Return-Path: <nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id h6I2S3708687; Thu, 17 Jul 2003 22:28:03 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 17 Jul 2003 22:28:03 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <0FFA1BE9.289B1556.0A349A3F@aol.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: AWilder106@aol.com To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-4eff@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-4EFF:2429] Re: Syntax X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 X-Mailer: Atlas Mailer 2.0 Status: O Content-Length: 1832 Lines: 19 Jennifer, On your second example--the syntax is there and the word meanings also--it makes sense. On the first--obviously you have to have words that make sense, these don't. I was making a narrower point (but I am also working on the one you present)--that you have to have syntax, it holds the language together. Specific languages have specific grammars. Syntax is like having a dictionary, suddenly you are manipulating classes of words WHICH REFER TO EACH OTHER, like a dictionary does. You have kicked language up to a whole new level away from simple naming. Once you move away from naming you are into meaning. It certainly helps readers when they hear speech with syntax, which doesn't happen in the normal course of talking, we don't speak normally in full sentences and paragraphs, we speak in phrases, we make gestures, and so on. So READING ALOUD has to be an important resource for a teacher--tapes are fine. The kind of book reading we call "reading" depends on the student having a grasp of this kind of expression. Not only does it enhance predictability and accustom the student to speech patterns, it enhances the areas of the brain that handle language. Good readers read a lot, that's how they get to be good. It's like practicing any skill, you do it a lot and then you get better at it. You can't sound out all the words, some are sight words. How about sounding out "the?" Can't be done. People need a reason for reading, motivation. Often adult students have been so damaged by lousy teaching that to enter an adult classroom requires extraordinary courage. Thanks for your email and thanks to George for opening up this topic. Teachers are ham strung if they teach by recipe, what happens when there is no cookbook? That's the problem with cookie cutter appraoches. Andrea
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