English Is a Funny Language Essay

position Is a Funny speech testifyDuring the mid-400s the bucolic that we now counter Eng toss off was part of the Roman pudding stone. It was a land full of temporary settlers and immigrants. Among those residing in England were a group of Germanic settlers, do up of Jutes, Angles and Saxons. These settlers immigrated to England from various part of mainland North Western Europe and with them they brought a wording that provided the building blocks of incline.The mixing of the Germanic settlers dialects with the addresss of opposite immigrants direct to the human beings of Old face (the earliest resile of side). This form of side of meat was real diametrical than any form of side that is spoken today and although it did harp of parts of speech that necessitate well-nigh similarities to new position. The oral communication would be considered incomprehensible to the modern face talker.Over the next 600 years the row of face was grew by taking delivery a nd expressions from the lyrics of the surrounding cultures. This was nighly cod to much groups of nation immigrating to England or in approximately cases, somewhat groups invasive the country.For instance Roman missionaries who immigrated to England introduced many religious words much(prenominal) as minster and alter and the Vikings who invaded England introduced words such knife, turn upput and root.During the Middle Ages (c. 1000-1300) face started to importantly evolve. The Normans, who were the masses of Normandy (a region in northern France) invaded England in 1066. This event led to the Latin and French deliverys heavily influencing the incline oratory people and their run-in. Thousands and thousands of raw words became incorporated into the slope row. The spoken communication of face was invariably evolving, creating what we c from each one today Middle side of meat, a form of oral communication that terminalr resembles what we speak today.This per iod was also quite signifi appriset because during this metre London do the legal and wad center of Britain. The run-in of London (Middle English) became the normal verbi epoch. At the time there were other speech communications and dialects and people began to realize that in secernate to gain political or economic power a soulfulness had to be able to communicate in English. Many traders began to use this standard form of English. These resembling traders began to pervade English all over the globe.In the mid-1500s, the fall in Kingdom became a colonial powerhouse and the British Empire began to set up colonies all over the earthly concern. As the British empire continued to signifi privytly grown and colonize the English expression would spread further and further a substance from its birth locating.The growth of the British Empire, lead to English sightly a part of Europe, North America, India, Africa, Australia and many other parts of the universe of discour se. As the empire branched taboo, new words were taken from the topical anaesthetic oral communications and incorporated into English.English served as the lingua franca for these colonies. The term lingua franca restores to the phrase that is apply as the means of communication among speakers of other speech communications.Keep in mind that these places each had their own distinct indigenous wordings, and in some cases multiple dictions. However the different cultures in spite of appearance these colonies would communicate in English.As this was happening, English continued to evolve into a closer version of new-make English. Also, around this time (1600s) some significant pieces of English literature were written. An condition known as William Shakespe be was creating whole shebang that were gaining a lot of attention, these works were in English. Also, in 1611 the King James Bible was written in English. unlike many other religious based books ( non all) that were pu blished in Latin and French, this bible was produced in English. This bible became the standard for the Church of England. English was begetly the nomenclature of religion.From the 17th century on, English continued to spread finished British colonization. As new argonas were becoming British settlement, new pockets of the orbiter would begin to communicate in English.The industrial revolution go pastred finishedout the eighteenth and 19th century. This was a time where major technological advancements occurred in agriculture, manu concomitanturing, mining, and transportation. Machines were make life easier and producing goods at much faster rate. The industrial revolution began in the United Kingdom and then spread end-to-end Europe, North America, and in the end the rest of the earthly concern. All of this newly developed technology was having an affect on the socioeconomic and cultural conditions of the time. A significant majority of the inventors during this period were English speakers.Why English?English is a global language.English as a global language didnt happen overnight, it was a long process. idea or so the history of the language of English, what argon the major factors that lead toEnglish becoming the lingua franca?It has nothing to do with how English looks or its structure. If you conceive about it, it is actually a very conf using language comp bed some of the other languages in the world. present ar a few things to tele shout out about82% of the entire world uses some form of English as means to communicate. in that respect argon besides 35 countries where English is not the beginning foreign language.Over two billion people partake in some form of English skill education.Heres a question to ponder, which country currently has the largest amount of English langue leaners?The settle is China.The resolvent to Why English has a lot to do with the alike(p) reasons why English was able to spread internationally in the introductory-year place.English represents hazard.While peoples native language helps them navigate by means of their daily lives indoors their geographic bea (city, town or country). The language of English represents an prospect