...heories about how young children acquire and develop language Young children become amazingly proficient communicators during the first three years of life. As the Birth to Three Matters framework points out, they use 'the hundred languages of children' - body language (including facial expressions and dance); sign language (their own and family inventions as well as an officially recognised sign language); painting, drawing and mark-making; and oral expression. They have been acutely active listeners since their days in the womb, where they learned to recognise the speech patterns, tunes and tones of the languages used in their home contexts. Language theory research informs us that young children's language development is influenced by many factors, including having sensitive adults and older children around them who will listen and attend to their expressions and who will use and model appropriate language themselves. This has been called 'Motherese' by researchers led by Cathy Snow. Children's babbling during their first year includes the sounds of every world language and 'crib talk' demonstrates their intense interest in the sounds they hear around them. Although children with a hearing loss will stop babbling, if they grow up in a home with parents who can sign, they will follow the same patterns of development using their first language - signing - and will sign their first word at around the same age that hearing children speak theirs. Between two and three years...
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...Language Teaching Methodology Theodore S. Rodgers, Professor Emeritus, University of Hawaii Background Language teaching came into its own as a profession in the last century. Central to this phenomenon was the emergence of the concept of "methods" of language teaching. The method concept in language teaching—the notion of a systematic set of teaching practices based on a particular theory of language and language learning—is a powerful one, and the quest for better methods was a preoccupation of teachers and applied linguists throughout the 20th century. Howatt's (1984) overview documents the history of changes of practice in language teaching throughout history, bringing the chronology up through the Direct Method in the 20th century. One of the most lasting legacies of the Direct Method has been the notion of "method" itself. Language Teaching Methodology Defined Methodology in language teaching has been characterized in a variety of ways. A more or less classical formulation suggests that methodology is that which links theory and practice. Theory statements would include theories of what language is and how language is learned or, more specifically, theories of second language acquisition (SLA). Such theories are linked to various design features of language instruction. These design features might include stated objectives, syllabus specifications, types of activities, roles of teachers, learners, materials, and so forth. Design features in turn are linked...
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...substantive, transdisciplinary conception of critical thinking. Critical Thinking as Defined by the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987 A statement by Michael Scriven & Richard Paul, presented at the 8th Annual International Conference on Critical Thinking and Education Reform, Summer 1987. Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness. Language is the human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems ofcommunication, and a lanThe English word "language" derives ultimately from Indo-European *dn̥ǵʰwéh₂s "tongue, speech, language" through Latin lingua, "language; tongue", and...
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...TRANSLATION QUALITY ASSESSMENT Translation quality assessment has become one of the key issues in translation studies. This comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of translation evaluation makes explicit the grounds of judging the worth of a translation and emphasizes that translation is, at its core, a linguistic operation. Written by the author of the world’s best known model of translation quality assessment, Juliane House, this book provides an overview of relevant contemporary interdisciplinary research on translation, intercultural communication and globalization, and corpus and psycho- and neuro-linguistic studies. House acknowledges the importance of the socio-cultural and situational contexts in which texts are embedded, and which need to be analysed when they are transferred through space and time in acts of translation, at the same time highlighting the linguistic nature of translation. The text includes a newly revised and presented model of translation quality assessment which, like its predecessors, relies on detailed textual and culturally informed contextual analysis and comparison. The test cases also show that there are two steps in translation evaluation: firstly, analysis, description and explanation; secondly, judgements of value, socio-cultural relevance and appropriateness. The second is futile without the first: to judge is easy, to understand less so. Translation Quality Assessment is an invaluable resource for students and researchers...
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...[pic] JPPSS ELA COURSE GUIDE 2011-2012 ENGLISH I The JPPSS Instructional Sequence Guides are aligned with the LA Comprehensive Curriculum. JPPSS Implementation of Activities in the Classroom Incorporation of activities into lesson plans is critical to the successful implementation of the Louisiana Comprehensive Curriculum. The Comprehensive Curriculum indicates one way to align instruction with Louisiana standards, benchmarks, and grade-level expectations. The curriculum is aligned with state content standards, as defined by grade-level expectations (GLEs), and organized into coherent, time-bound units with sample activities and classroom assessments to guide teaching and learning. The units in the curriculum have been arranged so that the content to be assessed will be taught before the state testing dates. While teachers may substitute equivalent activities and assessments based on the instructional needs, learning styles, and interests of their students, the Comprehensive Curriculum should be a primary resource when planning instruction. Grade level expectations—not the textbook—should determine the content to be taught. Textbooks and other instructional materials should be used as resource in teaching the grade level expectations...
