Apps offer languages – real or invented – not popular enough to be taught at evening classes or most universities. Esperanto, invented to create world peace, Avatar’s Na’vi, Elvish and Star Trek’s Klingon are all on the table. Guy Baron, head of modern languages at Aberystwyth University, said there had been “snobbishness” towards apps, but wants technology used in teaching. Learn more about this topic reading on BBC.
On Bilingualism, Bias, and Immigration
Education Week’s top English-language-learner stories of 2019 explored who’s teaching the nation’s English-learners and the struggles those educators encounter on the job, examined why more schools in the United States are embracing bilingualism, and delved into how the Trump administration’s immigration policies affect students, families, and educators.
Learn more about this topic reading on EdWeek.
Chinese immersion program
Zhaoting Xia sits at the front of her classroom at Cpl. Michael Middlebrook Elementary School in Lafayette, facing a group of kindergarteners while holding a basket of fake fruit and veggies in her lap.
The 29-year-old teacher holds paper copies of Chinese currency and invites kids up one at a time to use the “money” to purchase something from her pretend fruit stand.
All of this takes place in Chinese.
Xia is one of five Chinese immersion teachers at Middlebrook, home to the first such program in Louisiana. All five teachers are from China. Two are visiting teachers, like Xia, who can be contracted for up to three years. Two are local residents.
Learn more about this topic reading on TheAdvertiser.
How to write an essay in English
For international students whose primary language is not English, writing a college essay can be challenging.
But English competence is not everything when it comes to writing well. Even native English speakers can struggle without the right approach.
Maurice Boissiere, lecturer and adjunct professor for English writing at the University of Maryland, confirms this view.
Learn more about this topic reading on VoaNews.
EL Training Market Latest Trends
The English Language Training (ELT) Market report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain. The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.
Learn more about this topic reading on CougarAccess.
My daughter now has America’s worst teacher
Turns out, you can’t really make a circle with three people, but that’s the size of my family. Plus, we already know what the other people in our circle/triangle have been doing for the past two weeks because, well, we’ve been self-quarantined and spending nearly every minute of every day together. Sharing? That’s all we do: share snacks, hopes, dreams and art supplies for the 17 crafts my daughter, Satya, and I make, usually before lunch.
Learn more about this topic by reading in on MarketWatch.
Improving academic outcomes
In public schools throughout the US, the number of emergent bilinguals, or English language learners (ELLs), is growing at an increasing rate. By 2025, it’s predicted that they will represent 25 percent of total enrollment. Yet despite this growth, emergent bilinguals remain the lowest-performing subgroup nationally.
Learn more about this topic reading on EducationDive.
Student teaching British Sign Language
Student teaching British Sign Language – Holly McConnel, an 18-year-old second year PE student at the University of Edinburgh, has gone viral making videos teaching people sign language during the coronavirus lockdown. Since posting her first video on Facebook last Thursday morning, she has gathered thousands of likes and shares.
Learn more about this topic reading on TheTab.
After reading “Learning an L2 in a troubled world” you can check important issues for ESL teachers on the section PDFs, and visit my YouTube channel.
English for Work program improved security
Knowledge of major languages for national security, diplomatic stability and international reliability is as important as bearing arms in war zones. Apart from serving the purpose of communication, languages are also recognized as powerful security enablers in diplomatic settings.
Learn more about this topic reading on AFSA.
Language App That’s Helping Bored People
With the economy imploding and the stock market down 27% since its February peak, online language learning startup Duolingo’s fortunes are on a dramatic upswing. Founded in 2011 by Macarthur genius computer whiz Luis von Ahn, 40, the Pittsburgh-based company makes the world’s most popular education app, with 30 million active monthly users. It offers instruction in 36 languages, including fantasy tongues like High Valyrian from Game of Thrones.
Learn more about this topic reading on Forbes.
After reading “Learning an L2 in a troubled world” you can check important issues for ESL teachers on the section PDFs, and visit my YouTube channel.