Standard English and Cultural Sensitivity

The discussion of English as a global language and culture in language are two of the main arguments that Kumar talks about in his chapters. There is a huge argument regarding what Standard English is. There are so many regional and international variations of English that it is hard to say what the most “correct” version really is. Many say that Midwestern American English, with no regional accent, and superior education is the most standard variety of English. But doesn’t that devalue all other forms of English spoken throughout the world? Just because other versions aren’t “correct” or “standard” should they be written off as incorrect or uneducated?

In the second chapter of Kumar he goes into the question of culture and how that affects language learning and teaching. One of the most important parts of culture is the language that is associated with each specific culture. Kumar states, “One of the most important aims of culture teaching is to help the learner gain an understanding of the native speaker’s perspective” (268). To understand a culture, one must understand from where the native speakers are coming. Language learners must understand the culture and language about which they are learning. It is so intricate and delicate an issue, understanding culturally appropriate speech and native language culture. How can teachers begin to teach language and NOT bring culture into the classroom in conjunction? It is such an important piece and cannot be ignored.

Finally, Brown talks about socially responsible teaching in his chapter, which ties in with the idea of taking politics and culture into perspective when teaching a language. Teachers need to be agents of change, teaching their students about current events and issues that are going on in their respective countries. If a teacher ignores these issues, it is very difficult for them to teach affectively. Going along with this, they need to be sensitive to all kinds of diversity in the classroom. If they are not aware of this in their teaching, so many important things will be ignored. Teachers need to know their students in every way; otherwise they will not be able to teach them well. Obviously, it can be difficult to maintain a good balance between bringing up issues of diversity too much versus completely ignoring them. How does a good teacher attain this balance in a healthy way that develops their classroom positively?