Mixing
A student keeps using a native language while asking questions in the class when the course is taught in English
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I am assisting a statistics course in an University, and my main job for the course is conducting problem solving sessions. The course is taught in English, and students interact with me in English. However, there is one particular student who keeps using the native language. Whenever he does that, I reply in English, hoping that he would start using English. But he doesn't.
I am sure that everybody does understand what he says because all the students are from the same part of the country. But I find it quite awkward. On the other hand, I feel that if I request him to use English, he might take it offensively. Or he might not be able to express what he wants to say clearly. Should I simply ignore this particular case and move on? Or should I tell him somehow? If yes, what is the best way to convey this?
students language lecture-teaching-method
edited 39 mins ago
Brian Tompsett - 汤莱æ©
8,49232944
asked 3 hours ago
Peaceful
5641412
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I am assisting a statistics course in an University, and my main job for the course is conducting problem solving sessions. The course is taught in English, and students interact with me in English. However, there is one particular student who keeps using the native language. Whenever he does that, I reply in English, hoping that he would start using English. But he doesn't.
I am sure that everybody does understand what he says because all the students are from the same part of the country. But I find it quite awkward. On the other hand, I feel that if I request him to use English, he might take it offensively. Or he might not be able to express what he wants to say clearly. Should I simply ignore this particular case and move on? Or should I tell him somehow? If yes, what is the best way to convey this?
students language lecture-teaching-method
edited 39 mins ago
Brian Tompsett - 汤莱æ©
8,49232944
asked 3 hours ago
Peaceful
5641412
I used to be a student in a very similar situation. As I remember, the professor simply interrupted the question with the phrase: "In english please". Maybe the student does not have enough confidence to speak in english, otherwise, ignoring such a request seem to be highly disrespectful and you should not worry about being assertive with him.
– BalazsToth
3 hours ago
2
The student has no right to be offended by requiring him to fulfill the course requirements - if the course is officially listed as being taught in English/its working language is English. In such a case I would just act dumb: the student asks a question in the native language, I respond in English "sorry, I do not understand". The purpose of teaching a course in a foreign language is for the students to gain practice and confidence. If the student thinks his English is not so good - that's the reason he should be practicing it. Of course, throwing in a few words for clarity would be ok imho.
– corey979
2 hours ago
Do you see communication of course material in English as an important part of the course (even if it isn't the primary purpose)? That is, is there some reason this course is taught in English, perhaps because it is intended to prepare students to be able to more easily interpret publications that tend to be in English as a lingua franca?
– Bryan Krause
16 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
I am assisting a statistics course in an University, and my main job for the course is conducting problem solving sessions. The course is taught in English, and students interact with me in English. However, there is one particular student who keeps using the native language. Whenever he does that, I reply in English, hoping that he would start using English. But he doesn't.
I am sure that everybody does understand what he says because all the students are from the same part of the country. But I find it quite awkward. On the other hand, I feel that if I request him to use English, he might take it offensively. Or he might not be able to express what he wants to say clearly. Should I simply ignore this particular case and move on? Or should I tell him somehow? If yes, what is the best way to convey this?
students language lecture-teaching-method
edited 39 mins ago
Brian Tompsett - 汤莱æ©
8,49232944
asked 3 hours ago
Peaceful
5641412
I am assisting a statistics course in an University, and my main job for the course is conducting problem solving sessions. The course is taught in English, and students interact with me in English. However, there is one particular student who keeps using the native language. Whenever he does that, I reply in English, hoping that he would start using English. But he doesn't.
I am sure that everybody does understand what he says because all the students are from the same part of the country. But I find it quite awkward. On the other hand, I feel that if I request him to use English, he might take it offensively. Or he might not be able to express what he wants to say clearly. Should I simply ignore this particular case and move on? Or should I tell him somehow? If yes, what is the best way to convey this?
students language lecture-teaching-method
students language lecture-teaching-method
edited 39 mins ago
Brian Tompsett - 汤莱æ©
8,49232944
asked 3 hours ago
Peaceful
5641412
edited 39 mins ago
Brian Tompsett - 汤莱æ©
8,49232944
asked 3 hours ago
Peaceful
5641412
edited 39 mins ago
Brian Tompsett - 汤莱æ©
8,49232944
edited 39 mins ago
Brian Tompsett - 汤莱æ©
8,49232944
edited 39 mins ago
Brian Tompsett - 汤莱æ©
8,49232944
8,49232944
asked 3 hours ago
Peaceful
5641412
asked 3 hours ago
Peaceful
5641412
asked 3 hours ago
Peaceful
5641412
5641412
I used to be a student in a very similar situation. As I remember, the professor simply interrupted the question with the phrase: "In english please". Maybe the student does not have enough confidence to speak in english, otherwise, ignoring such a request seem to be highly disrespectful and you should not worry about being assertive with him.
