Language and Bilingualism

1 Watch the Video and Answer the Questions!

Video extract: 00:00 to 5:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMmOLN5zBLY&start=0&end=300
1 What are the two active parts of language ability?
a Speaking and writing
b Listening and reading
c Speaking and listening
d Writing and reading

2 What is the critical period hypothesis?

a Children learn languages more easily because they use both hemispheres in
language acquisition.
b Learning a language in childhood may give you a more holistic grasp of its social and
emotional contexts.
c People who learn a second language in adulthood exhibit less emotional bias and a
more rational approach when confronting problems in the second language than in
their native one.
d Bilingualism can help delay the onset of diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia by as
much as five years.
3 What was the view of bilingualism before the 1960s?
a It was considered a handicap that slowed a child's development.
b It was considered a way to improve executive function, problem solving, and
focusing.
c It was considered a way to delay the onset of diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia.
d It was considered a way to make the brain more healthy, complex, and actively
engaged.
4 What is the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex?
a The part of the brain that plays a large role in executive function, problem solving,
switching between tasks, and focusing while filtering out irrelevant information.
b The part of the brain that contains most of your brain's neurons and synapses.
c The part of the brain that is more active in emotional and social functions.
d The part of the brain that is more dominant and analytical in logical processes.
 5 What are the advantages of being multilingual?
a Higher density of the grey matter that contains most of your brain's neurons and
synapses, and more activity in certain regions when engaging a second language.
b Delayed onset of diseases like Alzheimer's and dementia by as much as five years.
c More healthy, complex, and actively engaged brain.
d All of the above.

6 What is the difference between a balanced bilingual and most bilinguals around the
world?
a Balanced bilinguals have near equal abilities across the board in two languages, while
most bilinguals around the world know and use their languages in varying
proportions.
b Balanced bilinguals learn two linguistic codes simultaneously, while most bilinguals
around the world work with two sets of concepts.
c Balanced bilinguals learn a secondary language by filtering it through their primary
language, while most bilinguals around the world develop two linguistic codes
simultaneously.
d Balanced bilinguals learn English in school, while most bilinguals around the world
continue to speak their native language at home and with friends.
7 What does it mean to know a language?
a Language ability is typically measured in two active parts, speaking and writing, and
two passive parts, listening and reading.
b Knowing a language means having an easier time traveling or watching movies
without subtitles.
c Knowing a language means that your brain may actually look and work differently than
those of your monolingual friends.
d Knowing a language means having a more rational approach when confronting
problems in that language.

2 Let's Discuss These Interesting Questions!

Video extract: 00:00 to 5:00
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMmOLN5zBLY&start=0&end=300
1 Do you speak more than one language? If so, how has it affected your life?

2 What do you think are the advantages of being bilingual?

 3 Do you think learning a new language can change the way you think?

4 Have you ever experienced any difficulties while learning a new language?

5 Do you think it's important for everyone to learn a second language? Why or why not?

3 Can You Spot the Target Words in These Sentences?

1 I will have a shower before going out today.

2 I always wake up early in the morning.

3 My brother and I go to school together every day.

4 It's important to have breakfast in the morning to start your day off right.

5 I need to do my homework before I can watch TV.

6 After a long day at work, I can't wait to get home and relax.

7 I often fall asleep while watching TV in the evening.

8 I like to take my time getting dressed in the morning.

9 It's half past three and it's time for me to leave work.

10 It's a quarter past nine, so we need to hurry if we want to catch the bus.

11 It's a quarter to eleven, so we still have some time before our meeting starts.

12 My first name is Sarah.

13 My surname is Smith.

14 What is your post code? I need it to send you the invitation.

15 Your book is on the table over there.

16 Our school is located in the center of the city.

17 Their house is very big and beautiful.

18 I really like silver jewelry, especially bracelets.

19 Her wedding ring is made of gold.

20 That purple shirt looks great on you!

4 Can You Match These Words to Their Definitions?
1 half past a belonging to or associated with the person being spoken to
(singular)
2 gold b to complete the tasks given by the teacher outside of class time

3 post code c to start sleeping

4 have a shower d 30 minutes after the hour

5 our e to wash your body with water and soap

6 purple f a color between blue and red, often associated with royalty or
luxury
7 surname g belonging to or associated with people or things previously
mentioned or easily identified (plural)
8 have breakfast h to arrive at the place where you live

9 do my homework i to eat the first meal of the day in the morning

10 your j 15 minutes after the hour

11 wake up k to put on clothes

12 their l to travel to the place where you study during the day

13 fall asleep m the name that is given to a person at birth or when they are
named for the first time
14 get home n 15 minutes before the hour

15 quarter past o the family name, passed down from parents to children

16 get dressed p a yellow precious metal often used for jewelry or currency

17 first name q a series of letters and/or numbers used to identify a specific

area for mail delivery purposes
18 go to school r a shiny grayish-white metal often used for jewelry or coins

19 quarter to s belonging to or associated with the speaker(s) and other people

(plural)
20 silver t to stop sleeping and become conscious
5 Time to Read!
Barbie films are very popular among children. In one of the films, Barbie wakes up at 7 o'clock in
the morning and has a shower. She gets dressed and has breakfast at half past seven. She goes
to school and learns about different subjects like math, science, and history. After school, she
does her homework and then plays with her friends.
In the film, Barbie's first name is Barbara and her surname is Roberts. Her post code is 12345.
When she is with her friends, they always have fun together. They go on adventures and solve
mysteries. They also love to dress up in different colors like silver, gold, and purple.
Sometimes, Barbie and her friends have to work together to save the day. They use their skills
and intelligence to overcome challenges and obstacles. At quarter past six in the evening,
Barbie and her friends get home and have dinner with their families. They talk about their day
and share stories with each other.
At quarter to nine, Barbie starts to feel tired and falls asleep. She dreams about all the fun
things she did that day and looks forward to the next adventure. Barbie films are a great way to
learn about friendship, teamwork, and having fun. So, if you want to enjoy a good movie, watch
a Barbie film!

6 Can You Tell which Sentences are True and which are False?
1 Barbie wakes up at 6 o'clock in the morning.

2 Barbie goes to school and learns about different subjects like math, science, and history.

3 After school, Barbie does her homework and then plays with her friends.

4 In the film, Barbie's first name is Barbara and her surname is Roberts.

5 Barbie and her friends love to dress up in different colors like silver, gold, and purple.

6 Barbie and her friends never have to work together to save the day.

7 Barbie and her friends have dinner with their families at quarter past six in the evening.

8 Barbie falls asleep at quarter to nine.

9 Barbie dreams about all the boring things she did that day.

10 Barbie films are a great way to learn about friendship, teamwork, and having fun.
Correct Answers
1 Correct Answers:
1 a
2 a
3 a
4 a
5 d
6 a
7 a

4 Correct Answers:
1 d 2 p 3 q 4 e 5 s 6 f 7 o 8 i
9 b 10 a 11 t 12 g 13 c 14 h 15 j 16 k
17 m 18 l 19 n 20 r

6 Correct Answers:
1 False - Barbie wakes up at 7 o'clock in the morning.
2 True
3 True
4 True
5 True
6 False - Sometimes they have to work together to save the day.
7 True
8 True
9 False - She dreams about all the fun things she did that day.
10 True