Who speaks English?

Competency goals:

One of the competency goals in “International English” goes like this: Give examples of other varieties of English than those that are used in the Anglo-American core area and reflect on their distinctive character.

Research:

1. Decide on 3 countries to write about
2. You can find a list of dialects of the English language list here
3. Look here for some examples, Singapore English,South Africa, Indian, Chinese.
4. Read this article about “who speaks English” in the Economist.
5. The EF EPI 2011 report compares adult English proficiency around the world. The report is packed with insights including an overview of who is learning English and how they do it and a discussion of the role English plays around the world in 2011. Download report here. and read it.
6. English; The days of English as the world’s second language may (slowly) be ending, read this article
7. The difference between American and British English, the cast of Harry Potter figure out that the best way to quickly turn British into American is to lean on the “rhotic” r-sound that most British English speakers don’t pronounce after vowels at the end of syllables. The actors do it pretty well;

Tasks:

1. Write an entry on your blog where you cover the competancy goal listed above using all or some of the resources listed here.

Examples of students’ work

1. Martha on China, Singapore, Asia and South Africa.
2. Julie on Singapore English, Caribbean English and Hinglish.
3. Tonje on Singapore English

Scottish accent – too difficult to understand?

1. Take time to watch the youtube video below and explain how to pronounce the number 11!