Commission on Language
Function: The Commission on Language is a deliberative and advisory body which each year identifies and reports to the NCTE Executive Committee on key issues in the teaching of language; reviews what the Council has done concerning language during the year; and recommends new projects and persons who might undertake them. The Commission monitors current and projected NCTE publications (other than journals), suggests topics for future NCTE publications on language and performs a similar role of review and recommendation for the NCTE Annual Convention program. Occasionally, the Commission undertakes further tasks and projects as approved by the Executive Committee.
The Commission on Language continues to focus its long-term efforts of supporting the Students' Right to Their Own Language (SRTOL). The focus on SRTOL allows the Commission to address continued concerns over a) gaps in teacher knowledge about how to address the needs of English Language and Second Dialect Learners, b) the effects of globalization on language pedagogy; and c) the impact of No Child Left Behind legislation on current educational policies and teaching practices. All were considered avenues for reversing positive steps toward improving language/language arts theory, research, practice, and educational policies.
The Commission is accomplishing these efforts in the two broad ways. First: Two book prospectuses are in progress; one that focuses on research and one on pedagogical support for SRTOL. The prospectuses are in their final stages of development. To reach this point, two sub-committees of the Commission have completed the following tasks:
- Examined publications on topics related to SRTOL issues;
- Explored potential publishers for the two books;
- Restructured the original book proposals in relation to interests of potential publishers;
- Secured commitments of scholars to contribute articles to the books; and
- Prepared sessions for the convention that highlight areas related to the proposed books.
Second, members of the Commission have engaged in their own pilot studies across several campuses to examine pre and inservice teachers’ understanding of their language practices and their awareness of the positionality of language forms in diverse spaces. One study involves the completion of a survey that has been adapted (with permission) from a previous survey conducted by members of the Conference on College Composition and Communication and the NCTE. The second study involves preservice and inservice teachers engaging in direct activities to examine their own positionalities in language communities. Preliminary results will be shared at the 2005 NCTE conference as well as distributed through potential publications.
In addition to these activities, the Commission has responded to a call from the NCTE Executive Committee to assist with several topics as foci for developing policy. Members of the Commission are serving as a liaison to these areas.
Plans for future work include:
- Completing the two books
- Revisiting the issue of teaching grammar in context
- Continue to examine issues that support the Students' Right to Their Own Language resolution
- Networking with other Commissions to increase understanding of areas of shared concerns.
- Continue as a liaison to NCTE foci areas.
Laurie Katz, Director
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