Cultural Diversity

Inter-linguistic Influence

Discussion Questions

1. What is the difference between Standard English and pidgin.
2. There are many different varieties of English.What is good English or bad English?Who decides what is good or bad English.Are there differences between good and bad spoken and written English.
3. What is the difference between an accent and a dialect?
4. Think about your own culture and society. Are there many different accents adnd dialects? Which ones have a high status and prestige and which one does not?
5. Do you use the same accent and dialect at all times or does your language change depending on the social context you find yourself in? Why is this?

Listen Mr. Oxford Don

1. Give information about the narrator. Who does he address?
2. Describe the language used in the poem.
3. What is the aim of this poem?
4. Who does Mr. Oxford symbolise?
5. All the following words can describe the narrator.Find a justification for each one.

• provocative
• engaged
• humorous
• ironic. 

Homework
Read the text and answer the questions


Respond to the following questions in complete sentences.

1. How many languages can you speak? Write these down and state whether What are your thoughts about Tim Doner?you think that you are fluent, somewhat fluent, or beginner.
2.  When did you start learning or speaking the languages you have listed above?
3. Reflect on your learning of English. What have you found enjoyable or easy and what have you found challenging? Explain.
4. Would you say that you are able to think in English or do you think in another language first and then translate into English.
5. Do you agree that by learning English you have been able to learn more about the anglophone world and culture?

Now watch the video

 

1. How has Tim Doner been able to learn so many languages?

2. What are your thoughts about Tim Doner?

3. Identify one IB learner profile and explain how he exemplifies it? 

4. What would you say is the purpose of this video? 

5. What have you learnt  about language learning from him that you can apply  to your own language learning?

6. As an IB student you should aspire to be a communicator. Copy the description of the profile and reflect on how you are on your way to becoming a Communicator. Think of the following: group work, oral communication, written communication, viewing activities, making presentations and using technology. What have you done well? What do you need to improve on?

Dying Languages 
Assignment due 30 April.
View the following videos and write a newspaper article responding to the following question.
Many languages are spoken by a small number of people and some are in danger of dying out. Write an article to be published in your school magazine on why and how minority language should be maintained.

Migration

Imagine that you are one of the immigrants,write a diary entry reflecting on this news. Your diary should be at least 250-400 words

Supplementary Material

• Read the text and watch the video here
• Read this as well

 Respond to the following questions.

Define the following:

1. Immigrant
2. Refugee
3. Asylum seeker
4. What are the benefits and challenges of  migration 

 Individual Oral
 

 Prepare detailed notes for an individual oral commentary. Use the previous activities to inform your commentary.