Reaching International Students: Effective Teaching in Today’s Classroom Global English Lisa Springer Erich Dietrich

Session Overview What is Global English? Examples of Usage Self-Awareness Practice in Using Global English: Translation Discussion

What is Global English? Clear, concise usage that does NOT assume native fluency of others 360 Million native speakers of English 800 Million non-native speakers of English

Non-Global English Idioms Phrasal verbs Cultural references Business-isms Sarcasm

Idioms A group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words Off the top of your head Cut and dry Low hanging fruit

Phrasal Verbs Idiomatic use of a verb plus another element Break it down, stick to it, hand in, see the light, pick your brain Put: Put up with, put someone down, put two and two together, put the screws to, put your finger on, put your foot in your mouth, put your foot down, put up or shut up

Cultural References Sports Music Movies Television Advertising Geography Food

Cultural References Baseball You’re up On deck Out of left field Strike out Three strikes and you’re out Step up to the plate Make it to the big leagues

Cultural References Film/Movies The Wizard of Oz Follow the Yellow Brick Road Lions and tigers and bears, Oh My Ruby Slippers We’re not in Kansas anymore

Business-isms/ Corporate Speak Leverage Mover and shaker Big Shot Big Wig Rank and file Real piece of work Step on his toes Buy-in Cutting edge Boil the ocean Drink the Kool-Aid Ducks in a row It is what it is

Busy work life in the Big City I’m swamped He’s in over his head She’ll get the hang of it Call me when you come up for air

Sarcasm Saying what we don’t mean Beautiful day, isn’t it? This will be a breeze! Are we having fun yet? Do I look like a people person? Well that’s just what we need!

Tips for Using Global English Contextualize. Tell listener what you’re talking about. Say it twice in different ways Choose vocabulary wisely. Latinate versus Germanic (which tends toward phrasal verbs). “Comprehend” or “understand” versus “get it.” Use examples Ask whether the listener has understood you

For Discussion Does Global English deprive the speaker of complexity of thought and expression? Isn’t it important that our students actually learn non-Global (colloquial) English? Does Global English lack warmth and personal connection? Does becoming self-conscious of Global English distract from effective teaching?

THANK YOU Lisa Springer Erich Dietrich