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Is modeling proper grammar less important than just communicating even for educators?
I have talked to a number of different educators, and have noticed that quite a few of them seem to commonly use incorrect grammar in their speech patterns. What seems more irksome it that they often code switch depending on the audience. I'm a visible minority, but I guess to those people that speak English well it should be obvious of my proficiency. So, a while back I commented toward my kids that I noticed some school administrators and teachers switching from speaking "standard" English with me to speaking "hillbilly" English to some of the parents. Additionally, there is a noticeable presence of foreign-born Asians in this area, and I see that many of the educators will switch to a simplified English with incorrect grammar when speaking to them (e.g. using adjectives instead of adverbs, etc.).
If so many educators are focused on the now, and just getting the point across, how are students supposed to learn? I would prefer the teachers actually teach and model proper English, especially when they know it.
Instead, I don't get surprised when I hear something like, the teacher was lecturing us on "text messaging etiquette", but she is unable to properly define a pronoun. Call me a bad parent, but I would prefer to focus on helping my kids with difficult skills, instead of fixing simple errors that constantly get repeated and reinforced.
I was born in New England, nearly all of my teachers had some version of that accent right up until middle school when we moved. My mother has the classic midatlantic aka “no” accent. I speak more like her than the teachers whose accents I heard from preschool to 5th grade.
Peers and parents will always have more of an influence on how children speak than any particular teacher.
Fascinated by your claim that when speaking to Asians, these people you are referencing use "adjectives instead of adverbs." That is so random. Can you give examples? And why would this behavior be saved for Asians?
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Originally Posted by nobodysbusiness
Fascinated by your claim that when speaking to Asians, these people you are referencing use "adjectives instead of adverbs." That is so random. Can you give examples? And why would this behavior be saved for Asians?
I am also interested in hearing specific examples.
My son teaches 7th grade English. He will not disrespect the language that has inspired him to author books. His students are given little leniency in composition or pronunciation. He will guide them by using examples of their 'slang' to get a point across. Context.
Otherwise most of his colleagues regard his knowledge and usage as a living example.
I often dread conversations with him as he will correct a sentence. Most times I get a free mom pass since I helped raise him to respect to his elders.
My son teaches 7th grade English. He will not disrespect the language that has inspired him to author books. His students are given little leniency in composition or pronunciation. He will guide them by using examples of their 'slang' to get a point across. Context.
Otherwise most of his colleagues regard his knowledge and usage as a living example.
I often dread conversations with him as he will correct a sentence. Most times I get a free mom pass since I helped raise him to respect to his elders.
That is probably a good teaching tool but casually those who can not converse in the vernacular, or worse, those who are constantly judgemental of economic, racial and geographical minorities quickly become insufferable.
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