How I learned Chinese (blog challenge part 2)

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  If you didn’t catch the first part of my recent learning language blog challenge, check ‘er out, and since then I’ve loved reading Ceci, Elinda, Naomi, and Shikha‘s stories and can’t wait to hear yours   Ever hear someone say our language-learning skills peak at age twelve?   There’s certainly some biological truth to it, but might it also be the case that adults not only lose a touch of  brain plasticity, but also the wonder, ease, and social interaction that children employ to learn a language?  I think so.  Actually, I know so as I tackled one of the “world’s (…)

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Blog challenge: How and why you learned a foreign language

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  Why and How are always the most interesting questions… aren’t they?   On Tuesday I posted the “#1 reason to learn a foreign language“, and honestly, I posted it not so much because I believe there is a #1 reason but to engender discussion, disagreement, or to maybe even inspire a bit of devil’s advocate à la Chia Suan Chong.  For what it’s worth, sometimes I like stepping a bit out on the edge to shake things up in the hopes that when all settles we’ve all learned a bit more.   So, let’s shake things up with our (…)

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The number one reason to learn a language…

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  To step into another culture’s shoes, and thus see yours from another perspective.   Of course it can increase job prospects, and yes, it increases other cognitive functions and prevents senility.  It does makes travelling more fun, and it can open a window into other literatures in their original form… oh yes, and I also believe it can improve our understanding and appreciation of our own native language. But more than anything, as we continue to live in an ever-increasing international society, we’ll need to be able to see outside of our own perspective and to be able to understand each (…)

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Is public school enough to master a language?

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  No. Not today. Especially not as it’s historically been taught in most schools.   But, mastering the language isn’t the goal, either. To master anything takes dedication and time… 10,000 hours according to Malcolm Gladwell.   Many international learners need to achieve an adequate level of English for their future careers, but also for potential intercultural interactions and enhanced access to the WWW. In the presentation I mentioned a week ago, I was surprised to hear Stephen Krashen say that our job as teachers was to get students to the “intermediate” level. Does that happen in many public schools? It didn’t for (…)

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What does it mean to be “polite”? #etymology

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  What does this sign mean to you? Do you often add it to your tweets, sms, or quick messages to friends, family, acquaintances?  Why?  If you took it off would it change the message?     On a lazy, sunny, snowy afternoon in Paris I joined 55 others from around the world to listen to Chia Suan Chong share her thoughts and research on Politeness and Pragmatics in ELF. Chia did a marvelous job of interacting, polling, asking us questions and listening to feedback. It was a fine example of how webinars can be great for professional development and I (…)

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