The research that we've looked at so far indicates that ethnographic interviews have very positive effects on students' attitudes towards native Spanish speakers. My question for you is "Do you think students will always end up with warm fuzzies towards Latinos as a result of these kind of activities?" If not, why not? How long lasting and or how deep of a change in attitudes do you think that students experience? What are some dangers in this kind of project? Do the positives outweigh the negatives?
I look forward to your comments.
9 comments:
While I think that the positives will outweigh the negatives, I don't think it is something that will change the attitudes of all students. The research also seemed to show that those students who started the course with little or no interest (took it only because it was a requirement for graduation) had the least change in attitude. I think that this is a great project and that many students will benefit greatly from it, but I also think that there will be students who resent having to spend the extra time doing it, and who will not be open to change their attitudes at all.
I think that at some point, students need to realize that they can't hide behind their books. Not only do they need to use their language in the classroom, but they need to connect with native speakers of the language. A language is worthless without the people who actually speak it. (Okay, maybe that's not 100% true . . . because we can learn a lot from literature written in dead languages). Anyways, I think that this is a great opportunity for students to connect with speakers of the language. I think it can give them great insights into the culture and can be very motivating. However, I think it would definitely be tricky to properly prepare and train students to do this.
I don't think they ALWAYS end up with warm fuzzies. Like Sarah said, the readings talked about how some students who were only taking the course to fulfill a graduation requirement didn't necessarily have much change in attitude. Also, some students might not have such a good experience if their interviewee doesn't call back, or doesn't show up for the interview etc. That could be frustrating. I also think that as a general rule students get out of it what they put in, or depending on how open they are. I don't know if that makes sense.
I do think, however, that the positives outweigh the negatives. As students experience that change of attitude, I feel it will have a very deep impact on them. When they hear stereotypes and stuff about the culture, I see them looking back to their experience with these interviews and being able to say, wait a minute, that's not true. Doing these interviews also maybe helps students see that they can talk to native Spanish speakers and not be too intimidated. Spanish has real-world application - an amazing concept to some students.
I think that ethnographic interviews could be negative experiences if the student/interviewer approaches the interview with strong stereotypes and preconcieved notions. Such prefigured categories will color the questions that are asked and will therefore influence the type of answer that the subject could give. Such answers would quite possibly confirm stereotypes.
As a precaution, the student could carry out participant observation before the interview, and then base her questions on what she had observed. This type of questions would be more likely to access actual cultural knowledge.
One of the dangers of these interviews is the impression that the student leaves on the interviewee. At the end of an article, Dr. Bateman noted that a possible area for further research would be to follow up with the interviewees to see, from their point of view, how the interview went and to what extent stereotypes about our students were discarded or confirmed. I think that would be a very interesting study.
"Do you think students will always end up with warm fuzzies towards Latinos as a result of these kind of activities?"
No. I'm sure that sometimes a person might have a negative experience for whatever reason.
"How long lasting and or how deep of a change in attitudes do you think that students experience?"
I project it will last about 1.783 years. No, really, I think that it could really affect students for a long time to come. Or, it could not.
"What are some dangers in this kind of project?"
I can just imagine the kinds of blunders a "gringo" might make that would offend the interviewee.
"Do the positives outweigh the negatives?"
I suspect that overall there will be more positive experiences than negative. However, for some individuals the negative may outweigh the positive.
I look forward to your comments.
My answer to the first question is no, they will not ALWAYS end up with "warm fuzzies". However, I don think that in many occasions it will have a positive impact. Now, I think a better question is the one that follows regarding the depth and length of those positive feelings. As Sarah has pointed out, if they go into it with little interest, it is probable that they will gain very little out of it. However, I give as my opinion that even those who did claim to have a positive reaction toward Spanish speaking individuals and cultures after the project will have to continue that contact with the culture in order for that positive impact to have any lasting effect. More cultural contact and study are needed to ensure a continued cultural sensitivity. This is in part due to the fact that it's only one semester and one person. If over a period of several semesters they dealt with a number of people from a variety of countries, cultures, religions, socioeconomic groups, etc, they might get a better view and really come to understand (as much as one can in a classroom setting) a culture or country. That is one of the only downsides I see to the project, that they might get a skewed view based on one person. However, that is relatively easily remedied, I would think. Continued contact and experience are essential for any lasting positive impressions to be made.
I agree with Sarah. Though I think the ethnographic interviews are great opportunities to get in touch with the target culture, the ultimate result comes down to one's personality and attitude. Also, there may be extreme cases in which the person being interviewed has a personality or point of view (i.e. political, etc.) that clashes with the student interviewer.
It may be important to explain this possibility to the students before they conduct the interview and explain how history, one's experiences/personality, as well as they way events are portrayed on the news may lead to different points of views if controversial topics are brought up.
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