Countries/Nationalities

Instruction:

In class, we have seen lots of different nationalities as a review and introduction to our first topic "Stereotypes". Here is another activity for you to practice more. Copy the table below to your notebook, complete the gaps, and bring the table to class. If you have problems, use the Internet as a source of information.

Have fun!

	Country	Nationality	Language	Capital city	Industry
1	Japan			Tokyo
2	USA				Cars
3	Germany	German
4	France
5	Britain		English
6	Mexico
7	Canada			Ottawa
8	Brazil				Oil
9	Peru	Peruvian
10	Turkey
11	Egypt			Cairo
12	China
13	South Korea
14	Thailand				Tourism
15	Australia		English
16	Taiwan

Bilingualism Activities

Instructions

Read the following article and do the activities below.

Half of Europe's citizens are bilingual

Residents of the European Union (EU) are becoming better and

better at languages. Almost 50 percent of the EU population say they can speak at least one foreign language very well. That figure rises to nearly 80 percent for students. To celebrate its linguistic diversity, September 26 has become the official European Day of Languages. The day’s website shows a Slovak proverb that says: “The number of languages you speak is the number of times you are human”. This is to encourage all Europeans to brush up on their language skills.

The results of the “Eurobarometer” survey put Luxembourgers at the top of the language ability list. An amazing 99 percent of Luxembourg’s population is at least bilingual. Those with the poorest language skills are the Hungarians (29 percent) and British (30 percent). English is the most widely spoken foreign language, used by more than a third of the population. German (12 percent) is in second place followed by French (11 percent). European enlargement means Russian has risen to fourth place – tied with Spanish. The EU spends $36 million a year on language programs.


A MY ENGLISH
Make a timeline of the history of your English language learning since you started studying. Can you remember your first lesson and teacher? What have been the low points and high points? Are you happy with your current level? Leave a comment in the comments section.



B WEAK POINTS
Think about your weak points in English. How do these weak points make you feel? What have you done to make these points less weak? How long have you tired to make your weak points stronger? Do they affect your ability to communicate, listen or read? Leave a comment in the comments section.


C LANGUAGE OPINIONS
Do you agree with these opinions on language? Leave a comment in the comments section.
a. The number of languages you speak is the number of times you are human.
b. If the whole world learned English, there’d be fewer communication problems.
c. To be successful in the world, it’s now better to learn Chinese.
d. English should become the official world language.
e. The English language is changing many other languages and cultures.
f. It’s the duty of all countries to make citizens bilingual.
g. There should be just one world language in the future.
h. My mother tongue is too beautiful to die.


D LISTENING
Go to the post names "Bilingualism Podcast" or click on the following link: Bilingualism Podcast Listen and fill in the gaps by writing them down on a sheet of paper.


Residents of the European Union (EU) are ________ better and better at
languages. Almost 50 percent of the EU population say they can speak __ _____ one foreign language very well. That figure _____ to nearly 80 percent for students. To celebrate its linguistic diversity, September 26 has become the _______ European Day of Languages. The day’s website shows a Slovak ________ that says: “The number of languages you speak is the number of times you are ________”. This is to encourage all Europeans to ________ up on their language skills.
The ________ of the “Eurobarometer” survey put Luxembourgers at the top of the language ability list. An ________ 99 percent of Luxembourg’s population is __ ______ bilingual. Those with the poorest language skills are the Hungarians (29 percent) and British (30 percent). English is the most ________ spoken foreign language, used by more than a _______ of the population. German (12 percent) is in ________ place followed by French (11 percent). European enlargement means Russian has risen to ________ place – tied with Spanish. The EU spends $36 million a year on language programs.

Activity adapted from breakingnewsenglish.com

Bilingualism Podcast

Stereotypes Investigation Task

Carry out an investigation task about stereotypes, and post a small definition as well as your opinion about the topic. You can also give examples of stereotypes. Get familiar with the topic by reading your colleagues' posts and comment on at least one of your classmates' comment. You can use the internet as a source of information.

Stereotypes in the Simpsons

Click on the link below and watch the following Simpsons episode. Then, post as many stereotypes you find about Japanese and American culture and compare/contrast them. Remember that stereotypes are not always negative. Therefore, divide your list into positive and negative stereotypes! Also make sure to read the lists of your classmates and comment on them.

The Simpsons "Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo"

Stereotypes in Lost In Translation

In class, we will watch a film called "Lost In Translation". Just like The Simpsons, this film is also full of stereotypes about Japanese and American culture but this time they are more realistic. Post (predict!) in the comments section which stereotypes you may find!

Here's the trailer to the film:

Social Networks Investigation Task

Carry out an investigation task about social networks, and post a small definition as well as your opinion about the topic. You can also give examples of social networks, mention the pros and cons, and state whether you use them and why/why not. Get familiar with the topic by reading your colleagues' posts and comment on at least one of your classmates' comment. You can use the internet as a source of information.