A Note on Language

Everyday, most of us code-switch--even those of us who are responsible for teaching Standard American English (SAE)!  For example, when I talk to my husband, I often reference stories and experiences we share, and I don't always speak in complete sentences because he usually knows what I mean.  With my very bubbly sister, my conversation gets more spirited because her excitement rubs off on me.  We'll say things like "I know, right?" and "totally" an embarrassing number of times.  When I speak with my colleagues, we use professional language and a lot of abbreviations to talk about teacher things.  Do you know what CBI, IDEA, IEP, JCTA, KEA, KWL, or QAR stand for?  You might not, but most other teachers do.  Yet if I try to explain CBI to my sister, a physical therapy student, or my husband, an accountant, I'll have to explain details to them that I wouldn't have to explain to another teacher.  If we use abbreviations or nicknames in class, we will have to describe their meaning first.

I take a similar approach to teaching writing schools.  We will learn how to describe SAE grammar, spelling, and punctuations, as well as to describe the situations in which it is appropriate to use.  I understand that students may speak a different dialect of English or even another language, and value these differences.  Students will have opportunities to test out the terms used in describing grammar on their preferred language or language style to gain familiarity with the terms.  Students are also welcome to take notes and talk to their peers in their preferred mode of communication, although I do expect them to write and speak professionally when they address the entire class or me.  This means that they will follow the conventions of SAE and use appropriate manners (such as not interrupting, raising hands, and staying relevant).  We will learn more about what speaking and writing professionally means as the year progresses.  Ultimately, learning to speak and write well in SAE will enable your students to succeed in my classroom, our school, and on standardized exams.