LANGUAGE
KEY TERMS
Language: written or spoken human speech Dialects: variations of a language usually determined by region or social class Accent: how an individual pronounces words American sign language: a natural language that has been developed and used by people who are deaf that is based on a system of manual gestures Monolingual: a person who speaks only one language Bilingual: a person fluent in two languages |
CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
Borrowed Words Game
Many of our words have been borrowed from other languages. This game will help students learn some of the words that have become part of the English language. To play the game, divide students into two teams. The object of the game is for team members to guess as many borrowed words as possible in a one-minute time limit.
Materials: borrowed words cards; one minute timer
Directions: Choose one player to begin giving clues to his or her teammates. The clue-giver will tell which language the word is from, then describe the word in any way possible, including using pantomime. The only restrictions are that the clue-giver may not say something the word rhymes with or say what letter of the alphabet it begins with.
A clue-giver is allowed one free pass per turn. This should be used if the word is unfamiliar or if team members are having a difficult time guessing the word. Any additional passes will result in a point for the opposing team. After the minute is up, the team should tally and record its points, along with any points the other team has earned due to passes. Play then moves to the other team. The game continues until one team reaches 25 points or until a specified amount of time is up. Always allow the team that went second to have last ups.
Examples of borrowed words
Africa-tote, yam, goober
Native American-moccasin, canoe, pow-wow
Arabic-algebra, magazine, zero
Australian-boomerang
Chinese-gung ho, ketchup, tea
Dutch-cruise, waffle, pickle, cookie
India-bandana, pajama, shampoo
German-kindergarten, pretzel, hamburger, circus
Turkish-coffee
Hebrew-cinnamon, camel
Portuguese-mosquito
French-garage, blouse
Borrowed Words Game
Many of our words have been borrowed from other languages. This game will help students learn some of the words that have become part of the English language. To play the game, divide students into two teams. The object of the game is for team members to guess as many borrowed words as possible in a one-minute time limit.
Materials: borrowed words cards; one minute timer
Directions: Choose one player to begin giving clues to his or her teammates. The clue-giver will tell which language the word is from, then describe the word in any way possible, including using pantomime. The only restrictions are that the clue-giver may not say something the word rhymes with or say what letter of the alphabet it begins with.
A clue-giver is allowed one free pass per turn. This should be used if the word is unfamiliar or if team members are having a difficult time guessing the word. Any additional passes will result in a point for the opposing team. After the minute is up, the team should tally and record its points, along with any points the other team has earned due to passes. Play then moves to the other team. The game continues until one team reaches 25 points or until a specified amount of time is up. Always allow the team that went second to have last ups.
Examples of borrowed words
Africa-tote, yam, goober
Native American-moccasin, canoe, pow-wow
Arabic-algebra, magazine, zero
Australian-boomerang
Chinese-gung ho, ketchup, tea
Dutch-cruise, waffle, pickle, cookie
India-bandana, pajama, shampoo
German-kindergarten, pretzel, hamburger, circus
Turkish-coffee
Hebrew-cinnamon, camel
Portuguese-mosquito
French-garage, blouse
STRATEGIES FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
1. If English is not a student’s native language, use gestures, physical examples, and index cards to help with comprehension.
2. Learn a new language with kids so they can practice with you at home.
3. Make accommodations during assessment for English Language Learners
1. If English is not a student’s native language, use gestures, physical examples, and index cards to help with comprehension.
2. Learn a new language with kids so they can practice with you at home.
3. Make accommodations during assessment for English Language Learners
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE, CONTACT THE FOLLOWING:
Berks Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services
2045 Centre Avenue Reading, PA 19605 Tel: (610) 685-4520 http://www.bdhhs.org/ |
M-Translations
500 Court Street Reading, PA 19601 Tel: (484) 926-3300 http://www.montastranslations.com/home.html |
National Association for Bilingual Education
11006 Veirs Mill Road, #L-1 Wheaton, MD 20902 Tel: (240) 450-3700 http://www.nabe.org/ |