– BalazsToth
3 hours ago
2
The student has no right to be offended by requiring him to fulfill the course requirements - if the course is officially listed as being taught in English/its working language is English. In such a case I would just act dumb: the student asks a question in the native language, I respond in English "sorry, I do not understand". The purpose of teaching a course in a foreign language is for the students to gain practice and confidence. If the student thinks his English is not so good - that's the reason he should be practicing it. Of course, throwing in a few words for clarity would be ok imho.
– corey979
2 hours ago
Do you see communication of course material in English as an important part of the course (even if it isn't the primary purpose)? That is, is there some reason this course is taught in English, perhaps because it is intended to prepare students to be able to more easily interpret publications that tend to be in English as a lingua franca?
– Bryan Krause
16 mins ago
add a comment |Â
I used to be a student in a very similar situation. As I remember, the professor simply interrupted the question with the phrase: "In english please". Maybe the student does not have enough confidence to speak in english, otherwise, ignoring such a request seem to be highly disrespectful and you should not worry about being assertive with him.
– BalazsToth
3 hours ago
2
The student has no right to be offended by requiring him to fulfill the course requirements - if the course is officially listed as being taught in English/its working language is English. In such a case I would just act dumb: the student asks a question in the native language, I respond in English "sorry, I do not understand". The purpose of teaching a course in a foreign language is for the students to gain practice and confidence. If the student thinks his English is not so good - that's the reason he should be practicing it. Of course, throwing in a few words for clarity would be ok imho.
– corey979
2 hours ago
Do you see communication of course material in English as an important part of the course (even if it isn't the primary purpose)? That is, is there some reason this course is taught in English, perhaps because it is intended to prepare students to be able to more easily interpret publications that tend to be in English as a lingua franca?
– Bryan Krause
16 mins ago
I used to be a student in a very similar situation. As I remember, the professor simply interrupted the question with the phrase: "In english please". Maybe the student does not have enough confidence to speak in english, otherwise, ignoring such a request seem to be highly disrespectful and you should not worry about being assertive with him.
– BalazsToth
3 hours ago
I used to be a student in a very similar situation. As I remember, the professor simply interrupted the question with the phrase: "In english please". Maybe the student does not have enough confidence to speak in english, otherwise, ignoring such a request seem to be highly disrespectful and you should not worry about being assertive with him.
– BalazsToth
3 hours ago
2
2
The student has no right to be offended by requiring him to fulfill the course requirements - if the course is officially listed as being taught in English/its working language is English. In such a case I would just act dumb: the student asks a question in the native language, I respond in English "sorry, I do not understand". The purpose of teaching a course in a foreign language is for the students to gain practice and confidence. If the student thinks his English is not so good - that's the reason he should be practicing it. Of course, throwing in a few words for clarity would be ok imho.
– corey979
2 hours ago
The student has no right to be offended by requiring him to fulfill the course requirements - if the course is officially listed as being taught in English/its working language is English. In such a case I would just act dumb: the student asks a question in the native language, I respond in English "sorry, I do not understand". The purpose of teaching a course in a foreign language is for the students to gain practice and confidence. If the student thinks his English is not so good - that's the reason he should be practicing it. Of course, throwing in a few words for clarity would be ok imho.
– corey979
2 hours ago
Do you see communication of course material in English as an important part of the course (even if it isn't the primary purpose)? That is, is there some reason this course is taught in English, perhaps because it is intended to prepare students to be able to more easily interpret publications that tend to be in English as a lingua franca?
