Languages Around the World: More Than Just Words
Learning Goals:
- Learn new words about languages and communication.
- Talk about different languages you know and why it’s good to learn more.
- Read about the challenges of translating between languages.
- Listen to someone talk about the benefits of being multilingual.
- Write about the importance of languages in our lives.
Key Words:
- Language: A way of communicating using words.
- Multilingual: Being able to speak more than one language.
- Translate: To change words from one language to another.
- Dialect: A different way of speaking the same language, often specific to a region or group.
- Accent: The way someone pronounces words based on their background.
Let’s Talk About It!
- What languages do you speak?
- Have you ever tried to learn another language? Which one?
- What are some reasons why it’s good to know more than one language?
Let’s Read!
Layla is a translator. Her job is to take words written in one language and change them into another language. But it’s not always easy! Sometimes there are words or phrases that don’t translate directly. Layla has to think carefully about what the writer really means so she can say the same thing in the other language.
Listen and Learn!
(Teacher plays a short clip of a person explaining the benefits of being multilingual. Focus on simpler benefits, like making friends from different cultures, traveling more easily, and better job opportunities.)
Talk with a Partner!
One of you is a traveler who doesn’t speak the local language. The other is a local who is trying to help.
Example:
- Traveler: “Excuse me, do you speak English? Can you help me find the train station?”
- Local: (Speaks a different language but tries to understand) “Train station? Mmm… (Points in the direction of the train station)”
Homework:
Write a short paragraph about the importance of language in our lives. How do we use language to communicate? Why is it important to understand different languages and cultures?
Extra Fun:
If you can, learn a few basic words in a new language! Say hello, goodbye, thank you, and please.
