Blog#8- Language, Accents, and Teaching: What I Believe
This week’s reading was Aria by Rodriguez, and it reminded me that language isn’t just about speaking perfectly, it’s about being able to communicate. As a future teacher, I want to create a space where students feel confident speaking and are proud of their accents, and know it’s okay to make mistakes while learning and I choose these quotes that I think reflect that.
1. "Language is not just about sounds; it is about meaning and communication."
I chose this quote because it reminds me that speaking a language is more than just pronouncing words correctly, it’s about expressing ideas freely. I’ve have always struggled with speaking up in class, with friends pretty much anyplace were I’m required to speak in English, worrying that my words won’t come out right or that I won’t find the words or not having the vocabulary to say something like I intend to say it and because of my experience I believed students should only have to focus on making themselves understood rather than aiming for a “perfect" speech.
2. "The way we pronounce words shapes how others perceive us."
This quote stood out because I’ve felt this personally. Sometimes, people make assumptions based on accents and most of the time those assumptions are harmful to the individual and even come with harmful, and that can make language learners feel self-conscious and by experience I know how harmful to ourselves that is because we start to judge ourselves and think that everyone else will do the same when that’s not the case. I know what it feels to be embarrassed of having an accent and that’s why I now believe accents are something to be proud of because they tell a story of where we come from and the effort, we’ve put into learning a new language. In my future classroom, I want students to feel safe practicing without fear of judgment.
3. "A good teacher understands the struggles of learning a new sound system and provides patience and encouragement."
This one really hit me because I know what it’s like to hesitate before speaking, afraid of making mistakes. I want to be the kind of teacher who reassures students that it’s okay to struggle, that progress matters more than perfection that their efforts aren’t in vain, and they can speak without worrying about the judgment 24/7. I know from experience some sounds will be harder than others, and that’s normal. What’s important is that students feel supported, not discouraged.
1. "Language is not just about sounds; it is about meaning and communication."
I chose this quote because it reminds me that speaking a language is more than just pronouncing words correctly, it’s about expressing ideas freely. I’ve have always struggled with speaking up in class, with friends pretty much anyplace were I’m required to speak in English, worrying that my words won’t come out right or that I won’t find the words or not having the vocabulary to say something like I intend to say it and because of my experience I believed students should only have to focus on making themselves understood rather than aiming for a “perfect" speech.
2. "The way we pronounce words shapes how others perceive us."
This quote stood out because I’ve felt this personally. Sometimes, people make assumptions based on accents and most of the time those assumptions are harmful to the individual and even come with harmful, and that can make language learners feel self-conscious and by experience I know how harmful to ourselves that is because we start to judge ourselves and think that everyone else will do the same when that’s not the case. I know what it feels to be embarrassed of having an accent and that’s why I now believe accents are something to be proud of because they tell a story of where we come from and the effort, we’ve put into learning a new language. In my future classroom, I want students to feel safe practicing without fear of judgment.
3. "A good teacher understands the struggles of learning a new sound system and provides patience and encouragement."
This one really hit me because I know what it’s like to hesitate before speaking, afraid of making mistakes. I want to be the kind of teacher who reassures students that it’s okay to struggle, that progress matters more than perfection that their efforts aren’t in vain, and they can speak without worrying about the judgment 24/7. I know from experience some sounds will be harder than others, and that’s normal. What’s important is that students feel supported, not discouraged.
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Hey, I agree with you that as a future teacher I also want to create a space where students are confident with who they are and comfortable speaking no matter the language. I really like the quotes that you picked from the reading. I think tat all three of these quotes are important. I think that you having your own experience will help you be a great teacher and a relatable teacher with your students. Thank you for also sharing your personal experience.
ReplyDeleteHey, I really loved how you brought your personal experiences into your reflection—it makes your future teaching goals feel so authentic and heartfelt. Your focus on communication over perfection is such a powerful reminder that language learning is about connection, not just correctness. I also appreciate how you emphasized the importance of embracing accents rather than hiding them. That message is so important for students to hear, especially from a teacher who truly understands what they’re going through. Your classroom is going to be such a welcoming and empowering space!
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