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