The pervasive problem of 'linguistic racism'
This is a list of key vocabulary and expressions from the article in order of how useful they are. The student must choose 6 items from the list to study in the lesson.
To get rid of (something/ someone)
To be guilty of (doing) something
To take a toll (on something/ someone)
To take the piss/ To take the piss (out of someone)
To overlook (something/ someone)
15 conversation-provoking questions related to the article.
1. What happened with the Ethiopian-accented member of staff?
2. Is all linguistic discrimination intentional and obvious?
3. What are some examples of how linguistic discrimination manifests itself?
4. How can we chip away at linguistic racism?
5. ‘Linguistic discrimination is pervasive in my native country.’ Is this true for you?
6. ‘Everyone who speaks English with a foreign accent is discriminated against in exactly the same way.’ Do you agree?
7. ‘It’s possible to learn a lot about a person just from the way they speak.’ Do you agree?
8. ‘We should do everything we can to prevent languages from dying out.’ Do you agree?
9. ‘In the future, the whole world will only speak English and this will be a very positive development.’ Do you agree?
10. ‘There is nothing that I can’t do or explain in English.’ Is this true for you?
11. ‘There’s nothing wrong with swearing.’ Do you agree?
12. ‘People with posh accents have better life opportunities, therefore schools should teach children how to develop posh accents.’ Do you agree?
13. ‘When it comes to discrimination, the way you sound is probably more important than the way you look.’ Do you agree?
14. ‘My only goal is to be understood, I don’t care if I have a foreign accent.’ Is this true for you?
15. ‘I received fantastic English lessons when I was at school.’ Is this true for you?