(http://www.physorg.com/news143471567.html)
The article presents a whole new point of view about how German immigrants immigrating to Wisconsin in the mid-1800s adapted themselves to the English-speaking country. Contrary to notions of fact and fantasy, evidence shows that some of them are actually slow and passive in learning English because they did not really need to change their language in order to survive in that English-dominating country. What is more surprising is the fact that, as it is mentioned in the article, Some second- and even third-generation German immigrants who were born in Wisconsin were still monolingual in German as adults. The reason why all this is happening is partly because the multitude of the German immigrants gather together as in many communities. Therefore, they need not learn a second language to communicate with each other in their communities simply because everybody speaks German there. This discovery actually has something to do with the main point of my issue paper; that is: is it necessary to immerse yourself (e.g., traveling, working, studying) in the American culture in order to learn English well? Well, in this case, it depends. If people behave like the German immigrants, then the answer would certainly be no. For example, when a Chinese student goes to the United States, we can not expect that his English would be improved by his hanging around in China towns every single day. You need to find chances to practice English by yourself and try as many opportunities as possible to polish your English skills in the United States. Otherwise, perhaps it would be better to stay in your own native country to study it.
2008年10月30日 星期四
2008年10月29日 星期三
Annotated Bibliography 1
(http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/10/20/accent_reduction/)
The issue of speaking English without an accent is quite important in today’s competitive world. As it is mentioned in the article, many professionals see an accent as a weakness in a competitive workforce. So how can we improve our speaking ability to the next level in which we would sound much more like a native speaker? Take Sourav Bhunia, mentioned in the article, a native Indian who started studying English in grade school, for example. Although he leads quite a successful life in Massachusetts, Bhunia is still one of the many non-native English speakers who strive to be better understood. He decided to take a course at the University of Minnesota to improve his accent. His goal is to sound more like a native American, and less Indian, when he speaks English. It brings us back to the point: is it necessary to immerse yourself (e.g., traveling, working, studying) in the American culture in order to learn English well? Or in this case, in order to pronounce your English well? From the article, we could know that if you are in the United States for a period of time, you are supposed to be able to express yourself enough in English, but not necessary mean you would be understood by others completely. It requires personal training, like the course Bhunia takes. But the courses would not be found in a not English-speaking country as easily as they would be found in an English-speaking country. But if you really try hard to find help, you can still learn the pronunciation well in your own country.
The issue of speaking English without an accent is quite important in today’s competitive world. As it is mentioned in the article, many professionals see an accent as a weakness in a competitive workforce. So how can we improve our speaking ability to the next level in which we would sound much more like a native speaker? Take Sourav Bhunia, mentioned in the article, a native Indian who started studying English in grade school, for example. Although he leads quite a successful life in Massachusetts, Bhunia is still one of the many non-native English speakers who strive to be better understood. He decided to take a course at the University of Minnesota to improve his accent. His goal is to sound more like a native American, and less Indian, when he speaks English. It brings us back to the point: is it necessary to immerse yourself (e.g., traveling, working, studying) in the American culture in order to learn English well? Or in this case, in order to pronounce your English well? From the article, we could know that if you are in the United States for a period of time, you are supposed to be able to express yourself enough in English, but not necessary mean you would be understood by others completely. It requires personal training, like the course Bhunia takes. But the courses would not be found in a not English-speaking country as easily as they would be found in an English-speaking country. But if you really try hard to find help, you can still learn the pronunciation well in your own country.
2008年10月23日 星期四
Annotated Bibliography 3
(http://tw.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak-cjqFJGhY)
The difference between learning English in an English-speaking country and not an English-speaking one is mentioned in this video: that is, the pronunciation of the native teacher and the way students learn English are more helpful to them than the way they were taught in their native countries. Still, there are other opinions may be against these thoughts.
The difference between learning English in an English-speaking country and not an English-speaking one is mentioned in this video: that is, the pronunciation of the native teacher and the way students learn English are more helpful to them than the way they were taught in their native countries. Still, there are other opinions may be against these thoughts.
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