Power of Language

Power of Language

Crystal Lecea

Los Angeles Pacific University

 Power of Language

Language is an essential part of everyday life. Each person needs language,

whether written or spoken, to be able to communicate their thoughts with others and to

demonstrate concepts that they have learned. Since language is essential, it is important for

students to vigorously study language and literacy skills in order to prepare to be successful

citizens in the 21​st​ century. There are many academic demands that are placed on students today.

These demands help to shape students into productive members of society when they are grown.

Teachers are placed with the important responsibility of helping students to develop a strong

foundation of language and literacy. It is a teacher’s moral imperative to nurture a lifelong love

of reading and to build confidence in literacy through positive interactions with their students,

creating lessons that are individualized for the success of specific types of learners, and by

ensuring that there are equal opportunities and resources for learning for each and every student.

I plan to implement these strategies for language and literacy success in my role as a future

classroom teacher because I have a passion for helping students.

The first step in teaching students to have a lifelong love of reading and build confidence

in literacy is to be an enthusiastic teacher who also has a passion for learning and teaching. A

teacher is well versed in these subjects and strives to make learning fun for the students. This can

happen when teachers use topics like student’s favorite characters or activities that children love

to make them interested in reading more or to extend their writing skills by writing about topics

that they love. Creating themed days that are dedicated to learning language, but surround the
 Power of Language

topics that children love, are also good ways to show the teachers enthusiasm for learning and

that he or she cares about the students. A teachers warm and friendly attitude and inviting

classroom environment can also motivate children to learn language and feel more comfortable

with literacy activities. Most teachers want to teach because they want to help others as Carolyn

Crippen Ph.D. (2010) says in the journal “Serve, Teach, and Lead: It’s All about Relationships,”

in which she references author Robert Greenleaf that believed “in order for one to lead, one first

had to want to serve others, not for profit or gain of any sort, but simply because one wanted to

do so… [and] that teachers often fall into this category of serving, leading, and following.” This

statement is true of most teachers, they love learning and have a desire to share this knowledge

by serving their students and being a part of their student’s success. Great teachers will go above

and beyond to find ways to serve their students by sparking their interests in order to produce

positive learning outcomes.

Another very important aspect of teaching children about language and literacy is

creating lessons for all types of learners. In each classroom there are no two students who learn

quite the same, so it is important for teachers to take that into consideration when planning these

lessons. In the book, ​Celebrating Every Learner: Activities and Strategies for Creating a

Multiple Intelligences Classroom​” by Thomas Hoerr (2010), Howard Gardner says that “teachers

and staff take individual differences seriously; important lessons are conveyed in various ways”

(p. XIV). Considering the multiple intelligences that students have and the different ways in

which they learn is an important part of the successful learning process for students. Language

and literacy can be taught in small groups, through audio-visual learning resources, with the use

of hands-on activities, or with one-to-one individual time with students. Many of these options
 Power of Language

build a student’s confidence of language since they will be speaking to their group members and

will also strengthen their literacy as they read and learn these concepts in creative ways.

Language is powerful, but in order to use language effectively and reap the benefits of

being literate students need basic resources and equal opportunities to be successful with

language. Students are more likely to learn when their basic needs are met, and they can focus on

learning. In the article by Bob Lenz and John Larmer (2018) titled “Students’ Basic Needs Must

be Met Before they can Learn Deeply” the authors state that​ ​“students have the moral right to be

provided with an education that prepares them for their futures,” but before this can happen their

basic needs of food, safety, and emotional security need to be met in order for them to devote

themselves to their studies. Teachers are not obligated to provide these things for students, but if

a teacher notices that a student has a need that must be met, he or she can direct families to

school provided resources. The teacher can also teach the student how to use language and

literacy to advocate for themselves and their rights or needs. We also now live in a time where

students use technology as a part of their learning. Students can play academic games with the

use of laptops, but more importantly attain academic help and connect with teachers to optimize

their learning experience. According to Soren Riis (2017) in “​ICT Literacy: An Imperative of the

Twenty-First Century”​ technology​ “’can contribute to universal access to education, equity in

education, the delivery of quality learning and teaching.’” With all the benefits that technology

has to offer, teachers can also advocate for their students to have access to items like laptops,

WiFi hotspots, and other items like books and supplies that would help them be successful

learners. Teaching students to use language to help themselves succeed is a part of effectively

teaching literacy.
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I strongly resonate with the moral imperative of teachers to teach students about language

and literacy. I have the desire to help shape young minds and prepare them academically for

future success. I believe that it is a spiritual calling to teach and I have plans to help my students

be strong in language and literacy. I will first observe my students and I will then help them

build their skills through verbal and written exercises and academic games. I will do my best and

devote a great deal of time to ensuring that my students are confident with their language and

literacy skills.
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References

Crippen, C. (2010). Serve, Teach, and Lead: It’s All about Relationships. InSight: A Journal of

Scholarly Teaching, 5, 27.

Hoerr, T. R., Boggeman, S., & Wallach, C. (2010). Celebrating every learner: activities and

strategies for creating a multiple intelligences classroom. New York: Jossey-Bass.

Lenz, Bob. & Larmer, John. (2018, October 16). Students' Basic Needs Must Be Met Before

They Can Learn Deeply. Retrieved from​ ​https://www.gettingsmart.com/2018/10/

students-basic-needs-must-be-met-before-they-can-learn-deeply/

Riis, S. (2017). ICT Literacy: An Imperative of the Twenty-First Century. Foundations of

Science, 22(2), 385–394. https://doi.org/10.100