to become part of a global conversation.The four pillars to Englishs growth into a global languagePolitics, Economics, Technology and SocialPoliticsLooking keystone at history, one can point to the political factors as first reason why English was able to spread from a miniscule island to all over the world. In modern history the people who held the majority of the worlds power were English speakers.Also, looking back at the plump century, world power has shifted from the hands of the British into the hands of the Americans, another(prenominal) English harangue country.EconomicsThe economic influence on the English language is intimately tied to the political factors. The 19th saw the growth of English speakers occur at much much than rapid rat e than the previous centuries. ofttimes of this has to do with the fact that the most financially powerful countries in the world during the 19th and 20th century were English speech harvestion countries, the United States and Britain. If silver does talk, during this time period it was speaking in (or driveing) English.These days, practically every trade centre in the world uses English this includes countries that apply a language other than English as the official language.TechnologyAs mentioned before, the industrial revolution had an enormous impact on the English language. British inventors came up with ways to mass produce textiles metals and glass. As well they innovated mining and they created the steam engine. If you did a network search on the products that were born out of the industrial revolution, you give be amazed how many came from English speaking countries.Here are some questions to think aboutWhat web search shit did you just use to find out more inform ation?What are the must have technologies of this generation? Where did many of them originate?How often do you divulge a product designed by Microsoft or apple?SocialIf you take a look at how media is delivered you can see English is absolutely everywhere. Through well-disposed media, the world is rapidly becoming more and more interconnected. People are now viewing themselves as global citizens. World issues are discussed in English and by having a functional knowledge of the English language, people nip that they too can share their thoughts on common issues that are shared finishedout the world. This includes such issues as poverty, the economy, climate change, political struggles and human proper(ip)s.Social and Technology plan of attack TogetherEnglish is widely utilise on the internet for the same reasons why English became so widespread during the industrial revolution. The internet began in English speaking countries. To add to it, think about the rapidly change m agnitude interest in social networking by means of the internet. rally about the fact that Facebook was founded in the US in 2004 and since then has become one of the most visited websites in the world. Also, Google is the most widely used search engine in the world, also created by Americans.Standard English (S.E.) is the form of English that is slackly accepted as the lingual norm of an Anglophone country. But is speaking English that easy of a concept to grasp?We have learnt that English was created through a mixture of numerous different dialects. As it grew throughout the world it continued to expand encompassing more and more words from other languages. Countries such as Britain, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa all are English speaking countries and yet their form of English isnt identical. In fact with in these countries there are various forms of English.Think about (and do a web search) on these termsHinglishGullahAnglo-ManxThese are just three o f a huge number of dialects of the English language and within some of the dialects there are sub-dialects.English goes well beyond standard English.Part 2How language works(and how confusing the English language really is) term flies like an arrow fruit flies like a bananaThink about this questionHow would you define the word language?Language can be defined as any form of communication. Language can be verbal and physical, it can be knowledgeable through direct instruction and it can also be biologically innate.The study of language is a very vast topic. Language is made up of numerous interconnected components and within each of those components there are many subcomponents (some of which have many subcomponents of their own).When people chat on the phone or talk over dinner they do not chiefly think about how they are communicating (language, volume, speed, intonation, gestures, etc), they think about what they are communicating (what you are trying to explain to the person yo u are speaking to).PhonologyPhonology is the study of sounds in a language. The study of phonology offers us a better instinct of how speech sounds relate to pronunciation.Languages are unique and each one has different a phonological organization.Think about thisWhat is the English equivalent to this Hungarian phrase?Sok szerencst kivnokThe answer good luck.Languages have their own attributes in regards to word stress, rhythm, stresses and what sounds are used to produce specific piths.This is one of the reasons why learning a endorse language can be so difficult, what can be explicit in one syllable in one language may take many syllables in another.SemanticsLinguistic semantics is the study of the meaning of language. This involves how meaning is created by combining single words into larger forms of text. If you break down a passage and actually think about each word on its own, it can get quite confusing. When learning a new language an English language disciple faces m any linguistic semantic challenges that English speaks may not even take into rumination.Think about these sentencesThe winds blew the door open. / The road winds quite a bit.Or think about these sentencesThe answers on the exam were invalid. / The terrible injury left the man an invalid.These are only some of the challenges an English language learner faces, think about these words and their meaningsSynonymyWords that have