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 i2UEMfm15072; Tue, 30 Mar 2004 09:22:45 -0500 (EST) Date: Tue, 30 Mar 2004 09:22:45 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <p05100300bc8f312bd445@[128.148.147.35]> 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: Janet Isserlis <Janet_Isserlis@Brown.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-esl@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-ESL:10132] Re: layers of meaning X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed" Status: O Content-Length: 1807 Lines: 41 Tanya It hadn't occurred to me to even speculate that the student you were discussing might have bought her license - but this makes the point I'm trying to get across all the more important and difficult, I think. Driving skills are not the same as language skills. Knowing the area, having an awareness of landmarks, signs, etc, are part of a broader sort of cultural literacy, maybe - but why do you assume that people with no formal education might buy licenses? I've just had to retake my driving test (written and road) because my license expired. I aced the written test. I learned the difference between a full stop and a rolling stop on the road test, which i just about passed. I can not drive on the highway. I lack that skill. I'm afraid of it. I have two advanced degrees. They mean nothing to my road skills, trust me. What's troubling me in your message is that, as it's written, it seems to assert that those lacking formal education can not drive - without acknowledging that taking a written test about driving is a very very different thing from knowing how to drive. Sure, people buy licenses. That's *not* the point, though. A basic respect for the abilities and coping strategies your students have, as well as work to support the areas they need to strengthen , seems to be the task at hand for us as educators. Janet >Janet, of course I certainly don't mean to be offensive. That is not >my intent at all. My ESOL class is a Pre-literate class. In my >particular class, most have never been to school in their own >countries, never taken up a pencil. "Buying" a driver's licence as >well as a social security number has been a common practice around >this part of the country. > >Tanya Tweeton >ESOL and GED Programs >Fort Lauderdale, Florida
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Thu Dec 23 2004 - 09:46:43 EST