Week 4 – Discussion 1

Code Switching is essentially the process of adjusting your language use to a social situation.  It is a key component in “getting along” in a social situation – at home, at work, talking with friends, meeting new people, etc.  

View the video, What Matters – Code-Switching: Communication That Matters.  Think about your own use of code switching.  Describe three situations in which you use code switching, paying special attention to the social and language cues that cause you to do this.  Be sure to evaluate the effectiveness in your code switching efforts.  

Guided Response:  Review and respond to at least two classmates’ posts.  Provide a compare/contrast analysis between your use and your classmates’ uses of code switching.  How are they similar? How are they different?  What effect(s) could this have in a classroom setting?  Also, be sure to respond to any questions from your instructor.

Carefully review the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate this Discussion Thread.

Week 4 – Discussion 2

For this discussion, select one of the options below:

Option One:  You are traveling in a country in which you do not know the language.  You are trying to understand and make sense of the social and cultural context you find yourself in so that you “fit in” better.  What are four concrete actions you can take to do this?  Which of these actions do you think will be the most effective in understanding the social and cultural context?  Please support your response with information and examples from the text and readings, course materials, and your own experiences.

Option Two:  You have traveled to China where the social and cultural context is, in many ways, quite different from that of American culture.  In addition, the lexicon is based on symbols instead of letters and the typology and meaning of words is based on tone.  Keeping this in mind you have arrived with no reservations for lodging or food.  What are the research-based strategies you would use to make yourself understood well enough to get a place to stay and a meal?   

Respond to one of the two discussion prompts, and evaluate your own responses to determine the most effective approach to developing the appropriate understanding.   This evaluation should include your analysis and rationale for selecting your strategies, as well as your reasons for selecting your final strategy(ies).  

Guided Response:  Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts.  Be sure to also respond to any questions from classmates and the instructor.

Carefully review the Discussion Forum Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate this Discussion Thread.

Week 4 – Assignment

Process for Supporting New Students

For this paper, you will consider the culture shock that many new students experience in the United States.  Use this preliminary understanding, in conjunction with the ideas posited by your classmates in this week’s discussion board, to determine how to best support students in this transitional period.  Consider the research and develop a step-by-step process that you would follow or share with colleagues to support these new students.  In addition to using at least two scholarly sources, be sure to use one multi-media source in creating your process.

In your paper, include the following:

1. Describe the target audience and standard(s) being addressed.
2. Discuss the significance of social and cultural context in understanding language.
3. Describe in detail the step-by-step process to support new students.

The paper should be two to three pages, not including the title and reference page, and formatted according the APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.  Use at least two scholarly references and multi-media source.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.