Language
It is a critical tool in the development of identity, and intellectual and psychological growth.
Language as a Socializing Agent
Language is used to socialize children-
Children naturally absorb the language around them
Language can be vocal or non-verbal
Almost all children have the ability to learn one or more native languages.
Language Diversity in the U.S.
The USA has a rich diversity of language
There were 47 million non-English speakers in the United States in the year 2000.
There were 329 languages spoken in the United States in 2000.
More Languages Worldwide
USA focuses on English as the ‘Official language---The advantages of bilingualism or multilingualism are often overlooked by the U.S.
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In many world nations, children are expected to learn at least two languages.
Nature of Language
There is no good language or bad language
Society places different social values on different language and dialect groups.
Cultural Influences
Language use is culturally determined.
Western society places value on time (saved, lost, or wasted).
The Lakota Sioux have no words for “late” or “waiting.”
Southerners often engage in “small talk” (the ball game, for example) before business is discussed.
Bilingualism
Expressions and words tend to be identified with particular periods of time, but are then replaced
( 60’s=groovy!”
Language systems are dynamic, changing constantly.
Bilingualism
Bilingualism, the ability to speak two languages, is often difficult for students to maintain without support structures.
Schools encourage use of just English, and some students are encouraged to give up their home language
Research suggests bilingual education is more effective than a strictly monolingual approach.
Accents
Accent generally refers to how an individual pronounces words.
Accents sound different from standard English only in how the words are pronounced.
A person may have strong accent, yet speak in standard English.
Dialects
In the United States there are many different dialects.
Some dialects are social dialects, while others are regional dialects.
Regional dialects ( Southern drawls, and New York ) tend to differ primarily in the use of vowels.
Some dialects enjoy greater social acceptance and prestige than others.
Social Class Dialects
Social dialects. Ebonics is a dialect used by the majority of working-class African Americans.
Differences in Dialects
Variations in language patterns are significant when compared by:
Age
Gender
Socioeconomic status
Ethnic group
Geographic region
Standard English
No single dialect is identified as Standard English.
Norms vary with communities, and there are two norms:
The informal standard, which is considered proper in a community
The formal standard, which is the acceptable written language
Sign Language
Some languages are neither spoken nor written.
Individuals who are deaf and unable to hear the sounds used in oral language may use sign language.
American Sign Language (ASL) is used by the majority of individuals with deafness in the United States and Canada.
ASL has its own complex grammar and syntax
Signed English is another system that translates English oral or written word into sign language.
Deaf Culture
Non-Verbal Communication
The total meaning of communication goes beyond the surface message that is stated.
Meaning is often sent nonverbally through body language.
It may strengthen or contradict verbal communication.
It is culturally influenced.
Second Language Acquisition
First language is acquired naturally through constant interaction.
*Knowledge of the first language plays an important role in acquiring and learning a second language.
ELLs and Schooling
By 2026, there will be an estimate of 15 million ELLs in U.S. public schools.
It is best to allow children learn in their first language until they are able to function well in English.
Equally important is teachers’ responsibility to understand and value cultural and linguistic differences.
Language and Educational Assessment
Many tests rely heavily on language skill and understanding,
Poor test scores may be due to language level, not academic knowledge
Bilingual Education Programs
Transitional programs emphasize the move from home language and culture to English as soon as possible (typically by 3rd grade).
Maintenance programs develop students’ first and second language skills simultaneously, maintaining the first language while acquiring the second.
Lau Decision
While not mandating bilingual education, the Supreme Court stipulated that special language programs were necessary for equal educational opportunities for non-English speaking students .
Gave rise to ESL ( English as a second language) programs at schools
English as a Second Language
ESL is often confused with bilingual education.
Like bilingual education, ESL promotes English proficiency for English language learners.
ESL relies exclusively on English for teaching and learning.
ESL is used extensively in the United States as a primary medium to assimilate ELL children into the linguistic mainstream.
Sheltered English Immersion
Nearly all instruction in English.
During this time, ELL students are sheltered temporarily from competing academically with native English-speaking students in mainstream classes.
Bilingual Education
“Bilingual Education is the use of two languages as media of instruction.”
“The primary goal of bilingual education is to teach children concepts, knowledge, and skills in the language they know best and to reinforce this information through the use of English.”
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Baca, L., and Cervantes, H. (2004). The Bilingual Special Education Inter