Initial+Brainstorm

toc

1. What is the role of language
Inclusion School culture—climate Tool—conduit Cultural awareness
 * in our school in promoting friendly, collaborative, constructivist, world citizens?**

Common sources that bonds us together.

Promotes inclusuin.

The conduit through which this can be achieved. Without language this cannot be achieved.

Language is at the center of this model of education.

Language is a tool of inclusion, not exclusion, therefore promotes a welcoming climate where we can effectively work, learn, and act together.

//(Taken in part from the IB Learner Profile)// //Our students are communicators who understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others and understand the importance of language as a way to understand and appreciate other cultures in our global world.//

A tool we use to communicate, collaborate, and show a spirit of friendship and fellowship. Something we share and exchange.

2. How do we value all languages and cultures?
value=believe in worth of -vs- practice the promotion of At IST, we celebrate our students’ cultural diversity.

//(Taken from IB SLA and MT guide)// //Our students relate first to their own national identity- their own language, culture, history and cultural heritage. They also learn to appreciate other cultures and their role as international citizens.// //Our students have the right to freedom of opinion and expression whilst understanding the importance of tolerance and mutual respect of others.//

Respect to all languages; Understanding-awareness of different languages; support mother tongue development.

The IST philosophy states, "make meaningful connections." Our students will learn other languages in addition to mother tongue.

We do it on a daily basis by looking at the contributions of the different cultures in the classroom to the topic being studied.

It is valued in the HS through the A languages that we offer.

International perspective is a key component of our humanities programme.

We value all languages equally, but obviously English is important as it si the language of instruction.

We value all cultures by acknowledging and celebrating the various languages that are the foundations of these cultures. This is done through promotion of mother tongue and the desire of the school to provide for second learning; however, English is our language of instruction and it is through this that we transfer and situate the majority of learning. By promoting respectful and articulate use of the English language, we can more effectively value the language and culture of others.

3. Why is language important?
//(Taken partly from N-12 English Language Arts philosophy)// At IST, we understand that language plays a central role in human life. English is the common language of our students. It provides a vehicle for communication, a tool for thinking, a means of creativity and a source of pleasure. The acquisition, development and understanding of language, and the ability to use it effectively, gives our students access to knowledge, experience and ideas. This enables them to play an active part in society and contributes to their personal growth. (Adapted from IB SLA and MT guide) At IST, we understand that it is through language that we can access our own and other’s culture. The role of language acquisition and development from early childhood in order to foster bi- and multi-lingualism is fundamental to any sequence of programs.

Language is the building foundation of culture and learning. It is the central defining feature of humanity.

Language proficiency provides for effective transmission of culture and knowledge.

We use language to make, receive, and communicate meaning.

Enhances effective communication, expands world view, allows us to understand difference.

Language establishes connection with self, culture, and world.

Language is the primary means for the expression of self. It is the essential means by which ideas are expanded, expounded, and offered in contribution to knowledge, society, and self.

Externalization of thinking.

Gateway to knowledge.

Essential tool to give the power to communicate.

Being language competent helps people to function in society and to fulfill their potential as individuals.

Language is integral to all we do and is the major connecting element across the curriculum

Language is essential to all we do, transcending artificial separations of schedule and subjects.

We value language as essential to our students’ intellectual, social, and emotional development.

Communication, supports inquiry, understanding, different forms of expression, access to culture, interaction, inclusion, how we learn

Central to a person’s identity and culture.

Language is thinking-- essential to thinking.

Medium of communication, creativity, and art.

4. What are the benefits
Communication Self-identity--Sense of sef Pleasure Global citizenship Cognitive growth Social
 * of learning languages?**

//(Taken partly from IB SLA and MT guide)// //At IST, we understand that second language acquisition and mother tongue maintenance directly support holistic learning, intercultural awareness and communication.//

Knowledge, empathy towards others learning a language, global communication.

Multilingualism is the hallmark of the true world citizen, one who is ever ready to communicate and collaborate with people from different places and backgrounds. A multilingual person has access to multiple ways of thinking.

Allows effective communication between groups; common understanding.

//(From the N-12 English Language Arts Philosophy)// //Language provides a vehicle for communication, a tool for thinking, a means of creativity, and a source of pleasure. The acquisition, development and understanding of language, and the ability to use it effectively, gives our students access to knowledge, experiences, and ideas. This enables them to play an active part in society and contributes to their personal growth.//

It strengthens one’s understanding of his/her own language and culture and identity. It promotes world peace and understanding. It has practical benefits of making a person more employable in a globalized world.

Allows access to other cultures, therefore it is a core of internationalism. Facilitates effective communication. Supports the learning of other languages. Supports cultural identity. Promotes cognitive growth.

Language underpins the whole curriculum.

5. What do we understand
//(From the N-12 English Language Arts Philosophy)// //Learning English involves recognizing, accepting, valuing, and building on existing language competence, and extending the range of available language. Our students learn to critically analyze their own use of language and the language of others. Through education in functional and critical literacy, our students develop an understanding and a command of English language which enables them to adapt to new demands and new situations.//
 * about language and learning?**

At IST, we understand that mother tongue maintenance and development benefits students.

