Speaking Worksheet
Language Change and Standards
Speaking Practice
1
Discussion
Discuss the questions. Ask follow-up questions and push for examples, evidence, and qualification.
- Who decides what counts as correct language?
- Should schools accept informal digital language in any written work?
- How do new words become legitimate?
- Can efforts to protect a language become exclusionary?
- Does translation technology threaten or support multilingualism?
2
Collaborative task
Create guidelines for a school language policy. Decide when formal accuracy matters and when variation should be accepted.
- exams
- digital communication
- dialects
- multilingual students
I would argue that...A more nuanced view is...The main trade-off is...That depends on whether...I see your point, but...The long-term consequence might be...
3
Report and challenge
Debate a controversial statement: Standard language protects opportunity, but it can also protect privilege.