Welcome to ED684 Educational Linguistics

ESOL Endorsement Program with Western Oregon University

Course Introduction
Contextualization of the topic: The History of the Evolution of Language
Presentation of scientific research on the History of Language presented by the
NOVA-Science Now series titled WHAT MAKES US HUMAN aired in OPB
October 10, 2012.
pbs.org/wgbh/nova/evolution/what-makes-us-human-pro.
Episode explores scientific research on the qualities that separate human
beings from the millions of other animal species: a) DNA and the Neanderthal
ancestry of humans; b) areas of the brain that are necessary for language; c)
laughter, are we the only animals that laugh?

1. What kind of evidence scientist depends on to trace the history of language?

2. How far back do scientists think humanoids had speech?
3. What is the hypothesis of the evolutionary changes that paved the way for
the evolution of language?
4. What is Language?
5. In order to have language you first have to have
6. One of the many parts of the brain associated with language is the
______________ area. This areas is especially important when it comes to
___________________.
7. Today, there are ________________languages spoken throughout the world.

L.Heller-Mafrica

10/23/12