LANGUAGE
, INDEX
Introduction to Language...…………………………………………………………........1
Material…………..……………………………………………………………………....5
Pre- reading and pre- writing……………..…………………………………........6
Gateway to Reading and Writing………………………………………………..25
Reading…………………………………………………………………………34
Function of words……………………………………………………………….56
Writing………………………………………………………………………...108
Application of reading…………………………………………………………128
Questions……………………………………………………………………………...129
Appendix………………………………………………………………………...……139
, INTRODUCTION TO LANGUAGE
The Encyclopaedia Britannica defines language as “an arbitrary system of vocal
symbols by means of which human beings as members of a social group communicate
and interact”.
Language is powerful, suggestive and emotive instrument of communication of
ideas or feelings by sounds (spoken) and signs (written). It is a unique possession of
human beings. Thanks to it, humans can express thoughts of the intelligence by sharing
them with their social circle allowing us to form relationships.
The diversity of languages around the world brings a range of world views in
relation with morals, values and beliefs. Language defines our experiences and culture,
but culture also defines our language. So, we can say that language and culture are
intertwined. Sometimes, this point can be miscommunicative between individuals or
nations because it is difficult to find a word in one language that translates to another
language. Another point is that language can make division between individuals, for
examen it can affect people´s thinking.
Also, words have changed with our culture and new words come into existence all
the time (selfie, photobombing). Furthermore, sometimes words can change their origin
meaning through history. Therefore, language is open ended and constantly evolving with
human experiences.
Human beings always needed language, is essential to communicate. They started
to communicate through drawings and pictograms. Then, symbols that became words
involving letters. Also, symbols represent sounds and the alphabet was created. The first
alphabet created was in the 11th century BC from Egyptian hieroglyphs in the Sinai area.
The survival of language, customs, religions and their modifications are due to the power
that children have of taking in unconsciously the spiritual attributes. Because of the
children and through the children man perpetuates a sort of instinct, suited to each group.
Language gives us the possibility of transmitting experiences from one generation to
another, thanks to the human tendency of communication.
When the child is born, has to adapt to the particular civilization and language into
which it is. From 0 to 6 the child is endowed with a special sensibility towards language
of his environment, helping him with the construction of his personality through the
1
, acquisition of characteristics. This is the earliest and most wonderful sensitive period in
the child´s development.
The sensitive period for language has already begun in the child long before he can
speak. We can see that since the child is born, without any help, he learns perfectly the
language that he hears, voices of the human being that surrounds and drawn him. At the
beginning the baby watches the mouth of others and makes vague soundless words.
Around six months he will make real sounds. Everyone must have heard a baby practicing
sounds and have notice the joy with which it carries out these exercises that prepare the
organs of speech. Voluntarily, the child´s mind listens to the spoken language that become
as “a kind of music that fills the soul”.
Language is communication and every child in the world learns the language of his
culture (Schaefer Zener, R. 2003). Child acquires language so exactly and firmly that
forms part of his psychic personality, this is called mother- tongue. The child takes the
words, sentences, the construction of the sentence to be able to understand, he absorbs
everything thanks to the absorbent mind (Montessori, M. 2007).
“A child can only acquire the words he hears spoken around him. This is not
teaching but absorption. The child is, by nature, hungry for words; he loves strange,
long words like the names of dinosaurs and constellations. He takes in all these words
without understanding their meaning, as his mind is still taking language in by a
process of unconscious absorption”
(Maria Montessori, The 1946 London Lectures)
So, the child takes in language without conscious effort with perfection. He can
pick up a language just by hearing it. The mind is active in order to become skilled in
speaking and understanding at the age of three.
When the child arrives to the children’s house, he has the opportunity to be part of
different experiences related to oral language. These activities are divided in three
important aspects, enrichment of vocabulary, structure and self- expression. Vocabulary
is the key for the child to understand what he hears and to communicate successfully with
others around his environment, an example naming objects of the environment. Structure
helps the child to have a clear idea of how he can create something with an order, and
example, the question game. And self- expression, so that the child can express his
thoughts in a nice way in certain intendent situations, an example the news period.
