Introduction
Today, you are all going to become applied linguistics! As applied linguistics, your job is to explore practical issues relating to the use of language.
Task
Your first task is to work with a partner to research a language. Begin by choosing a language other than English, which may be the home language of one of your future students. Your research will include a contrastive analysis (i.e., noting the similarities and differences between the language you've chosen and English). See the next page for an overview of the process.
Process
Step One:
Identify the language you are going to research. The following link provides a visual representation of the mother tongues spoken in different regions of Canada (Statistics Canada, 2016). You can narrow your search to British Columbia or Nanaimo:
https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/dv-vd/lang/index-eng.cfm
Step Two:
Research the language. To follow are some guiding questions:
1) In what countries/regions of the world is the language spoken?
2) What are some interesting facts about the language?
3) How is the language similar to / different from English?
4) What difficulties might a speaker of this language encounter when learning English?
5) What are some interesting details about the culture(s) associated with the language?
6) What implications does your research have for teaching students whose home languages are other than English?
Step Three:
Present your findings to the class either digitally (e.g., PowerPoint) or in a poster format.
Step Four:
Reflect on your learning. Why is it useful for you to know about your students' home languages? How can you communicate to your students that their home languages are valued in the classroom community? How can you celebrate languages and language learning in your future classrooms? What is the relationship between language, culture, and identity? (This latter question will be explored again in a future class).
Evaluation
Assessment Criteria:
- questions are appropriately researched
- information is presented in a clear and coherent manner
- presentation is engaging (e.g., incorporates visuals, presenters demonstrate enthusiasm)
- ideas are paraphrased in your own words & sources (websites) are cited
- reflection is thoughtful and relevant
Conclusion
I hope you've enjoyed your first task as applied linguists and that your journey as educators will include many more inquiries into the languages and cultures of the students in your classes!