TA speaks in a different language to some of the parents

[bunchoftulipsanddaffs]

Some of the parents at school are grumbling that the TA in our class speaks to parents in her/their first language rather than English. I am confused about why they think this is wrong (except of course everyone can understand what she is saying when she is speaking English and most of us can’t when she is not).

Could I have your thoughts please? There is talk of making a complaint and I’d like to hear views.

That’s ridiculous. What business is it of theirs if they are saying something they can’t understand. Maybe the parents struggle withEnglish and need help with letters and stuff. I know some of my students in the past have had parents with very little English and one staff member spoke in their language to help them.

I presume that they're having an individual conversation rather than making an announcement that everyone needs to hear? If that's the case, I really can't see why it would bother anyone. There is no automatic right to be able to understand other people's conversations.

I presume that the TA will talk to other parents in English when a conversation is required, and that there is no preferential treatment of any sort?

If she’s talking to them about an issue about their own child, why does any other parent need to understand - are they just nosy and want to eves drop? I don’t think it’s a valid complaint in those situations - unless it was something for a group situation then I can see their point a bit more as it can divide the group and exclude others?

student26 Yes, this is why I cannot see the problem.

There are several languages amongst the parents so some have little English and no one at the school that speaks their language, but I suppose that is just down to luck.

Complain about what? What a waste of school time to have to deal with this.

If it's about their child and it helps the parents understand the issues better, then there isn't a problem. Unfortunately there are some very nasty xenophobic people around these days though. I've had evils for speaking to my aunt in Dutch out in public - her English is good, but some concepts are better discussed in our native language. This kind of thing is sadly a sign of the times.

How lovely that parents who dont speak very good English can get updates or discuss problems in a.language they fully understand. Must make a huge difference in trying to keep all parents engaged in their childs education .

English or not a private conversation is not something you should he listening in on.

A school I have close links to have hired a number of TAs in recent years that speak Eastern European languages and Urdu, precisely so that parents can be communicated with in a language that they understand.

I’m sure the school’s response would be along those lines.

This frustrates me so much ‘fear of the foreign’. Ignorance and blatant racist behaviour.

Leave the TA alone and value the variety of language and expression in this world. I’m sure if the parents were German or French and the TA spoke those languages no one would question it. Correct me if I’m wrong but I’m assuming the language is from a nation with people who are not white. Says it all - fear. Disgusting behaviour from those parents.

One of our TAs is Polish and she helps with translations all the time with parents.
A non issue for parents who have nothing else to do!

Obviously the TA and the other parents arev gossiping about other parents Or its just nice to chat in a shared language yanbu

What are they going to complain about? Not being able to eavesdrop?

I don’t think I would even care let alone analyse it what is wrong with these parents?!

There is a difference between what is a private conversation with one child's parent(s) and a group, the latter of which could be seen as excluding others. Perhaps if it is thought there are parents with low English language understanding the best thing is to encourage or suggest to the school to provide English classes for parents with limited English.

Anyone in a country where the local language is not their mother tongue should be supported and encouraged to learn the local language so they can participate fully and seek help where needed. Relying on another family member to translate or to speak on behalf of the family gives that person more opportunity to exercise coercive control or abuse should they wish to do so.

What are they going to complain about? Not being able to eavesdrop?

Well it's important to know who went themselves, who is on the highest reading level and to be able to know why timmy was crying at lunch time

Some parents find anything to complain about . I call them on it for my own amusement . Ask them why it’s an issue ? Watch them squirm

You forallthesaints they might just be chatting

I've never heard anything so ridiculous!
It's brilliant that the TA can talk to the parents in their own language.

Something tells me that these parents would be the first to expect people to speak to them in English if their children went to school in a different country.

forallthesaints Where is the school to get the money to teach the parents Englis?

Perhaps if it is thought there are parents with low English language understanding the best thing is to encourage or suggest to the school to provide English classes for parents with limited English.

Maybe that is what the conversation was about. Or it could have been about a social event they were all going to later in the day, or something the kids did in class, or an appointment at the dentist, or what time the post office closes. None of which will impact on the education of the non second language parent's child's education.

The only issue I can see at all is that those whose primary language is not English or that of the TA may feel a little hard done by. But it really is just luck.

Personally I think it is more of an issue that the TA’s English isn’t that good!

I don’t know whether languages other than English are used with the children in the classroom...

My youngest had a french classroom assistant and she would teach the children the odd word, so she would come home saying bonjour and other random words. It was great.

Those parents are wankers.

Why would they feel hard done by.

You have no idea what other languages are spoken by all the staff there.

The head could be fluent in Greek for all you know.

And why would you know what languages are spoken at any school?

Be honest.. you are just pissed at not being able to listen to the gossip.

Personally I think it is more of an issue that the TA’s English isn’t that good!

The OP hasn't said that - it could be the TA fully bilingual in both English and their other language.

I sit on approx 10 school governing bodies. The area I work in has a high number of children from ethnic minority backgrounds. Many of my schools therefore have to employ an EAL TA (English as an Additional Language). Many of the parents can't speak English or struggle to understand some words, and having that role who helps translate is vital to the children's learning.

I suspect that the people you are speaking of are likely communicating in Urdu or similar.

I suspect further they'd have no problem if my French sister-in-law bumped in to another French person and communicated in French in front of them.

Yes, big assumption, but it's mostly right. Most people who have the problem with others communicating in their mother tongue generally only have that problem when the speaker is not white.