Language Education: Shared Responsibility and Holistic Development

Does Language Learning Involve All Teachers? Who Should Teach Language?

Every teacher has a role in the teaching of language, though the level and responsibility are not the same. If we understand language learning as learning the different uses of language, then clearly the specialist in each subject is best suited. However, remember that all teachers are language teachers, and language is present in all subjects (e.g., creating summaries, drawing diagrams, addressing spelling, or solving reading problems).

Justifications for Shared Language Teaching Responsibility

• Every teacher should possess broad linguistic and communication skills to achieve a high standard of general language proficiency. Furthermore, teachers must recognize that they serve as a model or reference point for students.
• The language teacher is the primary expert for the proper use of language-specific skills.
• Language is a fundamental tool of communication.
• Teachers should strive to speak with absolute correctness within the framework of linguistic regulations and standard language, making generous use of all its expressive registers.
• Teachers should also continuously enrich their own language.

Understanding Language Acquisition

Symbolic language is the instrument by which we organize our environment. Therefore, its learning is more about creating effective learning situations than just rote memorization.

What Does Language Learning Entail?

Learning language primarily involves communication skills, especially spoken language, as it is the hub of social life common to all cultures. We must understand that language learning involves:

• Acquiring the key to access other cultural fields.
• Possessing an instrument with the capacity to manage our thoughts.
• Facilitating and expanding our communication and relationship possibilities.
• Being able to analyze the world we live in and participate in it, to increase personal security, the ability to operate in various fields, and to promote communication, connections, and participation.

How Should Language Classes Be Structured?

We need to focus more on communication and the practical use of language, i.e., speaking, reading, listening, and writing.

Language must provide the individual who learns it with the minimum skills and knowledge necessary to function in this world. Furthermore, language must contribute to the attainment of personal autonomy, i.e., the ability to operate independently in a world structured and directed by literate people.

Stages of Language Development

Language development involves moving from being tied to concrete experience to achieving symbolic verbal behavior, which involves encoding experience.

Key Developmental Stages

1. Pre-linguistic Stage: Characterized by first syllables, onomatopoeia (relating objects with sounds), babbling, etc.
2. Linguistic Stage: When children begin to say their first words and form sentences.

These phases describe what the child speaks or says, as the child imitates adults. In this stage, the child aims to comprehend. First comes understanding, and then expression.

Social Aspects Affecting Language Development

Family Influence

The nuclear family has been reduced, typically consisting of a father, mother, and at most two children. Increasingly, children are only children, and more children are living with only one parent. Mothers often work outside the home, reducing time spent with children (a consequence of women's increased participation in the workforce). Same-sex marriages also mean children may have two fathers or two mothers. The traditional language patterns associated with a diverse range of adults in a family have diminished. Families sometimes adopt children from other countries, who may or may not have more siblings; this also impacts language development.

Cultural Impact

The culture of oral transmission has given way to media culture, first radio, then television and video, often leading to silent family hours spent watching TV. Video games also influence children. The communication adults transmit often reflects a more directive, less interactive style. The means of direct contact between children and adults has dropped significantly, leading to a distinct language profile in children.

Another Contributing Factor

The establishment of a distinct 'child status' has led to the creation of a specific language used to address children. This is a simplified language, with the overuse of diminutives, often riddled with errors, and demonstrating tremendous linguistic poverty.