Lesson 2: English Instruction
He’s concerned that the German language might eventually become extinct!

I can discuss the role of language in education.

INTRODUCE

In German universities, a number of programs are taught in English. While some view this as a good thing, others worry about the possible negative effects.

PRESENT

STEP A EXPRESSIONS

Go over the first two expressions with your tutor and choose T for true or F for false. Then, guess the meaning of the third expression based on the clues provided.

    1. To weigh the pros and cons means to consider the good and bad parts of something.

     

    I weighed the pros and cons and decided not to take the job. The pay is better, but the daily 2-hour commute wouldn’t be worth it.

     

    I always weigh the pros and cons before I make a decision. ( T / F )

     

     

    2. To broaden one’s horizons means to learn new things and gain new experiences.

     

    Studying in a foreign country will broaden your horizons.

     

    I want to live or study in a foreign country to broaden my horizons. ( T / F )

     

     

    3.                                         .

     

    Floppy disks are basically extinct. I haven’t seen one in years!

     

    Q: What do you think extinct means?

STEP B SPEAK YOUR MIND

Sometimes you want to say that something should be done as soon as possible.

    My tooth really hurts, but I hate going to the dentist!

    I know. But, the sooner you get your tooth checked, the better. It might be something serious.

UNDERSTAND

SPEAKING

Nana, a Japanese woman, and Lukas, a German man, are chatting at a bar in Germany.

Lukas:

Hey, Enrique! (waves) Sorry, that’s my classmate.

Nana:

He must speak really good German to be able to take university classes here!

Lukas:

Actually, he doesn’t, but it’s okay. Our program is exclusively taught in English.

Nana:

Wow, really?

Lukas:

Yeah. My university lets us choose if we want to have our classes in German or English. Don’t you have that option in Japan?

Nana:

My university didn’t. As far as I know, only a few universities back home offer whole programs in English. So why did you decide to enroll in the English program?

Lukas:

Well, I knew I wanted to even back when I was in high school, but my parents were against it at first. They wanted me to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. They were worried that it would be hard for me to understand my teachers and the materials, but I convinced them that it would really broaden my horizons and help with my English fluency. And it has!

Nana:

Yeah, I can see that! So, do you talk in English all the time now to show off? (laughs)

Lukas:

(laughs) No. I still talk to my family and local friends in German, of course. My dad can speak some English, but he actually refuses to.  He’s concerned that the German language might eventually become extinct!  I told him that would never happen, though.

Nana:

Yeah, I can’t imagine that would happen any time soon, at least… But in his defense, a lot of people here do speak English! I was amazed at first.

Lukas:

I guess it’s because we start studying English from such a young age. The sooner you start, the better, you know?

Nana:

True.

Lukas:

It’s just like playing an instrument, I guess. My mom tried to learn how to play the violin last year… That was a disaster! (laughs)

TRIVIA

Did you know that a language dies every two weeks? That’s why out of the 7,000+ languages in the world, 570 are now considered extinct and another 2,000 are very close to becoming extinct.

PRACTICE

Complete the dialogues using the instructions in the parentheses and the expressions in the box. Some expressions may be used more than once, and the form of some expressions may need to be changed.

extinct
weigh the pros and cons
broaden one’s horizons

1.

Tutor: Did you accept the job offer?

Student: No. (Say that you thought about the good and bad aspects of the job and decided not to accept it.)

2.

Tutor: Why do you volunteer so much? You should just focus on school.

Student: (Say that you think volunteering is a great way to meet new people and learn new things.)

3.

Tutor: What technology do you think people will stop using in the next couple of years?

Student: (Say that you think no one will use landline telephones anymore soon.)

 

4.

Tutor: I want to study a new language, but it seems like a lot of work! Do you think it will pay off in the end?

Student: Absolutely. (Say that learning a new language would open new opportunities for him/her.)

 

5.

Tutor: Why do you think so many species of birds are disappearing?

Student: (Say that you read that they’re disappearing because their habitats are being destroyed.)

CHALLENGE

Challenge 1

You’re a graduate school student in Germany taking a program with classes all in English. Your Filipino friend is visiting you. Discuss the pros and cons of offering so many courses in English.

Today's Expressions

  • weigh the pros and cons
  • broaden one’s horizons
  • extinct

Speak Your Mind

  • The sooner…, the better.

Challenge 2

What do you think? What does your tutor think? Discuss.

If Time
Allows
1

ENGLISH INSTRUCTION
2

BROADENING YOUR HORIZONS
1

ENGLISH INSTRUCTION

  1. What school subjects do you think can be taught in English in your country?
  2. For those subjects, would you prefer to have a native English speaker or a local as the teacher?
  3. Should everyone be made to take those subjects in English?

2BROADENING YOUR HORIZONS

  1. What do you think would broaden your horizons?
  2. What was the last thing you did that helped broaden your horizons?
  3. Is it important for everyone to keep trying to broaden their horizons?

FEEDBACK

I can discuss the role of language in education.

LESSON GOAL ACHIEVEMENT

  • 4
    Very Good

    Could complete the task with ease

  • 3
    Good

    Could complete the task with some clarifications

  • 2
    Fair

    Could complete the task with additional instructions

  • 1
    Poor

    Could somehow complete the task with difficulty

PERSONALIZED FEEDBACK