First and Only… FELIX NOY HIGH SCHOOL FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHER INDIANA PA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Important Influences from Africa in Latin American Cultures Eduardo M. Valerio, Ph.D. Lock Haven University of PA

Status of Foreign Language Learning and Teaching Among African-Americans

Status of Foreign Language Learning and Teaching Among African-Americans

Importance of Language Learning Language study helps learners see that they are part of a global community connects learners to other cultures in meaningful ways (from inside, rather than from the outside looking in) helps learners evaluate their own culture and language in deeper ways

Importance of Language Learning Language study is especially effective for improving English language skills opens the mind to learning the way music does, it strengthens the mind for improved work in all academic areas is a format for connecting to other disciplines, through history, geography, science, art, technology, etc.

Importance of Language Learning Language study creates a means to connect to target cultures through economy: advertising, marketing, service, etc. provides a vehicle to advance causes into target language communities to engage learners in advocating for a wide variety of social/economic/ political/health issues, etc., to bring about beneficial social change

Special Note… African-American students can make even deeper connections to many target cultures because of a common heritage. Many cultures have a large segment of citizens (Afro-Hispanics in countries where Spanish is spoken) who were established in the culture through the slave trade.

Special Note… African-heritage individuals have significantly impacted these cultures: music, traditions, history, etc.

African heritage populations in Latin America Significant under-reporting exists for two reasons: In some countries there is a stigma for being dark skinned. In other countries people identify themselves as citizens of a particular country. They do not see themselves as a separate group within the country.

Cultural product/practice Topic Effect/Suggestion Salsa, Merengue, Reggae, rumba, guaguancó, kompa, punta, Palo de Mayo, plena, cumbia, bomba   Cajones (famous drum style) Music E-This music has spread all over the world and is popular in many countries S-Demonstrate the African heritage within this music for learners to appreciate Bachata, merengue, salsa, samba, Cuban moción, guapacha, guaracha, mambo, pachanga, zumba Dance E-These dances are very popular in many countries S-Demonstrate the African heritage within the dance for learners to appreciate

Cultural product/practice Topic Effect/Suggestion Famous Afro-Latino athletes David Ortiz Roberto Clemente Minnie Minoso Carmelo Anthony Luis Tiant Felix “Tito” Trinidad Bernie Williams Many more… Sports E-Due to lack of education and other resources in some Hispanic countries, sports has become an important vehicle for elevating impoverished individuals, many of whom share an African heritage, into the mainstream. S-Athletic success can motivate individuals to learn about culture. While we can begin with the famous professional, we can use the discussion to learn about the culture and conditions that could be improved and perhaps learners themselves may develop or participate in the change that is needed.

Cultural product/ practice Topic Effect/Suggestion Famous leaders Jose Francisco Peña Gomez Pío de Jesús Pico Politics E-Afro-Hispanic men and women who lead within their heritage nations and in the U.S. S-Highlight the life experiences of these individuals and the important decisions and accomplishments they have made. Famous/prominent educators Professor Gates* research Amy Wilkins* education Education E-Afro-Hispanic individuals as educators S-Highlight these individuals and investigate their suggestions for improving education for everyone (Not Afro-Latino individuals, but promoting African heritage awareness including Afro-Hispanic issues)

Doctors, lawyers, business leaders Cultural product/ practice Topic Effect/Suggestion Doctors, lawyers, business leaders Arnaldo Tamayo Mendez Astronaut (Cuba) Professions E-Afro-Hispanic individuals as professionals S-Feature individuals and their stories to inspire and encourage learners to persevere into levels of high achievement Dominican parade in NYC Celebrations in U.S. E-Demonstrate the number of Hispanic celebrations in the United States S-Within these celebrations, large number of Afro-Hispanic individuals are evident

National Hispanic Heritage Month Cultural product/ practice Topic Effect/Suggestion Black History Month National Hispanic Heritage Month U.S. Events E-U.S. official recognition of various groups S-Use these times to especially focus attention on Afro-Hispanic heritage related to the U.S. Schools with large Hispanic populations Thomas Edison HS, Philadelphia (See next slide) Schools in U.S. E-Large populations of Hispanic students S-Invite students to speak in class S-Find ways to help students who are struggling in any area as a service project

Thomas Edison HS in Philadelphia has a very large Latino population. The great percentage of these students are Afro-Dominican. These students blend in with the large African American population of students on the surface. However, if you spoke with them you would realize they are native Spanish speakers learning English.

Cultural product/practice Topic Effect/Suggestion Famous Afro-Latinos Celia Cruz (Cuba) Mariah Carey (Venez.) Tego Calderon (P. Rico) Sammy Davis, Jr. (P. Rico) Enter- tainers E-More than ever Afro-Latinos have come to the forefront of entertainment. S-Demonstrate the African heritage within this profession. Tell their stories. Let students associate. Zoe Saldana (P. Rico/Dom.) Stacey Dash (Mex-Amer/Baja /Africa) Melissa De Sousa (Panama) Tatyana Ali (Panama) Actors E-Actors model diversity and are often outspoken on many topics. Several are bold commentators on ethnicity that can reach learners. S-Feature quotes and study the life journey of individuals in this profession to create interesting learning opportunities.

