Language for Peace Forum
In the News
Brain Development and Bilingualism
Here’s an interesting article on how being bilingual helps the brain to develop into a “more powerful, flexible brain.” A little motivation for language learning at any age!
Failing bilingualism in US public schools
An insightful article, How we kill languages and fail our cleverest children, looks at the limitations of views on bilingualism in United States public schools. Besides economic reasons, maintaining and supporting student’s first languages affirms them and their communities as valuable and valued in the society. Honouring our students’ mother languages is a very practical … Continue reading
Acting Out Helps ESL Students
In an article on the Scientific American site entitled How Acting Out in School Boosts Learning, the writer looks at the theory of “embodied cognition” in education. Connecting mind and body is shown to be helpful particularly for language learners. This also resonates with the holistic approaches in peace education.
Trying Harder Can Make Learning Language More Difficult for Adults
In Kelly Dickerson’s report Why Adults Struggle to Pick up New Languages, an experiment with adults shows that trying harder can actually make it more difficult to learn a language. Adults who were distracted with colouring actually picked up more of the functional grammar than those told to study for a test. How might this … Continue reading
Short-term ESL Program held by EMU in Lancaster school district
Eastern Mennonite University students connected with English language learners in the Lancaster school district for a two-week project. See more at EMU News.
Economic Reasons for Actively Welcoming Immigrants
A recent Forbes article entitled Welcoming Immigrants: Why Empathy Is Smart Economics For Cities describes the economic benefits of creating active ways of welcoming newcomers to a city. Language support for both learning the dominant language and providing interpretation services throughout the city services would be included as one aspect of “active welcoming.” While a … Continue reading
Restorative Justice in Education
In her blog post, Kathy Evans writes about caution needed in the trend towards restorative justice in educational settings in the United States. While recognising the significance of more schools implementing restorative approaches to discipline, she asks about the extent to which schools are nurturing restorative justice values. If “[r]estorative justice is as much an … Continue reading
Speaking Our Language
This article entitled “Qanuippit?” on the Canadian Education Society website highlights the challenges and importance of choosing to speak one’s language even while learning English to access more opportunities. Inuktitut speakers had been forbidden in the past to speak their language in schools. Now, this teacher is committed to speaking their language with students. Connecting … Continue reading
Language lessons of peace
A news release from Mennonite Mission Network about the Language for Peace Project. Check it out!
Social Narratives and “Right Remembering”
This article on Martyr stories and right remembering highlights the Lutheran-Mennonite conversations about the history of suffering and persecution. How does language influence our collective memories? How can language learners and educators contribute to remembering rightly and walking the path to reconciliation and forgiveness?
Language for Peace Forum 