Our discussion about authentic texts and the goofy stance taken by ACTFL’s Director of Education, Paul Sandrock, continues. Alisa sent these further ruminations by Sandrock from the ACTFL pages for us to reflect on and enjoy. I’m not exactly sure what Sandrock means. It is, however, an excellent example of using eduspeak to keep the populace confused. Is Paul referring to the 4% population in our schools? The fact is that if a kid can’t read the text, then what is the point being made here?
“The recent discussion around authentic texts has been debated as an either-or proposition. I join with other voices and urge us to consider a both-and approach, bringing balance in the use of texts. In language arts programs (and reinforced by states’ standards for English language arts), a wide range of texts are required to build learners’ language and literacy skills. Authentic texts created by native speakers for native speakers include resources created for learners of any age in countries where the target language is spoken. Authentic resources therefore also include the science, mathematics, social studies, and language arts texts in the target language, such as are used in immersion programs. Texts need to be balanced across fiction and informational text as well as a mix of listening, reading, and viewing. Balance also includes a mix of texts that are more easily understood and those that are more challenging. Consider “both-and” in providing a wide variety of resources for learning experiences.”
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Paul Sandrock
ACTFL, Director of Education
psandrock@actfl.org