Posted on 11/08/2006 2:37:19 PM PST by shaggy eel
Secondary [high] school students will be able to use text speak in written examinations this year, legitimising a language loved by teenagers.
The move has divided students and educators amid concerns the move could damage the English language.
The second language of thousands of teenagers, text language usually incorporates abbreviated words and phrases such as txt for "text", lol for "laugh out loud" or "lots of love" and CU for "see you".
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) is still strongly discouraging students from using anything other than full English, but says credit will be given if the answer "clearly shows the required understanding", even if it contains text speak.
The authority's deputy chief executive, qualifications, Bali Haque, said students should aim to make their answers as clear as possible.
"Markers involved in assessing NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement) exams are trained professionals, experienced in interpreting the variety of writing styles and language uses encountered during the marking process," he said.
Haque said he was confident markers would understand answers written in text speak.
He stressed that in some exams, including English, where the marking schedule specifically required candidates to demonstrate good language use, text abbreviations would be penalised.
Post-Primary Teachers' Association president Debbie Te Whaiti said the authority's new stance reflected the situation in the classroom. "Individual teachers are grappling with it (texting) every day."
However, teachers would have concerns if text slang became an acceptable everyday written language in the classroom, she said.
Christchurch teenager Cathy Adank, a Year 11 student at Avonside Girls' High School, said most students would be surprised to hear text language was acceptable in some exams.
"That's great. You'll just be able to get your ideas out quicker. It's so much faster; you can get through the exam faster," she said.
Close friend Harriet Prebble did not agree. "I think it's a terrible idea. When you start progressing in the world, people judge you on the written language, and spelling things incorrectly seems sloppy and lazy and gives a bad impression," she said.
The girls said teenagers were familiar with text language, which was beginning to affect their spelling.
Papanui High School principal Denis Pyatt said that while he would not encourage students to use text abbreviations in exams, he was excited by the language developments.
"I think text messaging is one of the most exciting things that has happened in a long time. It is another development in that wonderful thing we call the English language," he said.
Text speak could well change language in the future.
"Society has to adapt to change and I think ultimately text messaging could help resolve one of the strangest parts of English, which is its spelling, though I think it will be some time before text spelling is formally adopted," he said.
Stephen Rout, who deals with NZQA issues at Lincoln High School, will not be recommending text speak to his students.
"I would advise students to use proper English rather than text abbreviations," he said.
"Students need to be able to write and understand full English and I would encourage our students to do that."
The chief executive of Write Group, which helps people develop their English skills, Lynda Harris, said her staff were worried about students being allowed to write in text abbreviations.
May God watch over us.......
Cool, present your resume to a potential employer in txt, propose your time study analysis to your site manager in txt, present your plant's profit vs. product cost to your corporate board in txt, prepare your weekly manpower report in txt. after all, thats the only way you learned how to communicate......... And while we're at it, we'll let you write your college exams and job resume utilizing the much wanted language of EUBONICS.............
<< ... Papanui High School principal Denis Pyatt .... >>
You've heard of Dennis, the menace?
My name's Denis!
1f u c4n r34d th1s u r3411y n33d t0 g37 l41d
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