UNIT 4.05 SHOULD EVERYONE LEARN A SECOND LANGUAGE? · 2019-10-20 · language might actually make...

beneficial • cultural • bilingual • complicated • proficient

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UNIT 4.05

SHOULD EVERYONE LEARN A SECOND LANGUAGE?

SCHEDULE

Day 1 Action NewsReader’s Theater

Day 2Characters’ Perspectives

Day 3Word Study

Day 4Math and Word Study

Day 5Interview

Day 6Science

Day 7Prepare to Debate

Day 8Debate

Day 9First Draft

Day 10 Writing

Extension Activity


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Action NewsDay 1

Should everyone learn a second language?Does learning a second language improve your brain?

PAIGE REIDER:

Good day, student viewers! Paige Reider here with a breaking story on how learning a second language might actually make you smarter! It seems as though knowing more than one language is actually good for your brain. Here with more on this story about the importance of second language learning and being bilingual is our field reporter, Justin Thyme. Justino?

JUSTIN THYME:

Thanks, Paige. I spoke to a couple of experts on the subject, and they say that many studies show the benefit of being bilingual or being proficient in another language.

PAIGE: I would think that having to think in two languages would be really complicated!

JUSTIN: Well, Paige, I brought this issue up to the language experts Doctors Bialystok and Luk, and they said that children and adults who know two or more languages are better at paying attention to the right stuff.

PAIGE: What do you mean, Justin?

JUSTIN: In other words, they say that in our brains there’s something like a manager—like a baseball team manager. This manager has to keep you focused on what’s important, and if you have two languages, they both pop up, and the manager in your brain has to make decisions about what’s important, just like a coach. It turns out that bilingual brains get better at this skill because they use the manager a lot more than monolinguals.

PAIGE: I know some Arabic. I mean, I could order a dish in a restaurant and speak to my family from Lebanon when they come for a visit. Does this mean I’m better at paying attention to the right things?

JUSTIN: Sorry, Paige! That’s not how it works. You have to use both languages all the time or you won’t get the benefits.

PAIGE: Well then, what do these language researchers say that families who speak another language at home should do?

JUSTIN: Both Bialystok and Luk would say that being bilingual or multilingual is a great gift and that there are many reasons people should pass their home language on to their children. It connects children to their family and their ancestors, and it makes brains stronger. Pretty amazing findings! What do you think, Paige?

PAIGE: I’m going straight home and calling my mother! I need to practice my home language! Thanks for this interesting report, Justin! Shukran! Merci! Obrigada! Gracias!

JUSTIN: De nada, Paige!

PAIGE: This is Paige Reider, signing off!

Reference: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/science/31conversation.html

Discussion question: Should everyone learn a second language? Why or why not?

wordgen.serpmedia.org/action_news

http://wordgen.serpmedia.org/action_news/

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/31/science/31conversation.html

http://wordgen.serpmedia.org/action_news/


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Reader’s TheaterDay 1

Should everyone learn a second language?Discussing Bilingualism

Line

1 Jasmine: What’s up, Quan? You’ve been really quiet all day!

2 Quan: It’s just that I’m a little frustrated. Does anyone ever ask you to stop speaking Spanish, Jasmine? Like on the playground or in the bathroom?

3 Jasmine: Sure. When I’m speaking Spanish with some people, other friends feel left out. They think we might be talking about them or making jokes about them. We don’t want to exclude anyone, but sometimes Spanish is just easier.

4 Cheo: But some people who only speak one language feel nervous and awkward when they don’t understand what people are saying to each other. I don’t get why kids need to speak other languages at school. Can’t you just speak one language at home and English when you’re here?

5 Jasmine: I don’t mean to be rude when I speak Spanish. My aunt Nieves is a professor, and she studies language development. She wants me to speak Spanish every day and is teaching me to read and write in Spanish to keep my family and cultural connection to Colombia. My aunt also says that bilingual brains work more quickly and have more flexibility than people who speak only one language.

