog Post #2

          In the next part of the book, Delpit discusses language diversity.  She explains how many students have a different oral code that is familiar to them.  A lot of students may speak English as their second language, and their primary language may be something different.  Some students may speak English, but a different form, such as Black English.  Teachers need to be aware that not every student is going to speak perfect Standard English, and they need to be respectful of others’ language.  Teachers should not look at the oral code as wrong, but instead just a different way of using language. 

          Delpit talks about how to handle language diversity in the classroom.  One of the main things she talks about is not trying to replace the language, but embrace the difference.  Language is very important to people because it is personal, and it defines a person.  A person’s way of language is usually carried through generations in their family, and is spoken with family and friends.  Teachers should not see this as a negative thing, but instead show them Standard English as another option. 

          In my third grade placement, there were a lot of students who spoke Arabic.  For these students, English was their second language, and their parents spoke predominantly Arabic at home.  My teacher did not try to make English the only language that was acceptable, but instead modeled correct Standard English so the students could learn both languages.  The students were learning and practicing Arabic at home and English at school.  I think it is very important, as teachers, to model correct English for our students, and to give them another way of language that they can speak.