Hall chapter 4-5

I could not understand the story until I read it again and again. While I was reading I thought would take the reader's attention. I could not imagine that culture would kill that number of people one day. I think the problem is not with the culture but the problem with the people who imply the culture. Like what we have in the story of the introduction of the crash of the air plane, the co-pilot should put the culture a side and think about the 254 innocent people. There will be a clash for sometime and the Pilot will understand the matter.

It happens a lot to most of us. For example, some parents codify some rules and waiting for their children to obey. Unfortunately,parents, like other people are not complete and ideal. Some of the rules are contradicted. I think children have the right to know why is good and bed for them. they need explanation. Another example, Some students could not find reasons why some teacher feel angry when they correct their teacher. When I was a child I expect that whatever teacher says is something holly. From where de we get tis concept? Naturally, from our parents and the society that we live in.

From the reading I guess that the author mentioned a stereotype, which is means how society categorize people, as a virus and it can lead to discrimination and prejudice. In my point of view I am , to some extend, agree with other scholars who find some benefits of the stereotype. It could be helpful to make general expression, measure nation's success and solve problems by making some research and so on.

The next chapter discusses the idea of America as a melting pot. I do not believe that it will happen one day. The reason behind that is that they have different cultures, ethnics, understanding ...

Dialogues Around "Social Identity Investment and Language Learning

Comment on the 4th chapter "Dialogues Around "Social Identity Investment and Language Learning"

by Bonny Norton Peirce.

19th of September 2009

When I read the article and the stories, I realize that these are vivid pictures about what is going on in class room. I realize the meaning of needing to learn English and wanting eagerly to learn English. This can be seen when you read Ivan's situation. He had been asked to do a project which he thought it was a silly thing. Although he saw that it was as childish, he did it. He thought he did it appropriately. His teacher did not accept his work and he would not participate in the activity. Normally, He felt bad toward himself. You can feel how he felt when he was described as a poor student while she had a strong tendency toward Learning English. I think we have to ask ourself as teacher some questions like this, what kind of students in my class room?, what is the curriculum? And so on..

When I read Wong's story I was remembering my first time learning how to speak. The thing that I was afraid of is I did not like to make mistakes. I was not able to participate with people who were speaking fluently. My concern was about making mistake. I took many courses in English and my teacher told me that my English is not bad. The problem was that I can speak with my teacher and I could not speak with others. My be because he did not care about my mistakes or he inspired me to speak even I did some mistakes. I did my best and I met my teacher outside the class room and hanged up for hours. After that my English had improved and I could speak English with others.

From the passage I realize that social identity is “multiple” which means a site of struggle and subject to change. I understand that learning to speak English is an investment, so it can create a social interaction. However, some people lose the chance to speak because of the power relationship in society and being not ready to invest their identity p62.

On Discourse, Communication, and (Some) Fundamental Concepts in SLA Research"

Hi everyone, and I will more than a happy to read and comment on my blog here which is about (On Discourse, Communication, and (Some) Fundamental Concepts in SLA Research)

by ALAN FIRTH and JOHANNES WAGNER,

september, 6th

I think this is a helpful topic for both the researcher and the teacher to understand his students in a better way. We should understand that it is not easy to be a native speaker in a wink. SLA is a field that discuss how people acquire a second language in addition to their native language (mother tongue), whether the second language is English or any other language. I am strongly agree to differentiate between cognitive and mentalistic orientations, and the social and contextual orientations to language to understand both the discourse and communication of the native speaker NS p.285.

In (p. 287), it is written there if you would be more social and contextual view of language you have to concentrate on the communication rather than grammar. I highly agree to this way of speaking. Since my country,Saudi Arabia, is following the grammatical concept rather than the communicative concept of teaching, students have many problems to communicate with native speaker. For example I still remember this event because it happened to me when I spoke to a NS and he was a friend of my father. He asked me where are you? “I am barking right now” I answered. He just misunderstand what I was saying and he asked me what do you mean by this? I told him that I am trying to find a place to my car. He laughed and he told me that the word (parking and barking) is deferent in pronunciation. Because of this I understand that I should speak to native and focus on the communication. The same thing happen to NS and L (p.289) when the L is telling the NS that he is reading histories (meaning stories). As a result of this the NT misunderstand what is she doing. Other problems that I often face that some NSs told me that your language sounds Arabic, to some extent, especially in writing. From what I leaned from the article that contacting with NS is a key behind mastering the language.

I am not sure is misunderstanding happens among Nss and NNs? Can anyone be a native speaker? How? What is meant by semi native?

To sum it up, this article taught me that cognitive and mentalistic orientations, and the social and contextual orientations to language is important to communicate with the NS. That is why I am interested in taking this course( introduction to TESOL) I hope that I get all the objectives that is mention in this course.