6 Quan: I knew I was a faster thinker than everyone else! But if it’s true that knowing lots of languages is good for you, why do so many people have a problem with bilingual education?

7 Cheo: Well, besides feeling left out, I think they think that it gets in the way of everyone playing and learning together. I mean, if you have to learn everything in English and then again in another language, isn’t that just twice as much work?

8 Jasmine: I asked my aunt that question too, and she said it was a pretty complicated issue. Some people think we should speak only one language because they say it unites us as Americans. Also, it might be easy to make a bilingual program at schools where a lot of kids speak the same second language, but it’s really hard when there are lots of different languages at the same school.

Reader’s Theater continues on the next page.

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Jasmine, Quan, and Cheo are at school discussing bilingualism.


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Reader’s Theater, continuedDay 1

Should everyone learn a second language?

9 Quan: But what about the kids who come here and don’t speak any English? I was like that for a while in my old school, so it was good for me to be able to keep up my studies in math and science in Vietnamese until I got more proficient in English. I see how sad some of the kids are who don’t have anyone to talk to in their own language or who get held back because they can’t study or learn in the language their families speak.

10 Jasmine: I know. But I don’t see what the solution is. Is being bilingual beneficial to everyone or only to students whose parents speak another language?

11 Cheo: Well, until we figure this out, I know something we can do in any language: eat! So let’s go to lunch!�

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Discussion question: Are there any benefits to knowing two or more languages? If so, what do you think they are? If not, why not?


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Characters’ PerspectivesDay 2

Should everyone learn a second language?Quan, Jasmine, and Cheo

What does Quan think?

Any language is okay. All students should be able to speak the language they know best so they can keep up with their schoolwork.

Only citizens of the United States need to understand English.

Vietnamese is more important than English, so Vietnamese should be taught in schools.

What does Cheo think?

Teachers and students who only speak one language do not appreciate people who are bilingual.

People who are monolingual sometimes feel left out when they can’t understand what bilingual people are saying, so English only is better at school.

Bilinguals think they’re better than everyone else because they can speak two languages. However, the research is new and should not be trusted.

What does Jasmine think?

There should only be bilingual programs for students who speak Vietnamese and Spanish.

Since English is the one language everyone knows, that should be the only language used at school.

Being bilingual helps you manage information better and keeps you connected to your family and culture.

Directions: With a partner, talk about each statement and decide which one describes each character’s perspective. Find and highlight evidence from the Reader’s Theater text to support your answer.

What do you think? What is your argument?

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

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Word StudyDay 3

Should everyone learn a second language?A Closer Look at Our Focus Words

beneficial cultural bilingual (adj., n.)

(adjective) good for you, helpful

(adjective) describing the customs, arts, foods, and beliefs of a group of people

(adjective) able to speak two languages (noun) a person who speaks two languages

How would knowing a second language be beneficial when you are looking for a job?

What does it mean to be multicultural? (Hint: Multi- means many.)

Do you know anyone who is bilingual? What languages do they speak?

Which is beneficial to your health?

Which is a cultural object? Which animal is bilingual?

Other Forms of the Word

1. ___

2. ___

Choose a picture

Definition

Draw something to remember

� Draw a picture, write a word, or give yourself

another way to remember each word.

Turn and Talk

tweet!¡pío!

ribbit!


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Word Study, continuedDay 3


complicated proficient

(adjective) not easy to understand; difficult or hard

(adjective) very good or skilled at something

Talk about a complicated problem that you recently faced.

What is a skill in which you would like to be proficient?

Which math problem is more complicated?

Which artist is more proficient?

Other Forms of the Word

1. ___

2. ___

Choose a picture

Definition

Draw something to remember

� Draw a picture, write a word, or give yourself

another way to remember each word.

Turn and Talk

1. After returning from China, Jenny spoke

Mandarin

_______________ .

2.Frank answered the

questions ____________ ,

using both English and

Spanish.

3.Yoon was proud to live in a

_______________ diverse

town; there were families

from more than twenty

countries in his community!

