Reason: 48
Language is a means of expressing thought and the study of a foreign language reveals the anatomy of thought. Each language has its own modes of expression, and the contrast and comparison of different modes of expression leads to a more accurate sense of logical processes and a closer observation of the finer shades of meaning
Reference:
Leathes Report (1918) cited in Byram, M. (1997) "Cultural awareness" as vocabulary learning’ in the Language Learning Journal, No. 16, pp. 51-57
Related Keywords:
Knowledge, Language awareness, Linguistics
Reason: 183
Each language manifests a fresh coming-together of sounds, grammar and vocabulary to form a system of communication, which while demonstrating certain universal principles of organisation and structure, is an unprecedented event and a unique encapsulation of a world view
Reference:
Crystal, D. (2000) Language Death (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Related Keywords:
Diversity, Knowledge, Linguistics, Uniqueness
Reason: 184
The more languages we study, the fuller our picture of the human linguistic options will be. Languages which are off the beaten track are especially important, as their isolation means they may have developed features which are not found in other languages
Reference:
Crystal, D. (2000) Language Death (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Related Keywords:
Diversity, Knowledge, Less Widely Used and Lesser Taught (LWULT) Languages, Linguistics, Uniqueness
Reason: 185
Differences in the way languages use grammar are always illuminating, especially those which help to quash the myth of primitiveness in indigenous languages. There are many languages which provide ways of expressing an area of experience that actually offer more points of contrastivity than are available in languages like English or French
Reference:
Crystal, D. (2000) Language Death (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Related Keywords:
Diversity, Less Widely Used and Lesser Taught (LWULT) Languages, Linguistics, Uniqueness
Reason: 186
Several of the grammatical features found in indigenous languages present us with ways of talking about the world that have no counterpart in the well-known Western languages
Reference:
Crystal, D. (2000) Language Death (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Related Keywords:
Diversity, Knowledge, Less Widely Used and Lesser Taught (LWULT) Languages, Linguistics, Uniqueness
Reason: 199
Exploration of structures which contrast with English.. directly promotes growing awareness of how language works, while teaching the lesson that English is only one way, not the way, in which meaning can be expressed
Reference:
Hawkins, E. (1981) Modern Languages in the Curriculum (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Related Keywords:
English Mother Tongue, Language awareness, Linguistics
Reason: 304
Plurilingual and pluricultural competence promotes the development of linguistic and communication awareness, and even metacognitive strategies which enable the social agent to become more aware of and control his or her own spontaneous ways of handling tasks and in particular their linguistic dimension. In addition, this experience of plurilingualism and pluriculturalism: exploits pre-existing sociolinguistic and pragmatic competences which in turn develops them further; leads to a better perception of what is general and what is specific concerning the linguistic organisation of different languages; by its nature refines knowledge of how to learn and the capacity to enter into relations with others and new situations
Reference:
Council of Europe (2001) Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Related Keywords:
Communication, Intercultural competence, Key skills, Language awareness, Learning, Learning strategies, Linguistics, Multilingualism
Reason: 325
In principle, each language provides a new slant on how the human mind works and how it expresses itself in linguistic categories
Reference:
Crystal, D. (2000) Language Death (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press)
Related Keywords:
Diversity, Knowledge, Linguistics, Uniqueness
Reason: 357
Modern Foreign Languages provides opportunities for pupils to develop the key skill of: Communication, through developing their awareness of the way language is structured and how it can be manipulated to meet a range of needs, and through reinforcing learning in specific areas such as listening, reading for gist and detail, and using grammar correctly
Reference:
DFEE, QCA (1999) Modern Foreign Languages: The National Curriculum for England (London: HMSO)
Related Keywords:
Communication, Key skills, Language awareness, Language learning skills, Learning, Linguistics, Secondary sector
Reason: 359
Through the study of a foreign language…Pupils also learn about the basic structures of language. They explore the similarities and differences between the foreign language they are learning and English or another language, and learn how language can be manipulated and applied in different ways. Their listening, reading and memory skills improve, and their speaking and writing become more accurate. The development of these skills, together with pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the structure of language, lay the foundations for future study of other languages
Reference:
DFEE, QCA (1999) Modern Foreign Languages: The National Curriculum for England (London: HMSO)
Related Keywords:
English Mother Tongue, Key skills, Language awareness, Language learning skills, Linguistics, Secondary sector
Reason: 435
The formal study of a language provides students with a metalanguage for discussing the characteristics and components of any language, including their native language
Reference:
Reagan, T. (2004) 'Don't know much about the French I took' in Arts and Humanities in Higher Education, Volume 3 (2), pp. 229-239
Related Keywords:
English Mother Tongue, Language awareness, Linguistics
Reason: 643
When you do a language degree, you develop a much more sophisticated knowledge of English grammar than other people
Reference:
language undergraduate
Related Keywords:
English Mother Tongue, HE (Higher Education sector), Language awareness, Linguistics

700 Reasons to study languages...