Answer to Question #220149 in English for Phumzile Zondi

Question

Multilingualism means the ability to speak more than one language. The term is also used to refer to a community of speakers in which two or more languages are used, or users of several language live and socially coexist. In other words it is the opposite of monolingualism. A seriously multilingual society is by implication multicultural. Where there is a Democratic dispensation with equality of status and role for all the languages the Democratic ethos and culture of the society is also robust. Prah,K.K 2010. "Multingualism in Urban Africa: name or blessing." Journal of Multicultural Discourses, 5(2): 169-182

Instruction: Using Toulmins strategy of creating a claim or thesis, evidence or support and a warrant when writing an argument, construct an argumentative essay based on the following topic.

Is multilingualism beneficial beneficial or not? Discuss the topic that multilingualism should be used in education in order to enhance educational development, improve pass rates and promote diversity.

Answer 1

Multilingualism is an individual speaker or a community of speakers to communicate effectively in three or more languages. However, in contrast with monolinguals, the ability to use only one language. Therefore, a person who can speak multiple languages is known as a polyglot or multilingual. More so, multilingualism is good for us all, not only students pursuing studies. Not only does speaking more than one language keep our brains healthy as we age, but also it has multiple benefits for children too. Which includes giving them an academic advantage and improving their employment prospects once they leave school. Moreover, multilingualism gives us access to more than one culture and improves our understanding of our own cultures. 

Henceforth It has long been recognized that one of the key characteristics of high-quality teaching is the ability of teachers to engage students’ prior understandings and experiences, and background knowledge. This prior knowledge is encoded in their home languages, and therefore teachers must facilitate the transfer of both concepts and skills from students’ home languages to English. Therefore, when teachers tap into this type of knowledge by building relationships with their students and their wider social networks, they allow for meaningful learning opportunities. Teaching practices that tap into multilingual ways of reading, writing, and speaking allow students to access the cultural resources that enhance the personal significance of their classroom work and expand access to knowledge through texts in more than one language.