Return-Path: <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id h8MIPnV17309; Mon, 22 Sep 2003 14:25:49 -0400 (EDT) Date: Mon, 22 Sep 2003 14:25:49 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <3F6F319B.6376EDC4@tenet.edu> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: james phillips <jphilip@tenet.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:4136] proficiency/literacy X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.72 [en] (Win98; I) Status: O Content-Length: 2370 Lines: 54 There seems to be lots of discussion about low level reading materials for those interested in health information. But, those who are interested might also have a low level speaking and understanding proficiency level. Those who are recent arrivals to the USA have to learn the four language skills of speaking, understanding, reading, and writing at the same time their learning the new culture and looking for a job. But, their children are learning these skills in classes of English as a second language. And, they might even be learning about their own language also. This is often referred to as heritage language learning. Another group learning the four language skills of speaking, understanding, reading, and writing are the non-native speakers of a foreign language. Some might be learning the new language in the USA. And, they might also be learning in a country where the language is spoken. An observation I seem to notice is that there’s concern about health information reading level. And, according to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages(ACTFL) students are tested on their proficiency in speaking and writing. And, many institutions of higher learning place the proficiency levels on the transcripts of the students. Therefore, it seems like there should be more low level audio health information for those who are learning English as a second language. And, also, for some, both reading and audio information might be needed. And, those who are providing this health information need to know how to communicate with the patron who requests this information. At first it might be in the patrons language and then help in English. Many years ago I use to listen to the Voice of America in special English. When the announcer was describing a baseball game, he would say ‘The ball that the pitcher threw is curving’ instead of ‘The pitcher threw a curve ball’ and he would say these words at a very, very slow speed. Maybe that’s the level of health information some patrons need at first before they progress to a higher level. James Phillips, MLS Librarian South Texas Community College Dr. Ramiro R. Casso Nursing and Allied Health Center 1101 East Vermont McAllen, Texas 78501 956-683-3121 956-683-3190 (fax) www.stcc.cc.tx.us www.stcc.cc.tx.us/nah phillips@stcc.cc.tx.us jphilip@tenet.edu se habla español
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