By Sheila Mckenzie-
A university professor has claimed that a ban on the use of slang words in Uk schools can have a detrimental effect on children.
An experienced researcher in language policies in educational contexts and English education, Dr. Ian Cushing[pictured] interviewed 16 primary school teachers during research based school visits
After analysing government policies, Dr. Cushing concluded that the growing trend for banned slang words in school may be counterproductive to its purpose. Now, the education analyst is pushing a narrative that challenges schools to examine their approach, but many schools are not likely to budge and change their policies.
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The University professor made reference to one school which had produced a policy called “Elocution for Employment” He. described how pupils were “competing” for jobs with Europeans and non-native speakers and encourage teachers to correct pupils if they “lapse into poor spoken habits” to prepare them for the world of work.
HARM
Dr Cushing controversially claims that policies that ban children from using slang words could cause pupils long-term harm.His views may annoy teachers who are trying to establish a practise of training school pupils to speak proper English. He said:
“Banning language and non-standard grammar is a punitive practice which can make people feel stigmatised, discriminated against and that their language is worthless,” he said.
“I think some adults feel threatened by how kids speak, but kids having their own language is a big part of how they form identities and interact with different social groups.
“There’s nothing incorrect or wrong about non-standard language, but a lot of school policies – as well as government policy, grammar tests and guidance for teachers – seem to reproduce the problematic idea that there are ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ ways of using language.”
Dr Cushing said that standard English “has its place for things like job interviews or ceremonies”, but insists that students are capable of adapting the formality of their language.
He continued: ”Children don’t need to have their language policed, they police it themselves. ” Students need to be taught why language carries social power, but also that using non-standard English is not ‘incorrect’, ‘wrong’ or ‘inappropriate’.”
Dr Kushing believes reprimanding pupils for using slang in class is less likely to make such students take part less in class discussions. He said:“There’s likely to be long-term damage. Taking a punitive stance won’t teach good standards in any meaningful way.”
Dr Kushing’s ideology makes sense since school pupils could work on building their vocabulary and still retain slang that is unique to them and give them an identity of their own. The schools are trying to train their pupils to maintain high standards of communication, so their goals are meaningful with a long term aim.
According to this lecturer, it may be best not to police the slang pupils use, but focus and ensuring they develop how to communicate well in standard English.