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...In Other Words This book addresses the need for a systematic approach to the training of translators and provides an explicit syllabus which reflects some of the main intricacies involved in rendering a text from one language into another. It explores the relevance of some of the key areas of modern linguistic theory and illustrates how an understanding of these key areas can guide and inform at least some of the decisions that translators have to make. It draws on insights from current research in such areas as lexical studies, text linguistics and pragmatics to maintain a constant link between language, translation, and the social and cultural environment in which both language and translation operate. In Other Words examines various areas of language, ranging from the meaning of single words and expressions to grammatical categories and cultural contexts. Firmly grounded in modern linguistic theory, the book starts at a simple level and grows in complexity by widening its focus gradually. The author explains with clarity and precision the concepts and theoretical positions explored within each chapter and relates these to authentic examples of translated texts in a variety of languages, although a knowledge of English is all that is required to understand the examples presented. Each chapter ends with a series of practical exercises which provide the translator with an opportunity to test the relevance of the issues discussed. This combination of theoretical discussion and...
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...From Communicative Competence to Language Awareness: An Outline of Language Teaching Principles MANUEL SINOR Department of Linguistics, University of Alberta This essay offers a critical review of some key theoretical issues relevant to second language acquisition and considers the practical implications of these issues on language teaching. The discussion advocates a renewed communicative approach to language pedagogy, which entails the educators’ readiness to act as teacher-researchers, their cautious considerations of individual learner differences, their familiarity with some defining aspects of human learning, and their willingness to encourage the learners’ discovery of formal language properties in a reflective and autonomous manner. 1 Introduction This essay reviews some of the key theoretical notions associated with second language acquisition and considers the pedagogical relevance of these notions. In order to relate the discussion to the practicalities of language teaching, we refer to the hypothetical case of ten adult learners of English, freshly arrived from Japan for a six-month course at a Canadian language school. These learners have earned their title of “mature students” not only from their middle age range, but also because their country’s Foreign Office selected them for their motivation to study English in Canada. Despite this promising background, two burning questions haunt the teacher: “how good is their English?” and “how much can I hope to...
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...e. examiners. To score high, student writers have to use fairly complicated vocabulary and sentences in their written work. Business writers, however, mainly aim to communicate information to their colleagues, clients, and other associated parties. They are relatively free to use what language that can get the business done efficiently and effectively. II. Seven steps in the process of wring 1. clarifying your aim 2. identifying your readers 3. making a general plan 4. sketching a synopsis (大纲) 5. drafting your text 6. putting the draft aside 7. revising and editing ★ Writing is a recursive and creative process. The detailed plan is not adhered to in actual writing. Writers frequently come up with ideas that are activated in the process of writing. Writers read the text they have already produced to help generate more ideas. In effect, the writing process is no linear at all but is characterized by recursive ness and creativeness. III. Three principles of business writing 1. Clarity – means setting your message across clearly. (See detailed information on page 4) 2. Consideration – good business writers take their readers’ needs, problems, and reactions to the writing into consideration. And they put themselves in the readers’ position. (P 5) 3. Correctness – means business writers should use language and approaches that are appropriate to the purpose of writing. (P 6) IV. Intercultural Awareness in Business...
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...A HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSE GUIDE Professor Michael D.C. Drout WHEATON COLLEGE A History of the English Language Professor Michael D.C. Drout Wheaton College Recorded Books™ is a trademark of Recorded Books, LLC. All rights reserved. A History of the English Language Professor Michael D.C. Drout Executive Producer John J. Alexander Executive Editor Donna F. Carnahan RECORDING Producer - David Markowitz Director - Matthew Cavnar COURSE GUIDE Editor - James Gallagher Design - Ed White Lecture content ©2006 by Michael D.C. Drout Course guide ©2006 by Recorded Books, LLC 72006 by Recorded Books, LLC Cover image: © PhotoDisc #UT088 ISBN: 978-1-4281-1730-3 All beliefs and opinions expressed in this audio/video program and accompanying course guide are those of the author and not of Recorded Books, LLC, or its employees. Course Syllabus A History of the English Language About Your Professor...................................................................................................4 Introduction Lecture 1 ...............................................................................................................5 The Foundations of Language: Brain, Development, Acquisition ......................................................................6 Signs and Meanings: Semantics .........................................................13 Sounds of Language: Phonetics..........................................................20 Sound...
