Kay Eakin, author of According to My Passport, I'm Coming Home, the term "third country kids" was first used 40 years ago by Ruth Hill Useem in her research on North American children growing up in India. She and others found that "third country kids" cope rather than adjust, becoming both "a part of" and "apart from" whatever situation they are in. These transcultural kids tend to have far more in common with each other than with their American peers who have not had internationally mobile experiences.
These are the kids who have spent their growing up years in a foreign country and experience a sense of not belonging to their passport country when they return to it. In adapting to life in a 'foreign' country they have also missed learning the nuances of their homeland and feel most at home in the 'third-culture' which they have created among their peers - other kids who have grown up in a cultural melange of cultures -m and individuals in transition. If they move back to their home country, they are rarely understood by American schools - or their native born peers. They are often considered oddities - for their taste in clothes, music or food when what third culture kids want most is to be accepted as the individuals they are.
These are the kids who, if they fit anywhere, fit in the margins - and don't really "belong" anywhere - but they have unique strengths and experiences.
For more on these kids check outhttp://www.state.gov/m/dghr/flo/c22473.htm.
I didn't grow up outside of my "passport home" but I might as well have. I "connect" far more with those of a transcultural world view than my native colleagues and neighbors. I did grow up in an area of extreme racial, ethnic and religious mixing on the West Coast of the United States. I just assume a high level of dynamic diversity in music, food and friends - I also expect a high level of respect and interactivity.
There are more and more of us - of all cultures and ages. What are your experiences adapting to life abroad - and back "home"?
We are all learning. And it is always more fun to learn together. We can learn as much from the past as from the present.
I have asked readers of this blog to submit their dream job (related to language instruction). Send yours. The best length would be about 200-350 words. Over the next week or so, I'll be collecting them and I'll post the best one(s) and send the best writer this CD.
Yes, I'll send it anywhere in the world as long as you have a valid mailing address. Sound good? Then get writing!
I'll be doing several of these over the next few months. Good luck to all!
Morf
Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.
What do you most want to do? Where would you like to be? Who would you want to work with?
About the author of this entry:
Morf has a B.A.from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and an MAT (Master's in Teaching English) from the University of Washington (Seattle). Morf currently teaches English and writing for a local technical/vocational college with many international students. Morf prefers international and independent films, foods he can't pronounce, music no one else has heard of and riding his bicycle in foreign cities.
He is also waiting for an irresistible job offer...
And when we are learning a new language - and culture - there is much that we do not know.
It was the poet Ezra Pound who suggested that W.S. Merwin translate poetry - with the intention of learning poetry. The rhythms, the images, the cultural references and of course the ways words are used in a direct and compact way that words are used in poetry all give a learner an up close sense of how a language can be used.
I don't know about anyone else, but when I am learning a new language, I try to be as concise and compressed as possible. Poetry from my target language not only gives me cultural insights, but also shows those I speak with that I know and respect the great writers and thinkers of their history and culture.
To hear or read more from and about W.S.Merwin, check out http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/06262009/profile.html.
For a glimpse at a few other poets, check out - http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/poetry/index.html.
We are all learning. And it is always more fun to learn together. We can learn as much from the past as from the present.
I have asked readers of this blog to submit their dream job (related to language instruction). Send yours. The best length would be about 200-350 words. Over the next week or so, I'll be collecting them and I'll post the best one(s) and send the best writer this CD.
Yes, I'll send it anywhere in the world as long as you have a valid mailing address. Sound good? Then get writing!
I'll be doing several of these over the next few months. Good luck to all!
Morf
Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.
What do you most want to do? Where would you like to be? Who would you want to work with?
About the author of this entry:
Morf has a B.A.from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and an MAT (Master's in Teaching English) from the University of Washington (Seattle). Morf currently teaches English and writing for a local technical/vocational college with many international students. Morf prefers international and independent films, foods he can't pronounce, music no one else has heard of and riding his bicycle in foreign cities.
He is also waiting for an irresistible job offer...
Unlike Putumayo, these are all collections by a single artist.
Here is a review of a CD by Ska Cubana titled Ay Caramba. It is great stuff, but hey, don't take my word for it; check out these notes from the website.