– Bryan Krause
16 mins ago
Do you see communication of course material in English as an important part of the course (even if it isn't the primary purpose)? That is, is there some reason this course is taught in English, perhaps because it is intended to prepare students to be able to more easily interpret publications that tend to be in English as a lingua franca?
– Bryan Krause
16 mins ago
add a comment |Â
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
My french professor was very clear : ask in French.. if you asked in English she did not hear...
But if you asked in French about how x compared to y then both languages were acceptable...
answered 1 hour ago
Solar Mike
9,65432042
Very early in my first college French class (more accurately, my first attempt at it), this being a class for those who had French in high school but did not place out of the university wide "high school language proficiency test", one of the first phrases I learned was "je ne sais pas".
– Dave L Renfro
1 hour ago
My French improved dramatically when I did my D.U.T Diplome Universitaire Technique... had no choice :)
– Solar Mike
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
I am assuming that learning how to discuss statistics in English is not specifically part of the course syllabus. If it is, you should simply tell the student to speak English.
If the students' questions are otherwise good, assume the best - that the student simply does not feel confident asking in English.
I have had similar situations in courses before. My approach has been to tell the students that I prefer that they ask questions in the language the course is given, but if they cannot, just ask in another language I can understand, and I will translate the question and answer in English.
answered 32 mins ago
nabla
3,8871928
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
My suggestion is that you either let it go, if everyone understands, or that you explore the situation with the student during office hours. Perhaps it is just easier for this student to say subtle things as needed in his/her native language than in English. It is fine if you make an explicit request, but be prepared to yield if the student has good reasons.
It is fine that you continue to reply in English, but it wouldn't be fine if you somehow embarrass the student about language use.
Be thankful, actually, that the student is willing to participate and ask questions no matter the language. Too many students leave questions unasked when other students have the same questions but also don't ask them. That makes education less efficient.
If this is the US, by the way, we are a multilingual country already, in spite of what some "nativists" want you to believe and want to impose on you and I.
Of course the answer would be different if this were a language course, rather than statistics.
answered 1 hour ago
Buffy
24.5k678135
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
If you want a non-confrontation approach, simply repeat the question in English before answering it.
Hearing the translation may help the student in question see how to phrase their questions in English. It also give a polite hint that the question should have been asked in English.
answered 15 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.1k94070
add a comment |Â
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
My french professor was very clear : ask in French.. if you asked in English she did not hear...
But if you asked in French about how x compared to y then both languages were acceptable...
answered 1 hour ago
Solar Mike
9,65432042
Very early in my first college French class (more accurately, my first attempt at it), this being a class for those who had French in high school but did not place out of the university wide "high school language proficiency test", one of the first phrases I learned was "je ne sais pas".
– Dave L Renfro
1 hour ago
My French improved dramatically when I did my D.U.T Diplome Universitaire Technique... had no choice :)
– Solar Mike
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
My french professor was very clear : ask in French.. if you asked in English she did not hear...
But if you asked in French about how x compared to y then both languages were acceptable...
answered 1 hour ago
Solar Mike
9,65432042
Very early in my first college French class (more accurately, my first attempt at it), this being a class for those who had French in high school but did not place out of the university wide "high school language proficiency test", one of the first phrases I learned was "je ne sais pas".
– Dave L Renfro
1 hour ago
My French improved dramatically when I did my D.U.T Diplome Universitaire Technique... had no choice :)
– Solar Mike
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
My french professor was very clear : ask in French.. if you asked in English she did not hear...
But if you asked in French about how x compared to y then both languages were acceptable...
answered 1 hour ago
Solar Mike
9,65432042
My french professor was very clear : ask in French.. if you asked in English she did not hear...
But if you asked in French about how x compared to y then both languages were acceptable...
answered 1 hour ago
Solar Mike
9,65432042
answered 1 hour ago
Solar Mike
9,65432042
answered 1 hour ago
Solar Mike
9,65432042
answered 1 hour ago
Solar Mike
9,65432042
9,65432042
Very early in my first college French class (more accurately, my first attempt at it), this being a class for those who had French in high school but did not place out of the university wide "high school language proficiency test", one of the first phrases I learned was "je ne sais pas".
