1. Understanding and Teaching About Language
Maxwell & Meiser
Chapter 3

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

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

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

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

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

7. Native speakers can create novel sentences

8. No one teaches children
the
RULES

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

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

11. 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)

12. 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

13. 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

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

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

16. Young Adult Lit
Powerful vehicle for language study

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

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