The Editor, Sir:

Re the article in The Gleaner on students being urged to speak English and the teacher saying this would aid in better expression in exams (March 5, 2008), I found it a bit ridiculous and strange that a teacher would make such a statement or to even believe that if students speak more English at school, they would write 'better' English on exams.

First of all, students can't speak what they don't know. The same problems they have and the same mistakes they make in expressing themselves in written English are the same problems they have or will have in attempting to speak the language.

The responsibility of the teacher and the education system in general is to expose the students as much as possible to formal/academic English. This is done through rigorous practice on a daily basis through reading, writing and speaking.

With the majority of our students entering the school system speaking only Jamaican Creole/Patois (which is not even recognised as our first language, but is), educators will have to employ meaningful English as a second language (ESL) strategies to teach these students Standard English. Telling them or having them believe that if they try to speak English when in school will help them to write better on exams will not cut it. That is false and misleading.

Not a comfortable language

People tend to communicate in the language they are most comfortable using, especially when with friends. Standard English is not a comfortable language for the majority of Jamaicans (including students). It all boils down to preparation, real preparation, not just some fly-by-night notions. You either know the language or you don't. If you do, you will do fine, whether writing or speaking it. If you don't, then there will be a problem both writing and speaking it.

I am, etc.,

ANN-MARIE SCOTT

dennie229@optonline.net

Brooklyn, New York

Via Go-Jamaica