Cultural product/practice Topic Effect/Suggestion Famous Afro-Latinos Sessilee Lopez (Dom/Portuguese) Fashion E-Students are affected by the fashion industry. They are drawn to it. S-Demonstrate the African heritage within this industry for learners to appreciate Soledad O’Brien (Aus/Afro-Cuba) TV/News E-Media greatly influences our world S-Demonstrate the African heritage within these professions for learners to appreciate and aspire to.

Suggestions for Building Interest and Participation in FL Develop websites that highlight connections to important African-heritage individuals and history Develop study abroad connections to places where African-heritage individuals have an obvious presence Create incentives for African-American individuals to learn a foreign language(s)

Suggestions for Building Interest and Participation in FL Solicit native speakers of African heritage and encourage them to become foreign language teachers to model the language for learners. Create incentives for African-American learners to become foreign language teachers. Solicit current foreign language teachers of African heritage to join together (listserv, blog, Facebook page, website)

Suggestions for Building Interest and Participation in FL Create a comprehensive repository* or commit to contributing to repositories of online resources in line with these goals *The best repository will have links categorized so that they are easy to navigate

Suggestions for Building Interest and Participation in FL Interview individuals of African heritage and compile their stories online Develop online resources that can supplement or be used to teach foreign languages, especially geared to African-American interests

Suggestions for Building Interest and Participation in FL Create a website that discusses the benefits of learning foreign languages and gather statistics so progress in language learning among African-American students can be reported Include researched-based evidence that dispels myths about language learning being more difficult for learners of African-American heritage, etc.

Sources for information INTERNET Individuals, articles, groups, events, lesson plans: Use keywords relating to your interest Search for places and people you know about Search for Afro-Latino topics like food, music, dance, religion, etc., if you do not know about them yourself

Sources for information PRINT/ELECTRONIC MEDIA When using pictures, be sure to select very high quality images… advertising (contrast with reality) Food that incorporates African heritage foods Famous Afro-Latino individuals from the target culture maps

Make Learning Memorable Take pictures of students when they are studying cultural topics and display with the picture representing the topic in class. Be sure pictures feature a variety of authentic faces— not stereotypical ones. Have students eat a particular food in class. Then they will associate the taste and smell of the food with the picture.

Make Learning Memorable Have them try several foods and vote for their favorites. Learn how foods are used in the target culture, where foods are grown, how they relate to historical experience/African culture, etc. Have them create reports or develop displays based on their research. (Hallacas)

Make Learning Memorable Have students prepare for celebrations by creating decorations, etc. Play a video in support of the celebration and then let it repeat while students are working on the decorations, or play music from the target culture while you are creating.

Make Learning Memorable When you are teaching, consider having music from the target culture playing softly in the background during most, if not all, lessons. Have students study the history of celebrations and discover why people celebrate the way they do today. Compare/contrast with other holidays. Decide how these celebrations have changed over time or to accommodate other cultures.

Make Learning Memorable Have students study the history of music and discover how the African culture influences the way music is used today. Represent music with pictures of dancers. Teach the students to dance. Have them create a costume worn in a picture that can be hung alongside a picture of people dancing.

Make Learning Memorable Have students learn authentic dances or other musical presentations and host an event where students can demonstrate them. Invite native speakers from the target culture to participate in these events and possibly demonstrate themselves in the classroom or at the event.

Make Learning Memorable Have students create classroom displays. Assign each student to display an important fact or favorite memory or dream, etc., along with items in the classroom relating to the theme and recognizing the value African culture contributed to the topic. (If students are not artistic, don’t have them draw or write, allow them to create with the computer.)

Make Learning Memorable Focus on one theme that can be developed to a deeper level… Study one country for a period of time and really learn how African culture impacted many aspects of that country. Architecture, daily routine, food, government, celebrations, music… Focus on one holiday/life activity and see if an African influence can be found and whether that influence is similar or different to the same activity in another Latin American region.

Investigate cultural exchange Investigate cultural exchange/integration… This is a picture of Currywurst. The sausage is from German Culture and the curry is from Turkish culture. These groups live in harmony and have joined their separate food preferences into a new food. Demonstrate how African culture integrated into Latin culture. Both cultures were changed as a result.

YouTube link to the music you want to study YouTube link to the music you want to study. Allow students to write their own lyrics.

Make Learning Memorable Compare and contrast with African American celebrations in the U.S. Have them study historical underpinnings of their cultural products, practices, and perspectives. These practices will lead to authentic and memorable learning and give you ideas for representing culture in the classroom.

Some Existing Resources African American Linguists - Promoting World Languages in the African American Community http://www.weboaal.com/benefitsofbilingualism.htm Zena Moore has developed a set of links highlighting connections to native speakers in Cuba by showing important contributions of Afro-Hispanic individuals in that culture. http://www.afrocubaweb.com/ Caribbean Cultural Center: http://www.cccadi.org/ Using keywords in your favorite search engine will yield many additional resources.

In the handout These resources and more are included in your handout with descriptive paragraphs The resources are also available online through my website. The links are active on the electronic versions so you can just click through to the resources you want to review.

End of presentation I hope you will consider becoming an advocate of foreign language learning and teaching among African-American individuals I would like to open the floor for questions or comments and to hear additional ideas of ways these goals can be promoted in realistic ways