Cultural Competency Resources
Language & Bias
3 Ways to Speak English
From the TED Talk site: "Jamila Lyiscott is a 'tri-tongued orator;' in her powerful spoken-word essay 'Broken English,' she celebrates — and challenges — the three distinct flavors of English she speaks with her friends, in the classroom and with her parents. As she explores the complicated history and present-day identity that each language represents, she unpacks what it means to be 'articulate.' "
Benefits of Language and Accent Diversity Among ABE Teachers and Volunteers
Minnesota Adult Education community members Justyna Sparrow and Andrea Echelberger bring us a session on the numerous benefits of having teachers and volunteers who did not grow up with English as a home language. They also discuss how we can support, advocate and retain teachers with diverse languages and accents which is so important in progressing equity within our schools.
Embracing Multilingualism and Eradicating Linguistic Bias
As adult English educators, it is important for us to understand the language and accent discrimination learners face, and also to advocate in our communities to end this discrimination. In this TEDx Talk, Karen Leung discusses this very fact and gives anecdotes of the discrimination she and her family have faced while learning English after moving to the US.
To the girl in English class
Similar to the Karen Leung video in this section of the library, this TikTok video by Hafsat Abdullahi is another unfortunate but great example of an English language learner speaking about their own experience learning English and facing discrimination. This resource provides several ideas for activities you can use with the English learners you work with.
Why English Class is Silencing Students of Color
From YouTube description: "Viral TED speaker, spoken word poet, and social justice education scholar Dr. Jamila Lyiscott makes a powerful argument that, to honor and legitimize all students, we must, likewise, legitimize and honor all of their varied forms of written and spoken discourse, practicing 'Liberation Literacies' in the classroom."