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...Universitatea “Dunărea de Jos” din Galați Facultatea de Litere Specializarea: Limba și literatura română – Limba și literatura engleză Limba engleză contemporană. Semantica Conf.dr. Mariana Neagu Anul III, Semestrul 2 D.I.D.F.R. UDJG Facultatea de Litere Contemporary English Language. Semantics Course tutor: Associate Professor Mariana Neagu Galați 2011 Contents 1. Introduction 1.1. Definitions and the beginnings of semantics 1.2. An overview of semantic studies 1.3. Study questions and exercises 5 5 5 10 2. The relationship between language, thought and reality 11 2.1. Extension and intension 2.2. Sign – sense – referent 2.3. Types of signs 2.4. Models of meaning 2.5 Study questions 11 12 13 14 16 3. Types and dimensions of meaning 3.1 Descriptive meaning 3.2 Non-descriptive meaning 3.3 Social meaning 3.4 Evoked meaning 3.5 Study questions and exercises 17 18 19 20 21 23 4. Sense relations(I):polysemy and homonymy 4.1. Semasiology and onomasiology- two basic approaches to the study of words and their senses 4.2. From word to concept: polysemy and Homonymy 4.3 Study questions and exercises 25 25 26 27 5. Sense relations (II): synonymy and antonymy 5.1. From concept to word: synonymy and antonymy 5.2. Study questions and exercises 31 31 34 6. Hierarchical sense relations: hyponymy and meronymy 6.1 Hyponymy 6.2 Meronymy 6.3 Study questions and exercises 39 39 40 42 7. Semantic organization 7.1. The lexicon...
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...Introduction to Computing Explorations in Language, Logic, and Machines David Evans University of Virginia For the latest version of this book and supplementary materials, visit: http://computingbook.org Version: August 19, 2011 Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License Contents 1 Computing 1.1 Processes, Procedures, and Computers . . 1.2 Measuring Computing Power . . . . . . . 1.2.1 Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.2.2 Representing Data . . . . . . . . . 1.2.3 Growth of Computing Power . . . 1.3 Science, Engineering, and the Liberal Arts 1.4 Summary and Roadmap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 3 3 8 12 13 16 Part I: Defining Procedures 2 Language 2.1 Surface Forms and Meanings 2.2 Language Construction . . . . 2.3 Recursive Transition Networks 2.4 Replacement Grammars . . . 2.5 Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 19 ...
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...____________________ OUTCOMES-BASED EDUCATION AND LANGUAGE TEACHING 1 1.1 INTRODUCTION 2 1.2 WHY DID SOUTH AFRICA'S EDUCATION SYSTEM NEED TO CHANGE? 3 1.3 WHAT IS OUTCOMES-BASED EDUCATION? 3 1.3.1 What are the characteristics of outcomes-based education? 3 1.3.2 The difference between the old and the new approach 4 1.4 OUTCOMES-BASED EDUCATION PRINCIPLES AND TERMINOLOGY 6 1.4.1 Learning area 6 1.4.2 Critical outcomes 7 1.4.3 Learning outcomes 8 1.4.4 Assessment standards 9 1.4.5 Assessment 9 1.4.6 Themes 9 1.5 PLANNING AN OUTCOMES-BASED EDUCATION LEARNING UNIT 11 1.6 OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY UNIT 11 1.7 CONCLUSION 12 STUDY UNIT 2 _______________________________________________________________________ TEACHING LANGUAGE IN A MULTICULTURAL CONTEXT 13 2.1 INTRODUCTION 14 2.2 MULTILINGUALISM 14 2.3 HOME LANGUAGE, FIRST AND SECOND ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES 15 2.4 SWITCHING AND MIXING CODES 16 2.5 LANGUAGE TEACHING IN A MULTICULTURAL CONTEXT 18 2.6 CULTURE AND LANGUAGE TEACHING 19 iii 2.7 LANGUAGES WITH HIGH AND LOW STATUS IN SOUTH AFRICA 21 2.8 OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY UNIT 23 2.9 CONCLUSION 24 STUDY UNIT 3 _______________________________________________________________________ IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES OF LANGUAGE TEACHING 25 3.1 INTRODUCTION 28 3.2 ...