"Take classic Jamaican ska and blend it with Afro-Cuban son and salsa, throw in some retro swing and Colombian cumbia for spice, and the result is a magic musical concoction that will get your feet moving and your hips shaking. When it comes to Ska Cubano, rarely has the expression "a match made in heaven" been so apropos.
Mix classic rhythms from two of the world's most musically influential islands, Jamaica and Cuba, mash them together like mint and sugar, add ample of amounts of intoxicating melodies and a dash of jest; the result is a magical musical cocktail that has been setting dance floors ablaze from London to Tokyo."
As the late night infomercials put it "wait, there's more" - The folks at Cumbancha have been kind enough to donate copies of several of their CDs for us to share. This particular CD (Ska Cubana) will be the first of the CDs to be given away from this blog.
I have asked readers of this blog to submit their dream job (related to language instruction). Send yours. The best length would be about 200-350 words. Over the next week or so, I'll be collecting them and I'll post the best one(s) and send the best writer this CD.
Yes, I'll send it anywhere in the world as long as you have a valid mailing address. Sound good? Then get writing!
I'll be doing several of these over the next few months. Good luck to all!
Morf
Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.
What do you most want to do? Where would you like to be? Who would you want to work with?
About the author of this entry:
Morf has a B.A.from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and an MAT (Master's in Teaching English) from the University of Washington (Seattle). Morf currently teaches English and writing for a local technical/vocational college with many international students. Morf prefers international and independent films, foods he can't pronounce, music no one else has heard of and riding his bicycle in foreign cities.
He is also waiting for an irresistible job offer...
]]>As for me, I'd like to share my two loves - my fascination with the English language and my love of music.
My ideal job would be as a radio host where I would broadcast a decade by decade history of English language music from the 1920s to the present. I'd like to explore and explain the music that was popular (and not so popular) across the years in the English speaking cultures. I'd like to focus on the early years and the roots of music that we all know today: specifically jazz, blues and the origins of the great Broadway musicals.
As I envision it, I would start with the 1920s era Vaudeville, blues, jazz and popular music and trace the development into the more familiar music we take for granted.
Some questions I would ask would be:
How does music express the pain, hopes, and determination as people face a crisis?
Are specific regions - or attitudes - reflected by certain styles of music?
Is music popular because it speaks to a need or is music a a distraction?
What is it that we can learn about a particular culture - or era - from its music?
What music endures and lives beyond its time?
Is there music that is exclusively American? English? Irish?
What happens when musical styles collide? (The African-American blues music that influenced the blues scene across Europe and England in the 1960s would be an example).
If I could host a radio program like this, I would like to record each episode and allow the station (or perhaps a university) to use them as a core of cultural and historical studies.
This would be informative as well as fun. After all, how many history classes can you dance to?
Later this summer I'll be hosting some contests where I'll be giving away books and CDs. Stay tuned here - and send me some of your suggestions for great books, music or professional gatherings that help with language learning!
My best to you,
Morf
Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.
I want to welcome readers to present thoughts on the ideal job. What do you most want to do? Where would you like to be? Who would you want to work with?
About the author of this entry:
Morf has a B.A.from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and an MAT (Master's in Teaching English) from the University of Washington (Seattle). Morf currently teaches English and writing for a local technical/vocational college with many international students. Morf prefers international and independent films, foods he can't pronounce, music no one else has heard of and riding his bicycle in foreign cities.
He is also waiting for an irresistible job offer...
Jay Walker thinks so. In his TED talk he....
]]> ...paints a picture of English as being the language of international "problem solving" just as math is the universal language of numbers and music is the international language of feeling and one aspect of artistic expression.Take a look at this short (about four minutes) video with some sobering video clips of crowds of Chinese students practicing their English or studying literally for years for their exams (in English) on their way to graduate school or a professional career with the English language as its core.
If you have forgotten how massive (and fanatical) as well as crucial English mastery has become, take a look at the video at - http://www.ted.com/talks/jay_walker_on_the_world_s_english_mania.html.
All the TED lectures are great - but some, like this one, are pivotal and life changing.
If this excerpt had perked up your interest, there will be a TED sponsored conference in Oxford, England in July.
Here's a short overview:
" When we look around us there are things we can observe: Buildings. People. Nature. And then there are things that run unseen through our lives. These hidden forces -- social conventions, biological links, cultural frameworks, coded meanings -- are the connective tissue that binds societies together, the engines that propel organizations and individuals forward."
