ESL Lesson Plan

...flux. New words, and new uses of words, constantly emerge.

There are all kinds of debates, arguments and fears about what the English language is becoming.

What happens when a language, any language, become used on every continent and in almost every professional and academic community?

Perhaps every language does this, but as I talk with and connect with people around the world, I see the English language used in ways that I never would have guessed.

The language itself has come to represent all kinds of things.

For example a recent study has suggested that among students in the United Arab Emirates “Arabic is associated with tradition, home, religion, culture, school, arts and social sciences,” whereas English “is symbolic of modernity, work, higher education, commerce, economics and science and technology.”

In all kinds of settings, English, for better or worse, is the vehicle, and embodiment, of the future, of globalism and the abandonment of the traditional.

But what would we guess English will look like in the future?

I would suggest that our language is likely to take on the attributes of the niche communities and industries that will make English fit and express its individual, particular needs.

If you are wondering what English might look like in the future, checkout this article - http://www.salon.com/2011/11/06/whats_the_language_of_the_future/.

If you are a language nerd, as I am, be sure to check out the new book "The Language Wars: A History of Proper English" by Henry Hitchings.

Here's an excerpt from a review - "The Language Wars examines grammar rules, regional accents, swearing, spelling, dictionaries, political correctness, and the role of electronic media in reshaping language. It also takes a look at such details as the split infinitive, elocution, and text messaging. Peopled with intriguing characters such as Jonathan Swift, Lewis Carroll, and Lenny Bruce, The Language Wars is an essential volume for anyone interested in the state of the English language today or its future."

Send us any links or other resources that you think any teachers, students or even just regular people might find interesting or useful.

Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.

My best to you as you make your way through this intriguing , constantly shifting linguistic landscape.

Morf