4/24/12

Kubota’s reading discusses Japan and the position of language globalization, specifically English. In technical definition, globalization is the relations that are being formed between one group, nation and another. In Kubota’s article there is a term called Koskusaika that is defining globalization as the understanding of people and culture in international communities via social culture.  People view this as a deficit to the multifaceted country that Japan truly is. English is highly being promoted and Japan is now taking on American values and customs. I can only imagine the death to several languages, customs, and rituals that could take place as this phenomenon continues.  These languages are being neglected in the schools and are being made less important on a daily basis. With the possibility of being stereotypical, I often associate Japan as a prideful country full of accomplishment. I think of it as an empire that we do closely compete with and was confused to know that they wanted to be so much ‘like us.’

The demographic diversity of this country was not something that completely shocked me. I have been raised in schools learning ‘Mexican’ Spanish. How does one define ‘Mexican Spanish’ ? I have had professors of different Mexican American, even South American descent. Some are American and simply have learned the language structure of the language spoken in Mexico. I have lived in Spain and learned the nature of a Spain Spanish speaking dialect. As a future bilingual educator, the question of what version of Standard English to teach; is vital. We talk much about BICS and CALP, the social and classroom skills that an ELL has. As much as it is a difference in setting, audience and purpose will greatly influence the language proficiency of a student.

“World English” – On page 372 Matsuda states “teachers need to help students understand the perceived boundary … between what works and what doesn’t.”  I think I have often focused on language as a whole, and disregarded the concept of actually teaching reading and writing. I remember being a tutor for a girl from China last year and always editing her papers. I was heavy on the red pen. I was inconsiderate of the fact that I was not helping her learn the key concepts. I was pulling apart her paper and not looking at the whole. This article really opened my eyes on writing instruction when it comes to teaching English language learners language in writing. It helped set a goal that in the long run I must help students grasp the concept of being able to write a paper that says something, versus it simply being written correctly.