Rosetta Stone

[Assasin]

There is a software called Rosetta Stone which is used for people who's first language is not enlgish. It is used to help them to them to understand and speak English. It is used in many school districts in the states and it is highly recommended. I know it includes "Haitian creole". It helps teachers a lot as now in many school districts in the US there are many hispanics and the teachers don't speak a word of spanish. It is used from Elementary schools to Adults.

Maybe this is the kind of thing we need to look into for our schools, or make something similar.

[Mosiah]

I know it includes "Haitian creole".

What side of the patwa debate are you on?

[Peter R]

Excellent piece of software; I've used it myself. I take it you're saying we could use it to teach English, because that's what the youths need to learn, understand and master.

But it raises the point of resources etc. ideally you would like to have a computer lab, or at least several computers available in every classroom, and not just for the RS but for general usage.

pr
pr

[Assasin]

I have posted that teachers have to use whatever tools that is needed in the classroom. They need to use examples of the day and sometimes the language of the day, however not teaching Patwa as a language as I don't see that as important.

I have said throughout my school life many teachers have used Patwa in classes even without realising. There should be no limiting this.

What we need to do is have more Jamaican and caribbean Lit, and other works in class. Teach kids practical stuff as it relates to employment in Ja and the world. Right now art such as music is missing from school and it is our number one music earner. Do yo think if they taught song writing in many schools and voice training we would have so much off key one line songs?

[Historian]

Excellent Point, Assasin!

“What we need to do is have more Jamaican and Caribbean Lit, and other works in class. Teach kids practical stuff as it relates to employment in Ja and the world. Right now art such as music is missing from school and it is our number one music earner. Do yo think if they taught song writing in many schools and voice training we would have so much off key one line songs?”

I fully agree with this statement. In fact, this is what I’m alluding to by my oblique reference to lack of creativity and unimaginative use of our limited resources!! Imagine, despite the impact of our music (ska, rocksteady, reggae and dancehall) both locally and internationally, we still to this day do not have an emphasis on song writing, music arranging and voice training!

Incredible! Damn!

Yes, we have the only arts college in the English-speaking Caribbean (the Edna Manley College of the Visual Arts), and we have a vibrant theater movement in the capital city, but much, much more can be done in the area of primary and high school music education! On the other hand, with the virtual disappearance of live bands from the Jamaican music spectrum, maybe teaching kids how to play a musical instrument and write arrangements is probably a waste of time... sigh!

But excellent point, Assasin!

[Assasin]

Yes use it to teach English and other subjects as well. Why should a science teacher have to be limited to English. In college I tutored economics to some student and they all passed as many were failing. Instead of using these formula that was used for marginal growth etc. I broke it down to add and minus etc and they understood it then you can relate the formula to the answer.

I was hopeful but aprehensive when Paulwell raised telephone bill and stated that it was for technology in schools. Since then I have heard nothing from either government.

yes we need some technolgoy in these school.