Mid-terms have come, and I am starting to grade papers. I have an intensive oral communications class and hilariously the section I must grade is an essay. Sadly, I often find myself doubting the validity of my corrections. I am admittedly atrocious at grammar.
In High School I was recommended for Honors and AP English, 3 times. Each time I bombed out due to the fact I was HIDEOUS at grammar. My essays which I thought were rather well written, often were docked SERIOUS points due to my grammar. Run-ons sentences, fragments, improper usage, my essays had them all.
The fact that I was even going to Japan to teach English was a bit of a joke to my friends. So today, the teachers were joking with each other at how many students were writing down, "She speaks a little English". They even joked to me about it. And I had to second guess myself for a long while, thinking "I say that ALL the time" But in all seriousness, Hawaii is not known for it's proper English. And I know our colloquial English breaks down almost all grammar rules.
But, with a bit of temerity I challenged them, saying" I think that's right" They gave me a confounded look to which I said more sternly, "I'm almost certain thats correct." In the end I had enough doubt to call up Matt to reconfirm my assertion. Thankfully I was right, they even looked it up in the dictionary and found a sentence almost identical.
Though grammar is my weak point, and I am from a place where spoken English is no where close to proper, I think I need to trust my ability to speak English. That is after all what I am here for. Also I think this is the clearest sign that I need to speak English properly. I often am offended when friends correct my English, I think "Stop being such a Nazi"! But, as an English teacher we should be careful, least we really do teach them something horrible. I'd feel mighty awful if they failed their tests simply because my spoken English is such rubbish. So I am thinking of asking my parents to send me up a grammar book for English speakers.... I wonder how all you other JETs are doing.
Please respond, and from you Hawaii people, what do you think about your English?
2 件のコメント:
i grew up making it a point not to speak pidgin cause i know mainlanders don't understand the meaning behind it. unfortunately, it does often creep in without me knowing. For me, more than grammer rules, i suck at spelling. BAH!
me no speaka engrish stay in hut.
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