– Dave L Renfro
1 hour ago
My French improved dramatically when I did my D.U.T Diplome Universitaire Technique... had no choice :)
– Solar Mike
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
Very early in my first college French class (more accurately, my first attempt at it), this being a class for those who had French in high school but did not place out of the university wide "high school language proficiency test", one of the first phrases I learned was "je ne sais pas".
– Dave L Renfro
1 hour ago
My French improved dramatically when I did my D.U.T Diplome Universitaire Technique... had no choice :)
– Solar Mike
1 hour ago
Very early in my first college French class (more accurately, my first attempt at it), this being a class for those who had French in high school but did not place out of the university wide "high school language proficiency test", one of the first phrases I learned was "je ne sais pas".
– Dave L Renfro
1 hour ago
Very early in my first college French class (more accurately, my first attempt at it), this being a class for those who had French in high school but did not place out of the university wide "high school language proficiency test", one of the first phrases I learned was "je ne sais pas".
– Dave L Renfro
1 hour ago
My French improved dramatically when I did my D.U.T Diplome Universitaire Technique... had no choice :)
– Solar Mike
1 hour ago
My French improved dramatically when I did my D.U.T Diplome Universitaire Technique... had no choice :)
– Solar Mike
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
I am assuming that learning how to discuss statistics in English is not specifically part of the course syllabus. If it is, you should simply tell the student to speak English.
If the students' questions are otherwise good, assume the best - that the student simply does not feel confident asking in English.
I have had similar situations in courses before. My approach has been to tell the students that I prefer that they ask questions in the language the course is given, but if they cannot, just ask in another language I can understand, and I will translate the question and answer in English.
answered 32 mins ago
nabla
3,8871928
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
I am assuming that learning how to discuss statistics in English is not specifically part of the course syllabus. If it is, you should simply tell the student to speak English.
If the students' questions are otherwise good, assume the best - that the student simply does not feel confident asking in English.
I have had similar situations in courses before. My approach has been to tell the students that I prefer that they ask questions in the language the course is given, but if they cannot, just ask in another language I can understand, and I will translate the question and answer in English.
answered 32 mins ago
nabla
3,8871928
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
I am assuming that learning how to discuss statistics in English is not specifically part of the course syllabus. If it is, you should simply tell the student to speak English.
If the students' questions are otherwise good, assume the best - that the student simply does not feel confident asking in English.
I have had similar situations in courses before. My approach has been to tell the students that I prefer that they ask questions in the language the course is given, but if they cannot, just ask in another language I can understand, and I will translate the question and answer in English.
answered 32 mins ago
nabla
3,8871928
I am assuming that learning how to discuss statistics in English is not specifically part of the course syllabus. If it is, you should simply tell the student to speak English.
If the students' questions are otherwise good, assume the best - that the student simply does not feel confident asking in English.
I have had similar situations in courses before. My approach has been to tell the students that I prefer that they ask questions in the language the course is given, but if they cannot, just ask in another language I can understand, and I will translate the question and answer in English.
answered 32 mins ago
nabla
3,8871928
answered 32 mins ago
nabla
3,8871928
answered 32 mins ago
nabla
3,8871928
answered 32 mins ago
nabla
3,8871928
3,8871928
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
My suggestion is that you either let it go, if everyone understands, or that you explore the situation with the student during office hours. Perhaps it is just easier for this student to say subtle things as needed in his/her native language than in English. It is fine if you make an explicit request, but be prepared to yield if the student has good reasons.
It is fine that you continue to reply in English, but it wouldn't be fine if you somehow embarrass the student about language use.
Be thankful, actually, that the student is willing to participate and ask questions no matter the language. Too many students leave questions unasked when other students have the same questions but also don't ask them. That makes education less efficient.
If this is the US, by the way, we are a multilingual country already, in spite of what some "nativists" want you to believe and want to impose on you and I.
Of course the answer would be different if this were a language course, rather than statistics.
answered 1 hour ago
Buffy
24.5k678135
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
My suggestion is that you either let it go, if everyone understands, or that you explore the situation with the student during office hours. Perhaps it is just easier for this student to say subtle things as needed in his/her native language than in English. It is fine if you make an explicit request, but be prepared to yield if the student has good reasons.
It is fine that you continue to reply in English, but it wouldn't be fine if you somehow embarrass the student about language use.
