Analytic Essay

Sebastián Aranís
Language IX
Crystal Hickerson
25 May 2009


Common Interest in Children’s Language Acquisition

Courtney B. Cazden, in the book “Language in early childhood education” suggests many ways to help children to improve the native language they acquire when they start developing the speaking skill in a determined context. Through this book I could realize that Cazden is interested in knowing what we know about language acquisition. She tries to support her idea by showing pictures and information tables that can be understood by teachers. However, since this book is also addressed for parents, the information and the suggestions needed to be clearer for them to understand. My suggestion for Cazden is to use concepts and information that can be effectively understandable for both in order to apply them properly in each situation.

at the very beginning of the first chapter Cazden gives a question in order to reflect on the development of children language in the preschool stage: "When we say that children have learned their native language by the time they enter first grade, what do we mean they have learned?"(Cazden, 3). Focusing on that question, Cazden refers to the first time children starts communication with others by repeating and interpreting any sentence they hear, although they expresses them in an inadequate way. Cazden states that “children learn a limited set of rules” (4) when they start communicating. I totally see his point because I know learners were not taught how to speak correctly, but I would simply suggest parents that children need to talk with an adult who can make children to repeat at least the needed word to express what they want to express.

Cazden also suggested that teachers must provide a proper environment in which learners can feel comfortable, like a respectful atmosphere which must consider any diversity feature inside the classroom. In my opinion, this is an important suggestion that all teachers should know. However, most of teachers do not reflect on that suggestion and for that reason the lessons in the classroom are sometimes a mess. For that reason this measure needs to be applicable in every classroom, because students need to feel comfortable when they learn something new, and allow them to participate without being afraid of committing mistakes during the learning process. Besides teachers must provide didactic activities and interesting topics for discussion that allow an efficient learning of language.

The book need to encourage the interaction teacher-parent regarding the way the book should give more precise information about the improvement of children’s language. Parents must also be concerned about their children's language acquisition. For that reason, dialogues between them are fundamental to improve the learners' abilities to communicate. Moreover, teachers should promote group work activities which allow students learn language by interacting others in a real context.

In conclusion, Courtney B. Cazden wrote this book in order to know about how students acquire language and give parents and teachers some suggestions to improve it. Even though the suggestions are mostly useful, those need to be understood for both teachers and parents. Basically, the reason of giving clear and precise suggestion is due to the fact that teachers as well as parents need to know how improve language acquisition in those children.

Cazden, Courtney B. Language in early childhood education. Washington, D.C: NAEYC,1982