I need to VENT...

[karebear1]

When my kids were in HS, I think I would've felt the same way you are feeling now. However, having had some time pass (my youngest is in her Senior year at BYU) , my opinion now would be different. While I know all too well that we want to give our kids every advantage we possibly can, sometimes doing that is to their disadvatage in the long run. You cannot run interference for kids all the time.They will run into all kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds throughout their whole lives. If you have a good, open and respectful conversation with the teacher, you might find that he is quite aware that people have a hard time understanding him. You may be able to figure out a way to communicate with him so that your DD understands him. School is more then academic learning. This oppurtunity could be more valuable to her then what she actually learns in his algebra class. I say challenge yourself and your DD to work with him for the semester and see what happens. You may find it was the best thing that ever happened to DD in HS!

 

[believe]

I had some English speaking, nationality teachers that taught worse than someone non-English. It does take time to get use to someone's accent or broken-English...but it can be done. I think it is fine to talk with the counselor so they know your concerns. I would give it a bit more time before pushing for a class change.

 

[Twinkles6892]

Why is she writing cursive in Algebra?

Remember, math is the same in every language, give him a chance

 

[SetzKitten]

I know this isn't quite the same thing as algebra, but in high school I had a spanish teacher who only spoke italian. His english was so bad I couldn't understand a word he was saying. Nobody else seemed to have a problem understanding him, but I definitely did. I flunked the class because I never thought to ask anyone if I could be transferred. Back then, your parents didn't go to bat for you.

 

[mickman1962]

I would talk to the teacher personally before making a judgement on his English. There is a big difference between "broken English" and an accent. My father in law was a college professor and has a wonderful grasp of the English language, but even after 50+ years in this country, has a very "heavy" accent.

I like the idea of saying I can't read cursive...many people's cursive is quite illegible.

I second this idea. You should see/hear for yourself

 

[DisneyJen0504]

Give him a chance. Math is universal. No matter where you are 2+2 always = 4. if he was teaching english that would be one thing, but give him a chance.

I actually disagree. Math may be universal but if you cant understand the person teaching it-you aren't going to learn a thing. During my undergrad I had some pretty basic math course including an algebra course (math was never my strong point) and in one, I was assigned to a class with a teacher who was from another country. I was unable to understand half of what she said. Alegbra is not 2=2=4. There are formulas and letters and symbols involved. After a few weeks, when I bombed the first quiz, I realized I couldn't understand what the woman was trying to teach. I went to my advisor, who explained that this happens, and they switched me to another class. A class I got an A in.
Point is, if the student can't understand the way a professor is speaking, she wont be able to learn as much or as easily as she would if she was able to understand.
I do agree she should give it a chance first, but if she really doesnt understand him, and you are concerned, I would go to guidance and ask to be switched to another teacher.

 

[Skatermom23]

I say get her out of there! She will spend more time trying to understand him than grasping the concepts. Best to move her now.

I had a teacher in college that I could hardly understand and it was the only time I ever got a bad grade in college. I had to retake the course and the second time around I got an A. BTW it was business economics class.

 

[hiwaygal]

When my kids were in HS, I think I would've felt the same way you are feeling now. However, having had some time pass (my youngest is in her Senior year at BYU) , my opinion now would be different. While I know all too well that we want to give our kids every advantage we possibly can, sometimes doing that is to their disadvatage in the long run. You cannot run interference for kids all the time.They will run into all kinds of people from all kinds of backgrounds throughout their whole lives. If you have a good, open and respectful conversation with the teacher, you might find that he is quite aware that people have a hard time understanding him. You maybe able to figure out a way to communicate with him so that your DD understands him. School is more then academic learning. This oppurtunity could be more valuable to her then what she actually learns in his algebra class. I say challenge yourself and your DD to work with him for the semester and see what happens. You may find it was the best thing that ever happened to DD in HS!

I have to say I agree with this.

In a couple of years your DD will be going to college and there are often "foreign" teachers, especially science and math teachers.

You might actually be giving your DD an advantage by REALLY encouraging her to stick it out and try a little extra. I think that will give her an exceptional advantage and "head start" on life in college in so many ways.

This is probably going to sound harsh, but you really don't need a teacher to teach you math...it's all in the book. Perhaps your DD might have to do a little extra work on her own to grasp some concepts that perhaps the teacher isn't conveying well, but the truth is, we all have to do that sometimes. Especially in college.

I also wonder if many of the kids are continuing to complain about this teacher because they aren't really trying to learn to understand him because they are all asking their parents to get them out of the class...you know?

 

[j's m]

This is probably going to sound harsh, but you really don't need a teacher to teach you math...it's all in the book. Perhaps your DD might have to do a little extra work on her own to grasp some concepts that perhaps the teacher isn't conveying well,

]

But then why are the taxpayers paying for the teacher, if you can just get it out of the book?

If she can't understand him, and is spending more time try to understand the words, she will be missing out on the concepts. Just because it's honors math, doesn't mean brighter kids can understand language accents any better. I would get her out of the class now, not wait until she gets too far behind, and then have to change her whole schedule.