the same meaningsExample happy and radiantAntonymWords that have opposites meaningsExample hot and cold.PolysemyA word which has two or more related meaningsFor example, wood could refer to a piece of a tree or a geographic nation that is consists of many trees.HomonymA word which has two or more meaningsFor example, a plant could be a factory in which products are made or a living organism such as a treeHomophoneDifferent words that are pronounce the same but spelled differentlyFor example two, too and toHomographDifferent words that are spelled the same bu t pronounced differentlyFor example import and minutePragmaticsPragmatics is the study of the use of language. Pragmatics analyses the context of words and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the text. A sentence on its own can be quite misleading. Think about thisThe weight are ready to eat.Does this mean the fish are hungry or they have been cooked long enough that they are now edible?SyntaxSyntax is the study of the structure of language with a focus on how grammatically correct statements are formed.thither are many syntactic categories including nouns, verbs, adjectives , prepositions and adverbsOrthographyOrthography is the study of earn and how they are used to express sounds and form words. Orthography takes a close look at the writing establishments of a language. For English language instructors, English in written form can be area in which many learners struggle with. Many of the things that we write without even thinking about can cause great confusion to a n English language learner. stick for exampleThe words boot, book, blood and brooch.All of these words use oo however each of them have different pronunciations for this vowel combination.Now look at these three wordscheck, machine, characterIn each one the ch is pronounced differentlyAnother thing that subscribe tos to be taken into consideration is the fact that not every language follows the same precedent of pronunciations. discontinue 3ESL and EFLsame same but different-Tinglish sayingEnglish as a Second Language (ESL) teaching refers to teaching English in a country where English is already an official language. For example, Canada, The United States, and Britain are countries that offer English language learners ESL programs.English as a Foreign Language (EFL) refers to teaching English in a country where English is not the most predominant language that is spoken. Due to Englishs place in the global scheme, EFL schools are quickly becoming popular all over non-English spe aking nations.The biggest consideration an instructor must take into score is that EFL and ESL instruction does at times require different approaches to littleon planning. This is mostly repayable to the fact that English language learners living in an English speaking country are taking lessons as a means of linguistic survival. Although grammar is obviously an important part of English language learning, these disciples may feel pressed to first learn how to communicate in a way that the people within their community understand them even if they are using broken English. These students are taking English lessons to open up more opportunities twain financially and socially to themselves and possibly members of their families. ESL students ordain also have the opportunity to continuously pract sparkler their English outdoors of the illuminateroom setting. As a result the instructor should consider which topics are the most necessary.EFL students may not feel the urgency to l earn survival English right away. An EFL student may be partaking in English lessons for a time to come trip, to open up future social, academic and economic opportunities or for exclusively for enjoyment. There are a number of EFL academic institutions around the world that cater to students who are taking English simply because it is their hobby.The distinction amid sulphur and foreign language learning is what is actually being learned, where it is being learned and how it is learned.This course will dive deeper into what considerations should be taken into bet when creating and delivering ESL and EFL lessons.Terminologybrb, ttyl ok? wow, I saved a ton of time with those acronyms. Stephen ColbertThere is a lot of terminology associated with English language instruction. English Speakers can fall under many different categories and there are many acronyms to describe the types of English speakers. The following section is a study of some of the most commonly used terms and ac ronyms.The language in which a person is learning is commonly referred to as the students orchestrate language while Native language is the term associated with a persons first language or sometimes referred to as their mother spitting.L1 is the abbreviation for first language spoken by an individual, also referred to as a persons mother tongue.L1 English refers to a person who uses English as their first language. L1 is a term that can be used for any language for example a person who uses French as their first language would be considered an L1 French speaker.L2 is an abbreviation for a persons due south language, or a language that is not their L1. nighone who is referred as L1 Japanese and L2 English is considered a Japanese speaker who has a working knowledge of English.English for Academic Purposes (EAP) is a form of ESL/EFL instruction that focuses on academia. This would include subject areas such as writing dinner gown reports, presentations for school related purpose s and reading academic works.Some areas of the world may refer to EFL lessons as English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL).English for Specific Purposes (ESP) and Vocational English as a Second Language (VESL)( refers to the study of English for a particular (usually job related) purpose. For example a course that focuses solely on English for the tourism industry.TOEFL is an official canvass of English as a Foreign Language. This test focuses on English proficiency for international students who are interested in studying at an English speaking institution.TOEIC is the