Journal Question One-Marria Rahim

I must agree that the human mind has a tendency to link certain characteristics with particular groups disregarding internal diversity that could possibly exist within the group. We do this because we have become accustomed to stereotyping and make assumptions about a group without even giving a second thought about what we are doing. The group that I am going to volunteer for immediately sparks up stereotyping because of the name of the organization-ESL volunteers. English as a second language-what does that make anyone think of? If you think anything like an average human being, you picture an immigrant from a poor country who has hardly had any contact with English and is struggling to adapt to the American ways by first learning the language of the country. What is forgotten is that several members of this group have had plenty of interaction with English and can speak it, but just need a little aid in advancing. I would say that mainstream society does indeed define these groups simplistic as placing a claim that ESL members have no prior knowledge of the language. I have not volunteered yet but I hope that I am able to change my view as well as others' views on groups like these. I would like to see each member as an individual and be able to show the same view to others.