And here are just a few of the questions that will be addressed:
* What is an accomplished life?
* Which universe do we live in?
* Is life a mathematical equation?
* Where does motivation come from?
* Who's defining the new geopolitical map?
* How can we observe what we can't see?
* Can we design the air we breathe?
* What's the economic impact of terrorism?
* Should we fear faith?
* What makes big cities function?
* Can a solar-powered plane fly?
* What's the power of music?
* Can we put biodiversity in a bank?
* How does the brain create the mind?
If this looks good to you, here's the link - http://conferences.ted.com/TEDGlobal2009/program/.
Those of us who are learning, teaching or using English are part of something far larger than we can see. There's a lot going on, and whether we know it or not, we are leading the way.
Later this summer I'll be hosting some contests where I'll be giving away books and CDs. Stay tuned here - and send me some of your suggestions for great books, music or professional gatherings that help with language learning!
My best to you,
Morf
Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.
I want to welcome readers to present thoughts on the ideal job. What do you most want to do? Where would you like to be? Who would you want to work with? Does anyone have a preferred work schedule?
About the author of this entry:
Morf has a B.A.from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and an MAT (Master's in Teaching English) from the University of Washington (Seattle). Morf currently teaches English and writing for a local technical/vocational college with many international students. Morf prefers international and independent films, foods he can't pronounce, music no one else likes and riding his bicycle in foreign cities.
He is also waiting for an irresistible job offer...
]]> If you are in Central Europe...
Go ahead and blow your nose – but don’t sniffle! Sniffling is considered very rude, and generally gross. Take a pack of tissues if you’re heading to the Czech Republic, Slovakia or Hungary. The locals will appreciate it!
In Russia...
Russians are famous for superstitious beliefs. For example, if a single woman sits at a corner of a table, this means that she will never get married. So, be careful when you choose your seat, or you may get a scolding from a well-meaning babushka. And be sure to only use the word "babushka" in the correct situation.
In Central Asia...
Bread is sacred in Central Asia and should never be thrown away. This region has been through many famines over the years. So finish that last bite of bread, or to save it for a snack. Just don’t toss it in the trash.
In China...
If someone pays you a compliment in China, you should deflect. For example, if someone says, “You’re a good teacher.” You should say, “Oh, it’s because you are a good student.” To agree with a compliment is considered a lack of proper humility.
Also, if someone hands you something (like a business card or document) accept it with a slight bow and use both hands. And use both hands to pass something to someone.
In North Africa...
Be careful when you use hand gestures in any foreign country. In North Africa, the sign for “OK” means “zero.” To be a “zero” is to be considered worthless or nothing. This gesture is very insulting and should be avoided at all costs.
In Vietnam...
Not everyone wants to see your teeth. It’s okay to use a toothpick, but be sure to use your hand to cover the front of your mouth.
In Cambodia...
In Cambodia, the foot is considered the dirtiest part of the body. This makes sense as you walk through Cambodian streets full of potholes and puddles. So don’t let the bottom of your foot point toward anyone. Take small steps and keep both feet on the floor when sitting.
And in the Middle East...
Showing someone the bottom of your shoe (or throwing your shoe at them) is the ultimate insult. Keep your feet on the ground in public.
What have you learned that might save someone from an embarrassing situation? Send your notes here and we'll share them with the world.
Later this summer I'll be hosting some contests where I'll be giving away books and CDs. Stay tuned here - and send me some of your suggestions for great books, music or professional gatherings that help with language learning!
My best to you,
Morf
Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.
I want to welcome readers to present thoughts on the ideal job. What do you most want to do? Where would you like to be? Who would you want to work with? Does anyone have an ideal work schedule?
About the author of this entry:
Morf has a B.A.from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and an MAT (Master's in Teaching English) from the University of Washington (Seattle). Morf currently teaches English and writing for a local technical/vocational college with many international students. Morf prefers international and independent films, foods he can't pronounce, music no one else likes and riding his bicycle in unlikely and ridiculous situations.
]]>One is named CUIL. (Yes, it is pronounced the way it is spelled). You can see details here - http://www.cuil.com/info/. According to their website, CUIL scans more, much more than competing search engines "three times as many as Google and ten times as many as Microsoft".
Also from their website - "Cuil is an old Irish word for knowledge".
