The Most Relevant and Useful Aspects of Language Variation Study
Should Language Variation be a Compulsory Topic?
A central purpose of the course evaluation aspect of this project was to decide whether we should reconsider our inclusion of language variation as a compulsory topic in the program, or at least review how we present it. Judging from the significant minority who were not strongly appreciative of the subject, we should certainly consider making the course optional. However, the arguments presented by both staff and students for retaining the topic as a compulsory course are persuasive, and on balance, we feel that most students would benefit from the course even if it did not rank as their favorite. We conclude, therefore, that language variation should be retained as part of a core course on our MA TEFL program, while focusing on making more explicit the practical applications of the topic. This will displease a minority, such as the teacher who believed that language variation carried a political agenda, and wrote as his final comment:
It is not good to bring personal politics into the classroom (however unavoidable). If such activities are even slightly sanctioned by educational authorities such license is sure to be abused by those who have an agenda.
However, numerous others, such as the authors of these comments, will no doubt be delighted:
I’m wondering why you’ve focused on sociolinguistics in this questionnaire. I hope that it won’t be removed from the course. Not only did I personally find it very enjoyable and thought provoking, but it also challenged some of my own teaching practices, which is, I think, a very healthy thing. It also helped me to realize how far reaching what I do in the classroom can potentially be.
I understand why you put this course last - it helps spark new enthusiasm when one is about burned out.
More...more...more. I am so moved by this subject that I think it warrants my pursuing it as a PhD.