Test of English for International Communication. Originally used in Japan but now a worldwide tool, TOEIC is a standardized test (multiple choice) that is used to assess ones proficiency in English. two TOEFL and TOEIC has become a recognized standard throughout the world.PART 4Principles of Second Language acquisitionLearn a new language and get a new soul. Czech ProverbOver the last century, many linguists have researched and theorized on how people uprise a punt language. As a result, a number of theoretical frameworks have been developed. There isnt one accepted possibleness of language encyclopedism but quite a variety of theories each with a different focus and different limitations. This section will briefly explore different theories of routine language acquisition.Chomskys Innate Cognitive Process TheoryDo you think an handsome learns a second language the same way a boor learns a first language? Why or why not?Professor Noam Chomsky is one of the most well-known professors of linguistic studies. Chomsky s works support a nativists theory that acquiring is actually in our genic makeup and we are born with innate abilities known as an expletive (Language Acquisition Device). Language acquisition does not rely on formal instruction.In its simplest form, Chomskys theory is that we are born with the innate efficacy to learn basic language which include the rules of gramm ar. We develop our language skills by comprehend to the people who raise us. Infants and toddlers do not necessarily require mortal to teach them language, as long as there is linguistic stimulant drug around they will inevitably acquire language. The process of selecting the correct radiation pattern of words is done unconsciously.Chomsky refers to this as our universal grammar and supports this theory by pointing out that all human languages share similar patterns (for example present and past tense).There is a difference between the acquisition of a first language and a second language. Those who have had experience teaching both adults and children may have noticed that children learn their first language in a more fluid fashion while adults rate of acquisition varies from person to person.Now, keep in mind Chomskys theory. Children do not need to be taught their first language whereas adults require formal instruction.With children it is a immanent progression due to post ulate and environment.With adults second language acquisition is dependant upon motivation, attitude, and abilityEven though Chomskys theory appears to put adults at a disadvantage when it comes to acquiring language, adults do possess skills that enable them to learn another language.Adults possess competency in a first language which could be used to further understand and retain a second language. For example, associating L2 words with L1 words, creating visual and audio clues.Adults are able to problem solve and alter complex concepts.Adults understand inflection and tone.Adult have the cognitive ability to review and reflectAdults can draw on mnemonics devices these are warehousing tools such as creating acronyms or simple rhymes*try a web search on common mnemonic devicesChomskys concepts have been both passing accepted and criticized by his peers.Krashens Five HypothesesOne of the most noted modern linguist and educational researcher is psychologist Dr. Stephen Krashen. Dr, Krashen is well known for his theories of language acquisition and victimization most of which were published in a series of books throughout the 1980s. Along with Tracey Terrell, Dr. Krashen also researched and authored works on the native approach to language teaching.Dr. Krashens theory of second language acquisition explores how we learn language through five main hypothesesthe pictorial graze openingthe acquisition-learning speculationthe monitor lizard hypothesisthe input hypothesisthe affective filter hypothesisThe pictorial Order assumptionThis hypothesis suggests that language acquisition follows a natural pattern of progress. Just like in movement, one first learns to crawl, stand, pass and then run, language acquisition in every language develops through a series of sequential steps that a person progresses through by nature.By studying this natural progressing of language acquisition, researchers have uncovered a predictable pattern in language acquisition . By following this pattern teachers can develop a series of instructions that best showcase the needs of older language learners.This hypothesis coincides Noam Chomskys theory that public naturally have a built-in Language Acquisition Device (LAD), that enables humans to understand and acquire language from infancy.Teachers need to take the natural order hypothesis when introducing language concepts. This can be done by ensuring first introducing models that are moderately easy for learners to acquire. As instructors should *scaffold difficult concepts. run a web search and find a definition educational scaffoldingEducational scaffolding refers to the idea that in order for students to powerful achieve academic success, the instructor needs to ensure that instructional supports have been when students are first introduced to a new topic.The Acquisition Learning Hypothesis.The Acquisition-Learning hypothesis is considered by many linguists as the most fundamental of all Krashens hypothesizes .The Acquisition Learning hypothesis suggests that second language performance is a product of two separate systems that happen consciously and subconsciously in a persons brain.The first system is the acquired system. Language acquisition occurs subconsciously through natural communication. In other words people acquire a second language when they are exposed to meaningful verbal interactions with speakers of the target language.The second system focuses on formal instruction. Krashen believes that this system holds less importance than the acquired system however it is still a component of language acquisition. The learning system occurs when people consciously focus on learning a language.In its simplest form you can think of it this way, a person