Although human beings can learn a lot about language from reading books and studying grammatical conventions, purely analysing or studying a language as an object will not allow a person to submerge themselves in the true social process and complexity of the language. Grudgeon and Gardner (2000) use the analogy of language as a fish; the fish, itself is an organism to be studied, but its true marvel becomes apparent when it swims. The fish represents the written, structured conventional form of language, whereas human beings add another element as they shape and morph language to suit their social environment, representing the fish in motion. A person learning English as a second language may excel in a structured classroom environment, only to find themselves confused in a real-world environment when fluent English speakers converse dynamically using slang, sarcasm, jokes and inferred meanings. Children predominantly learn to speak from social imitation and interaction (Gee & Hayes, 2011). Inferred meanings or social semiotics are learnt through exposure and interaction, similar to learning the different meanings of the traffic lights from repeated experience, until it becomes instinctive to stop at a red light. Eventually, people react to the use of language subconsciously as opposed to literally interpreting what the speaker is saying. Different dialects and formalities also add complexity to understanding the use of language. A dialect is a variation of a language used
Too view language as if it were an object devoid of its social context would not be seeing language for its creation and use, language is used at its full potential when spoken, language is so important to humans, we use language to express, to think and communicate within the world we live. Language has changed over time, it is thought that at one time we had one original language that was spoken, and “as different human groups spread across the world and communicated only with each other, the original language changed in different ways in different places” (Gee, P,. & Hayes, E. (2011). pg 8), because of these changes, and socialisation of different humans, we now have many diverse human languages. Language has changed and will continue to
Often times, we rely on the world to we live in to shape us. From mass media, to magazines to commercials, we always find ourselves seeking the next best thing instead of what we already have. The way society shapes us develops each and every one of us because we are persuaded by such advertisements. Robert Scholes of “On Reading A Video Text”, and Shirley Jackson of “The Lottery”, show appropriate examples of the world we live in today. Robert Scholes proves how distorted and misconceiving people construe the world through the “Lottery”, proving his idea of cultural reinforcement.
What is the language that most kids are taking throughout their elementary, middle, and high school years? Some would guess French and German, but most would guess Spanish. In today’s world more people than ever speak a romantic language. Some would argue that by learning the basics of Spanish, that allows you to be able to travel and communicate with anyone who is able to speak a romantic language. Others may argue that choosing a specific language that a child desires to learn is more valuable. Spanish should be the only language taught in schools due to the repetitiveness that is instilled within the children, and the commonness of the language itself.
Why do you wish to become staff on the Zonix Network I feel that I would fit in the staff team with my skills and with what I can do. I am very good at SSing and very good at being just overall moderator, So I am very confident that I would fit in the staff team very well.
Explains the lesson, gives examples, vocabulary, great interaction with students, one on one help, they all participate to answer the book pages, motivates students to speak English, corrects students as they speak, clear and sure of the topic, enjoys class.
Is it really necessary to have English as the official language? U.S has been trying to find the answer for this question for a long time. And they still didn’t come up with an answer. Presently, there are 23 states that actually wanted to have English as the official language. And it’s still not enough. I agree that there are some benefits for having an official language but we should also consider the disadvantages that are more than advantages.
Teachers spend a great deal of time creating and preparing engaging and culturally relevant learning materials. A teacher’s workload increases when one is tasked with offering material of varying difficulty in an attempt to make the class accessible for all students regardless of their learning level. This is a common situation throughout Canada due to the influx of individuals who are enrolled in a mainstream English speaking school but are still learning to speak English. A concise journal review has reviled simple ideas that can be implemented into diverse classrooms to make them accessible for students learning to speak English.
