Week 16 blog

This week's readings address pedagogical decision making within the sociolinguistics contexts of an EIL classroom.  It is important to consider how literature has historically been limited to representing only the dominant cultures.  Also, thinking about the role diglossia, or lack thereof, within that society and what impact is has on education.  It is interesting to me how nations, such as the United States approach bilingual education with an English only attitude.  I strongly believe that all students, not just students from linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds should be exposed to a multicultural eduction. In education systems where multiculturalism and multilingualism is not seen as valuable it is easy to develop students who are extremely ignorant and narrow minded. Many students who grow up in small towns with very little diversity often think that they will not have to deal with diversity or people from diverse backgrounds.  This type of thinking is dangerous because it is often not the case.  For example, if that individual plans on going to college, it is quite possible he or she could end up having a roommate of a diverse background.  Point being, if and when that time comes he or she will not have been exposed to different cultures or languages, which leaves them at a disadvantage.  It is unfortunate that educators part of our educational system in the United States still encourage these kinds of pedagogical practices.