Spanish 1, Fall 2011; Assignment for 8/12/11
Okay…
So we have had a ton of Spanish over the past few days (which is, of course, fitting–given that this is a Spanish class)! I thought it would be nice to pause and reflect a little on a subject that is near and dear to everyone’s heart: learning Mandarin Chinese.
Now hear me out.
This really does have to do with this class. Or so says Newsweek‘s Jerry Guo, in an article published a few months ago. His argument is, well…you will see for yourself.
Here is your assignment:
First, read this article from Newseek that has to do with globalization, monolingualism, and American education. Then, open an email (not a .docx) and respond to the following writing prompts. Title your email this way: Writing Assignment on 8/12/11, YOUR NAME (Block 2 or 4).
1. Summarize, in 10 words or less, Guo’s article.
2. Enumerate three examples (at least sentence each) of how and why globalization impacts you directly.
3. Describe the comparison Guo drew between Spanish and Mandarin. What are some advantages to learning either language?
4. What are two concrete methods by which American education can address the problem of monolingualism?
5. Guo talks about the lack of a “culture of teaching language” in our primary (elementary) schools. Why do you think that is? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Why?
6. The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act that Guo discusses did not, admittedly, help foreign language education. But it did favor other subjects and academic disciplines. What were those subjects, and why do you think NCLB favored them?
Email these to Mr. Vaughan (spanishatlhs@gmail.com) by the end of class today.
