Return-Path: <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id i2BGWNI14558; Thu, 11 Mar 2004 11:32:23 -0500 (EST) Date: Thu, 11 Mar 2004 11:32:23 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <002301c40785$ee1ba350$0201a8c0@zorkani1> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "Barbara Tondre" <btondre@earthlink.net> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:10009] Re: Fw: Diversity in staffing X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2800.1158 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 1427 Lines: 25 Regarding teacher diversity: When I taught in Germany in the 70's (Germany had a terrific teacher shortage and so yes, I was what they called a "Gastarbeiter" albeit a professional!), all of the language teachers in the German school were from other countries. The French teacher was from France; the Spanish teacher from Spain; the Italian teacher from Italy. The English teachers were from Wales, England, Australia, and the U.S. Since we couldn't agree on much of anything when it came to choice of words and pronunciation, we agreed to speak German to one another! That quickly evened the playing field! Because I work with a number of states in PD of their ESOL teachers, I have learned that yes, non-native speakers of English residing in Tennessee often speak English with a Tennessee accent; those learning English here in Texas certainly have to learn to communicate with the "natives" ; and then what about those folks in New Jersey??? Teacher accent matters when it interferes with understanding; besides, the teacher is not the sole source of language learning! Most learning occurs outside the classroom; our instruction provides a framework, a foundation, a safe place to learn, practice, etc. I worry most about the fact that we have this huge population of limited English proficient adults, many of whom are being taught by individuals who know little if anything about second language learning.
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