Glossing and L2 Learning

Glossaries are indispensable to readers of all genres, but they are especially useful in vocabulary building and reading comprehension, particularly for second language (L2) learners.  Glossing a language by utilizing interactive and engaging exercises and tools can help L2 learners advance their comprehension proficiency.

GLOSS (Global Language Online Support System) offers students a variety of  situational online opportunities to learn a second language. Glosses on this site are organized by content areas such as culture, society, economics, science, technology, and the like. Similarly, the types of activities for each content area are available in a range of proficiency levels and include text and multimedia options. Assessment questions, such as multiple choice questions,  are based on the content provided to self-test comprehension. The sites also provide correct responses with feedback. Within each situational exercise, for example, if you check off French - society and culture- students can read about the francophone community or listen to a news report about “deadly winter fires and fire prevention measures” while learning about ongoing and past tense events.
L2 glosses such as the one highlighted can complement instruction, and underscore Vygotsky and Krashen’s second language theories that are supportive of social experiences and monitor feedback as effective teaching and learning modalities.

...for the moment
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Learning with Morrie

Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays with Morrie is a wonderful book to learn and discuss human development and communication. Published in 1997, the book has sold more than 14 million copies. A close friend and kindred spirit, Eva, gave me the book as a gift years ago, and as I read it recently, I appreciated friendship even more. Morrie’s aphorisms (as well as his love of music and dance) resonated with me on many levels as I pondered philosophies and realities about relationships, life and forgiveness.

The book is a pleasure read. As a teacher of communication studies, I could not resist underlining phrases and earmarking pages that could help me exemplify to students various theories, stages and characteristics of human communication.

Reading about death, never mind the idea of a slow and suffocating demise, is arguably depressing. Albom’s approach and Morrie’s courage and wisdom, however, reaffirm living and hope. Relevant and revealing discussions about faith, marriage, work, friendship, fear, ambition and desire are presented in a manner than all can relate. No matter an individual’s cultural, academic, or professional background, or even one’s social, political or economic status, Tuesdays with Morrie’s reality check levels the playing field.

Several reflective quotes from the book:

“when you learn how to die, you learn how to live”

“…And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it.”

“ They will only envy you…only an open heart will allow you to float equally between everyone.”

We all have the potential to learn vicariously. This book offers many noteworthy lessons. Inspirational.

...for the moment...


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