User:Maritzagmz

Code Switching in Education

Code switching in the classroom can be challenging because it's not just about translating words from one language to another but also about adapting to a different set of cultural norms. Plurals, procession, or verb agreement are things that schools implement onto children but one has to understand how difficult it can be for students to learn an entire language where there are different rules. In an article written by Henry Lawert, he emphasizes how “an effective knowledge of English is not as universal as many of us would like to believe.” Schools are prepared to teach children but what happens when the child isn't prepared because English isn’t their primary language or they are not yet confident in considering themselves fluent. From speaking Spanish at home to coming back to school, having to speak English can be challenging and confusing. When switching languages, it can become difficult for a child to understand what is going on in the classroom and might be at a different pace than other students. Teachers start to label children as “inadequate” or “behind.” As a result, children start feeling resentment towards their own culture and begin to think their native language is inferior or invalided.