Unit+1+Discussion


 * Unit 1 Reflection Carlotta Chambers-Ramseur**

Examining Promising Practices to Improve Linguistic Knowledge and Inform Practice in Teacher Education

It is important that undergraduate students receive explicit linguistic knowledge in reading, writing, and spelling. It is more important that new teachers as well as veteran teachers receive the same explicit instruction. The purpose of the Common Core standards is to make all teachers reading teachers. Therefore, it is extremely important that all teachers be aware of how to improve linguistic knowledge in their core subject reading material.

It is essential that this instruction be presented face-to-face instead of being read in a textbook. Unfortunately, textbooks contain inaccurate information and it also does not tell the reader how to pronounce sounds. Therefore, technology must play an integral part of linguistic instruction. Video lessons help the reader pronounce sounds and also provide privacy by allowing the educator to work at his/her own pace when digesting the material. When in a face-to-face class Activotes also provide anonymity when an educator, especially a veteran teacher, must test his/her knowledge on linguistics

Tutoring also provides enrichment for the tutor as well as the student. I work at the Salisbury Tutoring Academy, Ltd. There we use a structured, systematic, intensive phonics instruction lesson format supervised by the director. The tutoring that I provide allows me to learn as well as the student.

Many universities provide advanced degrees in the area of linguistics. I received my master’s degree from Lesley University in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on reading, writing, and language for grades K-6. This has been a great asset for me in the classroom.

There needs to be staff development on the topic of dyslexia. Many educators are not aware of the new definition concerning this learning disability. It is vital that educators be provided this information to help their struggling students in the classroom.