Friday, May 20, 2011
A Job Offer
A couple months ago I started applying to private language schools for teaching jobs so I could get some experience. I got two call-backs. When I went on the interviews, I was told that I didn't have enough (make that any!) experience. I don't know why the interviewers had me come in since it was clear from my resume that was the case. Anyhow, last weekend I got a call from one of the schools. They offered me a job teaching accent reduction. I didn't see THAT coming! Is that phonology? I couldn't take the job because I'd already accepted something else (outside of teaching). I was very encouraged, though, about someday being able to get a teaching job. By the way, is accent reduction a good thing?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It is depends what that private language school intention is. It could be be a good thing if all their students want to become fluent native speaker without any accent. But for me I do not think I would be comfortable if someone force me to give up my accent simply because of my background. I personally believe that our accent defines who we are, we are supposed to feel comfortable with our own skin, culture, knowledge and identity. It is a personal choice through since people make their own judgment about life. However, if this country one day have a policy that all people must speak standard English ( native a like), it could be difficult for non-native speakers to find jobs. Since this country is consists of multicultural, I think people should embrace their language by not give up on their own beliefs.
ReplyDeleteI started looking at the list of ESL classes offered for adults at the school district where I teach. There is an accent reduction course that is offered in the evening to help adults improve their pronunciation of English. I think that adults will have no problem with the input aspect of the course. When it comes to the language production, I'm afraid that adults are fossilized.
ReplyDeleteI saw a commercial about phonics, which improves reading comprehension. I wonder if it works at all ages.
I am not really sure if there is such a thing. I am taking a linguistic class, super interesting, and we are covering phonology. I came to the United States when I was twelve years old, and I wish my teachers would cover phonology. I have learned by listening to others and by making mistakes. So far, I still have an accent and I embrace it. I believe it's part of me and it defines me. According to my professor, studies have shown that people who learn a new language after the age of twelve have greater chances to have an accent. Perhaps, a class of phonology would be better than a class for accent reduction.
ReplyDeleteI think intelligibility is the most important thing. If someone pronounces well enough to be understood, and communication is the goal, then as a teacher, I'm fine. If a student has such a marked accent that either they can't be understood, or it takes too much effort on the part of the listener, I would encourage them to work toward intelligibility. I don't want my students to encounter prejudice because of a pronounced accent. Even adults can refine their pronunciation, in my experience.
ReplyDeleteI have always thought that language is not a barometer of intelligence, now after Arnold, I am second guessing that.
ReplyDelete