Weekly reading 5

WEEKLY READING 5

Umarova Z

Group 7T

It is an undeniably challenging task for postcolonial nations with a wide variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds to declare a single national and official language. Barry (2008) mentions India as an example since its population could not agree in terms of selecting a national language as a result of prior colonial administration of Britain. From my point of view, a country needs a national language so that the majority of its citizens can comprehend one another’s views.

In other words, mutual understanding among people should be a priority in choosing a national language.

Since foreign language learners may get confused while being exposed to the real world because of the existence of the varieties of the Standard English, which has been taught them in a classroom set-up, the EFL or ESL teachers should raise awareness and introduce students to distinct varieties of English. The materials should also be incorporated by authentic contents that can aid students learn systematically about how varieties can differ from each other in order to lay the foundations for life-long learning. EFL or ESL teachers should enable learners to effectively communicate in a maximum of situations by exposing them more to other varieties of English too.

Reference:

Barry, A. K. (2008). Linguistic perspectives on language and education. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.