tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2082226991800167507.post8078866998410337502..comments2023-12-08T03:29:25.202-05:00Comments on Adult Literacy @ VCU: Language BrokersSusan Watsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03203951366654414340noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2082226991800167507.post-85868775589934602332014-04-21T15:51:18.046-04:002014-04-21T15:51:18.046-04:00I wanted to come back to this, especially after yo...I wanted to come back to this, especially after your 1-2-3! It was VERY interesting to hear the responses you two received during your interviews, and it really gave me a new perspective on the definition of a language broker! Keep up the good work. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16213074026512094228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2082226991800167507.post-35830720991935114722014-04-08T13:07:35.683-04:002014-04-08T13:07:35.683-04:00Thanks, Dr. Muth. If you ever want to view langua...Thanks, Dr. Muth. If you ever want to view language brokering in person, our office is the place to do it! I think that there are different levels of language brokerage (?). I have seen situations in which students have become totally dependent on language brokers and others in which they seem to band together and mutually support each other, especially from the Middle Eastern and South American cultures. I think that maybe my American bias leads me to have more negative feelings about it, because in our culture our individualism and independence is such a source of pride. I think there are a lot of things that we could learn from collectivist cultures about community and balance, and my students have really helped me to view life from a lot of different perspectives.<br /><br />Melissa, thank you for your comments! I actually did apply to the program just recently. :-) This has been an awesome class, and I have really enjoyed sharing with all of you guys.Rachel Wiltshirehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09233952480694693938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2082226991800167507.post-22041481233862657532014-04-07T21:14:18.852-04:002014-04-07T21:14:18.852-04:00Rachel, thank you so much for giving us insight in...Rachel, thank you so much for giving us insight into this practice through your own workplace! Your office sounds like a rich learning environment.<br />I have enjoyed your blogs every week and I hope you consider applying to the program. There is so much you can offer to the other students just through your own work experiences.Melissa Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625349864868960284noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2082226991800167507.post-76983958566750113552014-04-06T21:57:37.672-04:002014-04-06T21:57:37.672-04:00Wow, Rachel, this is a terrific extension of my un...Wow, Rachel, this is a terrific extension of my understanding of language brokers, thank you! I can see how the language broker could position one as dependent and vulnerable. But, at least in Jacinto's case, it seems there is a balance and inter-dependency in which everyone wins. Do you think being in our highly independence-valorizing culture makes a larger system of bartering obsolete? In a way, wouldn't it be nice if we all could learn to inter-depend on each other--not just "in a pinch" but in all kinds of ongoing ways--without having to commodify and sell the services for a fee? Hannah Fingeret, in her famous study of women in NY literacy programs, showed how once the women had become "independent readers" they grew distant from their former friends and their bartering economy. <br />But still, I fully appreciate the risks you are talking about. I'd love to meet some of these language brokers someday, maybe invite them to our class??? :)Bill Muthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12295192908023335854noreply@blogger.com