#whatisschool is an award winning edchat space where people can express an unbiased response to questions about schooling, where educators have a voice in shaping the future through their experience, recommendations and interests. Join us Thursdays 7pm ET / 11pm GMT / Friday 7am SGT/WA (Perth) / Friday 9am AEDT / Friday 11am NZT.
Excited to run today #whatisschool with the incredible @mrkempnz Please introduce yourself, your current role, mother tongue and any other languages you speak.
@albertopm13 wonderful to have you joining #whatisschool all the way from Singapore!! Last Sat #BookCampPD had @SaraKAhmed author of "Being the Change" join us from Bangkok. We are sure become more International. I created this graphic recently to get the word out about chats
A1 I am a native Spanish and English speaker. I can safely say I am biliterate. I studied French in HS. I can read and understand quite a bit, but I cannot communicate w/other French speakers. #whatisschool
A1: I learnt Japanese at Middle and High School but did not succeed - I remember very little as it didn't stick for me and I didn't have real chances to use it in every day life #whatisschool
You're welcome! So many educators speak of global education and connections I wanted to create something that would help through a resource of when they are held #whatisschool
A1. I studied English at school since grade 1 and French during Secondary. I only became fluent in English during college. Best memory is using false friends among languages and its misunderstandings! #whatisschool
A1: I did study English when I was in school. We focus a lot in grammar and writing skills and not much in speaking. I remember the excitement when I was able to understand the lyrics of my favourite English songs #whatisschool
A1: Through most of school, I studied Spanish, though I lacked meaningful opportunities to use it and learned just enough to get the grade. That said, I do remember a couple days in the 9th grade where our Spanish teacher introduced us to ¿Qué Pasa, USA? #whatisschool
A1: English is my second language. My native language is Spanish.
I started acquiring English at the age of 15 while trying to graduate HS...talk about a challenge 😓
#whatisSchool
A1 I studied Spanish for two years in high school. Many think that I am a native speaker but I am far from it. Rosetta Stone might be in my future. #whatisschool
A1: I guess the thing I ma proud of that I still remember a couple of phrases, I can count to 100 in Japanese and understand a few words - love talking to our Japanese students at school #whatisschool
A1a) learned 3 languages at school, grew up in a country with more than 22 spoken languages,had childhood friends speaking different languages. This multilingual experience helped me to learn Korean & Mandarin(survival) when I moved to Seoul & Shanghai later in life #whatisschool
A1a) learned 3 languages at school, grew up in a country with more than 22 spoken languages,had childhood friends speaking different languages. This multilingual experience helped me to learn Korean & Mandarin(survival) when I moved to Seoul & Shanghai later in life #whatisschool
A1: Learned French and German at school. Didn’t love either. Blame my crazy French teacher. Can now count to 10 in a hybrid mix of Gerfrench. #whatisschool
A2: Not a language learning expert but to me being able to speak it in real life situations is key while the teacher speaks the language. Age --> the earlier the better #whatisschool
A2: Best way is to grow up in a multilingual household. Absent that, immersion is key. Lots of listening and speaking. And start as early as possible! #whatisschool
A2. The best way is making it fun and create a routine. Find real communicative situations and use all the technology available for this. Start ASAP, the younger the easier and Speaking should be a priority in communication. #whatisschool
As we embark on this new school year and the 10 month journey that it spans, here are a few things to keep in mind... #whatisschoolhttps://t.co/FdKPHacT8p
A1: studied German and Mandarin Chinese. Lots of rote learning and drills which wasn't effective. My Chinese improved once I had the opportunity to use it in a real context. #whatisschool
A2 I think the best way to learn a second language is to immerse yourself in the language through authentic experiences. These can and should be recreated in the classroom through topics of convos that Ss find interesting. #whatisschool
I worked casually at an International school in Sydney a few years ago, they offered the choice of four different languages and the children received nearly half a day instruction in those languages it was fab #whatisschool
A2: My daughter started learning Mandarin at 2 and she is a superstar now - she loves to learn through songs and videos. SHe is now 4 and speaks the best Mandarin in our family #prouddad#whatisschool
A2: From my personal experience, I like the immersion model. I'm fascinated to be #iNCIC where Ss are learning English and Mandarin. We also have a co-teaching model, so it has been fun to collaborate with my teammate to see how language can transfer #whatisschool
A2 The best way to learn a new language is to immerse yourself in the environment where it is spoken. You should begin learning at the earliest age possible. Develop a strong foundation of the basic speaking language then move on...#whatisschool
A2: Whole Language Approach! Best way to acquire another language.
