Understanding and Teaching About Language Maxwell & Meiser Chapter 3

Commonalities among Languages Sound-meaning relationship Distinct rules for forming words and sentences “absorb” patterns between birth and 5

Competence vs Performance Competence: linguistic system Performance: how we use it

All children are competent in their native language All children are competent in their native language. But they differ in their performance.

“standard American English” judgment of performance is linked to it Every grammar is complex and capable of expressing thoughts

What native speakers Know Recognize grammatical sentences Recognize relationships of words within the sentences

Native speakers can create novel sentences

No one teaches children the RULES

We acquire language through immersion We learn language through a study of its parts and its rules

ESL Learning a second language requires: time language from which to learn and risk-taking

Native speakers: what works* Language-rich environment Authentic purpose Active participation Sustained practice Positive reinforcement’ Tolerance for error Meaning & fluency before correctness Awareness of rates of development (*written language)

Teachers: When working with students with different native American dialects, Do not be misled by errors in writing. It’s a matter of exposure to written English A problem of writing in academic setting

Non-Native Speakers Should write. Need time, feedback and ways to explore topics Need MORE reading, writing, listening, instruction and practice Need emphasis on editing Need to read well-written prose

“Smart Errors” Provide evidence of insight Look for the logic Use writing folders with student goals

Teachers: Monitor your language Clarity Pacing Word choice Rhythm & pronunciation Grammatical correctness! Page 89!!

Young Adult Lit Powerful vehicle for language study

Julie of the Wolves UNIT Language, culture and personal identity Survival literature Language diversity & dialect

What Standards are addressed? How would you assess student learning in this unit?