In the English didactics seminar we read a text about scholastic standards in Germany. Many students learn English as their first foreign language at school and it is just out ouf question to replace it by other languages, such as Greek or Swedish. Learning foreign languages very often means: "learning English".
The European Union has worked out an educationl program in order to spark interest for the large amount of various languages we have in Europe. They want people to become "global players", not only speakers of English.
Different education systems complicate the qualitative analysis of language classes at school or of the learner's level. One idea to facilitate a profound comparison is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages consisting of 6 levels from A1 (breakthrough) to C2 (Mastery).
So called language portfolios offer a possibility for learners to document their language acquisition. It is not only about language certificates, for example TOEFL, but also about cultural experiences as well as learning processes on one's own responsibility.
As a future English teacher, I am directly concerned with scholastic standards and the question of how to teach a foreign language or how to help my pupils to become "global players". I have not heard about the language portfolios before but I think they are a useful start in order to create a basis of comparison and improvement for all learners for one or more foreign languages
You are so right, dear!
AntwortenLöschenI had loved to learn Danish, for example, but none of the regular schools in my area ( 20 minutes from the Danish border, by the way ) taught that language when I was a pupil. And there was nobody who made me a "Global Player", of course.
But I'm sure you'll do better!
I really enjoyed reading your article. The aspect of trying your students to become global players is a very good, and a very important plan. I am pleased for the children who will be taught by you in a few years. They will get a smart young lady!
AntwortenLöschenI also enjoyed reading this article and really look forward for some more :)
AntwortenLöschenPaddy
Scholastic Standards and Language Portfolios [Sp]
AntwortenLöschenIn the English didactics seminar, [P] we read a text about scholastic standards in Germany. Many students learn English as their first foreign language in [P] school, [P] and it is simply [W] out of [Sp] the [det] question to replace it with [Prep] other languages, such as Greek or Swedish. Learning foreign languages very often means [P]* "learning English."
[Gr-new ¶]The European Union has devised [W][reg] an education [Sp] program in order to spark interest in [P] the numerous other [Gr][coh]†languages we have in Europe. They want people to become "global players," [P] not merely [W] speakers of English.
[Gr-new ¶]The [det] different education systems that are found in the EU [coh][E][M] complicate the qualitative analysis both of [coh][E][M] language classes in [P] schools [Gr][Sp] and [Gr]of the individual [coh][E][M] learner's level. One means [W][M] of [Prep] facilitating [T/Asp] a profound comparison is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, [P] consisting of six [Gr] levels from A1 (breakthrough) to C2 (Mastery).
[Gr-new ¶]So-called[Gr] language portfolios offer a possibility for learners to document their language acquisition. It is not only meant for [W][M][coh] language certificates, for example the TOEFL, but also for [prep] cultural experiences as well as learning processes that are undertaken [coh][E][M] on one's own.[coh][M]
[Gr-new ¶]As a future English teacher, I am directly concerned with scholastic standards and the question of how to teach a foreign language or how to help my pupils to become "global players."[P] I had [T/Asp] not heard of [prep]‡ the language portfolios before, [P] but I think they are a useful start in creating [Gr] a basis of comparison and improvement for all learners of [prep] one or more foreign languages. [P]
* Only use colons before explanations that are preceded by a clause that can stand by itself, as:
We only have one choice: admit our mistake and accept our losses.
† Sparking interest in "the large number" would suggest that the interest is actually in the number. That is, the interest would be in the number 230, if that were the number of discrete languages spoken in the EU.
‡ Hear about means "be told or informed of "; have heard of means "be aware of; know of the existence of "