draft invitation on a Genuine Contact Program-inspired English language study electronic discussion group

[Raffi Aftandelian]

Thanks Paul and Therese for your replies.

Paul, I appreciate you challenging my thinking on this project. My
aims right now for this project are rather modest: just a space for
communication; to create a space to facilitate the transformation of
English student-teacher relationship. I don't aim to "teach" students English, liquidate
illiteracy, or the like. But, you already have me thinking harder
about a future project and what a future project might look like.

Might it be possible to consult with you in another format (using sound?-- i.e. phone) at some
point to hear more of your thinking?

Respectfully,
Raffi

Raffi Aftandelian wrote 1 мая 2005 г., 22:52:53:

> Raffi,

> Is this being done without sound?   Meaning, is the 'dialogue'
> all written only, no sound?   It loots on the surface as if that is
> the case.   Because if one really wants to learn another language,
> or the one they have been raised in better, it will be necessary to
> hear the sounds and know the meanings.   You have to bathe the brain
> in meaningful print.

> In one of my past work lives, I have been deeply involved in
> teaching illiterate adults and children how to read as fluently as
> they talk in their native language.   There are about 20% of United
> States non-immigrant natives who cannot read, or cannot read well
> enough, to function in this reading culture.   Facts from the US
> Dept. of Education and I'm betting it is much higher.   Another 20%
> are crippled readers who just get by.

> There are principles about how the brain learns that have to be
> adhered to or the effort will be significantly less than optimal, if
> not an outright failure.   That is why our highschools are
> graduating 20% functionally or totally illiterate students, they are
> not understanding what the brain does when it learns anything you
> can put the words "How to" in front of.   How to read, how to walk,
> how to drive and chew gum at the same time, not to mention have a
> conversation, etc. (small joke).   Using these principles, we are
> able to move an illiterate adult one grade level of reading ability
> in 10 hours of face-to-face tutor time.   In children, it takes
> about 12-14 hours.   The US Dept. of Edcn's standard for a 'good'
> literacy program is one grade level in 100 hours and there is a
> 60-70% drop out rate.   Clearly, they are spitting into the wind.

> Anyway, discussing this is a very long conversation that is too
> much to type.   I'm saying what I did because I think your idea is
> commendable but......without sound and meaning, building from the
> ground up, it will be more than very difficult, I'm afraid.

> Sincerely,

> Paul Everett

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