HISTORY OF LITERACY INSTRUCTION IN SPANISH AND IN ENGLISH

Maria Reyes EDRL 487

SYNTHETIC METHODS

Reading was taught using a synthetic, part to whole approach for more than 2,000 years beginning with the ancient Greeks.

Children were taught to read by identifying letters Then syllables Isolated words Phrases Finally whole texts

Recitation, memorization, and careful pronunciation were important parts of pedagogy.

HISTORY OF EARLY SPANISH AND READING

METHODS During early times in Europe, literacy was restricted to the upper classes and members of church. 1660s the Spanish wanted to educate people in religion. Priest in religious schools devised methods to educate the common people. In the New World reading was also the province of the church.

SILABARIO DE SAN MIGUEL 1770S

Was developed in Mexico to teach both religion and Spanish to the masses, including the indigenous people. There were 4 parts to the Silabario 1- presented the vowels, which students practiced reciting orally 2- vowels were combined with consonants into syllables for oral practice. 3-Students learn alphabet 4- students read ( repeated) individuals written words separated into syllables.

ANALYTIC METHODS (COMENIUS)

Early 17th century Orbis pictus Starting with the whole rather than the parts. Goal was to educate universally (even girls) Comenius saw literacy as the central to students access to knowledge

BLOCK METHOD
Used whole words that were later broken down into their parts. Method introduced in Mexico in 1899 by Rebsamen. This method continuous to influence the way reading is taught in Spanish.

EARLY METHODS FOR TEACHING ENGLISH IN THE UNITED STATES

Just like in Europe and Latin America, reading instruction was strongly influenced by the church. Approaches to teaching reading in the United States were largely didactic, consisting or oral reading of texts with morals and lessons. - Exceptions - 1875 to 1880 Quincy School in Massachusetts, lessons were connected to students lives and interests.

1950 SPUTNIK
Progressive education attacked A call for more direct teaching of academic content and a demand for results. Reading dominated by whole word method. Teachers used basal readers.

1960 Head Start -give all children an equal chance at education.

1970
Children moved independently trough series of more and more difficult texts, working on specific skills. rewards = correct answers Additional practice = wrong answers Educators began to regard reading and writing as dynamic, interactive and social. Students encouraged to read good literature. Emphasis on connecting reading with writing

1990
The Age of Reading for Social Purpose Critical literacy- literacy that helps readers understand their own history and culture and how they fit into and also shape social structures. Reading for pleasure, academic enrichment, to develop a greater awareness of their role in social structure.

SOCIOPSYCHOLINGUISTICS IN LATIN AMERICA

Sociopsycholinguistics = constructivism in Latin America. Philosophy of constructivism builds on both the background of the student and knowledge of the teacher. Education was looked at more broadly, and social, cultural, and political issues were seen as central to teaching and learning.