Have you ever experienced what it feels like to be bullied for your differences? I was in the 5th grade when I first encountered what it meant to be ridiculed for the way you speak. There was a time when my classmates made fun of another boy for the way he was speaking English. The boy was very quiet and only spoke to his cousin during class. The only language he was comfortable speaking was Chinese. My classmates at the time were taking turns recreating what they thought his language sounded like. Every so cruelly they mocked him in a way that was extremely racist; they were bullying him. I specifically remember one girl telling him, “Does your language sound like, ching chong, chong?”, she proceeded to laugh while she asked him. I never stuck up for him when I heard this, and I feel ashamed till this day that I didn’t speak up for him. Language shaming can come from anyone, and it takes many forms. In “Coming to Language” by Jimmy Santiago Baca, the passage gives us a personal experience, he has with language shaming from a teacher and how it affected his life and his journey of finding freedom through writing. In addition we see, another example of language shaming in “Living with Dyslexia” by Gareth Cook where he talks about his learning disorder and how it altered his relationship with teachers and his life. There is great similarity between Baca, Cooks and I’s encounter with teachers and language shaming. Since I’ve been in college, I have had three professors tell me
Language is one of the most important tools people use in the United States of America, where language is the key that opens the door to all opportunities in this country –that can either unite or break our nation apart. The first time Congress proposed to designate English as the official language of the United States was in 1981, where Senator S.I Hayakawa, from California believed that English unified the American people. Hayakawa believed that bilingual education in the public school system was a threat to the nation itself, where language acted as a barrier that divide us a result of the friction between the public and minority language. Many states soon after, began to institute English-only law that restricted the use if other languages
The English language is constantly changing with time, and while nearly impossible to keep up with the latest lingo, society often misinterprets words due to vast meanings. Countless connotations force individuals to decipher and analyze words without the benefit of verbal cues. Thus, making it harder and harder to comprehend conversations in the English language as a whole. Society has found comfort hiding behind a screen, rather than utilizing verbal communication skills. Technology allows us to tweet, to snapchat and to “emoji” our feelings without face to face conversation, which prompts miscommunication and misinterpretations of the words. Consider the word “special”, what is your personal definition of this word. Does it represent a
The NASW and I have different positions on the issue of language in the United States. The NASW language and cultural diversity in the United States policy statement reads that “language is a source and extension of personal identity and culture…to limit or deny language as an extension of culture is to reject that aspect of human beings that helps to define them” (p.217). While, I don’t disagree that language is part of an individual’s identity, I find the statement harsh and exaggerated to meet the point the NASW is trying to convey on the topic. Language differences can hinder communication, it’s a barrier to effective communication. Non English speaking individual face barriers
You Language and I Language grabbed my attention. What fascinates me is that YOU is reactive, and I is responsible. I am guilty of having fallen prey to both.
Everyone has a different interpretation of the word, “invention”. However the word is simply defined as; a new device, method of process developed from study and experimentation. An invention is just a mental fabrication; it’s a falsehood (Dictionary.com 2013).1 Although in the essays, “Why I write” by Joan Didion, “Life in a new Language” by Eva Hoffman, and “Basmati Rice: An Essay about Words” by Audrey Thomas, each author has their own view on the English language, how they each began inventing their own writing styles, and also their reasons for why they chose to become writers. These are the three things that make their definitions of invention very particular and their own.
Language is important because it's one of the main ways to communicate and interact with other people around us. It keeps us in contact with other people. English language is an example for the importance of a language because it is the international language and has become the most important language to people in many parts of the world. It is most widely used in communicating around the world, Also it is spoken as the first language in many countries. English is playing a major role in many sections like education, medicine, engineering and business. There are many reasons that makes English is the most important language in the world.
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION This memorandum must be used together with the attached English FAL assessment rubrics for SECTIONS A, B and C. SECTION A: ESSAY QUESTION 1 Instructions to Markers: • • • • Candidates are required to write an essay of 250 to 300 words (1 to 1 ½ pages) on ONE topic only. Full credit must be given for the candidate’s own interpretation. Marking must be objective. Consider the background of the candidate and give credit for relevant