Page - 57 - in Reflective Cosmopolitanism - Educating towards inclusive communities through Philosophical Enquiry

ELLA (MANUAL) 57 5. Now the students should try to go through the list of with words on the board and they must decide where the words belong: Do they belong to the concept of “language” or do they think they definitely do not belong to the concept. 6. Now they have to write the words in the inner or outer circle. 7. Now the students have to give reasons for why they put the word in the inner or outer circle or put them to the outside. 8. Discussion: The discussion should identify and evaluate reasons for retaining the words in that group or moving them in the center, or to the outside. Reasons can in- clude examples, counter-examples and definitions. 9. Plenary session to briefly summarize the outcomes in the groups. Which questions did the different groups focus on and what did the pairs work together? What did the students think about “language”? What interested them in the discussion? • What was the value of the discussion/dialogue? • Did anyone bring good reasons? • Did anyone ask questions? • Did anyone bring concrete examples? • Did they bring counter-examples? Discussion Plan: Language 1. How would you explain what “language” is to someone who has never heard the word? 2. What if everyone in the world spoke the same language? 3. What amazes you most about language? 4. How would you describe the connection between thoughts and language? 5. If you cannot speak someone’s language, how will you be able to communicate with the person? Exercise: Towards language Read the following statements and decide which ones you agree or disagree and give reasons why you decided this way. Agree Disagree ? “We do not choose the language into which we are born.” “All languages are equal.” “If everyone in the world just spoke English there would be fewer problems in the world.” “Everyone in my class shares the same dialect.” “To belong to a community you need to know the community’s language.” “Language can be used to speak out against unfairness.” “Language is used to divide.” “Language is used to connect and communicate with others.” “Animals have language too.”