Question

Why it is necessary for a language teacher to have a good grounding in linguistics?

Accepted Answer

It is imperative for a language teacher to have a good grounding in linguistics because linguistics is the scientific study of language in terms of
a) how it is learned
b) how it is applied academically and socially
c) its relationship to cultural behaviors 
d) its connection to literacy 
e) its nonverbal system of communication 
There is a lot much more that is covered in the field of linguistics, but notice how important it is to be content-grounded in order to be able to teach the ways in which language can be used and applied. From the study of linguistics, other sub-fields branch out to include
a: Applied Linguistics- explains the way in which language operates with an academic, technological, social, ethnic, and scientific setting. 
b: Ethnolinguistics and dialectology- explain the language/culture connection as well as the variation in language usage among different cultures. 
The branches above reflect the importance of being well-educated in linguistics from a cultural and social focus. Now, look at the other branches of linguistics which are even more specialized and are equally important to be mastered.
c) Morphology- teaches about word formation and inflection.
d) Syntax- is the study of sentence structures
e) Semantics- explore the meanings of words and of sentences.
f) Phonetics- explains how words should sound and how they should be articulated. 
Imagine a teacher attempting to teach a language system without any knowledge of how its words are formed, pronounced, and properly used? Contrastingly, picture a teacher who has tremendous command of the language, and of its linguistic components in academics and society: the teaching will be more effective because the teacher will have more well-known resources to pull from. Also, a teacher with a strong knowledge of linguistics will be able to problem-solve the common miscues that occur through the process of second language learning. In all, a knowledge of linguistics is essential for a language teacher to provide quality teaching.

Linguistics

Why it is necessary for a language teacher to have a good grounding in linguistics?

Expert Answers info

Unlock This Answer Now

Related Questions

Ask a Question

Popular Questions