Use it - then u might learn it.

Teacher of the year, Kate Fawthrop, believes that for students to learn language they simply must not learn it, but learn to use it. She believes in language immersion. When teaching French or Spanish, if she says something the children do not understand, she uses an English word. She says it is pointless to continue to talk if the children do not understand, because then they will never understand. She believes in letting the children speak the language they are learning as much as possible. In this new ploy, students are immediately drawn into the culture of the language they are learning. She plays native Spanish music before the start of Spanish class. The students then read books in the language they are learning. They do not read novels, but they read children's books and translate some of the lines. The children are also told to translate song lyrics into English, and it is this ploy that has helped many of them learn the new language.
I feel this is the best way for any teacher to teach another language. Because it is pointless to continue rambling on in lets say, French, when the students only understand Spanish and do not know what you are saying. If a student is lost, and you continue on the path that they are lost, of course they are going to continue to be lost. They will not get it eventually. And if they do, it will be because one of their friends who speaks the language will point out to them the meaning of the words. So, I am all for speaking English in Spanish class if it helps the students understand the material.

Mira

There is a change. For the first time we are going to have three presidential Republican candidates debating in a televised Spanish-language debate. Former Tennessee senator Fred Thompson, former New York City mayor, Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney, have decided to participate in this forum. McCain and Hunter accepted the previous invitation to do the Spanish-language debate, but because they were only initially only two it was canceled, but now it is on with other candidates springing to the fore. The first ever televised Spanish debate to be broad-casted in Spanish was done by 7 Democratic candidates, including Hilary Clinton and Obama, participated in this. The candidates will be asked the questions in Spanish, which will be translated into English, by their headphones, but their answers will be translated back into Spanish.

The Republicans did not refuse the invitation because they were afraid thye could have lost swing states such as Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado, which have fast growing Hispanic populations. Mitt Romney, seeing this is, wrote a letter to the Univision executives praising the contributions Hispanics have made to America. Romney stated, "I look forward to addressing Univision's audience and discussing my ideas to strengthen America through stronger families, a stronger economy and a stronger military.... these are the values that have attracted millions of Hispanics to the Republican Party, and I believe they will continue to do so in the future." Giuliani's and Thompson's campaigns also embraced Univision's invitation - "We think it will be a valuable opportunity to communicate with Hispanic voters in Florida and elsewhere, and expand the mayor's strong ties in the Hispanic community," Giuliani spokesman Elliott Bundy said. Thompson's campaign spokesman Jeff Sadosky said: "Sen. Thompson has been running a campaign that is appealing to all segments of the U.S., all Americans, and we feel he's got a message that is resonating in all communities. He's excited to participate in this forum.

The interesting thing about this forum is the fact that the candidates are showing that the Hispanic vote is very critical and are doing everything in their might to attain it. And there is no better way to reach out to a new-comer than by doing something that reminds him of home. It is like a new kid on the block from India. To make him feel at home, one has to offer to play cricket with him, a sport which is the country's past-time, such an invitation would warm his heart, and thus allow him to make the transition. And it is interesting to note the amount of Spanish speaking people coming into America, that the presidential debate has now started to be said in Spanish. Will there be a time when there are now translating ear phones to the candidates, who will simply be responding back in fluently in Spanish? Well, only time will tell.

Monkey see, Monkey do

In this article, we hear that NetSpeak has added new services which allows people to learn languages online for free. Kantalk, a website, is used as a device to improve peoples skills in spoken English. It allows people to communicate via e-mail, Skype, Youtube and others in order to improve their communicative skills. Kantalk allows people to engage in real-time conversations with others. It allows them to listen to the various accents and pronunciations, so that people can learn how to understand various forms of English. The site also allows video footage so that people can learn by seeing as well. The use of videos in the site allows people to listen to conversations, which they had not participated in, but wish to see and hear. The videos also are a good source and way of allowing the learner to test their listening and comprehension skills. Another site which is great for non-English speakers who wish to speak Enlgish is TalkEnglish. This site helps people practice spoken English as well. This site has lessons varying from "Travel English - to Interview English." Another helpful site for English and non-English speakers is BusinessEnglish. The site allows people to learn important business terms and words. What is amazing about these sites is that they are not solely exclusive to the learning of the English language. Instead, there are sites that also help native English speakers, learn languages such as French, Spanish and Russian. These sites are what the world needs to progress. People who are born and are only taught one language at home, or wish to learn eight or more languages could benefit greatly from these sites. It is a great site, and this summer I am going to be pracitsing my Russian skills online. So instead of "facebooking," I am going to be interacting with Russian speakers, and perhaps learn the language.




http://www.hindu.com/biz/2007/11/05/stories/2007110550081700.htm

Washoe dead...

Washoe, the first non-human to acquire sign language is dead. The animal learned sign language in Nevada. The monkey was born in Africa in 1965. Washoe is considered to be a very important scientific and research tool for scientists. Scientists were able to study his brain and draw conclusions from it. Washoe was able to dispute, most notably from Chomsky and Pinker, the claim that only humans possessed language skills. In the experiment, scientists, created an environment to that of a deaf infant, learning to communicate only by sign language. The experiment was a success, as Washoe, when he entered the bathroom was able to make signs for the various items he could not reach, like a toothbrush. Washoe was able on more than one occasion to use sign language to communicate "more" and "smell." This Chimps contribution to the way language works in our system is imperative. Yes, only humans can speak the way we do, due to our physical set-up, such as our vocal chords, and neck. But, that does not mean that animals cannot communicate with us. Since sign language is the closest thing, as of right now, to closing the gap, or rather, widening our understanding between science, language, and stereotypes. In an age of new ideas and the constant questioning of old ones, Chomsky and Pinker represent our old beliefs, and it is up to us to prove them wrong. And the best possible way is to teach animals sign language, or a language, which allows them to communicate with us, and visa versa. Image that, talking to your dog...

Boy Wonder

So, apparently this boy speaks ten different languages. Isn't he a selfish little boy. I do not deny his gifts, and I praise them, like, com'n, ten different languages, that is something special. Now, this is my point, why doesn't share one other language with me? Scientists could maneuver some way to implement his ten year old gifts into my eighteen year old brain. But, I am curious to know if his musical ability is really a reason for his ability to acquire multiple languages, or is it his age, and something I have been thinking about, his ability to learn languages as the reason for his ability to learn so many languages. It is very interesting though, that he learned most of his languages at school. And I think it is in that department that most of us have been short-changed our entire lives. The ability of a school to teach young children languages before it becomes very difficult to teach is very important. This boy could go on to become the world's greatest diplomat, or translator, a job, which he didn't acquire by himself per say, but by the good initiatives and intuitions of his parents and school. I guess I am going to send my children to Blue Coat School in Edgbaston, Birmingham. And perhaps they too could go on to become a member of the National Children's Orchestra. As a musician myself, that is very commendable and respectable.


http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hDv8onLDp1TpwvcxjHD1UHXLrCFA