This month's issue of The Notebook is all about English Language Learners and programs that support them throughout the district.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
From The Notebook, School District of Philadelphia's Newsletter
This month's issue of The Notebook is all about English Language Learners and programs that support them throughout the district.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
My Multilingual Hero, Heidi Klum
It’s Wednesday and I need a study break so tonight I plan on indulging in a little guilty pleasure called Project Runway. Even though this show is mostly about a group of dwindling, drama-obsessed designers and their rat race to a Saturn Roadster, with the help of my favorite multilingual, Heidi Klum I am able to make multiple connections to my TESOL studies.
For instance, occasionally, the German born supermodel will mangle English idioms. In the second season reunion special, she remarked, “They’re selling like bagels” rather than like “hot cakes.” Poor Heidi. It is near impossible to understand all of these tiny cultural expressions!
One of my ESL students last year, Salimata, blurted out, “It’s raining peas and carrots!” She said it with such enthusiasm I didn’t have the heart to tell her she mixed up the expression. I think Salimata gets brownie points for attempting to hybrid two idioms!
I suppose these nonsensical phrases are passed down through the generations. One would need a talkative grandparent in order to grasp the sheer number of them floating around our North American English speaking community. I guess the English Language differs from the fashion world in the sense that “one day you’re in, and the next you’re out.” Apparently the idioms never die.
For instance, occasionally, the German born supermodel will mangle English idioms. In the second season reunion special, she remarked, “They’re selling like bagels” rather than like “hot cakes.” Poor Heidi. It is near impossible to understand all of these tiny cultural expressions!
One of my ESL students last year, Salimata, blurted out, “It’s raining peas and carrots!” She said it with such enthusiasm I didn’t have the heart to tell her she mixed up the expression. I think Salimata gets brownie points for attempting to hybrid two idioms!
I suppose these nonsensical phrases are passed down through the generations. One would need a talkative grandparent in order to grasp the sheer number of them floating around our North American English speaking community. I guess the English Language differs from the fashion world in the sense that “one day you’re in, and the next you’re out.” Apparently the idioms never die.
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