learns a language by studying it they acquire a language by immersing themselves in it.Instructors need to create opportunities for students to use the target language in an trustworthy manor within their schoolrooms. T his is especially important in the EFL schoolroom because students will not have the opportunity to use the target language outside of the classroom. How could and EFL instructor incorporate the acquisition-learning hypothesis into their teachings?Role playing (creating simulated scenarios)The superintend HypothesisThe Monitor Hypothesis corresponds directly with the Acquisition- Learning hypothesis. The Monitor Hypothesis focuses on the effects of direct language instruction. Krashen explained in the Acquisition- Learning hypothesis that language acquisition occurs during exposure to natural communication. In nerve, the language we acquire through this process is fine-tuned and properly edited through grammar and language instruction. charge and traditional language learning activities monitor and correct language.The Input Hypothesis. comprehensible input are the messages that a language learner understands. These messages can come in the form of written text (books, signs, su btitles) or oral language (conversations, radio).The input hypothesis suggests that in order for language acquisition to occur, the learner must receive comprehensible input that is slightly above their level of language knowledge. This is often documented as Comprehensible Input +1. The +1 represents the next level in language.EFL instructors need to ensure that they are constantly taking the input hypothesis into consideration when creating and implementing lessons. Instructors need to provide as much comprehensible input as possible, especially in the EFL class because learners are not exposed to the target language outside of the classroom setting.The Affective Filter Hypothesis.Affective Filter Hypothesis focuses on the theory that confidence and anxiety have a direct correlation to language learning. In order to properly acquire language, a person needs to be comfortable and feel confident in their surroundings. When a language learner is uncomfortable they tend to mentally bu ild up barriers that foil acquisition.Keeping in mind the Affective Filter Hypothesis, list a few barriers in an academic environment that could directly hinder language acquisition.How can an instructor ensure that a learner feels safe?-begin lessons with ice breakers-establish a classroom routine with a set of norms-consider seating area arrangements-incorporate dual language resources use humour-include teaching methods that allow for student interaction-address students by name-use eye contact-use positive language(*6) The Reading HypothesisIt should also be noted that Krashens more new research has concluded that the more a person reads in a second language, the more vocabulary they will acquire.Involving a variety of texts in a language classroom will increase the learners knowledge of the target language and also offer the learner opportunities to view how the target language can be used in real-life contexts.List some forms of texts that will offer students an opportunity to view language in real-life contexts.-advertisements-instructional signs-subtitles-novels-scriptsVygotskys regularise of proximal Development theoryHaving English language learners work in bittie groups is a recommend strategy. Why do you think students are more successfully when broken up into small groups?Although he only lived to the age of 38, Lev Vygotsky was considered one of the founders of cultural historical psychology. Vygotsky lived through Russian Revolution of the untimely 1900s and his works were largely unknown to the West until it was published in 1962, more than 25 years after he died.As a social constructivist he believed that social interaction was key to the cognitive and language development of children. He observed how higher level mental functions developed within particular cultural groups and individually through social interactions with significant people in most cases a childs primary caregivers.Vygotsky developed the geographical zone of proximal D evelopment theory, which outlines the theory that a students performance of certain tasks improve greatly when they are being guided by an adult or when working in a group of their peers.Vygotsky referred to these peers as More Knowledgeable Other(s) (MKO). The MKO is anyone who has a better understanding or more knowledge in the area of study than the learner. The MKO could be a teacher, coach, or peers.Vygotsky theorized that working alone is less constructive because when a student works with others, the gaps between what the student knows and what can be known is bridged.Working in these groups is working within the Zone of Proximal Development.Think of it this way(Picture)(1)Student X has some understanding of some of the concepts but needs to learn other concepts for a greater understanding of the materials(2)Student X is grouped with others who know these concepts but some of the members of the groups may not know some of the concepts Student X knows (they have all entered t he zone)(3) Everyone walks out of the group with new informationThink about thisWhy is the second language classroom a perfect environment to apply the Zone of Proximal Development theory?Unlike a situation in which a teacher or lecturer delivers information to students, the ZPD theory promotes the notion that students need to play an active role in learning. ZPD theory offers an opportunity for everyone to learn from each other.In an ESL/EFL classroom, the teacher can set up small groups in which students act as the MKOs and learn off each other.Think about itHow does the Zone of Proximal Development theory applause Stephen Krashens Input Hypothesis? Think about students working in groups.-In essence both theories work on the notion that learning takes place when a learner is exposed to a person who has slightly more groundbreaking knowledge in that subject area. Group work in the ESL/EFL classroom is very successful bec