Why I ask students to speak in standard English, even if I understand what they say
Last week, I took a substitute assignment at the middle school and was looking forward to teaching math. I asked the students to clear their desks as they only needed their pencils. One student shouted something along the lines of "I don't got no pencil!" I gently suggested that I understood what he said, but please would he rephrase that in standard English. He appeared offended. I explained that it is necessary to speak in standard English in order to excel academically, and not only to enter college but to thrive and graduate with a degree. He showed that he disliked my answer, but eventually borrowed a pencil from a classmate.
I wanted to share my experience to give an example that illustrates a trend that recent reports have shown. Our students are not reaching language arts literacy goals based on New Jersey Assessment of Skills and Knowledge (NJASK) scores. If I may extrapolate from the data further, the populations that need the most improvement are in communities that more commonly speak in the urban vernacular or hybrid languages. Vernacular languages and home languages are important for social interactions; however, in the academic setting, it is important for students to become familiar and fluent in speaking, reading, and writing in standard English for their success. Next time someone mocks a child for "sounding" a certain way when they speak in standard English, please correct the insulter and state that the child sounds like he has built his vocabulary and speaks clearly to express his thoughts and opinions.
Reports for each school in the South Orange - Maplewood School District are available online (http://education.state.nj.us/pr/nav.php?c=13;d=4900)
I would like to end this soapbox post with an excerpt from a beautiful poem that has lifted me every time I sought it out. In fact, I had the wonderful experience of hearing Mr. Samuel L. Jackson read it at my friend's graduation, Vassar 2004.
OH, THE PLACES YOU'LL GO! by Dr. Seuss
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And
you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll
decide where to go.
You’ll get mixed up,
of course, as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up with
many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great
tact and remember that
Life’s A Great Balancing Act.
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU’LL MOVE
MOUNTAINS!