2
, INDEX
Introduction to Language...…………………………………………………………........1
Material…………..……………………………………………………………………....5
Pre- reading and pre- writing……………..…………………………………........6
Gateway to Reading and Writing………………………………………………..25
Reading…………………………………………………………………………34
Function of words……………………………………………………………….56
Writing………………………………………………………………………...108
Application of reading…………………………………………………………128
Questions……………………………………………………………………………...129
Appendix………………………………………………………………………...……139
, INTRODUCTION TO LANGUAGE
The Encyclopaedia Britannica defines language as “an arbitrary system of vocal
symbols by means of which human beings as members of a social group communicate
and interact”.
Language is powerful, suggestive and emotive instrument of communication of
ideas or feelings by sounds (spoken) and signs (written). It is a unique possession of
human beings. Thanks to it, humans can express thoughts of the intelligence by sharing
them with their social circle allowing us to form relationships.
The diversity of languages around the world brings a range of world views in
relation with morals, values and beliefs. Language defines our experiences and culture,
but culture also defines our language. So, we can say that language and culture are
intertwined. Sometimes, this point can be miscommunicative between individuals or
nations because it is difficult to find a word in one language that translates to another
language. Another point is that language can make division between individuals, for
examen it can affect people´s thinking.
Also, words have changed with our culture and new words come into existence all
the time (selfie, photobombing). Furthermore, sometimes words can change their origin
meaning through history. Therefore, language is open ended and constantly evolving with
human experiences.
Human beings always needed language, is essential to communicate. They started
to communicate through drawings and pictograms. Then, symbols that became words
involving letters. Also, symbols represent sounds and the alphabet was created. The first
alphabet created was in the 11th century BC from Egyptian hieroglyphs in the Sinai area.
The survival of language, customs, religions and their modifications are due to the power
that children have of taking in unconsciously the spiritual attributes. Because of the
children and through the children man perpetuates a sort of instinct, suited to each group.
Language gives us the possibility of transmitting experiences from one generation to
another, thanks to the human tendency of communication.
When the child is born, has to adapt to the particular civilization and language into
which it is. From 0 to 6 the child is endowed with a special sensibility towards language
of his environment, helping him with the construction of his personality through the
1
, acquisition of characteristics. This is the earliest and most wonderful sensitive period in
the child´s development.
The sensitive period for language has already begun in the child long before he can
speak. We can see that since the child is born, without any help, he learns perfectly the
language that he hears, voices of the human being that surrounds and drawn him. At the
beginning the baby watches the mouth of others and makes vague soundless words.
Around six months he will make real sounds. Everyone must have heard a baby practicing
sounds and have notice the joy with which it carries out these exercises that prepare the
organs of speech. Voluntarily, the child´s mind listens to the spoken language that become
as “a kind of music that fills the soul”.
Language is communication and every child in the world learns the language of his
culture (Schaefer Zener, R. 2003). Child acquires language so exactly and firmly that
forms part of his psychic personality, this is called mother- tongue. The child takes the
words, sentences, the construction of the sentence to be able to understand, he absorbs
everything thanks to the absorbent mind (Montessori, M. 2007).
“A child can only acquire the words he hears spoken around him. This is not
teaching but absorption. The child is, by nature, hungry for words; he loves strange,
long words like the names of dinosaurs and constellations. He takes in all these words
without understanding their meaning, as his mind is still taking language in by a
process of unconscious absorption”
(Maria Montessori, The 1946 London Lectures)
So, the child takes in language without conscious effort with perfection. He can
pick up a language just by hearing it. The mind is active in order to become skilled in
speaking and understanding at the age of three.
When the child arrives to the children’s house, he has the opportunity to be part of
different experiences related to oral language. These activities are divided in three
important aspects, enrichment of vocabulary, structure and self- expression. Vocabulary
is the key for the child to understand what he hears and to communicate successfully with
others around his environment, an example naming objects of the environment. Structure
helps the child to have a clear idea of how he can create something with an order, and
example, the question game. And self- expression, so that the child can express his
thoughts in a nice way in certain intendent situations, an example the news period.
2
