Entry #3

Comment on the relationship between oral language and the reading process.

             I found it interesting in our reading to learn that humans have an innate ability to learn language quickly and with few corrections from caregivers.  Children seem to learn the general rules of the language that is spoken around them and then apply it to new situations.  The reason they make mistakes like saying “goed” instead of “went” is because they have over generalized the rule.  As time passes, and they hear the language more, they learn the irregular verb.  Children learn language in the same stages no matter what language they speak.

            Reading is not always learned as easily as oral language.  For example, children have to learn directionality.  In English we read from left to right but children are not used to looking at their environment from left to right so they have to learn this arbitrary rule which is not an innate ability.

            Children need a solid oral language foundation to learn to read.  Because it is easier to learn a first language than it is to read we, as teachers and parents, need to make a concentrated effort to allow opportunities to develop oral language.  This is especially important from birth to preschool but carries on through elementary school.  These oral language experiences will also benefit our growing population of second language learners.