Adjectives to Adverbs

All of this week’s focus words are adjectives (words that describe nouns). You can often change an adjective into an adverb by adding the suffix -ly. Adverbs are words that describe verbs or adjectives and tell how or how much.

Fill in the sentences below using an adverb that comes from one of this week’s focus words.


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MathDay 4

Should everyone learn a second language?Culture and Language

Languages Spoken by Fourth Graders

When Quan, Jasmine, and Cheo were asked to share their cultural backgrounds with their classmates, they all knew their histories would not be complete without including the language of their families. All three students were proficient in both their native languages and English, which made them all bilingual. They were happy to hear that being bilingual was beneficial to their brains. It also improved their chances for getting great jobs when they were older. Their own personal experiences with learning two languages made them realize that learning another language was complicated. They wondered how many of their fellow students were bilingual. They asked all fourth graders in their school, Banneker Elementary, for information about their language backgrounds.

1. How many fourth graders were surveyed?

2. What fraction of all the fourth graders are proficient in Vietnamese and English?

3. Do Spanish speakers represent more or less than 1/4 of the fourth grade class?

Challenge:

Jasmine has 10 friends in the fourth grade. If 6 of her friends speak Spanish, is that fraction greater than, less than, or equal to the fraction of students who speak Spanish in the whole fourth grade?

The fraction of Jasmine’s friends who speak

Spanish

select:> = <

The fraction of fourth graders who speak

Spanish

_______________ ________ 26/100

6326

11 Vietnamese and English

Only English

Spanish and English


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Can you think of other words that begin with these prefixes?

bi-

tri-

What about uni? What do you think this prefix means?

What kind of cycle is this person riding?

Word StudyDay 4

Should everyone learn a second language?Cognates

Match the Spanish cognates to the words in the math problem. Do you have a classmate who can help you pronounce them correctly?

prefix meaning

mono one

bi two

tri three

multi many

If bilingual means able to speak two languages, what do the following words mean?

Spanish English

1. bilingüe bilingual

2. cultural

3. beneficioso

4. complicado

5. lenguaje

monolingual

trilingual multilingual


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InterviewDay 5

Should everyone learn a second language?Creole: How New Languages Are Born

Haitian Creole is one of several Creole languages spoken in the Caribbean. “Creole” means mixed in origin. All the Caribbean Creole languages were first spoken and created by people who lived in the various Caribbean islands.

How did Creoles develop? The islands were covered by plantations, owned and run by Europeans. The plantation bosses (overseers) spoke only their own, European language. The workers were mostly slaves from various West African nations. Because each African group spoke a different language, the slaves all ended up learning words from each other’s and the overseers’ languages. As the slaves married and had children, the mixed language became the children’s native language, and Creoles were born.

Creoles are full-fledged languages, just like any other language. Nonetheless, they continue to be looked down upon as second-class languages. European languages, like English and French, are considered languages of higher status. Some linguists have argued that the grammar of English makes it rather like a Creole because it has absorbed so many words from other languages.

Professor DeGraff explains on the next page…

Why would students be punished for speaking the national language at school?


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Interview, continuedDay 5


When MIT professor Michel DeGraff was a young boy in Haiti, his older brother came home from school with a letter to parents reminding them of certain classroom rules. At the top of the list was “No weapons.” And right below it, Michel still remembers, were the words “No Creole.” Haitian Creole is the language that Haitian children grow up hearing and speaking at home. Students were supposed to use only French at school, even though they had never spoken French before! We interviewed Professor Michel DeGraff to ask him about this complicated issue.

Susana: Why do the schools ask students to speak only in French when they are only proficient in the Haitian language?

Prof. DeGraff:

It’s a complicated story that has a lot to do with our history. We were colonized by the French in 1697. They planted sugar and coffee, and kidnapped African men and women and made them into slaves. French and African languages combined to form a new language. Slaves suffered horrible abuses. Finally, the slaves rebelled, and in 1804 they declared themselves a free republic. But even after independence, French was considered better and more important than Haitian Creole. That is slowly changing, but it is hard to change the cultural attitudes.

Arun: What happens to students who don’t speak French?