And yes, Microsoft has a new search engine. It is called BING and has just been released. Microsoft is scheduled to spend 100 million dollars to make sure we notice it. Among other new features to outflank Google, we will be seeing Quick Tabs in the Explorer Pane and subcaetgories which will feature "Related Searches" and a "Search History" of your most recent search terms.
Bing allows you to search for videos across the web by length, screen size, resolution, and source. Their data base includes content providers Hulu, YouTube, ESPN, MTV and of course MSN. (For those teachers who read this, be sure to check out videos by Taylor Mali - a performance artist who has also been an eighth grade teacher).
I love scanning the web for encouragement and inspiration. Let us know of any of your favorite sites!
Later this spring and summer I'll be hosting some contests where I'll be giving away books and CDs. Stay tuned here - and send me some of your suggestions for great books, music or professional gatherings that help with language learning!
My best to you,
Morf
Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.
In June I want to welcome readers to present thoughts on the ideal job. What do you most want to do? Where would you like to be? Who would you want to work with? Does anyone have an ideal work schedule?
About the author of this entry:
Morf has a B.A.from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and an MAT (Master's in Teaching English) from the University of Washington (Seattle). Morf currently teaches English and writing for a local technical/vocational college with many international students. Morf prefers international and independent films, foods he can't pronounce, music no one else likes and riding his bicycle in unlikely and ridiculous situations.
]]>In general, themes will be related to topics like:
Applied Linguistics to EFL
Language Policy
ELT Methodology
CALL
Teacher Education
Curriculum Design and Evaluation
Foreign and Second Language Acquisition
This conference has a focus on those working - or planning to work - in Columbia. It is too late to submit a proposal for a prsentation, but for further information, you can email them at asocopi@yahoo.com.
ASOCOPI is a non-profit professional organization whose mission is to contribute to the ESL community and its influence in Columbia. They welcome contributions to their newsletter.
Later this spring and summer I'll be hosting some contests where I'll be giving away books and CDs. Stay tuned here - and send me some of your suggestions for great books, music or professional gatherings that help with language learning!
My best to you,
Morf
Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.
In June I want to welcome readers to present thoughts on the ideal job. What do you most want to do? Where would you like to be? Who would you want to work with? Does anyone have an ideal work schedule?
About the author of this entry:
Morf has a B.A.from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and an MAT (Master's in Teaching English) from the University of Washington (Seattle). Morf currently teaches English and writing for a local technical/vocational college with many international students. Morf prefers international and independent films, foods he can't pronounce, music no one else likes and riding his bicycle in unlikely and ridiculous situations.
Those who are interested in how Americans express themselves - and come to terms with the challenges in their lives would probably like to hear stories from Story Corps at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4516989. These are mostly conversation and stories between old friends and family members. These are available for podcasting and are all quite short and are suitable for class or small group discussion.
A much less polished, though perhaps more universal site is Good Stories for Good Learning which you can hear at -http://www.goodstoriesforgoodlearning.org/. This site is edited by a professor I work with. You will probably hear many of my students - in fact, you will probably hear a few of my stories as well.
I love stories. There is nothing like the actual voice of someone expressing a passion or accomplishment - or even basic survival - to help us feel anchored in the real world with fellow citizens of the world.
Later this spring and summer I'll be hosting some contests where I'll be giving away books and CDs. Stay tuned here - and send me some of your suggestions for great books, music and other resources that help with language learning!
My best to you,
Morf
Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.
In May and June, I want to welcome readers to present thoughts on the ideal job. What do you most want to do? Where would you like to be? Who would you want to work with?
About the author of this entry:
Morf has a B.A.from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and an MAT (Master's in Teaching English) from the University of Washington (Seattle). Morf currently teaches English and writing for a local technical/vocational college with many international students. Morf prefers international and independent films, foods he can't pronounce, music no one else likes and riding his bicycle in unlikely and ridiculous situations.
]]>"Fostering Cultural Awareness and Learning Competencies in EFL & ESL" October 1-4, 2009
If you'd like to do a presentation, send your information here - http://anupi.org.mx/Ingles/CongCallform.php. The deadline is May 30th so you better hurry.
You can see the speakers and topics of previous conferences...
As you can see, the focus has been - and continues to be - engaging and interactive approaches to language learning.
