Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish

Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish

Author: Joseph J. Keenan

Publisher: University of Texas Press

Published: 2010-01-01

Total Pages: 346

ISBN-13: 0292779836

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Many language books are boring—this one is not. Written by a native English speaker who learned Spanish the hard way—by trying to talk to Spanish-speaking people—it offers English speakers with a basic knowledge of Spanish hundreds of tips for using the language more fluently and colloquially, with fewer obvious "gringo" errors. Writing with humor, common sense, and a minimum of jargon, Joseph Keenan covers everything from pronunciation, verb usage, and common grammatical mistakes to the subtleties of addressing other people, "trickster" words that look alike in both languages, inadvertent obscenities, and intentional swearing. He guides readers through the set phrases and idiomatic expressions that pepper the native speaker's conversation and provides a valuable introduction to the most widely used Spanish slang. With this book, both students in school and adult learners who never want to see another classroom can rapidly improve their speaking ability. Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish will be an essential aid in passing the supreme language test-communicating fluently with native speakers.


The Beliefs and Experiences of World Language Teachers in the US

The Beliefs and Experiences of World Language Teachers in the US

Author: Pamela M. Wesely

Publisher: Channel View Publications

Published: 2024-06-11

Total Pages: 125

ISBN-13: 1800415532

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This book tells the stories of 15 world language (WL) teachers in the United States at elementary and secondary levels through rich descriptions of their lived worlds and experiences. In-depth interviews, extensive observations, learner interviews, and document and environment analysis illustrate in detail how teacher beliefs relate to their practices and are mediated and moderated by their learners, institutional demands, equity and access to WL education and other factors. The chapters provide a deep and robust explanation of individual teachers’ teaching lives and a cross-contextual comparison of their experiences, shining a light on the realities and demands of modern US schools. Grounded in the research literature on language teacher beliefs and cognition, this book takes the stance that all teaching is situated and contextual, and that addressing teachers' methods, practices and knowledges in ways that are divorced from their setting and environment has serious limitations. It offers fascinating insights for researchers, language educators and pre- and in-service teachers, with reflection questions at the end of each chapter to guide readers in drawing connections with their own practice, interests and contexts.


Lasting Change in Foreign Language Education

Lasting Change in Foreign Language Education

Author: John L. Watzke

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA

Published: 2003-03-30

Total Pages: 240

ISBN-13: 0313053111

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Lasting Change in Foreign Language Education presents a historical account of foreign language in general education. The author examines the struggle of this subject discipline to align with the changing mission of secondary education as it emerged as the predominant institution enrolling students in the study of second languages. This 100-year history suggests trends persistent across major periods of reform to explain current problems in the expansion of learning opportunities in foreign language. Included is a complete database of education statistics on foreign language education and national and state education law from 1899 to the present. Analysis of this data is presented in multiple formats to describe the historical capacity of the education system to achieve reform. A review of contemporary standards-based education initiatives in states and school districts similarly serves to reflect how historical trends continue to restrict change. Concise policy implications are suggested as a means to address historical precedence and the greater mission of general education in the development of education policy and its transformation into practice. Policy development must include a greater understanding of the historical development of foreign language in general education. This vital link has been lacking in the past century as foreign language has struggled to realign itself with the changing mission of general education. For example, there are distinct curricular differences between a general education for all students and one for leadership and higher education. Only the latter makes room for solid foreign language education. In addition, the study of foreign language has remained primarily a beginning-level endeavor for the majority of students over the past century. This trend results in significant pressure on the beginning level curriculum, particularly during periods of reform, to provide multiple academic outcomes in education.


The Essentials of World Languages, Grades K-12

The Essentials of World Languages, Grades K-12

Author: Janis Jensen

Publisher: ASCD

Published: 2007-09-15

Total Pages: 127

ISBN-13: 1416616993

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We live in a global community, and to be a full member of this community often requires speaking more than one language. Educators and policymakers must ask themselves: What does it mean to view language learning not as an elective but as a necessity for communicating and interacting with people around the world? The Essentials of World Languages, Grades K-12 answers this question and many more as it shows us * Why world languages must be positioned as an essential part of a balanced curriculum and why the time is right for implementing change. * When language instruction should begin and how language instruction should be delivered and assessed. * How to redefine the role of the teacher and curriculum coordinator in language learning. * How to set realistic expectations for students' second-language proficiency. * How to design curriculum using assessment targets. Packed with information about major trends and issues in world language education, this book offers valuable curriculum resources to help educators design and implement flexible language programs that prepare children to live and work in an interconnected, global culture.