Be thankful, actually, that the student is willing to participate and ask questions no matter the language. Too many students leave questions unasked when other students have the same questions but also don't ask them. That makes education less efficient.
If this is the US, by the way, we are a multilingual country already, in spite of what some "nativists" want you to believe and want to impose on you and I.
Of course the answer would be different if this were a language course, rather than statistics.
answered 1 hour ago
Buffy
24.5k678135
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
My suggestion is that you either let it go, if everyone understands, or that you explore the situation with the student during office hours. Perhaps it is just easier for this student to say subtle things as needed in his/her native language than in English. It is fine if you make an explicit request, but be prepared to yield if the student has good reasons.
It is fine that you continue to reply in English, but it wouldn't be fine if you somehow embarrass the student about language use.
Be thankful, actually, that the student is willing to participate and ask questions no matter the language. Too many students leave questions unasked when other students have the same questions but also don't ask them. That makes education less efficient.
If this is the US, by the way, we are a multilingual country already, in spite of what some "nativists" want you to believe and want to impose on you and I.
Of course the answer would be different if this were a language course, rather than statistics.
answered 1 hour ago
Buffy
24.5k678135
My suggestion is that you either let it go, if everyone understands, or that you explore the situation with the student during office hours. Perhaps it is just easier for this student to say subtle things as needed in his/her native language than in English. It is fine if you make an explicit request, but be prepared to yield if the student has good reasons.
It is fine that you continue to reply in English, but it wouldn't be fine if you somehow embarrass the student about language use.
Be thankful, actually, that the student is willing to participate and ask questions no matter the language. Too many students leave questions unasked when other students have the same questions but also don't ask them. That makes education less efficient.
If this is the US, by the way, we are a multilingual country already, in spite of what some "nativists" want you to believe and want to impose on you and I.
Of course the answer would be different if this were a language course, rather than statistics.
answered 1 hour ago
Buffy
24.5k678135
answered 1 hour ago
Buffy
24.5k678135
answered 1 hour ago
Buffy
24.5k678135
answered 1 hour ago
Buffy
24.5k678135
24.5k678135
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
If you want a non-confrontation approach, simply repeat the question in English before answering it.
Hearing the translation may help the student in question see how to phrase their questions in English. It also give a polite hint that the question should have been asked in English.
answered 15 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.1k94070
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
If you want a non-confrontation approach, simply repeat the question in English before answering it.
Hearing the translation may help the student in question see how to phrase their questions in English. It also give a polite hint that the question should have been asked in English.
answered 15 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.1k94070
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
If you want a non-confrontation approach, simply repeat the question in English before answering it.
Hearing the translation may help the student in question see how to phrase their questions in English. It also give a polite hint that the question should have been asked in English.
answered 15 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.1k94070
If you want a non-confrontation approach, simply repeat the question in English before answering it.
Hearing the translation may help the student in question see how to phrase their questions in English. It also give a polite hint that the question should have been asked in English.
answered 15 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.1k94070
answered 15 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.1k94070
answered 15 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.1k94070
answered 15 mins ago
Patricia Shanahan
24.1k94070
24.1k94070
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2facademia.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f118921%2fa-student-keeps-using-a-native-language-while-asking-questions-in-the-class-when%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
I used to be a student in a very similar situation. As I remember, the professor simply interrupted the question with the phrase: "In english please". Maybe the student does not have enough confidence to speak in english, otherwise, ignoring such a request seem to be highly disrespectful and you should not worry about being assertive with him.
– BalazsToth
3 hours ago
2
The student has no right to be offended by requiring him to fulfill the course requirements - if the course is officially listed as being taught in English/its working language is English. In such a case I would just act dumb: the student asks a question in the native language, I respond in English "sorry, I do not understand". The purpose of teaching a course in a foreign language is for the students to gain practice and confidence. If the student thinks his English is not so good - that's the reason he should be practicing it. Of course, throwing in a few words for clarity would be ok imho.
– corey979
2 hours ago
Do you see communication of course material in English as an important part of the course (even if it isn't the primary purpose)? That is, is there some reason this course is taught in English, perhaps because it is intended to prepare students to be able to more easily interpret publications that tend to be in English as a lingua franca?
– Bryan Krause
16 mins ago