Monday, May 28, 2012

Dual-Language Vocabulary

Teaching Children Through Dual-Language Immersion

In America, we are used to the world wanting to speak English. After all, the United States is a leader in the world economy, and it is a benefit for many throughout the world to learn English. This creates an attitude in this country where many think that learning languages outside of English isn’t important. However, learning multiple languages is a benefit for everyone, including Americans, and I believe our schools should focus on teaching dual-language immersion, and, specifically, we should be teaching English alongside Spanish.

Some believe that we should teach only English and that this country should adopt it as its official language. This, I believe, limits us and our children. The United States, as most know, is the land of immigrants. Sure, many people here speak English, but many don’t as well. We have many people with Chicano/Latina roots who speak Spanish. Only speaking one language limits our ability to speak with many people who are and becoming citizens of this country. This has obvious consequences for the economy because many people who work and produce in this country speak Spanish.   

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Movie Night II: Persepolis at the ELC


Because it went so well the last time, we're doing it again! Our bookclub group has decided to share the wonderful movie, Persepolis, with the ELC. And even though it comes at a busy time, we think it is perfect opportunity to unwind and watch a great movie with some great people. Details below!

What: PERSEPOLIS
When: FRIDAY, JUNE 1 at 7p.m.
Where: ELC Student Lounge
Why: To celebrate Level 4 Bookclub!

Details: Potluck event, so feel free to bring something to share. Friends and family encouraged. 



Thursday, May 24, 2012

Nola's Movie

This is a story a former student made for her bookclub project. 
Click here for the video

Our Portfolio Project: Bringing It All Together

Part of learning a language is immersing yourself. This means surrounding yourself with that language and using it rather than memorizing and translating it. To accomplish this goal, we have combined projects in our classes to assure what you’re learning and working on in one class continues in your other classes. 

This immerses you because you use your background knowledge, language skills and vocabulary in reading, writing, listening, speaking and grammar, which are the main ways we learn and use language – and the core classes you’re taking at the ELC.

Below are descriptions of the various projects you’ve completed and will revise and package for your “Portfolio Project.” We will host this portfolio on our blogs and link all the pieces together to make it coherent. All elements are tied together to the topic/issue you’ve done for your argument paper, so in effect you are presenting your knowledge on that topic using the various assignments we’ve done in class.