Chomsky on Miseducation

About Chomsky

Chomsky founded the linguistic system of study called generative, or transformational, grammar. Disagreeing with the theory that language is learned by imitation, Chomsky asserts in Syntactic Structures (1957) that humans have an innate ability to form, use, and understand an infinite number of unique sentences. He divides sentences into several structural layers to explain their grammatical, intellectual, and emotional meaning. As a social critic, Chomsky contends that government restricts the creative and intellectual development of individuals.

Other books include: Linguistics—Current Issues in Linguistic Theory (1964); Language and Mind (1968); Knowledge of Language (1986); Language and Politics (1988). Social criticism—At War with Asia (1970); For Reasons of State (1973); Radical Priorities (1981); The Chomsky Reader (1987); Deterring Democracy (1991).

His latest publication, Failed States: The Abuse of Power and the Assault on Democracy (2006), is a scathing indictment of the United States government.

Chomsky's views on Miseducation

Chomsky displays his Enlightenment sympathies in his conception of education and his criticism of currently-existing educational systems: "There have been many measures taken to try to turn the educational system towards more control, more indoctrination, more vocational training, imposing a debt, which traps students and young people into a life of conformity… That's the exact opposite of [what] traditionally comes out of The Enlightenment (Chomsky & Macedo, 45 - 99). And there's a constant struggle between those. In the colleges, in the schools, do you train for passing tests, or do you train for creative inquiry?”.

The 'vocational training' aspect is something about education that irks me daily. I teach both 'vocational' and 'academic' science courses. Despite the fact that we're technically a 'comprehensive' school (not that it ever meant much) the middle managers, under pressure from the head, 'direct' kids into either of those categories. If kids aren't 'progressing' fast enough, based on questionable testing, they're ...