MATERIAL WITH WHICH WE CELEBRATED THE EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES

The Council of Europe declared a European Day of Languages to be celebrated on 26th of September each year. The general objectives of the European Day of Languages are:

1. Alerting the public to the importance of language learning and diversifying the range of languages learnt in order to increase plurilingualism and intercultural understanding;

2. Encouraging lifelong language learning in and out of school, whether for study purposes, for professional needs, for purposes of mobility or for pleasure and exchanges.

3. Promoting the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe, which must be preserved and fostered;

   

Some language facts:

http://edl.ecml.at/LanguageFun/LanguageFacts/tabid/1859/language/en-GB/Default.asp

Quiz on language facts:

http://edl.ecml.at/Portals/33/teaching-materials/EDL-school-visit-EN.pptx

Idioms of the world:

http://edl.ecml.at/Portals/33/teaching-materials/IDIOMS%20OF%20THE%20WORLD.edited.pdf

Online activities for students:

http://edl.ecml.at/LanguageFun/tabid/1516/language/en-GB/language/fr-FR/Default.aspx

Discuss Language and its connection to thought

(From the introduction to George Orwell's "1984", Penguin Reader)

 

Reading:

Linguist on mission to save Inuit 'fossil language' disappearing with the ice

http://markaki-students.blogspot.gr/2010/08/languages-in-danger-of-extinction.html

 

Videos:

TED talk on endangered cultures

http://markaki-students.blogspot.com/2009/06/about-this-talk-by-ted-with-stunning.html

How languages evolve https://youtu.be/iWDKsHm6gTA

Parody of learning: https://youtu.be/xq8IqZXy1s8

 

Writing:

Several languages die every year and English is becoming used more and more as a world language. Many people feel this is a positive trend and that a world with fewer languages promotes harmony and understanding between people. Analyze both sides of this argument and provide your opinion.

Before writing, also read the notes on globalisation on the Proficiency blog. Doesn't English as the global language contribute to and result in it?

Quick map of ideas:

Paragraph 1: introduce the topic —- English is the global language —- more and more people strive to master it=> both positive and negative aspects

Paragraph 2: the positive effects —- communication, openness to other cultures, open-mindedness, professional needs, companies have the competitive edge, mobility/ travelling, bilingualism/ language proficiency— boosts intelligence and thinking skills

Paragraph 3: results in globalization= homogeneous societies = similar tastes in music/films/ clothes—-> uniformity, no variation , elimination of cultural differences/traditions, limited significance of cultural identity and individual history, indigenous languages / dialects constantly die out/ vanish/ become extinct which means that a civilisation/ culture/ tribe ceases / stops to exist

Paragraph 4: sum up both aspects and say your own opinion, end with a final message