| Webster's dictionary defines English as the | | | | |
| application to apply the principles of | | | | This must be especially reinforced to ESL |
| English pronunciation, spelling, etc. | | | | students as well. For example, let's say I |
| (Webster's 2004). | | | | ask my student the question: "What is two |
| | | | times twelve?" Instead of just accepting the |
| The English language has clearly changed in | | | | answer "24," require the student to say, "It |
| pronunciation over the years. For example, | | | | is twenty-four." Also, expect them to add |
| the sentence, "Mom, do you wish me to unload | | | | adverbs and adjectives as well--"It appears |
| the groceries?" is now said shorter like: | | | | to exactly be twenty-four." We must expect |
| "Ma, do ya want me to get the bags?" In our | | | | the best from our kids, or they will not put |
| fast past society, we sometimes forget to | | | | out their best efforts. |
| utilize proper English and indeed some of us | | | | |
| have forgotten to use it at all. | | | | We all use language differently in different |
| | | | situations. We would not address our |
| What are the specific "rules" today when | | | | principal, if we are a teacher, in the same |
| teaching children the English Language? Dean, | | | | manner that we would the teenager that lives |
| a former third grade teacher says, "Students | | | | next door and won't turn down his music. |
| are just not reading-nor are they writing | | | | |
| enough in today's world.. .furthermore, I can | | | | Our voice inflection, tone, but most |
| remember enjoying reading aloud, I even read | | | | importantly, our knowledge of proper English |
| a book in the top of my front yard | | | | is essential to obtaining good jobs, raises |
| overlooking the green grass and hillsides. | | | | and bonuses, and just in communicating with |
| Once I even read a book on a rubber raft in | | | | others in general. If one can give a |
| Lake Tahoe--an almost unforgettable | | | | compliment to a co-worker in proper English, |
| experience." | | | | it may never be forgotten. |
| | | | |
| Students are not used to reading in the year | | | | In my lifetime I have watched the youth of |
| 2004, and thus, they need to be reminded at | | | | this generation, especially their language, |
| times to stay on task, and we must instruct | | | | degenerate. By that, I mean it has gone way |
| them to that it's fine to let a book take | | | | downhill in terms of usage and lack of |
| their breath away! | | | | vocabulary. |
| | | | |
| In my own personal life, years before any | | | | The advent of Play Station III, less reading |
| understanding of reading, my mind was left to | | | | of books, and the informational age, has left |
| try and develop the mechanics of the English | | | | students unable to compete and cope. My own |
| Language. Consequently, I can understand what | | | | brother may not even know to say: "Thank you |
| it is like for a student trying to learn the | | | | sir or maam" after a job interview. I'm half |
| language. | | | | sure he does not. |
| | | | |
| Myself, and my fellow students had to | | | | Why is English Grammar teaching important? |
| continually practice with speaking, writing, | | | | Why is formal English usage important to |
| and reading. Another comment my 3rd grade | | | | daily life? The first thing we need to teach |
| teacher colleague made was: "Children today | | | | our students is that proper English will help |
| are not investing enough time to English, so | | | | you in your life to be a better communicator, |
| like the old saying says-if you don't use it, | | | | increase and promote yourself in life, and |
| you lose it." | | | | that people will give you more respect and |
| | | | appreciation the minute you utilize it. |
| Going back to the example of verbiage I used | | | | |
| earlier of: "Ma, do you want be to get the | | | | It is important that I, as a future teacher, |
| bags? (groceries) English grammar has been | | | | explain to them that proper English is |
| shortened in some instances and one wonders | | | | essential to the business, educational, and |
| how much English Grammar is being taught in | | | | religious world. In business, students need |
| the public school systems today. One hopes | | | | to be able to close deals, communicate profit |
| that the proper grammar usage is being taught | | | | margins, forecast future sales, and much |
| to our students, so that they may begin or | | | | more. |
| continue to see the "value" of proper | | | | |
| English. | | | | I will endeavor to explain to them that |
| | | | proper English will have to be utilized, |
| We live in such a hamburger fast food | | | | because as a business person they will be |
| society. We want it now. We want it fast. | | | | more than likely talking to colleagues with |
| English cannot be learned properly in such a | | | | masters and doctorate degrees, and they will |
| manner. We need to give examples to students | | | | not be permitted to say things like: "Aint |
| in proper English versus quick slang, etc., | | | | this a great pic, dudes?" In education, |
| and we should teach them the many instances | | | | proper English will gamer the respect of |
| in which proper English can be beneficial to | | | | their peers and their professors. They will |
| them. | | | | be looked up to as a "smart" person, and not |
| | | | a "dumb" one. |
| Teaching English, I believe, should be taught | | | | |
| like a foreign language. English is a | | | | I will also explain that it will help them be |
| language that needs to be learned, not just | | | | better writers on their papers, and they may |
| memorized. It is the dominant language of our | | | | increase test scores-especially on the S.A.T. |
| country and non-mastery of it cannot be | | | | in high school! For religion, I may explain |
| tolerated from our students. One of the best | | | | how the Apostle Paul was well versed in Greek |
| ways, I assert, that a teacher can teach | | | | Culture, and in fact, was a teacher. Even in |
| English mechanics, is to never allow a | | | | the religious realm-one is more respected if |
| student to answer a question in incomplete | | | | they can speak fluently and reverently |
| grammar. | | | | toalmighty God. |