The Role of Culture in English Language Teaching a Case...

The Role of Culture in English Language Teaching: A Case Study of Schools of the Khasi Community in Semi-urban Areas. Introduction English Language is traditionally viewed as a code made up of words and a series of rules that connect them together. Language learning here, involves only vocabulary learning, and the rules for constructing ‘proper’ sentences. In most schools in Meghalaya, grammar is being taught at a very early age and students are expected to understand complex idiomatic phrases at the secondary level. Linguistic terminologies, rules of grammar, complex vocabulary, proverbs and their meanings have to be learnt by heart for them to overcome their board examinations. Such a situation only confuses the learners at a†¦show more content†¦And thirdly, language symbolizes cultural reality (it serves as a social identity for people). Learning a second language necessarily involves comparison with the learners’ first language, but the latter is generally perceived as causing ‘interference’ in the learning of the target language. So, students are taught to imitate, practice drills, and create speaking habits without addressing the larger complexities of language learning. In the language classroom, learners do not only learn about a culture but they try to understand themselves in relation to that culture. This process entails the transformational engagement of the learner in the act of learning. Students bring with them their own conceptions, misconceptions, experiences, feelings and understanding to the classroom, and as they interact with another culture, their views will continue to change and shape their learning as well as their identity. The diverse cultural understandings and experiences of the students are highly influential and therefore need to be taken into account. There are many approaches to teaching culture in language learning. Saluveer (2004) has divided them into two broad categories: Those that focus only on the culture of the target language (mono-cultural approach) and those that are based on comparing the learners’ own and the other culture (comparative approach). Risager (1998) describes four approaches to teaching of culture, namely, the intercultural

Biography of W.E.B. Du Bois, Activist and Scholar

W.E.B. Du Bois (William Edward Burghardt; February 23, 1868–August 27, 1963) was a pivotal sociologist, historian, educator, and sociopolitical activist who argued for immediate racial equality for African-Americans. His emergence as a black leader paralleled the rise of the  Jim Crow laws of the South and the Progressive Era. He was a co-founder of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) and has been called the Father of Social Science and the Father of Pan-Africanism. Fast Facts: W.E.B. Du Bois Known For:  Editor, writer, political activist for racial equality, co-founder of the NAACP, often called the Father of Social Science and the Father of Pan-AfricanismBorn:  February 23, 1868 in Great Barrington, MassachusettsParents: Alfred and Mary Silvina Du BoisDied:  August 27, 1963 in Accra, GhanaEducation: Fisk University, Harvard University (first African American to earn a doctorate degree from Harvard University)Published Works: The Philadelphia Negro,  The Souls of Black Folk, The Negro, The Gift of Black Folk,  Black Reconstruction,  The Color of Democracy, The CrisisAwards and Honors: Spingarn Medal, Lenin Peace Prize  Spouse(s): Nina Gomer, Lola Shirley Graham, JuniorChildren: Burghardt, Yolande, stepson, David Graham Du BoisNotable Quote: â€Å"Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year. It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefuln ess of tomorrow. Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime.† Early Life and Education Du Bois was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, on February 23, 1868. The Du Bois family was one of the few black families living in the predominantly white town. In high school, Du Bois was already focussing on racial inequality. At age 15, he became the local correspondent for the  New York Globe  and gave lectures and wrote editorials, spreading his ideas that  black people needed to politicize themselves. Du Bois attended an integrated school where he excelled. Upon his graduation from high school, members of his community awarded Du Bois with a scholarship to attend Fisk University. While at Fisk, Du Bois experience of racism and poverty was markedly different from his life in Great Barrington. Du Bois, consequently, decided to dedicate his life to ending racism and uplifting black Americans. In 1888, Du Bois graduated from Fisk and was accepted to Harvard University where he earned a master’s degree, a doctorate, and a fellowship to study for two years at the University of Berlin in Germany. He was the first black American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University. Academic Teaching Career Du Bois followed his first teaching job at Wilberforce University with a fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania to conduct a research project in Philadelphia’s seventh ward slums. Researching racism as a  social system, he was determined to learn as much as he could in an attempt to find the â€Å"cure† for prejudice and discrimination. His investigation, statistical measurements, and  sociological interpretation  of this endeavor were published as  The Philadelphia Negro. This was the first time such a scientific approach to studying social phenomenon was undertaken, which is why Du Bois is often called the Father of Social Science. Du Bois next taught at Atlanta University, where he remained for 13 years. At Atlanta University, he  studied and wrote  about morality, urbanization, business and education, the church, and crime as it affected black society. His main goal was to encourage and help social reform. Opposition to Booker T. Washington Initially, Du Bois agreed with the philosophy of Booker T. Washington, the preeminent leader of African-Americans during the Progressive Era. Washingtons activism and life work were all aimed to help black Americans become skilled in industrial and vocational trades so they could open businesses, assimilate into American society as engaged citizens, and become self-reliant. Du Bois, however, came to greatly disagree with Washingtons incremental, compromising approach and he outlined his arguments in his collection of essays, The Souls of Black Folk, published in 1903. In these essays, Du Bois argued that white Americans needed to take responsibility for their contributions to the problem of racial inequality. He delineated the flaws he saw in Washington’s argument, but nevertheless, he also agreed that black Americans must take better advantage of educational opportunities to uplift their race as they simultaneously fought racism directly. In The Souls of Black Folk he elaborated on his concept of double-consciousness: It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at ones self through the eyes of others, of measuring ones soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his twoness—an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two unreconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder. Organizing for Racial Equality In July 1905, Du Bois organized the Niagara Movement with William Monroe Trotter. Niagara Movement took a more militant approach to fighting racial inequality. Its chapters throughout the United States fought local acts of discrimination and the national organization published a newspaper, Voice of the Negro. The Niagara Movement dismantled in 1909 and Du Bois, along with several other members, joined with white Americans to establish the NAACP. Du Bois was appointed director of research. In 1910, he left Atlanta University to work full-time as the publications director at the NAACP, where he served as the editor of their magazine The Crisis from 1910 to 1934. In addition to urging black American readers to become socially and politically active, the hugely successful publication later showcased literature and visual art of the Harlem Renaissance. Break With the NAACP By the 1930s, the NAACP had become increasingly institutionalized while Du Bois had become more radical. Because of these differences with the NAACP, he left the magazine and organization in 1934 and returned to teaching at Atlanta University. Du Bois was one of a number of African American leaders investigated by the FBI, which claimed that in 1942 his writings indicated he was a socialist. At the time, Du Bois was chairman of the Peace Information Center and was one of the signers of the Stockholm Peace Pledge, which opposed the use of nuclear weapons. Racial Upliftment Throughout Du Bois’ career, he worked tirelessly to end racial inequality. Through his membership in the American Negro Academy, Du Bois developed the idea of the â€Å"Talented Tenth,† arguing that educated African-Americans could lead the fight for racial equality in the United States. Du Bois’ ideas about the importance of education would be present again during the Harlem Renaissance. During this flowering of black literary, visual, and musical art, Du Bois argued that racial equality could be gained through the arts. Using his influence during his time as editor of The Crisis, Du Bois promoted the work of many African-American visual artists and writers. Pan-Africanism Du Bois concern for racial equality was not limited to the United States. He was an activist for equality for people of African descent throughout the world. As a leader of the Pan-African movement, Du Bois organized conferences for the Pan-African Congress, including its first in 1919. Leaders from Africa and the Americas assembled to discuss racism and oppression—issues that people of African descent faced all over the world. In 1961, Du Bois moved to Ghana and renounced his U.S. citizenship. Death Over the course of his two years in Ghana, Du Bois health deteriorated. He died there on August 27, 1963, at age 95.  Du Bois was given a state funeral in Accra, Ghana. Legacy Du Bois was a central leader in the fight for racial upliftment and equality in the 20th century. In the world of academia, he is considered to be one of the founders of modern sociology. His body of work  inspired the creation of a critical journal of black politics, culture, and society called  Souls. His legacy is honored annually by  the American Sociological Association  with an award for a career of distinguished scholarship given in his name. Sources Appiah, Anthony, and Henry Louis Gates, editors. Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience. Oxford University Press, 2005  Du Bois, W.E.B. (William Edward Burghardt). Autobiography of W.E.B. DuBois: a soliloquy on viewing my life from the last decade of its first century. International Publishers, 1968.Lewis, David Levering. W.E.B. Du Bois: Biography of a Race 1868–1919. Henry Holt and Company, 1993