Here's a brief bio of the 2009 plenary speakers:
Mark Algren, President of TESOL for 2009-2010, is an Associate Director of the Applied English Center at the University of Kansas, USA. Mark has been an ESL/EFL teacher and program administrator since 1979, and has spent 14 years teaching in and directing IEPs in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and taught for a year in Hong Kong. With a strong interest in professionalism, standards, and accreditation, he has served on the TESOL Professional Development Committee, and on a task force to develop the Self-study Guide for International Reviews for CEA (Commission on English Language Program Accreditation) and has been a program site reviewer for CEA.
Luis Cabrera graduated from the Mexican American Institute in Mexico City and has worked at CELE, UNAM (National Autonomous University of Mexico) for 18 years. He is the current head of the English Department at CELE. He has given workshops on listening and pronunciation in ANUPI, ArgentinaTESOL, BrazTESOL, Puerto Rico TESOL, TESOLSpain, MexTESOL and GreeceTESOL. He created and conducted the educational TV Series “Let’s listen… Inglés con cine, música y algo más” (TV, UNAM, CUAED, EDUSAT, Canal 22) and also conducted “Asi es China” (CCTV) in Beijing, China.
Elise Klein has been active in the field of international education for 20 years. As an educator, academic director, program director, curriculum developer, teacher trainer, facilitator, workshop presenter and speaker, Ms. Klein has worked in the field of ESL and cross-cultural communication both domestically and abroad doing her part to bring the world closer together.
Ms. Klein is president and founder of TAP, Teachers Against Prejudice, a grassroots non-profit organization which works with students and educators on issues dealing with prejudice and discrimination through the critical exploration and examination of television, film, and other media. Whether in print or on the airwaves, her focus is on human rights, civil rights, and equality for all: raising awareness of prejudice and discrimination while creating open environments for discussion and fostering critical thinking in people of all ages and backgrounds.
If you are, or know of a Mexican based instructor who would like to earn a Master's Degree in Applied Linguistics from Georgia State University (GSU) through TIES - English Language Education Strengthening Partnership, check out http://sites.google.com/site/upninatlanta/. The deadline is June 1st - so get on it!
]]>This is the music of survival - of pain, loss and determination. This is music that is honest, unpolished and sometimes challenging.
This is music written by people who couldn't write music - in fact many of the early Blues singers couldn't write at all. Or read.
These singers used simple lyrics and basic rhythms to tell stories - mostly stories of hope in desperate times and situations.
One of the basic structures is the call and response that was also used in Black gospel music. This was where the singer would sing out a line and the audience would sing back a response. Again, this was because of the limited literacy of both the singers and the audiences of the 1920s and '30s in the Deep South.
This music would fun - as well as instructive - as a means of combined cultural and language learning.
For more background on the Blues and the roots of rock and roll, be sure to check out the great PBS historical sweep of American Roots music at http://www.pbs.org/theblues/.
And for a truly inspirational experience, look for the profile of Pete Seeger at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/pete-seeger/the-power-of-song/50/. Seeger wrote many of America's best known and enduring folk songs, including "Where Have All The Flowers Gone," "If I Had A Hammer," "Turn Turn Turn," and "Wimoweh."
I would love to host a radio series with a focus on these roots of where much of modern music came from. There is an old saying, "The Blues had a baby and named it rock and roll". If you like rock or Rap or Jazz, and you like stories, you'll love the Blues.
Take a listen, I think you'll like it.
I'll be posting notices of future ESL and other language conferences, let me know of any in your circle of influence.
Later this spring and summer I'll be hosting some contests where I'll be giving away books and CDs. Stay tuned here - and send me some of your suggestions for great books and music that help with language learning!
My best to you,
Morf
Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.
In May and June, I want to welcome readers to present thoughts on the ideal job. What do you most want to do? Where would you like to be? Who would you want to work with?
About the author of this entry:
Morf has a B.A.from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and an MAT (Master's in Teaching English) from the University of Washington (Seattle). Morf currently teaches English and writing for a local technical/vocational college with many international students. Morf prefers international and independent films, foods he can't pronounce, music no one else likes and riding his bicycle in unlikely and ridiculous situations.
]]>May 28 - 30, 2009 there will be a conference in Washington, DC. sponsored by George Washington University, Georgetown University and The Center for Applied Linguistics.
