Comments on: Words about Words http://www.talktotheclouds.com/2010/01/27/words-about-words/ Teaching, speaking, reading, pondering English Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:05:44 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: hina http://www.talktotheclouds.com/2010/01/27/words-about-words/comment-page-1/#comment-7493 hina Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:10:40 +0000 http://www.talktotheclouds.com/?p=597#comment-7493 certainly all of us need to know a bit more about language origin and its "Right"use. The example that are put forth here add to a great deal in our learning quest. certainly all of us need to know a bit more about language origin and its “Right”use. The example that are put forth here add to a great deal in our learning quest.

]]> By: Clarissa http://www.talktotheclouds.com/2010/01/27/words-about-words/comment-page-1/#comment-7290 Clarissa Fri, 29 Jan 2010 04:59:16 +0000 http://www.talktotheclouds.com/?p=597#comment-7290 That's true; these are really tools that we can give to students to use or ignore as they wish. That’s true; these are really tools that we can give to students to use or ignore as they wish.

]]> By: Lindsay Clandfield http://www.talktotheclouds.com/2010/01/27/words-about-words/comment-page-1/#comment-7282 Lindsay Clandfield Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:59:29 +0000 http://www.talktotheclouds.com/?p=597#comment-7282 I agree with you that these things are useful for students to know after a certain level. Especially adults. It's funny what is considered "linguistic jargon" by teachers - it more often than not means words that they themselves are unsure of. An example: when I teach pre-entry training courses to native speakers most consider terms like "present perfect" or "tense" to be quite jargon-y. After a few years teaching these are just common knowledge. Same thing with word classes: at first noun, verb, conjunction and adjective are okay. But determiner, pronouns, adverbs are on more shaky ground. I think that by giving these terms to students we are only helping them become more informed. Some will like it better than others. But that's true of so much of what goes on in class, isn't it? I agree with you that these things are useful for students to know after a certain level. Especially adults. It’s funny what is considered “linguistic jargon” by teachers – it more often than not means words that they themselves are unsure of. An example: when I teach pre-entry training courses to native speakers most consider terms like “present perfect” or “tense” to be quite jargon-y. After a few years teaching these are just common knowledge. Same thing with word classes: at first noun, verb, conjunction and adjective are okay. But determiner, pronouns, adverbs are on more shaky ground.
I think that by giving these terms to students we are only helping them become more informed. Some will like it better than others. But that’s true of so much of what goes on in class, isn’t it?

]]> By: Clarissa http://www.talktotheclouds.com/2010/01/27/words-about-words/comment-page-1/#comment-7281 Clarissa Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:33:16 +0000 http://www.talktotheclouds.com/?p=597#comment-7281 That's true, a lot of those would make great entire lessons. Your examples are terrific. (And why did it make me approve you again? You've commented before. Hrrrrrm. *tinkers*) That’s true, a lot of those would make great entire lessons. Your examples are terrific. (And why did it make me approve you again? You’ve commented before. Hrrrrrm. *tinkers*)

]]> By: Chris http://www.talktotheclouds.com/2010/01/27/words-about-words/comment-page-1/#comment-7279 Chris Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:24:43 +0000 http://www.talktotheclouds.com/?p=597#comment-7279 I think all of these would be great lessons by themselves. I have a Euphemism lesson that's good fun. We talk about why people use euphemisms, and I break it down into three categories: To not be rude ("underprivileged" rather than "poor"), to not be small ("administrative assistant" rather than "secretary") and to not be afraid ("passed away" instead of "died.) I give them a few examples and then have them speculate on what sentences *really* mean - "My brother, who has motivational issues, is between jobs at the moment. He was recently downsized from his job as a waste management technician, and hopes to get a job in the food services industry." If we have time, I bring up real-world examples - "collateral damage," "human resources management," "bathroom tissue," and if they're really good I tell them to Google George Carlin. *grin* I think all of these would be great lessons by themselves. I have a Euphemism lesson that’s good fun. We talk about why people use euphemisms, and I break it down into three categories: To not be rude (”underprivileged” rather than “poor”), to not be small (”administrative assistant” rather than “secretary”) and to not be afraid (”passed away” instead of “died.)

I give them a few examples and then have them speculate on what sentences *really* mean – “My brother, who has motivational issues, is between jobs at the moment. He was recently downsized from his job as a waste management technician, and hopes to get a job in the food services industry.”

If we have time, I bring up real-world examples – “collateral damage,” “human resources management,” “bathroom tissue,” and if they’re really good I tell them to Google George Carlin. *grin*

]]>