Violence Theory And Gender Role Theory - 942 Words

The violence that surrounds homes can be summarized in the culture of violence theory and gender-role theory. The culture of violence theory looks at the broad acceptance of violence in our society and concludes that its acceptance is the foundation for violence within the family. Gender-role theory blames the traditional socialization of children into gender roles. Domestic violence plays a huge part in which parent will have custody of minor children. The culture of violence that is presented tries to understand why and how violence is committed in the family. The culture of violence theory looks away from the violence in the house hold. Violence inside our homes is not to be questioned outside of the home. Police involvement was not a primary concern when dealing with an in house altercation. Violence is still occurring and over the last century or so we have started to really analyze what is happening in homes. Parents have been known to watch sibling’s fights and just consider it bonding or children being children. These actions are encouraging children to fight amongst themselves. Words are not always enough to end arguments. Words should be all you need to end an argument one answer should be more logical than another or a compromise should be able to be made. When words fail which happens a lot of history as all of the wars are recalled. Violence somehow changes viewpoints you either kill your enemy or forced them into believing your view points.Show MoreRelatedEssay on Theories of Causation of Crime and Its Solution 1250 Words   |  5 Pageshistory of criminal theory, spiritual and natural theories are taken as major theories of causation of crime. During medieval period, spiritual explanations were taken as punishment given by god for doing wrong things and any natural disasters like flood, fires, etc were evaluated as curse of high power. 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Teenagers Have Too Much Freedom free essay sample

Young people today have too much freedom. Do you think? Nowadays, many teenagers are spoiled; they are doing things which are unsuitable for their age. You may ask, why? Personally I think that some kids have too much freedom. Majority take the privilege for granted and doesn’t know how to control them. It’s a pity to see students in midnight wandering in streets smoking, when they are supposed to be sleeping at home. It is also sad to see youngsters taking drugs, when they are supposed to be studying. These cases happen a lot in our daily life; the young people make uses of their so called ‘freedom’ to do whatever they want irrepressibly. I say youngster’s parents are to blame, responsible for their offspring’s rampant acts. They allow their child to too much freedom and money, yet they don’t endow them any guidance. As a result, the young people who are undisciplined will misunderstand how to use freedom properly which leads to cases of youngsters smoking, taking drugs, committing crime, suicide and even promiscuity. We will write a custom essay sample on Teenagers Have Too Much Freedom or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page All these will cast a big effect in the society which results in immorality. Sometimes, you can see students on the street associating with a gang of youths wasting their precious time, smoking and saying swear words; you may even see teenagers in discos dancing, taking drugs and having alcohol. The worst is to read news of promiscuity about youngsters having sex for gratification and stimulation. These are all results of exploiting and misusing freedom. In addition, parental guidance and care are neglected. To conclude, I strongly agree that young people nowadays have too much freedom. Due to the lack of experts’ guidance and care, those undisciplined teenagers have no clue about what and how freedom has its limits or how it should be consumed. Freedom is life, but not when you abuse the privilege.