Here are some excerpts from a few of the theme descriptions:
"A central issue in language teacher education is the question of what constitutes the knowledge base of language teaching and how it relates to the processes and content of teacher education. This theme will include research and perspectives on: teachers’ knowledge and beliefs; teacher learning informal and informal contexts; teachers’ ways of knowing; teacher socialization; professional development; and the nature of disciplinary knowledge."
"Language Teacher Education takes place in multiple contexts and with diverse populations, where language, culture and identity are intricately bound together. These contexts are often impacted by actions taken by formal and informal decision-making bodies, which may or may not involve the participation of teacher educators. This theme will include critical and analytical perspectives on: institutions, communities, and discourses within which teacher education practices are situated; language education policy and planning; power, status, and authority in language teacher education; diversity and equity in language teacher education, including issues of race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and language; the socially situated nature of language and learning; and issues related to policy, such as standards, legislative mandates, recruitment and retention, and advocacy by language teacher organizations."
"A key element in teacher development is effective collaboration between those individuals and institutions preparing teachers and their professional counterparts currently engaged in language teaching and learning. This theme will examine: ways in which teacher education recognizes the shared development of professionals; models or structures of collaboration that stress ongoing teacher development including mentoring and professional development schools; examples of and/or research on collaboration in which teacher development and research inform each other; and research, projects, or practices that recognize teacher expertise and the teacher voice as pivotal in addressing issues of language teaching and learning."
And don't miss the sessions on "program design; curriculum models; pedagogy; teacher assessment; organization of instruction; field experiences; observation/supervision; self-study of practice; and action research".
Plenary speakers will be Jack Richards from The Regional Language Center who will speak on "Second Language Teacher Education in Times of Change", Bill Johnston from Indiana University who will speak on "The Moral Lives of Teacher Educators", Karen E. Johnson from Penn State University whose topic will be "A Sociocultural Perspective on Language Teacher Education" and Simon Borg from the University of Leeds who will speak on "Teacher Cognition and Communicative Language Teaching".
Check out http://nclrc.org/lte2009/ for further details. There are also pre-conference workshops on May 28th.
It sounds like fun - I'd be there if my schedule allowed.
I'll be posting notices of future conferences, let me know of any in your circle of influence.
Later this spring and summer I'll be hosting some contests where I'll be giving away books and CDs. Stay tuned here - and send me some of your suggestions for great books and music that help with language learning!
My best to you,
Morf
Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.
In May and June, I want to welcome readers to present thoughts on the ideal job. What do you most want to do? Where would you like to be? Who would you want to work with?
About the author of this entry:
Morf has a B.A.from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and an MAT (Master's in Teaching English) from the University of Washington (Seattle). Morf currently teaches English and writing for a local technical/vocational college with many international students. Morf prefers international and independent films, foods he can't pronounce, music no one else likes and riding his bicycle in unlikely and ridiculous situations.
]]>A few universities feature classes with a focus on his music, his cultural impact and of course his lyrics. One example is here - http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102188564.
He has just released his thirty-third album. His first release was in 1962. And his latest, Together Through Life, was just released.
My favorite Dylan albums are the ones that feature his lyrics - especially Blood on the Tracks, Highway 61 Revisited and his 1997 grammy winner, Time out of Mind.
Anyone learning (or teaching) American English would do well to use some songs of Dylan. They are filled with vintage American imagery and dreams and fantasies that are peculiarly American - yet somehow universal and timeless. His songs speak of hope and fear, determination and confusion, loss and longing. There is a fullness and an emptiness, a seriousness and a sense of absurdity in his songs that continues to appeal to me.
Dylan also references the works of many poets and writers; T.S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and of course Dylan Thomas are only a few.
If you want to share with your students music that aches with provocative lyric intensity, check out Bob Dylan's collections. For a Dylan retrospective, check out http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15193203.
I'll be hosting some contests soon where I'll be giving away books and CDs. Stay tuned here - and send me some of your suggestions for great books and music that help with language learning!
My best to you,
Morf
Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.
In May and June, I want to welcome readers to present thoughts on the ideal job. What do you most want to do? Where would you like to be? Who would you want to work with?
