Tuesday

Class Work

Looking at Self and Family...

1. Do you speak more than one language?
2. If not, why not?
3. If so, how did you come to be bilingual?
4. What are the advantages of speaking more than one language?
5. What are the challenges of speaking more than one language?
6. What are the disadvantages of only speaking one language?
7. What are the advantages of only speaking on language?

Read:
"Growing Up Bilingual" pp. 544-545 in Wordsmith
Pay attention to the word choices. The "right" word makes a big difference.

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Grammar Moment... Word Choice

List as many testspeak or txtspk words or phrases as you can in 1 minute.
See p. 477 for examples if you need help getting started.

After you create your list, look at this one!
http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php

Is textspeak ruining the ability to write correctly? This article says, "No."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationopinion/9966117/Text-speak-language-evolution-or-just-laziness.html

Now, back to an earlier question, are you bilingual?

Slang, textspeak, and cliches should be avoided. pp. 477-480
Cliche finder: http://www.westegg.com/cliche/
Alphabetical list of cliches: http://clichesite.com/alpha_list.asp?which=lett+1

Also avoid these plague words and phrases:
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/plague.htm

We will complete the group assignment on p. 477.

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Is there a special person in your life who was your "cheerleader?"
Is there a task, skill, or talent you mastered even though it was not easy?
Were your ancestors good at anything in particular?
Do you know the history of your family? What examples did your ancestors set for you?
Do the traits of your ancestors have any impact on your life today?
Do the accomplishments or traits of your ancestors inspire you in any way?

Read:
"The Game of My Life" pp. 550-551 in Wordsmith
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Homework
Read "When Words Get in the Way" pp. 557-558 in Wordsmith.
In your book or on a separate sheet of paper,

• record the answers to the questions under "Building Vocabulary" on pp. 558-559. 
•  record the answers to the questions under "Understanding the Essay" on pp. 559-560.
• record the answers to questions 8, 9 , and 10 under "Looking at Language" on pp. 560-561. Number nine is a brief paragraph.
• select either 1 or 2 under "Discussing the Essay" on p. 561 and write at least two paragraphs.

Bring a paper copy to class on Thursday.

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EXAM NEWS
When: Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Time: 11:00-11:55
Location: Regular Classroom - Octillio 109