WorksheetsImportance of English Language
Total questions: 19
Worksheet time: 42mins
What according to you is language? Examine the following cases: Case 1- Raju has a friend. He is deaf and dumb. But he is able to communicate with others. Case 2-Thomas has a stationery shop. He knows only Malayalam but most of his customers speak different languages. In the beginning, he felt very difficult in his dealing with the people but later he succeeded. Case 3- A five month old baby produces cooing and babbling sounds. The baby also responds very positively to his/her mother’s talk. Analyze the cases based on the concept of language.
Collect more definitions of language with different perspectives.
Read the following statements about communication. Analyze the statements and note which one you agree and which one you disagree. Do not forget to write the rationale for your response regarding each statement.
A shy child can never be a good communicator, in the class regardless of his competency in a language.
You can’t fully communicate in a language unless you know its culture
You can’t learn how to communicate in a foreign language at school
Ultimately language is not for communication
According to Geoffery Leech (1974) there are five functions of language.
What is the informational function of language?
What is the expressive function of language?
What is the directive function of language?
What is the aesthetic function of language?
What is the phatic function of language?
Analyse any one unit of elementary English reader and note down suitable examples for different functions of language.
Sit in pair groups. Interact with your pair on any topic/event for five minutes. Re collect the different types of sentences you have used. Write them in your note book. Identify its functions.
The English language in the world has been defined and categorized into three concentric circles; inner circle, outer circle and expanding circle.
What is the difference between first language, second language and foreign language?
What is the distinction between acquisition and learning?
Can you find out the difference between learning and acquisition?
Learning
Acquisition
What influences learning in both first and second language acquisition?
Innate grammar
Predictable stages
Context clues
All of the above
What is the basis for learning in first language acquisition?
Innate language alone
Knowledge of the first language
Both A and B
None of the above
In second language acquisition, what can speed the learning process?
Analyzing grammatical structures
Babbling
Telegraphic speech
Listening to native speakers
What do learners need to increase their proficiency?
Comprehensible input
Opportunities to learn language in context
Both A and B
None of the above