Real life situations & free voluntary reading!
Letting language acquisition take its natural development
#whatisSchool
A2b: I learn the most by trying to converse w/ native speakers who appreciate my effort and coach me along the way. Same should be true for T’s and Ss #whatisschool
A2. The younger the better! Good literacy skills in your L1 is important. Additional languages need to be taught in a way that allows for meaning interaction and authentic tasks #whatisschool
A2- some people begin learning an additional language when it becomes a need. I don’t think there is an age to start learning, what we teachers need to appreciate is how students learn at the age they begin learning. #langchat#whatisschool
A2: Best way is to grow up in a multilingual household. Absent that, immersion is key. Lots of listening and speaking. And start as early as possible! #whatisschool
Q1 - I learnt French at secondary school from the age of 11-16. I took my GCSE and obtained a grade B. I struggled with the spoken aspect the most.#whatisschool
A1)A: I studied English in my middle school. I had a great teacher, he made me fall in love with English;I was successful in learning English at school but I wanted more so I started listening to pop songs:air supply, Whom...etc.to make myself very “native speaker”!#whatisschool
1A #whatisschool Good Morning from Hanoi! Running late- 2 Back to School Nights this weekend! ✅🎨🏃🏻♀️ I studied Japanese at 32! So happy when I could SAY, is the McDonalds on the left or the right of the street in Osaka! 😂
I have children coming in my class with limited English found it much easier at my previous school when my TA also spoke their mother tongue #whatisschool
A3. It only has benefits, nothing negative at ALL! Mixing languages is natural and won´t be an issue. Instead, our brain gets more active, our cognitive function more developed and the attention control more focused. Research based. #whatisschool
https://t.co/nEb6Ccr0j0 Ireland we TEACH Irish language from age 5 to 18 yet we can't speak the language.Language must come from home and be a natural #whatisschool
A3: I haven't done a lot of research about it but from what I have seen with my daughter - learning a second language helps her learn her first language and understand meanings too #whatisschool
Totally agree. I’m curious though of what folks think of @elonmusk’s take on second language acquisition, which is that it will be unnecessary in the future b/c #AI will be able to do the job seamlessly https://t.co/7t0FrvPbBG#whatisschool
A2a) earlier immersive environment-the better, Little ones pickup fast. When my daughter was 2-4 when we were in Shanghai , picked up and spoke 4 languages naturally, quickly (English , Tamil-mother tongue and 2 dialects in China -mandarin and shanghainese )#whatisschool
A3 I have a number of EAL Learners in my new IB Geography class. They are having to learn the concepts and theories in 2 languages initially, which means they start to think critically about the use of the language and therefore aquire a deeper understanding. #whatisschool
A3: The amount of learning that happens when you push your brain and learn a new language is incredible. I am sure @anmowat has some facts to share #whatisschool
Q2A: The younger age is better but I think the key thing of success in learning a 2nd language is having a growth mindset. Be open minded, embrace the difference, enjoy the language and the culture! Listening and speaking are the first! They will boost your passion. #whatisschool
It makes for a well-rounded individual! I wish more was offered in the US for students at an earlier age. Most states only offer Spanish in high school. Our country is much more than Spanish and English! #whatisschool
A3) love this ted talk on howvlanguage chafes the way we think. How language shapes the way we thinkhttps://www.ted.com/talks/lera_boroditsky_how_language_shapes_the_way_we_think #whatisschool
A4. Multilingual individuals are a big potential for original thinking and innovation, what is a big need in any company or school nowadays! #whatisschool
A1: yes, studied a mandatory 2nd language throughout primary and high school. Struggled initially but then due to great Teachers really enjoyed it and succeeded. Still use it today. #whatisschool
A3) Loved this ted talk on ‘How language shapes the way we think’ How language shapes the way we think https://t.co/9KUWFO302p Learning a new language pushes and challenges your brain at various level #whatisschool
A4: We know the importance of intercultural understanding, being able to work with people from different cultures, interests. The workforce of the future requires collaboration across borders and being bilingual just reinforces an applicants ability in that area! #whatisschool
A4: Just having a little bit of Spanish from HS changed my college path immediately. I was given opportunities to learn more about bilingual education and fell in love. I wouldn't have met the people I have met nor be the type of educator I am today. So grateful! #whatisschool
A4. Love that this article even mentions romance in their fifth reason why learning languages is beneficial - 5. It Opens Opportunities for Employment, Romance and Multicultural Understanding https://t.co/4GhwmDUhv0#whatisschool
A4: ability to speak multiple languages allows one to be agile in terms of geography, job placement and allows for adaptation to new cultures more quickly #whatisschool
