Invitation to Reflection: Defining English

Common descriptors of the discipline of English:

• language arts
• communication arts
• English

Although they all describe the same school subject, of these three, English seems to the least comprehensive title. Whereas communication arts feels more accurately encompassing of what we strive to teach as "English" teachers. While language arts covers the aspects to the subject that are interpretative and creative within explicit use of the language (reading, writing, speaking and listening), communication arts covers more of the personal skills we try to discuss and develop in our students as they mature. Things like critical thinking, reflection, interpretation, empathy, evaluation, individuality, collaboration and identity which are not necessarily listed in our curriculum but are certainly touched upon and sought towards in our classrooms. Language arts does seem more suited to the lower grades as the development of their linguistic abilities is more of a central focus and students' character traits are more addressable with students who are approaching adulthood.

English as a term does embrace literature and language in my mind, but I am going to be an English teacher, I have found joy and depth in the subject. However, I think it is important to remind ourselves that the average student, and many parents/guardians for that matter, is very likely to think of English as vocabulary and grammatical rules that have little context or realistic use in their lives. And, subconsciously I feel like a lot of teachers start to buy into that perception and start to teach more rigidly those rules and words without making them matter to the students and all because that is expected of them. Really it is a pretty tragic cycle of self-fulfilling prophecies that stems mainly from negative attitudes.

I cannot really think of a better term than communication arts to describe the subject matter that wish to cover in my classroom. I feel that something as simple as having a title that reminds you and your students of the depth and beauty and meaningfulness in the in what it is that we teach can make all the difference in the way we deliver, our students receive and we all interact with our expansive and miraculous course materials!