The Bilingual Barrier
It's the first week of school. There's a new student in your class and you find out you both speak the same first language. During a group activity, you start talking to them in your language, which offends the other group members. Do you switch back to English?
Preview
It's the first week of school. There's a new student in your class and you find out that you both speak the same first language. During a group activity, you start talking to them in your language to help them feel more comfortable on their first day. You notice your other group members, who only speak English, seem offended. One of them says: "Um, hello? Are you talking about us?" Your teacher walks by just as this happens.
What do you do?
Switch back to English.
Keep using your first language.
Useful Language
Students can access a Useful Language drawer at any time during the activity. The key vocabulary and sentence stems will help your learners express their thoughts and opinions.