Pre-school prep for "the language of school" ?

To be honest, remembering pre-school years is turning out much harder than I thought it would be. However, I have the privilege of being the oldest so have seen my siblings grow and experience many of the same interactions, etc. as I did.

One of the things that I have no doubt was a huge part of the learning process for me was simple identification of numerous animals, especially farm animals. I can imagine out with my dad, pointing out the horse, the dog, the cow. I am sure that what followed was a question and answer where Dad asked what each animal "said." I of course responded with the learned animal sound (neigh, bark, moo).

I don't recall bedtime stories as much, but I do know of a children's Bible that was handed down from each of my siblings to the next, supposedly starting with me. I have known the answers and stories in the Bible for as long as I can possibly remember so that was probably a very significant part of my educational background. From Cubbies (Wednesday night church for pre-school age kids) to Sunday school, children's church, and my little Bible, I am sure I had alot of "schooling" in Biblical information at a very very young age.

Also, until I was four years old, my parents worked at a summer camp. I was constantly around adults and, during the summer, was around many young people varying in age from 3rd grade through high school. Their influence no doubt helped nurture conversation, identification, and interaction in my young mind.

As I think about it, I realize how many pre-school experiences I did have that prepared me for school in many ways. However, I can't help thinking about how unintentional it all was. My parents, as mentioned before, had very limited post secondary education; neither are scholars. Obviously, they always wanted the best opportunities for me and my siblings, but they would not have had any better idea at how to prepare me for "the language of school" than any other person who spoke English as a first language. We have never been wealthy. I think we would technically classify as middle-class, but the middle-class in the article sounds like a much higher middle-class than my family is. So again, I still do not understand how this preparedness for school can be correlated with social economic status.

Reflection on Dialect Assignment

This experience, learning about Jamaican English, was more challenging than I expected. As we mentioned during our presentation, Patois is much more common than Jamaican Standard English. However, the information we could find was very interesting: the similarities between Jamaican English, AAVE, and many other dialects are so common. I realized that my own everyday vernacular is not that different; like many dialects, I tend to "drop" final consonants from words (i.e. 'pas' for 'past'). 

One of the things that I hadn't really thought about before studying the rules of a different dialect is how different languages specifically influence a dialect. Not only vocabulary gets infused, but rules of grammar are also incorporated.

This project has given me a new appreciation of different dialects of English. It has shown more clearly why one is not superior than another. I also really enjoyed getting more history about why and how different dialects came to be.

I also just might have to get a copy of "Da Jesus Book" to read...my interest was very piqued!

Questions....

So far, I have understood the content and issues raised both in the material and in discussion. I guess the only thing I don't fully understand is why we need to treat different dialects differently than we treat different languages. Technically, the United States does not have an official language yet students of all languages still learn English in school. Likewise, almost every English speaker has a vernacular dialect that differs from Standard English. So why not have a standard for the education, commercial, and professional world?

Don't get me wrong, I completely understand that one dialect, language, or vernacular is not superior, "correct," or "better" than another. If we look at several examples, we see that common languages are used to help people with any variety of differences communicate. Sports fans have terms, phrases, expressions, and languages that are unique to each sport; someone outside of the community would be completely confused by much of the lingo. The professional world is an obvious example that covers any profession: doctors and nurses, dentists and hygienists, psychologists and therapists, etc., etc. all have a unique language to describe, explain, and communicate in a way that only members of that community understand. However, there is Standard English to unite all of these people--there is a way to express what one means to someone outside of a language community, thanks to Standard English.

Standard English is also uniting the world. As we have discussed in class, there are far more non-native speakers of English than native speakers. Why are people all over the globe learning English? Because it is a common language that can help people across large distances communicate. Although different dialects of English exist internationally, most countries (especially in Europe) teach Standard English as a required high school class.

Again, I believe we need to respect students' differences and emphasize the fact that those differences, whatever they may be, do not have a hierarchy. I have full confidence that we can do this in a classroom while still teaching students one common language that will better prepare them for their futures.

The Ideal vs. Reality

Honestly, the point Jake raised was excellent, because, like many issues educators face, there is not one right or wrong answer. We do know that one dialect or language is not better than another, and most people would agree if they took the time to think about it the same way we have in this class. However, most people do not think about it. Also, due to media, pop culture, racial tensions and bias, the professional and educational worlds do place a standard on the way people speak. I am not sure I think that is always wrong.

Consider the fact that there are curtesies and "rules" for behavior in a professional world that are not followed by professionals themselves outside of work. There is a correct way to write a business letter, memo, etc. just as there is professional way to dress at work. A lawyer, for example, does not wear a suit to their kid's soccer game, a family barbecue, or to go camping, but when they go to work the suit goes on. Likewise, there are different expectations of behavior in different countries and cultures. When one goes on a business trip to a foreign country, they do their best to show respect for and participate in the particular rules that exist there; it would be very rude and imprudent to demonstrate a flippant attitude, not to mention unproductive. The business world is not the only place rules like this exist, and people generally have no problem with adapting depending on what "world" they enter.

So I wonder, is it wrong to expect people to do similarly in a classroom. I am not saying that we should throw out, forget about or diminish any particular difference in culture, language, or even dialect. I think there could be a way to discuss and recognize differences while still teaching students what types of things will be expected in a professional setting.

My Intro

I am Montana born and raised: I was born in Ekalaka, went through grade school in Big Sandy, and graduated high school from Winifred. If you try to find any of the above on a map and can't, don't feel bad.

I have always loved helping people learn and have wanted to be a teacher since the 6th grade. English has always been my favorite subject so it was the obvious choice. I love grammar. After working at a newspaper for two summers while in high school, I thought about becoming an editor at a newspaper, journal or something similar. However, sitting behind a desk for 8 hours a day and dealing with journalists, didn't sound like the most enjoyable way to earn a living. Instead, I would rather work with kids and teach them how to write properly. As corny as it may sound, I want to instill a passion or at least an appreciation for English that many people don't have.

I loved the opportunities I had in high school to be involved in many extra-curricular activities, especially sports. One of the cool things about my experience was that almost all of my coaches were also teachers. This allowed me to get to know them very well. I loved having that close relationship with my coaches/teachers and would really like to have that with my future students.

What else? Anyone who knows me knows that I love to talk and that I do it alot. I am pretty outgoing and opinionated. Discussion classes are my favorite, not only so I can put in my two-cents (or three or four) worth, but also to learn and hear other views. I may not always agree with others, but I believe respect is one of the most important things between two people.

I really don't know what else I should say about myself. I guess if there is anything anyone wants to know about me, I am a very open person, so just ask...I won't bite! And I look forward to getting to know all of you. :)