Prof. DeGraff:

They don’t get a real education. Many students just stop talking in class, going silent. And worse, less than a third of students who enter first grade reach sixth grade. Only 10 percent of high school students graduate. Can you imagine how many great minds aren’t receiving the kind of education they need and deserve?

Susana: What changes should be made to improve education in Haiti?

Prof. DeGraff:

I am working to help promote the use of Haitian Creole in Haitian schools so that students can learn in their native language, get a real education, and have a great future.

Arun: How can Haitian-American students retain their native language? Do you think bilingual programs are beneficial?

Prof. DeGraff:

I certainly think they could play a major role in promoting Haitian Creole, in fostering better understanding of a neighbor country, and in helping Haitian students in the U.S. do better in school and keep closer ties to Haiti.

Susana: Professor DeGraff, thank you so much for this informative interview!

Is it fair to think of some languages as being better than others?

Turn to your partner and discuss the following two questions. Write down your answers. Use the focus words to make your answers more powerful.

Why is French the official language of school instead of Haitian Creole?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Why does Professor DeGraff think that Haitian Creole should be the language of school?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Interview with Professor Michel DeGraff


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ScienceDay 6

Interview with Professor Gigi Luk

Remember how we asked experts in the field to talk about the science of bilingualism, and that we mentioned the researcher, Professor Gigi Luk? Well, we were lucky enough to find her in her office at Harvard, and we asked her to help us understand the bilingual brain.

Susana: So, are bilingual people different from monolinguals?

Prof. Luk: Yes, they are! First, of course, they know more languages.

Arun: Well duh.

Prof. Luk: Sounds silly, but it is important. Each language you speak gives you a slightly different way of seeing the world. And each language provides a whole new group of people you can talk to!

Arun: Is that the biggest effect of bilingualism?

Prof. Luk: In addition, bilinguals seem to be better at switching tasks. In other words, bilinguals have a more developed brain messaging system.

Susana: So does that mean we are smarter than monolinguals?

Prof. Luk: Not necessarily. Bilinguals are better at managing information. They are better at focusing on what information is important and what isn’t. So that’s great for multitasking. But, strangely enough, they aren’t as good as monolinguals when it comes to language tasks.

Arun: What do you mean by a language task?

Prof. Luk: Well, for example, if I asked you to choose a picture that represents an animal you’re familiar with, like a horse or a cow, it would take a student who knows only one language less time to choose the right answer than a bilingual student. The student who knows only one language doesn’t have to deal with as much information as the bilingual student.

Susana: This is so interesting! So there are advantages and disadvantages to being bilingual. Are you bilingual?

Prof. Luk: Yes, I am. I speak Cantonese and English. I’m a big believer in keeping your native language. But it’s really important to understand that there are benefits to being just who you are whether you speak one language or three.

Arun: Thank you so much for your time, Professor Luk!

In the interview, Professor Luk mentioned benefits to both bilingualism and monolingualism. Write them in the space below.

Benefits of being bilingual Benefits of being monolingual



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Prepare to DebateDay 7

Should everyone learn a second language?Matching Arguments with Positions

Write Q, C, or J Quotes from principals, researchers, teachers, politicians, and parents

Students who have problems with reading and writing are not helped by bilingual programs, because they have to learn to read and write in two languages instead of the one they already have experience with. (Special Education Teacher)

Research shows that students who get second language instruction are more creative and better at solving problems than those who do not. (Language Researchers)

Even though bilingual programs are beneficial, they are too expensive. A better choice is to help children to learn English quickly so they can catch up to the other students. (Principal)

Speaking English gives everyone a cultural link to the United States. The best way to become involved with their new country is for immigrants to learn English so that they can get good jobs. (Politician)

It’s complicated. I want my children to learn more than one language because it is good for their brains, but I do not think school is the best place for that. If my children are spending time learning to read and write in another language, they won’t be able to spend as much time becoming proficient in English and preparing for tests. I can teach them my home language at home! (Parent)�

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Quan Any language is okay!

Cheo English only at school!

