Language Adaptation

Over break, I accompanied my mom and her class of seniors to the National Western Stock Show. My mom is a high school English teacher and has pioneered the use “The Cowboy Ethics Program” in high schools—hence, why we are at the stock show. I found myself in an unfamiliar and new situation with my mom’s diverse group of at-risk students. I was not, however, uncomfortable. I am confident in my abilities to use language to not only manage the impression I make based on my audience, but also how to relate to people from different walks of life. My mom has one student who just moved here three months ago from Iraq, one student who is my age and will finally graduate this year, and one who comes from a family who wonders daily if they will eat, just to name a few. Needless to say, these are not the typical kind of student I encounter here at CSU, and I knew I needed to adjust my verbal language and body language so that we could all connect. Instead of being distant, like many of us are here with each other, I knew I had to be open, inviting, and kind to these kids. They ate it up. Me simply giving them the time of day went a long way with them. Instead of talking to Mustafa about iPods, I inquired about life in Iraq and his unique cultural traditions. Instead of bragging to Tiana about my relatively easy high school experience and my success in college, I offered support an encouragement in her pursuit of a diploma. I had to step outside my familiar realm of conversation to conquer the challenge of connecting with these students, and I have to say, it was the highlight of my break.