6/20 Rodriguez, “Aria,” / Collier, “Teaching Multilingual Children," / Teaching Bilinguals Even If You Are Not One!

 What does each text have to offer in thinking about emergent bilingual students?

 

After reading Aria by Richard Rodriguez, I felt really sad for him and his family. As a kid, Richard was caught between two worlds—speaking English at school and Spanish at home. It seemed like he didn’t feel completely comfortable in either place. What hit me the most was how much he loved his home language, Spanish. It was special to him—it made him feel close to his family.

However, after his teachers visited his house and advised his parents to speak more English, everything began to change. His siblings spoke more English, and he began to hear less and less Spanish at home. Even though he was improving his English, he was losing the language that made him feel connected and safe. I really felt for Richard. He was learning and growing, but also losing something that mattered deeply to him.   "My mother! My father! After English became my primary language, I no longer knew what words to use in addressing my parents."  It's like he lost a piece of his old self.  It’s a reminder that learning a new language can sometimes come with a cost, especially when it means leaving behind a part of who you are.

After skimming "Teaching Multilingual Children " by Collier and commenting on Melissa's blog post, I found that the research on teaching multilingual children emphasizes that effective educational strategies can significantly enhance academic achievement, improve performance, foster pride in identity, and elevate self-esteem.

Watching the first five episodes of "Teaching Bilinguals Even If You Are Not One!" really shows that you don’t have to speak another language to support bilingual students. Teachers in New York are making it work in amazing ways!

Episode 1 talks about how bilingualism is a gift—it’s something to be proud of, not something to hide. Episode 2 introduces the idea of emergent bilinguals, where the focus is on using language as a tool and seeing it as something to grow, not just something you either have or don’t. The message is clear: students' home languages should be encouraged and celebrated.

In episodes 3 to 5, students create graphic novels using their home languages, which provides a unique way for them to express themselves. Teachers also learn to connect with students by picking up on things beyond just language, like body language, emotions, and cultural background. Additionally, by fostering relationships with students and their families, particularly immigrant parents, everyone feels more at ease and supported within the school community.

This series is an excellent reminder that you don’t have to be bilingual to make a big difference for bilingual students. It’s all about being open, creative, and supportive.