Blog Post 8- Letter to the Editor

(657-675-2305)

West London, London NP35 5AB, UK

lauraclark@dailymail.co.uk

15th October 2016

To: Laura Clark

Daily Mail Senior Editor

NP35 5AB

West London, London, UK

Dear Ms. Clark,

         I am writing to inquire about the article that was written on the 24th of Match 2014. The article "Twtr? It's majorly bad! Leading headteacher condemns 'text speak' for eroding schoolchildren's language skills" explaining how protecting Standard English from the influence of text speak and social media slang, being one of the most challenging areas teachers and headmistresses have to correct. If children were to continue using social media as well as text messaging in their free time, they are more likely in "danger growing up with limited vocabularies".

       Have you ever considered the fact that the children already understand that they shouldn't use text speak in their assessments? Even though they do use text speak, it is only 10% of their written messages that use abbreviations. Yes, these abbreviations may occur in the assessments although the children do understand themselves not to use it in their assessments as "[they'll] get less marks"(David Crystel) I do agree with the fact that children do spend most of their free time on social media although I disagree with the statement that "GSCE and A-level... students.. are becoming careless in their use of it." as I believe that as stated before many of the students understand that consequences of using text speak in their assessments. Meaning that when abbreviations like "innit" or "gr8" are used when they use social media or texting as a way to communicate quickly or to be 'cool', they are not intentionally using them throughout their school work. But we both know that it is unintentionally used in assessments, and it does not mean that they are limited to vocabularies. Yes, many children these days use their free time on social media and text messaging others but you don't think that we do the same? Not all children spend their time on social media, there are in fact some children who enjoy reading and use their free time to read an interesting book.

      "Facts are facts"[1] yes, children in many schools do occasionally miswrite words in abbreviations but you have to consider that fact that these children do know that these abbreviations are not meant to be used in GSCE's or any assessments. We have to keep into consideration that this generation is not the only generation that is using text speak, adults are also using text speak when communicating. You also know that text speak wouldn't be used within the standard English in newsletters or formal emails etc. It just so happens that unfortunately, they do occasionally use their text speak in essays but that displays that the children are not proofreading their essays before handing them in.

Sincerely,

Jessica Hilu

Work Cited Page:

[1] "Letter to the Editor." YALE ALUMNI MAGAZINE. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2016

"Letter to the Editor Examples." N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2016.