The

Student
Who
Swears

BY: JODIE, MAKAILA, CHRISTINA &

RILEY

Inappropriate Language
Profanity among students has
increased in childrens everyday
language, considering they hear
foul language all around them. One
major source being the casual
conversations
among
adults.
However, this does not give
students
the
right
to
use
inappropriate language in the
classroom nor should a teacher
tolerate it.

Case Study Example:

Shamus is a third-grade student
who swears as many as fifteen to
twenty times day. If someone
bumps into him while the class is
lining up, hell turn and swear at
that person. If Shamus drops
something, hes likely to shout any
number of profanities. For the
smallest of reasons and sometimes
for no reason at all, Shamus uses
profane language.

to respect these rules will result in

consequences.
Always address a students use of
profanity
in
the
classroom.
Consistency is key! If teachers are
not addressing the profanity
students will eventually believe
this language is acceptable. Not
only are you addressing the
profanity but also any language
that is not positive. At the
beginning of the year and
throughout
constantly
remind
student and praise them why they
use positive language.

Students use taboo words for a

variety of reasons. Students may
Agree on a silent signal to remind
WHAT YOU CAN DO?
swear for the purpose of attention
students
when
they
use
from their teachers or classmates.
General strategies for all grade
unacceptable
language
in
class
to
Others may swear to impress their
levels:
redirect
the
student
of
his/her
peers. Some students swear out of
actions to stop immediately.
anger, distress, or frustration. Create
classroom
rules
and
Swearing can also be used as name
expectations that all students are
A private discussion can be
calling or verbal abuse.
aware of at the beginning of the
effective solution. This should be
school year (precautionary). This
Educators must identify the
addressed that the problem is not
sets students up for success.
specific reason for the students
the student but rather the
Students need to be aware of the
use of inappropriate language in
students actions/choice of words.
appropriate language to be used in
the classroom to assist in
the classroom. When students fail
Kindergarten- Grade3:
addressing
the
situation
effectively.

THE STUDENT WHO SWEARS

At this point students are in the The student may wish to take an
industry vs. Inferiority. In this stage
individual brain break and let out
children are very sensitive to new
their frustration in a journal rather
skills and failure of these can result
than blurting out profanity.
in damage to their academic
Grade 7- Grade 9:
motivation. According to Erikson
students
are
building
and
These students fall under the
developing relationships with their
identity vs. role confusion stage.
teachers and their peers and are
The main focus is on peer
faced with a new trust vs. mistrust
relationships and the students
conflicts. A student may not be
learning to define their own identity.
aware of certain words and the
At this point students are highly
inappropriateness
of
his/her
influenced by their peer groups in
language.
and
out
of
school
where
Establishing set expectations for
inappropriate language may be
encouraged.
classroom language. Suggest to the
student that even though he/she
may have heard other individuals Provide students the opportunity to
around them that these words are
explain why they made the choice
not school friendly. They may hurt
to use such language. Before doing
other classmates feelings. Ensure
so check-in with the students to
the student is aware of the words
make sure they know what kind of
that are appropriate at school to
language is acceptable in the
help create a positive environment
classroom. Once the teacher knows
for their classroom.
that the student is aware of what
kind of language is appropriate in
Grade 4- Grade 6:
the classroom then the student
should have the opportunity to solve
Students are still in the process in
the problem on their own.
the industry vs. inferiority but they
are also about to move into If general strategies are not
achieving identity. Since during
effective with this student and
these grades students are maturing
swearing persists teachers must
which may lead to a developmental
take action. After two offenses the
crisis and may involve inappropriate
consequence will be informing
language in the classroom. The
parents of the students actions.
resolution for this crisis will prepare
the students for the next stage
Grade 10- Grade 12:
according to Erikson.
These students are transitioning
Using a role playing method to
into young adulthood where the
focus is on intimacy vs. isolation.
recreate scenarios for students to
Young adulthood focuses on
develop steps for effective words to
creating intimate relationships.
address their frustration, distress or
anger they are experiencing.
Teachers should react calmly to the

situation and treat students as

young adults while modeling a
professional
adult
relationship.
Ensure
the
students
dignity
remains intact but firmly reestablish
classroom expectations.
If a
students language is direct, the
teacher should ask for an apology
and eventually students will catch
their actions and apologize without
being asked. Remember many of
these students are almost young
adults and the mutual respect
between the teacher and the
student should have room for
forgiveness of their actions. Much of
this relies on the teacher modeling
genuine respect for students as
individuals.
Linking to KSAS:
KSA 5: All students can learn,
albeit at different rates and in
different ways. The teacher must
be aware that not every strategy will
work for every student because
Erikson emphasizes students will
be at various stages. The teacher
must use a variety of strategies to
aid in students success.
KSA 8: The importance of
respecting students human dignity.
They know how to establish, with
different
students, professional
relationships that are characterized
by mutual respect, trust and
harmony. The students dignity
must always remain intact during
any strategy. The teacher must
model respectful language when
discussing the problem with the
students actions.
KSA 7: Students needs for
physical, social, cultural and
psychological security. They know

THE STUDENT WHO SWEARS

how to engage students in creating

References:
Dr. Ken Shore: Inapropriate Language. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.
Swearing at School. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.
Woolfolk A., Winner P., Perry, N. (2013).
Educational Psychology: Sixth Canadian Edition. Pearson Canada Inc. Toronto

effective classroom routines. They

know how and when to apply a
variety of management strategies
that are in keeping with the
situation, and that provide for
minimal disruptions to students
learning. Once the student has set
a goal the teacher must be
consistent in the routine. The
teacher must celebrate when the
student achieves the set goal or
when they make an effort to achieve
the goal. It is important for the
student to know their effort is
noticed. The celebration will be
determined according to the desired
goal and teachers judgment.

THE STUDENT WHO SWEARS

Key:

Additional Strategies
Strategies applied in action plan