(1) Listen to the News by Tara
We'll start the Wednesday classes with the news by Tara.
(2) Mini debate: English Globalization
We'll follow the same format as with our mini debate series: Reading the passage, vocabulary, discussing relevant questions, and finally mini debates in groups of 4.
12 - W10b - Mini-debate English Globalization.pdf
Replies
Liu Yan, it was Napoleon Hill who said, "If a man can speak two languages, he is worth two people"! So, that is stressing the advantage people who can speak two languages have over others who are limited to only one language. I have always said, and I will continue saying that English is the key that unlocks the world to the student. When one speaks the language of one country, one is limited to information and the culture of that one country only, but when English is one of one's languages, it brings the whole world within one's reach. So, don't limit yourself in terms of passing exams, think globally! ;-)
Wendy, I believe you are correct that the colonization of the British of so many countries has probably contributed most toward establishing English as global language. But I personally don't believe that the English culture has also had an effect on the world. In some countries they may have started mixing the languages (like the "Spanglish" in some Spanish-speaking countries), but I have never heard that the local cultures had significant changes in favour of the British culture just because the country has adopted English as second language.
But I am happy to read that you think learning English is not so difficult! Not many Chinese students believe that, but I think you are right! And you are also correct that through the globalization of English, there are many more opportunities to learn English. Every time a student visits this website, it is evidence of how globalization of the language is assisting the learner!
In recent months ,there are many affairs around us.From the inexplicable disappearance of Malaysian Airplane to this the sinking off of South Korea Ferry.It is a great disaster.About the English Gobalization. There is no doubt to this question.I think English is widely used language all around the world.If you can't speak English at all,you will miss a lot.Such as you can not travel abroad ,you can not make trade with foreigners,and you can not find a good job in your career .Maybe in the future ,there will be another language appearing to take the place of English.But till now,the using of English is recognized by people,it is an international language,when you arrive at other countries,your mother tongue can not be understood ,then you can use English to communicate with local people,more or less ,they will talk to you in English.Thank you ,teacher.
Sabrina, if you mention that another language may in future replace English as global language, then I am sure that you have the Chinese language in mind, right?! How do I know? Because it is only the Chinese people who have an issue with the global language! I am no prophet, but I believe that Chinese would never replace English as global language! I believe it would come alongside English as one of the two global languages in about 30 years time (though I know the Chinese government's intention with the Confusius language centers across the world is to replace English one day). The main purpose of a global language is that the world can communicate with one another; there should be no other motives behind the establishing of such a tool. But I won't be around to witness what would eventually happen; maybe your children and grandchildren would!
I'm glad if you think the news by Tara is (extremely) useful, Fan Yixin. It is very short, but I also think it would surely help those students who are serious about enhancing their English skills. I am glad some of you are so positive about that. :)
Wang Fei, I agree that language is an integrated part of a culture. But culture can't determine a global language. So, even if 1.4 billion Chinese people think they have the best culture, there are 5.6 billion people in this world who would not agree with that! So, the global lingua franca was not decided upon because of any country's cultural preference. See my comment to Rock above. I think in the final analysis, that is the best explanation for English as global language. I have confirmed that in Wikipedia (not word for word, but more or less the same).
Tony, it was not me who said that, it was Napoleon Hill ("If a man can speak two languages, he is worth two people")! But I agree with you that in China they should re-focus about English and what the language can mean to the country and the people. And you are right, 'knowledge is power'! When one can master English, the world is at one's feet and one can get access to anything the world can offer.
Rock, we have discussed the issue already today. You are mostly right with what you say, I believe, except that thing about 'power' ...! And your use of the words 'bilingual' and 'colonies' are correct too ..! But you probably have a better point there about British colonization. We didn't touch on it today. That may be the best way to explain the globalization of English!
The United Kingdom became a colonial power in many countries of the world. English served as the lingua franca of those colonies (like South Africa, amongst others). In the post-colonial period (after many of those countries gained their independence from Britian), some of those "new" nations that had many local languages (again, like South Africa) opted to continue using English as the general global communication language as it just made matters easier (trade, aviation, maritime issues, etc). In the process, English was adopted in North America, India, Africa, Australia and many more regions. America became more prominent around the middle of the previous century (around WWII) and because of it's importance then as the largest economy in the world, it was obvious that more countries would accept English as the global communication language. It just made so much sense! Even if China becomes militarily and economically stronger than the US one day, I have the believe that the Chinese language would never become the only global language. I agree that it might become one of the two global languages. As I said, I believe that the world would speak two languages in about 30 years from now, Chinese and English. But I would not be here to verify that. You will be the only witness between you and me! ;-)
It is a truth that there is a increasing number of people speaking English.We can see English in many places ,for example ,the boxes of food and medicine, the instruction of the electric equipments and so on.I think everyone should knows some English words and basic sentences so that we can understand the English we often meet.Now, in China ,maybe not only in China,people attach importance to English more and let their children study English in a very young age.You know, English is similar to Chinese pinyin.So the little kids always mix them up.It becomes a big problem in their English learning.And it makes parents and teachers confused and worried.I don't know how to solve the problem,either.Maybe they will find an effective way to deal with it later.
As for the sunken South Korea ferry,I don't know if it is relevent to politics.I just want to say life is precious to everyone. We can't ignore others' life.But not everyone think so.Recently,there are so many similar accidents.The goverments all over the world should pay attention to it.
Interesting observation about PinYin and English getting mixed up, Nicole. I didn't know that such an issue exists! The problem is probably that they use the English alphabet to write PinYin to make Chinese easier to learn. It is a pity (in my opinion) that the world languages don't all use one alphabet like in many European countries. In a country like Morocco, for instance, where they speak different languages apart from Arabic (French, Spanish, English, and a Moroccan dialect), they learn languages much easier as they use the same alphabet (except for Arabic). Maybe China should adopt the PinYin alphabet as the official alphabet ...! ;-)
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