Exercises
Below are twelve headings to match the eleven paragraphs of the text. One heading is odd. Label the paragraphs with appropriate letters corresponding to relevant headings from the list.
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Answer the questions on the text.
English contains the cultural component, but is English linked to one sole culture? Why/Why not?
Is English currently present in East and Southeast Asia?
If English is to function as the lingua franca in the region, what qualities must it possess?
What is the difference between a national language and a language serving as the lingua franca?
Will a European ESL teacher meet expectations, if they go to the region to teach? Why/Why not/In which case?
What do the ESL speakers lose and gain when they study a local variety of the English language?
What do they lose and gain when they stick to standard English?
If the Southeast Asian nations establish a local standard for English, where will the textbooks differ?
What does the author regret about Japan?
Why may certain governments favour the spread of English in their midst if they establish local curricula?
What prospects does the discussed approach promise for local teachers and scholars?
Talking and Writing
Following the Johnsonian model "language will always be self-governing, self-regulating, follow its own laws" and "supervision by the language police, however well intentioned, will always fail". This suggests that English, as well as other numerous languages will change its shape. What trends do you predict? Consider the tips below.
Britain's minister for education and employment suggested using "English fluency as a platform to … promote our (British) culture overseas,"
A senior minister in the Singapore government, put it recently, "When I speak English I want the world to know I'm a Singaporean", advocating the local variety of English.
These days, when the young Swiss (as well as young Europeans) from different language areas of Switzerland encounter each other they prefer to communicate in English.
By the end of the year 2000, 750m people would have English as a second language, and second-language speakers would outnumber first-language speakers for the first time in history.
Predictably, communities will develop numerous variations of the language; existing variations will also change, but retain their characteristic features. Now it is about standards and deviations.
What will be the basis, the inviolable part of the language and what is likely to be more in flux?
What "alien" components will be added to local varieties?
What might the language lose overseas?
Will the British variety remain strong and where?
Will everything remain unchanged and will Johnson have been proved wrong?
Why do you love English?
What are some of the attractive features of standard British English?
Write a report containing your personal perception of the prospects of English learning in Ukraine, considering the existing trends and implications. See the tips on report writing below.
A factual report is a kind of narrative writing, normally formal; therefore, it is written in impersonal style. A factual report does not include the writer's feelings, but only facts. Don't drift off! The facts presented should be essential and bear directly on the subject. Do not pad your report. Use no truisms or platitudes. Use of the passive voice and reporting verbs such as suggest, add, complain, etc. is frequent. Never use "I" or "we". The events are described in complex sentence structures, well-developed paragraphs, high level of vocabulary, non-colloquial English. Avoid ambiguity and misunderstanding. Short forms are not acceptable unless direct speech (quotes from the people involved in the event) is used.
Paragraph Plan for Reports
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Factual reports |
Introduction. Paragraph 1 Summary of the event (write about time, place, people involved. Do not give detailed, chatty descriptions -give only facts.) |
Main Body*. Paragraphs 2, 3, 4 Development of the event(s) (describe the main event(s), people involved. Give detailed facts. If it is two or more events, each paragraph should deal with one topic.) |
Conclusion Final Paragraph Comments / Reference to future developments |
*The main body may include one to three paragraphs.
Useful clichés: "This report concerns itself with the current …"; "The purpose of this report is to present the findings of …"; "It is our considered opinion that …"