Reflecting on Language and Power

Virginia Collier’s Teaching Multilingual Children emphasizes the importance of valuing students’ native languages and cultures in educational settings. Collier argues that an educational environment where English replaces a child’s first language, actually harms academic growth and cultural identity. Instead, she advocates for bilingualism. "The key is the true appreciation of the different linguistic and cultural values that students bring to the classroom" and "appreciating student's different languages and life situations". This concept basically maintains and develops the home language to enhance learning. She highlights that language is inseparable from identity and self-worth.

Lisa Delpit’s The Silenced Dialogue complements Collier’s ideas by highlighting how power dynamics in schools often marginalize students of color and non-mainstream linguistic backgrounds. Delpit argues that teachers must acknowledge and bridge cultural gaps without silencing students’ voices. These connections highlight the urgent need for culturally responsive pedagogy that both honors students’ linguistic heritage and prepares them to navigate dominant discourses. Together, the author's advocate for inclusive practices that affirm rather than erase diversity. I found this article that emphasizes how bilingual education benefits students, check it out here.

In Aria, Richard Rodriguez reflects on his experience of transitioning from his Spanish language at home to English at school. While the English language gave him academic success, it distanced him from his family and cultural roots. Virginia Collier’s article directly challenges this model, advocating instead for bilingualism where both languages are nurtured. I find Collier's ideas to be extremely true in my quest to teach my daughter Cora American Sign Language and spoken English. I truly hope I can find a way to nurture her home ASL language as she grows and enters the school system.

Since learning Cora was profoundly deaf, I began learning the language of ASL and slowly incorporating it into my day to day routine. Cora was only a newborn but as time went on, it became more natural for myself and I could see how receptive she was to my gestures. She started signing at 6 months old and by the time she received cochlear implants at 9 months old, she knew around 60 signs. Her acquisition of ASL continued to develop while she waited for her implants to be activated at 10 months. Her ear's were activated at a very low sound so that it didn't overwhelm her and gave her brain time to recognize the new world around her. Cora can now sign over 150 gestures and uses them in combination such as "where red ball" or "daddy home later". Additionally, her home language of ASL has made her spoken language acquisition easier and faster! Since she already had a foundation of language, she was able to make the connections to spoken language. Cora can speak over 30 words and is actually ahead of her speech and language development for her age. It is remarkable being able to communicate accurately with an 18 month old. I am not only a huge advocate for ASL because it is my community now, but I am a huge advocate for all children. Some kids don't start speaking until after 2 years old and utilizing ASL is so beneficial for giving them autonomy. 

I had totally forgot about the web videos we needed to watch so I thought my blog was finished😆. I'm glad that I had already formulated the connections to the readings with my daughter because watching episodes 1, 2, and 3 of Teaching Bilinguals (Even if You’re Not One) from the CUNY-NYSIEB webseries really resonated with our journey to bilingualism. The series encourages people to reframe how we view emergent bilinguals. They are not students in need of correcting, they are learners with rich linguistic and cultural assets. Episode 1 introduces the term “emergent bilingual” to honor students’ multilingual development. Episode 2 explores how multilingualism enriches classroom learning and how to advocate for these students, while Episode 3 highlights translanguaging as an incredible way to build understanding and identity through the students development of graphic novels.

These episodes deeply resonate with my personal journey and how we are navigating a bilingual path that honors her full communication needs. Like the students in the webseries, she thrives when both of her languages are seen as strengths—not when she is forced to choose one over the other. The series reminds me that all children, including those with disabilities, deserve educational spaces where their languages and identities are affirmed. Translanguaging, whether through ASL and speech or other language combinations, is not just a method, it’s a right and a powerful form of inclusion

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