A4. Love that this article even mentions romance in their fifth reason why learning languages is beneficial - 5. It Opens Opportunities for Employment, Romance and Multicultural Understanding https://t.co/4GhwmDUhv0#whatisschool
A4b. We see the world depending on the structure of the languages we speak, so multilingualism definitely brings new and different perspectives #whatisschool
A4: ability to speak multiple languages allows one to be agile in terms of geography, job placement and allows for adaptation to new cultures more quickly #whatisschool
A4. I remember reading an article about 10 or 15 years ago that stressed the importance of learning languages. If a student could speak three different one's the world would be their oyster! #whatisschool
A4) facilitates cross cultural communication , opportunities to travel and work, acceptance of different perspectives, tolerance,patience, respect and resilience as you learn a new language, opportunities, to show compassion, support ELLs #whatisschool
A4) facilitates cross cultural communication , opportunities to travel and work, acceptance of different perspectives, tolerance,patience, respect and resilience as you learn a new language, opportunities, to show compassion, support ELLs #whatisschool
A3. A research showed that bilingual people’s brain is more active than mono language’s. However at the beginning, the bilingual speaker would appear to be a slow learner. #whatisSchool
#whatisschool a3 Did research on a common mistake, learning squares. By learning them in L2, ss then improved in L1. Like a bilingual overwrite button
#math They actually "gottit" too.
A5. A lack of mixed language people in a team can end up with less original ideas and solutions. Several backgrounds together are powerful. #whatisschool
A4 multi lingual approaches to learning allows a greater understanding of the cultural contexts and I believe creates an open mind, especially in geography... which facilitates global connections. #whatisschool
A5 I think a big one is that it could result in misunderstandings and a lessened capacity to negotiate. A people’s language is a gateway to their culture. #whatisschool
A5: singleness of anything can be fixed/closed/removed. Exposure & experience builds capacity for learning and creates a more open mindset #whatisschool
#whatisschool A5. Consequences can already be seen across our schools. We have a large number of non Native English speakers entering our schools with little to no staff available to translate. This causes a disconnect and discomfort upon entry into the school. #whatisschools
Now >that< is an amazing aspect to share. Thanks for mentioning it.
I wanted educators to have an iPad right at the ELL students' elbow so they could quickly see a visual of whatever was being discussed. #whatisschool
A5: Sadly, often times it's a lack of affirming identity. It's hard to fathom why it's not seen as an additive benefit. Not to mention the ability for empathy, kindness and celebration of #globaled#whatisschool
Visuals are a must in language teaching. Really easy to get them with all the technology nowadays, but even simple flashcards when we do not have more options are beneficial. #whatisschool
A5 I read a great book over the Summer called Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall which talks about the constraints of geographical location... Do the same priniciples apply to language, are we becoming global prisoners without a second language? #whatisschool
Now >that< is an amazing aspect to share. Thanks for mentioning it.
I wanted educators to have an iPad right at the ELL students' elbow so they could quickly see a visual of whatever was being discussed. #whatisschool
A6. Tools like @Rockalingua or @Linguascope offer so many cool resources, games and songs to language teachers. @Duolinguo is excellent for mobile and slef learning @Flipgrid or @Skype help with global connections and speaking skills! #whatisschool
A6 I like translanguaging and the Neurolinguistic Approach as strategies for language acquisition. Although they may seem to contradict each other, I think they can both be used effectively in the classroom. #whatisschool
Your comment reminded me of an ELL class where students were trying to learn words from drawings of objects that were pretty far from a realistic and then colored in foolish worksheets w/ additional drawings of words they would rarely use. Glad to read what u shared #whatisschool
Visuals are a must in language teaching. Really easy to get them with all the technology nowadays, but even simple flashcards when we do not have more options are beneficial. #whatisschool
A4: Learning any amount of another language is going to help you see the world differently. Bilingualism and multilingualism bakes in the understanding that the world has others: other people, other ways of thinking, other solutions. #whatisschool
A6. Our pupils forget most of what we teach them.They will however remember us their teachers forever.Lets be good and kind to them.A kind word can last a lifetime #whatisschool
@albertopm13 thank you for being here this evening and sharing your wisdom as a guest moderator. @mrkempnz your continued, consistent moderating of this chat is fantastic!
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