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 j7BEnJG29062; Thu, 11 Aug 2005 10:49:19 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 11 Aug 2005 10:49:19 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <00b101c59e83$650296a0$9c124d0c@judith> 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: "JUDITH SINCLAIR" <j-p-sinclair@worldnet.att.net> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:11057] Note of Appreciation X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 6.00.2900.2180 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 2321 Lines: 58 Dear Friends and Colleagues: Please know that we are very appreciative of the many informative responses we have received in the last few days regarding language and Caribbean students' success in work and school in the United States, and we thank everyone who took time to reply. It has been very interesting to review how various respondents framed our query. All replies are worthy and helpful. In our opinion, this is a critical issue in American education; one that deserves continued interest and support. However, according to what we have seen in many multicultural, linguistic, and/or multisocial studies, it is often miscategorized or undervalued as a factor in this population's career and academic success. In our opinion, some of this misunderstanding may spring from the often-tempered relationship between theory and practice, a synaptic process with well-documented risks. Other misunderstandings might reside within the tension between current behaviorist, cognitive, and constructivist concepts of language and "linguistics," as they emerge from earlier Watson vs. Chomsky "manifestos." And, there are other factors, as well. Yet, overall, and certainly with respect to the many fine responses we received from you, it seems to us that we are gaining ground in our understanding of how to appreciate and treat often-frustrated insular and continental Caribbean students. It is our idea that the interest and knowledge gained in the last 100 or so years about both insular and continental Caribbean language and linguistics in America as it relates to students' success in school and in work will continue to grow in import as we look toward our new society, and the challenges it provides to American education. And, realizing that this interest is not particular to our own country, the new perspectives we American educators forge will hopefully serve the wider, universal interest in this subject. Thank you again, friends and colleagues, and please know that we look forward to our continued participation in the NIFL community's exchange. Sincerely, Judith Peyton Sinclair, Ph.D. Cognitive Psychologist in Education and the Social and Behavioral Sciences Executive Director Sinclair & Associates International, LLC Main Office: Washington, DC
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