language and languages

"A . . . scholar's . . . treatise on how learning other languages can change how we see the world, for the better"--Provided by publisher.

Explores the histories of twenty languages and dialects, looking at their commonalities and differences.

Offers advice to educators on how to help students in grades five to twelve learn to understand and use the academic language they need to succeed in school, looking at general types of academic language, as well as topic specific variations.

Discusses the connections between politics, language, and race.

"Language is a . . . tool that humans have developed and advanced far more than any other species. The key to utilizing this tool lies in our mental power. What does the brain do to help us learn and use language? What must happen in our minds so that we communicate effectively? This text covers the basics of speaking and listening, but it even goes into . . . areas such as dyslexia and creative expression. Readers are guided through the . . . world of linguistics and the brain's . . . role in helping us understand and be understood"--Provided by publisher.

"The new girl, from Morocco, doesn't speak. She doesn't speak. She doesn't speak English, that is. But when a classmate welcomes the girl to share her native Arabic, the two forge a forever friendship while learning about the vast wonders in the world around them"--Jacket flap.

Mimi is a writer and when she finds that some of her favorite words for natural things, such as wren, violet, and dandelion, are disappearing she appoints her granddaughter, Brooke, as the keeper of wild words, and shows her how to bring them to life by knowing, appreciating, and using the things they stand for.

Stephen Krashen reviews the fundamentals of his theory of second-language acquisition, describes the research supporting the theory, refutes criticism, and examines the promise for progress in theory and application.

"We gravitate toward people like us; it's human nature. Race, class, and gender affect this social identity, but one overlooked factor can be even more powerful: the way we speak. As pioneering psychologist Katherine Kinzler reveals, . . . that's because our speech largely reflects the voices we heard as children. We can change how we speak to some extent, whether by 'code-switching' between dialects or learning a new language. But for the most part we are forever marked by our native tongue-and are hardwired to prejudge others by theirs, often with serious consequences. Your accent alone can determine the economic opportunity or discrimination you encounter in life, making speech one of the most urgent social-justice issues of our day. Ultimately, Kinzler shows, our linguistic differences can also be a force for good. For her research reveals that exposure to different languages is beneficial-a paradox that hints at the benefits we can reap from mastering this ancient source of tribalism"--Provided by publisher.