Critical Response #5 - Student's Choice

One things I'd like to do for the next while for each class is allow students to guide the Critical Response criteria.  Hopefully you will all get a turn before the end of the year.  I'll expect you to find a video, article, picture, or anything you think can get us thinking  - and then discuss it a bit to set the table.  Keep in mind that there are no rules for your blogs, and you can write about whatever you want whenever you want, so if someone from 11C is inspired by something they see at 11l - you can respond to it.  Class participation and blog interaction/maintenance is a BIG part of your final scores and I'm constantly keeping record of good things I see going on.  For my other two 11C classes, we will decide who will come up with the next CR, but you are welcome to comment on this one as well if you truly enjoy the writing process. 

Changhoon was this week's lucky winner (at least I think he won), and I think he's come up with a gooder.  So, I now give you over to Mr. Oh:

Critical Response: Don't insist on English!

I found an interesting video clip at www.ted.com. Longtime English teacher, Patrick Ryan, asks a provocative question: Is the world's focus on English preventing the spread of great ideas in other languages? Ryan claims that the usage of English as a global language has something to do with the increasing rate of languages that have disappeared. Although she admits the need of English as a global language, she insists that English should not be a barrier. I think it is interesting concerning the situation of KMLA students. We need to take TOEFLs, SATs and many other tests - and for that we need to constantly improve our English skills. But it might be a good chance to look back at why we are spending so much time/money learning English, which isn't even our native language.

- from Changhoon Oh (11I-1 English Debate Class)

Thanks Changhoon. It's interesting. It reminds me of this other very short TED video also about English. China has the most English speakers of any country on Earth? Wow.