Open Classroom Communication and the Learning of Citizenship Values
By Abderrahim El Karfa
Reviewed by Jesús Evies
In the following article, the author
points out the benefits in the participation of citizens as an important part
in society.
Abderrahim identifies the
civic principals that are presented in citizenship. According to this topic, the civic knowledge, civic
skills, and civic virtues compose an indispensable structure in the development of students. In fact, these elements are
closely related to the contents in the EFL classroom.
In this sense, the author
considers that the best way to apply the civic education values is throughout content.
In it, the civic values are well introduced in the language classes by adding
some idioms. Therefore, this forms a moderate attitude on the part of students to another language. In addition, it
glimpses that the good selection of the content guides students to expand their
ideas. Plus, it allows teachers and students define their roles.
As the author says, the
teacher proposes in conjunction with students the roles. From
this point on, it has an important significance the position the teacher assumes. This means that the teacher determines
the bases to encourage students towards participation as active citizens;
provided, some activities are expressed, so that it develops strategies.
Because of this, the interactive communication accomplishes the motivation in the classroom.
Such motivation, as
Abderrahim displays, lies in the atmosphere of the classroom. Thus, the students have the possibility to take control of
their learning. This provides the help to establish a connection between teacher and students.
As long as the teacher attempts to make students act freely, students feel more
comfortable to participate in the process of the class. But to make this
possible, teachers have to be intellectually prepared and
understand students` needs.
As a conclusion, the aim is
to increase communication among students. At the same time, it motivates them
to join citizenship as responsible participants.
El
Karfa, A. (2007) Open Classroom Communication and the Learning of Citizenship
Values. English Teaching Forum, 45
(1, 38-42).
The English Language
A Student`s Grammar of the English Language
By Greenbaum and Quirk
Reviewed by Jesús Evies
In the
chapter, Greenbaum and Quirk (1990) argue that English is a language in which
the process of the learning skills is determined by the way English is
acquired. This means that there are two processes: one for native people who
learn English in their childhood stage, and one for non-native people who acquire
English Language at some moment of their lives. The chapter is divided in three
parts: the meanings of grammar, the varieties of English, and acceptability and
frequency.
Firstly,
syntax and inflexion are aspects that necessarily modify the structure of
words. According to the authors` view, grammar is composed by these two angles
of language. So, the rules of grammar that codify English are made to perform
lexicology in that language. Nevertheless, in the speaking form, these rules
can be freely avoided or slightly changed. Thus, the rules that support the
morphology of a language are very flexible in the discourse.
In the
second part of the chapter, the authors emphasize the different variations in
English. This chapter remarks only five types that categorize the traits in
speech. The first one is regional variation, which is referred to the diverse
dialects of English that settle down in a specific place. The second one is
social variation. This implies changes in the English usage, according to some
social life aspects. From this aspect, some standard languages emerge. In the
field of discourse, the variations go through the situations that the language
demands. Lastly, according to the medium and attitude, the variations lie down
in the communication ways and in intentional purposes of the speaker respectively.
Finally,
the authors point out that grammar is not only used to make judgments about the
acceptability or unacceptability of any sentence. It depends on the context, in
which the relative frequency levels itself with the acceptability degree. This
means that the recurrent use of any grammar provides acceptability in sentences
by native speakers.
___________________________
Greenbaum, S. Quirk, R. (1990). A
Student`s Grammar of the English Language. Addison
Wesley Longman Limited, England.
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