Comments on: Bilingual Dilemmas: Negotiating my use of Spanish. http://suzannemateus.com/2008/11/21/bilingual-dilemmasnegotiating-my-use-of-spanish/ "If you really want to hurt me, talk badly about my language." -Gloria Anzaldua Wed, 02 May 2012 17:16:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Cassy http://suzannemateus.com/2008/11/21/bilingual-dilemmasnegotiating-my-use-of-spanish/#comment-20 Sun, 23 Nov 2008 05:21:42 +0000 http://suzanne.mateus.com/2008/11/21/bilingual-dilemmasnegotiating-my-use-of-spanish/#comment-20 Wow, from your first paragraphs here I got the impression you have very negative feelings about the use of Spanish…. period. Why not accept that you are still, and constantly learning to speak the language? Nothing wrong with that. I have spoken so-so Spanish all my life with my parents and English in school, so I’m definitely stronger in English. As a bilingual teacher, there was a lot I learned during the years; my Spanish grew so much, as I was working with Latinos from Dom.Rep., Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, etc. Every year I’ve been teaching, the Latino mix changes. Then, I became close with a colleague from Madrid, and my Spanish grows more and more. It is to me, a matter of pride and a desire to know and learn more. When I converse with her, I too find myself “thinking” about “how” I say things, and I’m proud when I use new vocab. or syntax.

Do you think, and I may be reaching here, that your discomfort or disdain may come across to your students? I feel that language is the big “connector” and I use it to reach those around me. If a colleague, parent, student, stranger at the store – wants to speak in Spanish, I do so as well. No harm in it. Of course, while I teach, I manage my use of both L1 and L2 according to objectives, studdnet need, etc.

Are you being too hard on yourself? Or might you have a distaste for using Spanish? I’m trying to figure you out. :)

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