Section B - Language and Education

Question 1

The National Curriculum Standards

Answer 1

• Introduced in England and Wales in 1987
• Identified English as a “core subject”, alongside mathematics and science
• Placed strong emphasis on the use of standard English across all subjects and at all key stages

Question 2

The Teachers’ Standards

Answer 2

• Introduced to England in 2011
• By law, teachers must meet these standards to be allowed to teach
• All teachers must “demonstrate an understanding of and take responsibility for promoting high standards of literacy, articulacy and the correct use of standard English”

Question 3

Deprivation Theories

Answer 3

These argue that working-class children are disadvantaged by their language – they learn to use language in ways that make educational achievement difficult

Question 4

Difference Theories

Answer 4

On the other hand, these theories tend to place the blame on the educational system itself, which is seen as unsympathetic to working-class cultures

Question 5

Bernstein (1971) Restricted code vs Elaborated code

Answer 5

• British sociologist and linguist
• Worked as a teacher and social worker before becoming an academic at the London Institute of Education
• Most famous for his theory on “codes” in speech and language, in particular, “Restricted”, vs “Elaborated” code, and how these relate to social work

Question 6

What is the Restricted Code characterized by?

Answer 6

• Short, simple and sometimes incomplete sentences;
• Repetition of a limited range of conjunctions;
• Limited use of adjectives and adverbs;
• Frequent use of idioms;
• Reliance on implied meanings (meanings are not openly expressed/explained)

Question 7

What is the Elaborated Code characterized by?

Answer 7

• More complex, grammatically complete sentences;
• A wider range of conjunction, adjectives and adverbs;
• More explicit meanings

Side note:
Bernstein does not argue that EC is better; he places emphasis differences between implicit and explicit meanings

Question 8

Do we use ‘Restricted’ and ‘Elaborated’ Codes? When? Why?

Answer 8

• According to Basil Bernstein, ALL OF US are able to use RC

- We use RC in informal situations and when communicating

Question 9

Consequences of Berstein’s Model (1971)

Answer 9

Restricted Code has an important function

• It is appropriate for expressing shared, established and static meaning
• It draws on a store of shared meanings and background knowledge
• It carries a social message of inclusion

Some people assume Bail Bernstein was saying that the middle classes use EC, whereas working classes use RC

• Actually he never said this
• Middle-class children also use RC when appropriate
• But they have greater access to EC through socialisation

Question 10

Why is Elaborated Code important?

Answer 10

• Necessary if you want to express ideas about something new, particularly something which questions the received wisdom
• Fundamental in schooling, where the introduction of new knowledge goes beyond pre-existing, shared meanings
• So, if you can’t handle elaborated code, you are not going to succeed in the current educational system