Opinión

Current and Future Language Teachers, How about These Discussions?

Compiled by Susy Esther Porras Polo

Lic. en Lenguas Modernas con Énfasis en Inglés y Francés

Some English Advanced II students, guided by professor Pedro Chala, share their opinions regarding nowadays topics that are particularly important for future language teachers. These ideas portray some of the discussions that took place during a class in which notions such as codeswitching, varieties, language, and culture were crucial.

What importance do you find in code-switching?

María José

Loaiza Hernandez

As a language student and future teacher, I find that the importance of codeswitching lies in showing respect for the cultures behind the language we learn and use. It is about adapting to a new vision of life and being flexible because if we stick to using our ways but in other language, we are not truly learning the language. An example is the expression "Ahí está usted pintado", that we tend to translate as "There you are painted" in English. Since we did not code-switch, it does not make sense. Laura Stefania Angulo Benavides

Code-switching is fundamental to be interculturally competent, as language students and future language teachers it is the main mechanism to be used when interacting, to acknowledge the value and the diff erences regarding intangible patterns that are characteristic of a certain culture, distinguishing and demonstrating its social importance and consequently having and promoting an attitude and a behavior in consonance with it.

To what extent do you believe in stereotypes? Juan Esteban Estupiñan Guerrero

Unfortunately, I believe that stereotypes are everywhere. Even if we do not want to have them, it is impossible not to create an image of someone or something that we have no knowledge of, this could happen out of fear, curiosity or just wanting to assume something. However, I think that stereotypes are important since many times it is necessary to face those issues or people to change their thinking to understand that things are not just as they look, but something denser, something to which we defi nitely should be more open without so many prejudices.

How relevant are stereotypes? Laura Bibiana Rojas Gutiérrez

I do believe stereotypes are useful in order to understand the world since it is multidimensional and information can be easily organized with it. However, they can drive us to an extreme, such as being scared of not accomplishing stereotypes or expecting others to accomplish them. The important thing is to be open when getting closer to reality and realizing it is not as we expected.

Julián Chacón García

I believe that stereotypes are a way to lock people in circles and only look at them in terms of nationality, race, or appearance, but never beyond that. Personally, I found this sad and disgusting, and I have been stereotyped. As soon as foreign

people know I am Colombian, they suddenly believe I love reggaeton and I dance very well, which is totally far away from reality.

Education: the tool to break stereotypes

Maria Valentina

Araque Cano

"Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world", said Mandela. This shows how its power can break barriers as language stereotypes. English recovers more strength. Consequently, other languages are displaced. This is worrying because these are victims of stereotypes. However, as future teachers, we can change this since we are the ones who teach a language but also how to include others.

How would be our life if we have never created stereotypes? Laura Manuela Molina Marroquin

Probably, we would not be used to judge people without really knowing them or our perspective of the world would be completely diff erent. I think stereotypes have been in our cultures for a lot of time, so we have prolonged them through the years, but it does not justify the fact that we have normalized them with their usage in our daily life. Let’s try to stop this, starting with each one of us and continuing with the whole world.

What is the importance of intercultural competence?

Ana Sofía Alvarado De la Hoz

When learning a language, you are also getting to know about a whole new culture. Therefore, being respectful and having an open mind is the main key to immerse yourself in the richness of new experiences and enjoy the ride. This intercultural competence helps you not to let stereotypes blind your judgment and to show interest in understanding other cultures while sharing bits of your own.

Sergio Alejandro Rueda Galindo

A language is not just a question of vocabulary and syntax; the social aspect attached to a specifi c language needs to be taken into account when teaching. This aspect is, however, ignored by many teachers for diff erent reasons such as limiting syllabi and wrong notions of language. As future language teachers, we must stop considering language as merely a system of codes.

Erika Sofi a Castillo Muñoz

It is really important for us because we need to be aware of the diff erences between us and how instead of it being a reason to divide us, it should help us build new interconnections. One of the best ways to improve as society is by considering solutions to different issues from diff erent points of view, including the minorities.

Rodrigo Andres Esguerra Leon

Being interculturally competent goes beyond having bragging rights or being smart. It shows that you are invested into getting along, to understand and practice their manners and slang and get the best out of everything. Having this quality represents a token of respect as a citizen of the world who is committed to teaching and learning from the people.

Varieties of a language? World Englishes? Susy Esther Porras Polo

“World Englishes” is one of my favourite concepts because it comprises what languages mean to me. It will always be about the people who use them. Even with an imposed origin, people have adapted and changed languages to make them feel like theirs. That is their history, their process, and nobody else's. Then, by making “English” a plural word, we recognize that there is not a single history or a correct form of the language but people’s experiences and trajectories.

Why to study languages? Laura Isabel Blanco Jimenez

When someone asks me why to study languages, I always think of this common response: It will open doors to your future. But there is something else beyond this answer. The real value and richness about learning a language is when you come to realize that the same language is spoken by different communities that do not necessarily share the same culture or territory, and that have used and transformed the language to codify their identity.