The Language Feed - February 14, 2005

[Harold F. Schiffman]

The Language Feed
February 14, 2005

This issue and archives can be read on the web at
http://mason.gmu.edu/~smorris2/feed

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Immersed in the Spanish language in Quito
Chicago Tribune, February 13 (username: langfeed, password: language)
Sitting in a private classroom on the lower slope of the Pichincha
volcano, more than 9,000 feet above sea level in the Ecuadorian Andes, I
am unaffected by the thin air. But the conjugation is driving me insane.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/travel/chi-g7l1ngid7.12feb13,1,4773617.story?coll=chi-travel-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true

 City aims for a four language policy
Sunday Times, February 12
Playing its part in developing a truly cosmopolitan and multi-lingual
culture in South Africa's economic powerhouse, the City of Johannesburg
has approved a new language policy, which it hopes to have implemented
by the middle of 2005.
http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/zones/sundaytimesNEW/newsst/newsst1108215666.aspx


Teachers using more innovative ways to teach Chinese language
Channel NewsAsia, February 11
Since the reduction of reading passages in Chinese Language textbooks,
students are enjoying the results.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/132064/1/.html


Sharing a Language Can Help Diplomacy
San Francisco Chronicle, February 10
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice charmed the French in Paris this
week with a jaunty reference to their national motto, "Liberte, Egalite,
Fraternite," and a few other French phrases.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2005/02/10/national/w234836S33.DTL


English top language in EU schools
The Guardian, February 11
Half of European children learn a foreign language in primary school,
with English the most popular choice, a European Union study showed
yesterday.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/eu/story/0,7369,1410695,00.html


The Practical Linguist / Get a feeling for the language
The Daily Yomiuri
What is learning a language? The question needs answering in order to
know how we should try to teach and learn different skills.
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/newse/20050211wob2.htm


Tahoe Unified ranks well among state in language scores
Tahoe Daily Tribune, February 9
Compared to the state and county scores, Lake Tahoe Unified School
District students did better on a test for those whose primary language
isn't English.
http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20050209/News/102090037/-1/NEWS


Second try for language class
Marin Independent Journal, February 14
Parents in the Mill Valley School District are attempting to revive
foreign language education in the elementary schools after an
experimental program was canceled because of mixed results.
http://www.marinij.com/Stories/0,1413,234~24407~2710571,00.html


Palm School Board recommends foreign language classes at more elementary
schools
The Sun-Sentinel, February 14 (email: language at yahoo.com, password:
language)
On a cold, windy day, Orchard View Elementary teacher Jean Bayol asks
his students to describe the weather. "Il fait mauvais," they explain.
"It's bad outside."
http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/palm_beach_news/article/0,2546,TCP_1020_3546386,00.html


Last few Whulshootseed speakers spread the word
Grand Forks Herald, February 11
At age 81, she is a cultural treasure at the Muckleshoot Reservation,
even though she doesn't act like one and her outward demeanor can
sometimes seem a little gruff.
http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandforks/news/nation/10875202.htm

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