[etni] fw: English -EFL , ESL .. does it matter.
- From: ask@xxxxxxxx
- To: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 05 Jun 2006 22:46:33 -0700
From: "Aviva Shapiro" <alshapirose@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: English -EFL , ESL .. does it matter.
The raging discussion about whether English is EFL or ESL
and whether we need everyone to learn it is actually a bit amusing
to me. What does it matter what it's called. What is important
in my mind is that we realize just how important it is for ALL
of our students. Not because they will all go on to University
(and not for the status !!) but because all of them will go on to
live in this world. And face it, English is the international
language. MORE people today speak English as a second language than
as a native language. And those who speak English in American
don't necessarily speak the same English that is spoken in the
UK and so on..For example even though I am a native AMERICAN
English speaker , I just learned a very interesting new expression ..
(something about 'Bob being my uncle'!!!) proving to me that
even 'natives' don't always know the language !!!
Our students need English not because they need to communicate
with English speakers but because they need to communicate with
other people of the world !!!!
As for hearing Russian, the reason that we hear it so much today
is that over ONE million of our citizens speak it. I think it's
fine that people keep their language and pass it on to their kids too.
WE need a world where people can communicate. The more languages
we all know the better.
When I first came from the USA many moons ago, I was told NOT to
talk to my kids in English.(because I live in Israel now) .
I am so glad I didn't listen to this "sage " advice. Today my kids
speak Hebrew better. (well, sure.. they should. it's THEIR native
tongue)
but they can communicate with the world and it's population and for
that I'm quite happy.
And that's my TWO cents.
Wishing you all a lovely summer.. C U online and at ETAI
Aviva
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