Jasmine Bilingual is best!

All students should be able to speak the language they know best so they can keep up with their schoolwork.

People who are monolingual sometimes feel left out when they can’t understand what bilingual people are saying, so English only is better at school.

Being bilingual helps you manage information better and keeps you connected to your family and culture.

Use the facts to strengthen your arguments and responses to other characters’ perspectives. Tomorrow is the debate!

Below are some quotes about bilingualism and bilingual education. Read them and label them according to whose argument you think they support, and explain why.

Q = Quan C = Cheo J = Jasmine


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Character PerspectiveGo back through the unit to gather

support for your character’s perspective.

Cheo English only at school!

Jasmine Bilingual is best!

Quan Any language is okay!

DebateDay 8




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First DraftDay 9

Should everyone learn a second language?Develop Your Own Argument

Think about all that you have learned in this unit about bilingualism, as well as what you may know from your own experience or from having bilingual friends or family members. Review the perspectives discussed in the debate. On the lines below, write a first draft explaining your perspective, supporting it with evidence presented during the unit.

Circle your choice: English only in school! Bilingualism is better!

My opinion is _____________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

People who disagree with me might say ___________________

______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

In conclusion, ____________________________________

______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

TOPIC SENTENCE:Introduce your opinion.

REASONS:Provide reasons that are supported by facts and details.

A REASON AGAINST:Strengthen your argument by showing you have thought about both sides of the issue.

CLOSING SENTENCE:Restate your opinion.

Components Your Draft Text:

Use these words to help the reader follow your argument:

My first reason for this opinion is...

Second...

Additionally...


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Character

Quan: Any language works for me!

Cheo: English should be the only language in schools!

Jasmine: Bilingual is better!

I have my own ideas about this:

______________________

______________________

______________________

WritingDay 10

Should everyone learn a second language?Which character do you agree with?

Think about all that you have learned in this unit about bilingualism. Look at the perspectives in the box below. Which character do you agree with, or do you have your own opinion? On the lines below, write your perspective, supporting it with evidence presented during the unit.

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______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

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______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

Did you remember to:

state your opinion

use reasons to support your argument

use a closing sentence

use focus words

check your work for mistakes


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Extension Activity Should everyone learn a second language?Blog Posts

Below are three different perspectives from blog posts about this week’s topic. Choose and respond directly to one of the authors. Try to use this week’s focus words.

☺ rrodriguez: Immigrants should be proud of English!

I believe that English should be the official language of the United States. I am a U.S. senator whose grandparents came from Italy. My grandparents managed to learn and become proficient in English. Knowing English makes you part of this great country. Immigrants who keep their language are showing their loyalty to their countries of origin instead of their newly adopted country. The only way immigrants can get ahead in the U.S. is by learning English and letting go of their native language.

☀ ptruong: You have to work hard to see rewards!

I am a parent of a fourth grader. I came from Vietnam a few years ago because I wanted a better life for my children. I am passing on my culture and customs by speaking Vietnamese at home with my family, but I want my son to be educated in English and become proficient enough to become an engineer. There is a Vietnamese program that is available at his school, but I did not enroll him in it. My son says it’s hard for him to do his schoolwork in English, but I think a few years from now he will see the benefits.

♡ healthyheart: Others need you to be bilingual!

I am a nurse in an emergency room at a hospital in Boston. Patients who come in with complicated injuries or with their sick children need to tell doctors and nurses what has happened or how they are feeling. Some patients who don’t speak English proficiently can’t communicate with hospital staff. I help immigrant families feel supported and safe because I speak Spanish and Portuguese. Without my trilingual and cultural skills combined with my nursing skills, these patients would be in worse shape. I think it is important for immigrants to keep their languages and learn English very well. Every student should be given the opportunity to study a foreign language.

With a partner, discuss which blog posts you agree/disagree with.

I agree with ___________________ because

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

I disagree with ________________ because

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

UNIT 4.05 SHOULD EVERYONE LEARN A SECOND LANGUAGE? · 2019-10-20 · language might actually make...

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