Handbook of Research on Teaching

Handbook of Research on Teaching

Author: Drew Gitomer

Publisher:

Published: 2016-05-19

Total Pages: 1553

ISBN-13: 0935302484

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The Fifth Edition of the Handbook of Research on Teachingis an essential resource for students and scholars dedicated to the study of teaching and learning. This volume offers a vast array of topics ranging from the history of teaching to technological and literacy issues. In each authoritative chapter, the authors summarize the state of the field while providing conceptual overviews of critical topics related to research on teaching. Each of the volume's 23 chapters is a canonical piece that will serve as a reference tool for the field. The Handbook provides readers with an unaparalleled view of the current state of research on teaching across its multiple facets and related fields.


Upper Level ISEE

Upper Level ISEE

Author: The Tutorverse

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2015-09-05

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781515297352

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2019 Update - We have made revisions to correct for minor errata. For a complete list of updates made, please visit us at www.thetutorverse.com. --- The Upper Level ISEE can be a very challenging test. Extra practice can make all the difference between a good score and a great score. That's why this book has more questions than even 10 full-length exams - well over 1,500 practice questions dedicated only to the Upper Level ISEE. You won't find any material in this book related to another test - there's no filler here! In this book you will find: * Two full-length tests; a diagnostic test to help you pinpoint the areas in most need of improvement, and a practice test to help familiarize students with the real thing. * Critical skills and concepts broken out by topic, so students can zero-in on key areas. * Questions that progress in difficulty, to help students expand their knowledge base and prepare for tough questions. * 100 pages of detailed answer explanations available online at www.thetutorverse.com. This book can be used for independent practice or for study with a professional educator. For best results, we recommend using this book with a tutor or teacher who can help students learn more about new or particularly challenging topics.


The Routledge Handbook of Spanish as a Heritage Language

The Routledge Handbook of Spanish as a Heritage Language

Author: Kim Potowski

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2018-05-11

Total Pages: 607

ISBN-13: 1317563069

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The Routledge Handbook of Spanish as a Heritage Language brings together contributions from leading linguists, educators and Latino Studies scholars involved in teaching and working with Spanish heritage language speakers. This state-of-the-art overview covers a range of topics within five broad areas: Spanish in U.S. public life, Spanish heritage language use and systems, educational contexts, Latino studies perspectives and Spanish outside the U.S. The Routledge Handbook of Spanish as a Heritage Language addresses for the first time the linguistic, educational and social aspects of heritage Spanish speakers in one volume making it an indispensable reference for anyone working with Spanish as a heritage language.


The Rise of English

The Rise of English

Author: Rosemary Salomone

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2021-11-17

Total Pages: 489

ISBN-13: 0190625635

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A sweeping account of the global rise of English and the high-stakes politics of language Spoken by a quarter of the world's population, English is today's lingua franca--its common tongue. The language of business, popular media, and international politics, English has become commodified for its economic value and increasingly detached from any particular nation. This meteoric "rise of English" has many obvious benefits to communication. Tourists can travel abroad with greater ease. Political leaders can directly engage their counterparts. Researchers can collaborate with foreign colleagues. Business interests can flourish in the global economy. But the rise of English has very real downsides at times generating intense legal conflicts. In Europe, imperatives of political integration, job mobility, and university rankings compete with pride in national language and heritage as countries like France attempt to curb its spread. In countries like India, South Africa, Morocco, and Rwanda, it has stratified society along lines of English proficiency and devalued commonly spoken languages. In Anglophone countries like the United States and England, English isolates us from the cultural and economic benefits of speaking other languages. In The Rise of English, Rosemary Salomone offers a commanding view of the unprecedented spread of English and the far-reaching effects it has on global and local politics, economics, media, education, and business. From the inner workings of the European Union to China's use of language as "soft power" in Africa, Salomone draws on a wealth of research to tell the complex story of English--and, ultimately, to argue for English not as a force for domination but as a core component of multilingualism and the transcendence of linguistic and cultural borders.