The History of the English Language

Introduction

Exploring the Origins of English

This webquest introduces the origins of the English language. Have you ever thought why we write the words in English in one way, but pronounce in another? Do you know what are the languages English has borrowed the words from? 

You will find the answers for these and some other questions in websites provided in the webquest. Also, you will place the English language development in timeline and how is it positioned in the language family. Your final task is to create a presentation on one aspect of English language development.

Task

You have two tasks during this webquest. 

TASK 1 is to find answers to the questions given. TASK 2 is to create a presentation on a topic you choose.

Process

Settlement routes of Angles, Saxons and Jutes

OLD ENGLISH (450-1100 AD)

It all started with the earliest inhabitants of Britain, The Celts who were also known as the Britons or ‘painted people’ because of their warrior habits of painting their bodies. Little is known of the Britons, although a few traces of their culture can still be seen today, like the Stonehenge which was probably a Celtic temple.

The Saxons ruled England for 600 years, forming the basis of its culture, language and borders. English owes a lot to its Anglo Saxon roots.

MIDDLE ENGLISH (1100-1500 AD)

Anglo-Saxons were a doomed group of people and they knew it. Continuous Viking raids smashed their little communities during the VII and IX centuries, leaving their first English society seriously weakened. Once conquerors themselves, the Anglo-Saxons had become an easy prey for another and even greater military group: The Normans.

Task 1. Answer the questions.

  • What language was spoken in Britain in the 5th century?
  • Where does the name England come from?
  • What are the three periods of English and how are they called?
  • Which period do these characters belong to King Alfred, King Harold, William of Normandy. Why were these people important?
  • When was the Battle of Hastings? Why was it important?
  • What words English has borrowed and from what languages?                                                                             

Task 2: Create a presentation (Powerpoint slides).

Create a PowerPoint presentation describing the epic poem Beowulf 

or

one of the following historical characters: King Alfred, King Harold, or William of Normandy

or

events namely the Battle of Hasting, Normandy's defeat, or the black plague.

Presentation should be between 5-10 slides and have no more than 20 words per slide.

Evaluation

This is an evaluation rubric for your presentation on History of English.            
Evaluation Rubric   
    2                            3                            4                            5                          Score
  Factual knowledge                            The information in a presentation is incorrect.                      There are several mistakes in factual knowledge.                      There are some mistakes in factual knowledge.                      The facts in the presentation are presented as correct.                        25%                   
  Following the instruction.                                     The instruction is not followed.                      More than one part of the presentation is missing.                      One part of the presentation is missing.                    All parts of the presentation asked by the teacher are present.             25%                   
  Visual presentation                            The presentation could not be followed.                    The visual images of the presentation are in some parts understandable.                      The visual images of the presentation are in most part understandable.                      The visual images of the presentation are understandable for viewers.                      25%                   
  Presenting the information                                    Students are not able to comment their work or have practised plagiarism.                      Students do not comment and/or give additional information on their work or give very little of information and comments, they are not familiar with their material.                      Students comment their presentation, give some additional information and know their material in most parts.                      Students comment the presentation fluently, give additional information and know their material they have worked on.                      25%                   
Total Score: 100%            

Conclusion

By the end of the lessons students will: 

  • know where the English language comes from
  • know the most important points in history that affected the development of English
  • know the periods and examples of Old and Middle English
  • know how languages borrow and lend words and what is behind the process
  • have worked on their own project on language development 
  • have developed their searching, analysing, presentation and listening skills

Teacher Page

Good luck on this webquest. I am positive that each of you will do excellent work on this project!!