I have an awful time with accented English. I can't order in a Chinese restaurant because I can't understand what they say back to me. It drives my DH nuts, but it's a fact.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I have to say I agree with this.

In a couple of years your DD will be going to college and there are often "foreign" teachers, especially science and math teachers.

You might actually be giving your DD an advantage by REALLY encouraging her to stick it out and try a little extra. I think that will give her an exceptional advantage and "head start" on life in college in so many ways.

This is probably going to sound harsh, but you really don't need a teacher to teach you math...it's all in the book. Perhaps your DD might have to do a little extra work on her own to grasp some concepts that perhaps the teacher isn't conveying well, but the truth is, we all have to do that sometimes. Especially in college.

I also wonder if many of the kids are continuing to complain about this teacher because they aren't really trying to learn to understand him because they are all asking their parents to get them out of the class...you know?

I disagree. I believe a decent math teacher in these younger years is imperative to learning and understanding basics, unless your learning style is reading specific. HS is to prepare you for college, not to mimic college. It was frustrating enough in higher education to have profs that I could not understand, but it was relatively simple to switch classes.

 

[hiwaygal]

HS is to prepare you for college, not to mimic college. It was frustrating enough in higher education to have profs that I could not understand, but it was relatively simple to switch classes.

But that's kinda my point...having a teacher at the high school level who doesn't speak English as a first language may do more to prepare students for college. Changing classes isn't always an option especially at smaller schools or at higher levels of math. And learning to face these kinds of challenges can be a learning experience all by itself.

 

[hiwaygal]

But then why are the taxpayers paying for the teacher, if you can just get it out of the book?

If she can't understand him, and is spending more time try to understand the words, she will be missing out on the concepts. Just because it's honors math, doesn't mean brighter kids can understand language accents any better. I would get her out of the class now, not wait until she gets too far behind, and then have to change her whole schedule.

I have an awful time with accented English. I can't order in a Chinese restaurant because I can't understand what they say back to me. It drives my DH nuts, but it's a fact.

You make a good point about taxpayers paying the teacher...I don't really have an answer to that. I guess one could say that at some point in history "organized" public education was considered the right thing to do.

Understanding concepts can be difficult with any teacher. When I tutored some of my fellow college students, I often showed them ways to do a particular problem that their professor hadn't shown them and the students felt like a light had gone on! Teachers may sometimes teach different concepts from their own perspective and what is easy for them to understand, not the students. Regardless of whether there is accented language or not, the students may or may not get it...

 

[meandtheguys2]

But that's kinda my point...having a teacher at the high school level who doesn't speak English as a first language may do more to prepare students for college. Changing classes isn't always an option especially at smaller schools or at higher levels of math. And learning to face these kinds of challenges can be a learning experience all by itself.

I see your point, I just disagree. I feel a class is for learning a subject, not learning how to deal with "higher education."

 

[OzFan]

I just talked with her councelor and she is going to switch her to another honors class. She understands completely. She said that I have every right to be concerned especially since my daughter is going in to the medical feild, she stated that alot of students are having the same problem and that he may be moved to intergrated math. But, for now my daughter is going to be changed, and only 1 other class got switched! Thanks for all of your advice. It is always nice to hear 2 sides of a situation and it makes you look at things in a different point of veiw.

 

[Rajah]

I had an advanced algebra TA who actually taught the course in college. Had a very hard time understanding him, but once I learned how, I learned a HUGE amount from him.

I'd say give her until the first few homework assignments or even the first test (depending on how many he gives) and see how she does.

 

[Mimi Q]

Glad it worked out. I had a teacher who I couldn't understand in college and it was awful.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I'm glad you received the change. My concern would be for her grades to even get into the college of her choice - you don't want the grades of one class to bring her GPA down b/c she couldn't understand the teacher. It's not fair to her.

 

[DISshopkeeper]

I just talked with her councelor and she is going to switch her to another honors class. She understands completely. She said that I have every right to be concerned especially since my daughter is going in to the medical feild, she stated that alot of students are having the same problem and that he may be moved to intergrated math. But, for now my daughter is going to be changed, and only 1 other class got switched! Thanks for all of your advice. It is always nice to hear 2 sides of a situation and it makes you look at things in a different point of veiw.

I'm glad it worked out!

Hey, the teacher can't understand cursive and expected adjustments. I'm thinking the students should receive the same consideration!

 

[DawnCt1]

Give him a chance. Math is universal. No matter where you are 2+2 always = 4. if he was teaching english that would be one thing, but give him a chance.

I tend to agree, because it is math. Furthermore, it might be good prep for college. A LOT of professors speak English as a second language.

 

[meandtheguys2]

I tend to agree, because it is math. Furthermore, it might be good prep for college. A LOT of professors speak English as a second language.

Yes, but there is a difference in the coping/learning skills of a 15 year old and a college-age student. If you don't get the basics, there will be no need for the college "abilities". Many concepts are not 2 + 2, but extensive theories that involve serious abstract thinking. If the student does not understand the concepts, you lose the interest of the student. Or you pay for it with remedial classes. The new american standard.