About the author of this entry:
Morf has a B.A.from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and an MAT (Master's in Teaching English) from the University of Washington (Seattle). Morf spent about six years working for a Native American Tribal College, a few years teaching various humanities, English, writing and ESL courses with the community college system in Washington State (including one year as part of a faculty exchange program with The Beijing Foreign Language University). While in China, Morf was briefly a radio host for CRI (China Radio International) and did recordings for the "English can be enjoyable" book and tape series. Morf currently teaches English and writing for a local technical/vocational college with many international students. Morf prefers international and independent films, foods he can't pronounce, music no one else likes and riding his bicycle in unlikely and ridiculous situations.
]]>Did you ever consider the aspects of your culture that define it? These are usually almost impossible to see from inside one’s culture but are glaringly obvious to….
]]> ….those visiting or observing from outside.
One time I was teaching an English class on the West Coast of the United States and I had two young ladies who had just flown in from Japan the previous weekend.
As part of our introductions on the first day of class, I asked these two students what other people had told them about America – and Americans.
“Everyone told us that Americans are very friendly and never take anything seriously.”
I was expecting warnings about crime or violence, difficulties (at least in our area) with mass transit or perhaps issues related to food. In other words, I was expecting warnings related to comfort and personal safety – not the level of sociability of a typical American.
As the quarter came to a close, I asked these two students “Remember those two things you were expecting about Americans? Were they true? Were Americans friendly and not serious about things?”
They laughed, “Yes, absolutely!”
I’m not sure what I was expecting after their first ten or so weeks in America. I did assume that they were serious students (and they were), but I really wondered how they had been welcomed into the social lives of the American students they saw each day.
They reminded me that far more can happen – and be learned – when studying or working abroad - outside the classroom than within it. I'd still like to see more of what they saw and experienced of the "real" America.
As Mark Twain put it “I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.”
What should we know about your culture that we won't find in books or classrooms?
I'll be hosting some contests soon where I'll be giving away books and CDs. Stay tuned here - and send me some of your suggestions for great books and music that help with language learning!
My best to you,
Morf
Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.
In May I want to welcome readers to present thoughts on the ideal job. What do you most want to do? Where would you like to be? Who would you want to work with?
About the author of this entry:
Morf has a B.A.from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and an MAT (Master's in Teaching English) from the University of Washington (Seattle). Morf spent about six years working for a Native American Tribal College, a few years teaching various humanities, English, writing and ESL courses with the community college system in Washington State (including one year as part of a faculty exchange program with The Beijing Foreign Language University). While in China, Morf was briefly a radio host for CRI (China Radio International) and did recordings for the "English can be enjoyable" book and tape series. Morf currently teaches English and writing for a local technical/vocational college with many international students. Morf prefers international and independent films, foods he can't pronounce, music no one else likes and riding his bicycle in unlikely and ridiculous situations.
]]>On most collections liner notes and lyrics usually come in at least four languages; English, Spanish, French and German. What a fun way to get students thinking (and moving) according to a different tempo.
I don't work with little kids, but if I did, I would definitely use these collections as sing-alongs and song writing inspirations. Even if you can't understand the words - the music is just plain fun.
The Putumayo kid's series CDs that I have heard are Caribbean Playground, Raggae Playground, French Playground and the newest release (in mid-May) an eclectic European mix titled European Playground.
Check out videos here - http://www.putumayo.com/en/putumayo_kids_videos.php
I'll be hosting some contests soon where I'll be giving away some of these collections. Stay tuned here - and send me some of your suggestions for great books and music that help with language learning!
My best to you,
Morf
Listen, read and speak. Make your new language your own.
In May I want to welcome readers to present thoughts on the ideal job. What do you most want to do? Where would you like to be? Who would you want to work with?
About the author of this entry:
Morf has a B.A.from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington and an MAT (Master's in Teaching English) from the University of Washington (Seattle). Morf spent about six years working for a Native American Tribal College, a few years teaching various humanities, English, writing and ESL courses with the community college system in Washington State (including one year as part of a faculty exchange program with The Beijing Foreign Language University). While in China, Morf was briefly a radio host for CRI (China Radio International) and did recordings for the "English can be enjoyable" book and tape series. Morf currently teaches English and writing for a local technical/vocational college with many international students. Morf prefers international and independent films, foods he can't pronounce, music no one else likes and riding his bicycle in unlikely and ridiculous situations.
]]>