I am a special ed language teacher. It is my job to teach 5th and 6th graders how to speak, read, write, and understand the English language. Sadly, I am not sure I have the firmest grasp of the subject myself. That however, is a blog of a different color.
As I trudge through the language program I have been trained to teach, sometimes I sit back and wonder... Why can't I get these kids to see that, " I stay on 3rd St." or "He like her." is not correct English. You may think I am being funny or mean, but I am serious. Then I look and listen to the others around me and hear fellow teachers use the same incorrect grammar. Finally, I resigned myself to the fact that I was just going to have to hammer (figuatively) the idea that the way "they" speak is wrong, and the way "I" speak is right.
Today, though, I saw a part of a program about different languages that changed my thinking. As I was flipping channels I noticed a man teaching Language to a class that resembled those at my school. I stopped to listen, and found that the teacher was validating their ebonics which he called Affrican American Language (AAL). Basically, the focus was to teach them the standatd English used in schools in order for them to be succesful in the acedemic setting. I can't wait to take it back to my class. I have not studied the AAL enough to actually use the "scientific" jargin in the TV program, but I did gleen, that if the students feel that you are telling them it is ok to have their own language, but they need to learn this particular language to be successful in school, we will see at least more interest in learning if not motivation.
Some of you may be thinking Duh, dumb ass. But, I think somtimes the simplest of ideas can make a world of difference.
If there are any other s out there in my situation, I hope this helps you. Let me know.
