This is the post about the Ebonics Debate reading that your peer never published; it is composed by Chris Lacy from ENG300-2. Responses are due on Friday, Feb. 6th, by class time.
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*Post from Jan 30th due to snow days*Article
This article is adapted from an interview with Carrie Secret, a fifth-grade teacher at Prescott Elementary School in the Oakland Unified School District. Prescott had been the only school in the system where a majority of teachers voluntarily agreed to adopt the Standard English Proficiency program, a statewide initiative which acknowledges the systematic, rule-governed nature of "Black English" while helping children to learn Standard English.
Carrie Secret instills a very hands-on approach to teaching English as a Second Language to her students. Although she promotes a strong push to use standard English in her classroom, she accepts that Ebonics and other languages are the students "home" or native languages. She allows them to interact in the language that they are most comfortable speaking in. Critics of this approach attest that allowing Ebonics to be used in the classroom will prolong the switch to English. Carrie argues that "If you are concerned about children using Ebonics in the classroom, you will spend the whole day saying, "Translate, translate, translate." So you have to pick times when you are particularly attuned to and calling for English translation." I believe that this method of teaching proper English will be most effective. It reminds the students to embrace their cultural roots, but become mindful of the goal of learning English.
Carrie teaches the students through active listening; making the students read and write in proper English and listening to proper English being spoken. She emphasizes hearing proper English at a young age before habits become too much to overcome. She still reads to her 5th grade students to reinforce proper speaking techniques. She also incorporates black literature into her teaching methods to show students that their own people did wonderful things with standard English.
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14 comments:
In my opinion, Carrie Secret's approach to teaching English as a second language is the best approach. After all, she has been using this method for many years and has been successful with it. Plus,I believe that Ebonics is a language in its own right and should be treated as such.
There are many reasons why her approach is the best for students.With her method the children learn how to hear the differences between the languages, which helps them in their writing.Her approach doesn't put down her students; it just teaches them the language that is accepted in formal situations. She keeps their culture while still preparing them for the future. Carrie
I believe Carrie Secret really does know what she is talking about. It seems to me she is using a very effective learning method that is fun for all the children, as well as not makeing them feel uncomfortable. I know when I was younger and even now that I am older I do not like to be put on the spot. I really like how Mrs. Secret listened to the students when they didn't know she was listening, for example when they were in groups talking with their fellow students. I think this is how you really get to know how much they have developed and how much work they need. I love how Mrs. Secret does not discourage her students to speak the language they are comfortable with, but she encourages them learn English. Also reading to them so they get familiar with different words is a wonderful idea, for students being able to hear the words over and over are bound to pick up on them.
I believe that Carrie Secret's approach towards teaching English as a second language can be good and bad, depending on what angle you look at. Looking at it from an educational perspective, I believe that she has been successful. She has been using this method for years. Many believe that Ebonics is of its self an entire new language. And I agree. I will never understand what they are saying. Secret's method give the children some different perspectives on the everyday english and Ebonics.
This is the first time I had ever been taught that Ebonics is a language of its own. I always thought it was just slang. I belive Carrie Secret's approach is very effective. Allowing the students to speak their "native" language allows them to be themselves and keep that part of their identity. It keeps them comfortable in the classroom while teaching them Standard English. The approach she is using seems to be working and helping students develop speaking skills as well as listening skills.
Carrie Secret's method of teaching her students seems to be very effective. In order to help kids learn, a teacher must find a way to identify with her class and accomodate it in a fashion that will lead to a path towards success. By assimilating to their native Ebonics while at the same time teaching English, she is providing a smooth learning transition for the students. She seems to grasp the idea that it is not only unnecessary but also unrealistic to expect her students to speak in perfect English outside of class. Her style should be taught to all English teachers in culturally diverse classrooms everywhere.
I think that Carrie Secret knows what needs to be done in order to be a successful teacher. She lets her students talk in their "home" language as often as possible. She wants them to remain culturally familiar with their roots. She encourages the students to use proper English, but only when necessary. I like how she uses literature that has Ebonics language patterns in it. It's almost like it is something the students can relate to.
Carrie Secret has developed a method that makes it easier for her students to learn. I believe it is also important that children learn the English language as well. Her tactics allow the children to be themselves and at the same time they are able to learn the correct English usage. Most people have developed their own language usage in their homes, however people should be able to speak correctly outside of their home.
I, personally had no idea that Ebonics was a language of its own. Ebonics always seemed like a "slang" to me. I think it is important in today's society that students understand these different language types.
It is very interesting that Carrie Secret is able to use past history to give her children a sense of their culture. Ms. Secret's teaching method is a success for her students, therefore it is important that she continue to use her method.
I agree with Carrie Secret's approach. I believe by doing this, students will not only be able to relate to their families/friends, but they will be able to relate to the world. You have to allow the students to feel comfortable with themselves, and with this new way of communicating. To incorporate these two languages without diminishing the other is wonderful. This is the way I plan to teach in my classroom. There is nothing wrong with embracing a person’s culture and allowing them to embrace yours also.
Carrie Secret in my view did an outstanding job when teaching her children because she made learning fun. She didn’t make her students feel bad or dumb when it came to teaching English, she allowed them to use the language that they were familiar with but at the same time emphasized proper English. Ebonics is a tricky language in itself, for many like myself it’s tough to understand at times and I could only imagine if I spoke Ebonics all the time that proper English would be tough to learn. I give her kudos for her ambition and would love to sit in on one of her teaching sessions and get a real feel of how she gets it done.
I agree with Carrie Secret's method of teaching. Often, when something is drilled into a students head it is not taken as effectively. Over correcting a student on how they speak would be like that. If a teacher critizes a student on how they talk it could actually have a adverse effect. So to my belief that people adapt what they are around. So if you talk a certain way then eventually they will also pick up on it.
By recognizing Ebonics as its own language, a teacher is sending the message to his or her students that all different forms of the English language (and all other languages) should be acknowledged and respected. If teachers respect the language of their students, the students are more likely to respect the language of their teacher. By showing the students the differences of the languages, they can better understand standard English and therefore will be more inclined to understand it.
Carries secret approach to teaching English as a second language can be good but also bad. Carrie has been using this way of teaching for years and it has been quite successful. She doesn't put down her students, and she prepares them for the future. Then depending on what angle you look at this method it can also be bad for students. But all in all it I feel it is a good teaching method and this Secreat approach has worked for many years.
I feel that carries secret approach has its positives and negatives. I feel that the way she doesn't put down the student and the style that she uses making it a fun and comfortable atmosphere for learning. If the students have English beat into their heads they will not remember it as well as they would here. the negatives I see here is if she was trying to teach this to kids whose primary language is English.
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