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............................... 2 What if my baby doesn’t enjoy reading?............................... 2 What are the learning methods for babies?.......................... 2 Chapter 2: WHY TEACH READING EARLY?........................... 3 Babies are linguistic geniuses.............................................. 4 Isn’t learning to read supposed to be difficult?..................... 5 From speaking to reading … a giant leap?........................... 6 Reading’s place in history.................................................... 7 The promise of early reading................................................ 8 Early reading can prevent dyslexia....................................... 9 Chapter 3: WHOLE LANGUAGE VS PHONICS...................... 12 Why teach whole language?................................................ 13 Why teach phonics?............................................................ 14 The dyslexia debate............................................................ 16 The voice in the head.......................................................... 17 Earlier is easier.................................................................... 18 Summing up....................................................................... 21 Chapter 4: FLASH...
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...Each text has two multiple-choice questions. A text from which six paragraphs have been removed and placed in a jumbled order, together with an additional paragraph, after the text. A text followed by seven multiple-choice questions. A text or several short texts preceded by 15 multiple-matching questions. One compulsory question. Candidates are expected to be able to write non-specialised text types such as an article, a contribution to a longer piece, an essay, information sheets, a letter, a proposal, a report, a review, or a competition entry, with a focus on advising, comparing, evaluating, expressing opinions, hypothesising, justifying and persuading. Candidates are expected to demonstrate the ability to apply their knowledge of the language system by completing a number of tasks. Test focus Candidates are expected to show understanding of attitude, detail, implication, main idea, opinion, purpose, specific information, text organisation features, tone and text structure. 1 READING 1 hour 15 minutes Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 1 2 WRITING 1 hour 30 minutes Part 2 Candidates choose one task from a choice of five questions (including the set text options). Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 A modified cloze test containing 12 gaps and followed by 12 multiple-choice items. A modified open cloze test containing 15 gaps. A text containing 10 gaps. Each gap corresponds to a word. The stems of the missing words are given beside the text and must be changed to form the...
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...Employment News 11 - 17 February 2012 www.employmentnews.gov.in 21 Union Public Service Commission EXAMINATION NOTICE NO. 04/2012-CSP DATED 11.02.2012 (LAST DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS : 05.03.2012) CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATION, 2012 (Commission's website - http://www.upsc.gov.in) F. No. 1/4/2011-E.I(B) : Preliminary Examination of the Civil Services Examination for recruitment to the Services and Posts mentioned below will be held by the Union Public Service Commission on 20th May, 2012 in accordance with the Rules published by the Department of Personnel & Training in the Gazette of India Extraordinary dated 4th February, 2012. (i) Indian Administrative Service. (ii) Indian Foreign Service. (iii) Indian Police Service. (iv) Indian P & T Accounts & Finance Service, Group ‘A’. (v) Indian Audit and Accounts Service, Group ‘A’. (vi) Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise), Group ‘A’. (vii) Indian Defence Accounts Service, Group ‘A’. (viii) Indian Revenue Service (I.T.), Group ‘A’. (ix) Indian Ordnance Factories Service, Group ‘A’ (Assistant Works Manager, Administration). (x) Indian Postal Service, Group ‘A’. (xi) Indian Civil Accounts Service, Group ‘A’. (xii) Indian Railway Traffic Service, Group ‘A’. (xiii) Indian Railway Accounts Service, Group 'A'. (xiv) Indian Railway Personnel Service, Group ‘A’. (xv) Post of Assistant Security Commissioner in Railway Protection Force, Group ‘A’ (xvi) Indian Defence Estates Service, Group ‘A’. (xvii) Indian Information...
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