When reading these chapters, Freire triggered a lot of memories of discussions on power relations throughout our TESOL classes. Knowing that students need to feel that their home languages are not only valid, but appreciated helps the students connect with learning their L2. Because we've studied this for so long, Freire's work helped solidify what we already know.
I can remember language teachers throughout high school that simply used the banking method of teaching. We read units out of the textbook, worked on activities provided by that textbook, memorized idiomatic expressions and took a quiz or test. After years of being taught like that, I learned very little. Being in France is when my French language skills skyrocketed. This type of situation shows what Freire was explaining; teachers need to establish an environment that encourages students to inquire and share opinions and ideas about topics. Teachers, in this case, will learn just as much as the students do. This learning community will serve everyone as well as decontextualize knowledge in terms of sitting in a desk in a classroom and transform the classroom into a place to inquire about the world.
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