Language studies include learning the language, about the language and through the language.

The 4 communicative stands of language are interrelated and interactive.

Students acquire language when they are engaged in meaningful activities, when language is contextualized in content. Students acquire language in stages. A student’s L1 influences his L2.

Students sometimes stagnate at particular levels of L2. Errors become fossilized.
 * __Language + Learning__**

Language is both a subject in its own right, and the conduit for learning every subject. Learning must be articulated, whether in the mind, the voice, or the written page, in order to be complete.

Language is key vehicle for thought.

We understand that without effective language skills we do not learn or communicate our ideas and understandings effectively. We understand that there are many effective ways in which to teach language. But that learners learn differently and that a variety of methodologies and approaches should be used within the realms of what research tells us about language and learning.

Language + learning interlinked, fluent Mother tongue helps English development. Need Language to construct needing Cognitive action needed in both languages. Iteration skill How we learn

The study/acquisition of more than one language enriches personal growth and helps international understanding.
 * __Social__**

6. What is the role of English
//At IST, English is the language through which students learn. Students learn to use English in school as a language through which everyone can be included.//At IST, English is the language through which students learn. Students learn to use English in school as a language through which everyone can be included. ==As an international school, we use English as the medium of instruction, recognizing that it is already being used as an international auxiliary language in fields of business, diplomacy and academia. The families who choose our school expect their children to develop strong academic English that will enable them to serve internationally in any field of endeavour. English is the language of instruction and the common tool of learning and communication.Its systems, vocab., etc shape our interactions and interpretations. English is the language of instruction Immersion develops students listening, spelling, reading, writing, presenting, and viewing. Common social language Academic language It unites our community. It is our language of discourse. It is our “lingua franca”. Bringing people together. Our common language. Inclusion/ uniting. Medium of instruction
 * in our school?**

7. What is the role of the host country language
At IST, our students learn to appreciate and understand our host country China through a study of the Chinese language.
 * in our school?**

We celebrate China by requiring that all of our students study it, except for those who require EAP or ESL pullout.

All students should have functional Chinese. (Functional?)

The study of Chinese enables our students to be both students of and participants in the society in which they currently live.

Academic study, communication, understanding.

Respect, utilitarian, major world language.

We have much to learn from its people and past. In accessing and valuing their culture, cultural history, and interpretations of the world we need to consciously endeavor to access and learn its language.

8. What is the role of other languages
It's additive.
 * in our school?**

Students should have options to explore languages in both breadth and depth, to become familiar with features of a variety of languages, while developing true proficiency in the language of instruction, Chinese, and if additional, their own mother tongue.

All languages are as important as each other and must be celebrated and valued. We accept and understand the critical importance of mother tongue on second language learning, and in most cases this is ESL at IST, and we therefore promote it. Where possible and reasonable we will seek to provide for the provision of other languages in our formal curriculum.

Effective communication between groups; mother tongue developed; encourages cultural understanding; provides for individual needs.

Nurtures the appreciation of the richness of language.

9. Bingualism--How do we define,

 * promote and cater for different kinds and needs in our school?**

The school’s goal is for students to acquire “additive bilingualism”. In other words, students continue to develop their mother tongues as they acquire a second language.

Provide culturally diverse materials / resources

Student are able to select materials to meet their needs.

Mother tongue materials available in the library.

We differentiate course and instruction to meet these needs. We do not place ceilings upon the potential to adventure in languages based upon course descriptions. We support mother tongue programmes and insist on second language learning.

ESL program. Teaching strategies. Mother tongue resources. Support.

Languages group meet.

10. What level of proficiency
At IST, we aim to foster bi- and multi-lingual students.
 * do we want students to achieve?**

We want our students to obtain Basic Interpersonal Communications Skills (BICS) and Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP).

Our long-term students should achieve full proficiency in spoken and written academic level English, although we understand that this is a process that takes many years to achieve.

Proficiency, high academic level, high social level.

Competence in English. As proficient in other languages as possible. BICS and CALP in English.

All students to reach max

English + Mother tongue, academic proficiency. Older languages, at least social proficiency.

English -- ability to succeed with the curriculum, function effectively in class, communicate, interact. achieve the best they can – own potential.

English-- enough academic language to succeed in a variety of academic settings. Mother tongue-- to facilitate/develop an appreciation of literature (mother tongue language) Other modern languages-- at least social language to communicate effectively in a variety of settings.

11. Are there different/common expectations
Don't know.
 * for different languages in our school?**

English if for academic purposes.

Chinese is for social purposes (in elementary)

Parents and TA's allowed to speak in mother tongue.

Use of mother tongue resources.

In addition to English French, Korean, Spanish are included in the curriculum and meet the academic expectations of those courses.

12. What are the roles, responsibilities
All teachers are language teachers.
 * and expectations of administration, teachers, other employees, parents, and students in our** school?**

Parents need to maintain and develop their children’s mother tongue.

The school will provide as much mother tongue materials as the budget allows.

The school will provide mother tongue instruction when a language group reaches 10% of the student body in either the elementary or secondary school. //(is this true?)//

Promote “appropriate” language use.

Mother tongue maintenance and development

ESL strategies.