Classroom Behavior and Performance
3. Cultural Linguistic Impact on Behavior
From the previous description, you may have noticed that some of the behaviors described may look like a common neurodevelopmental disorder, ADHD. Sometimes when we see lack of language development we often attribute it to language impairment. But when there's a lack of comprehension in language, we may also see a constellation of behaviors that may be attributed to something else, like ADHD. Language difference can affect "behavior" as much as if affects academic skills, and as an example, typical characteristics of ADHD can be due to a difficulty comprehending English. A manifestation of behaviors could be due to linguistic difficulty or look like something else, for example if you just sit there you will eventually get into trouble.
| Inattentive |
MLLs may not fully understand what is being said to them in the classroom and consequently they don’t know when to pay attention or what exactly they should be paying attention to.
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| Hyperactive |
MLLs may appear to be hyperactive because they are unaware of situation-specific behavioral norms, classroom rules, and other rules of social behavior.
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| Impulsive |
MLLs may lack the ability to fully comprehend instructions so that they display a tendency to act impulsively in their work rather than following classroom instructions systematically.
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| Distractible |
MLLs may not fully comprehend the language being spoken in the classroom and therefore will move their attention to whatever they can comprehend appearing to be distractible in the process. |
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