How to Augment Language Skills outlines ways in which translators and language providers can expand their skillset and how translation technologies can be integrated into language learning and translator training. This book explains the basics of generative AI, machine translation, and translation memory suites, placing them in a historical context and assessing their fundamental impacts on language skills. It covers what to teach in a specific context, how to teach it, how to assess the result, and how to set up lively class discussions on the many problematic aspects. The exploratory empirical approach is designed to reach across several divides: between language education and translation studies, between technology designers and users, between Western and Asian research, and between abstract ideas and hands-on practice. Features include: Fifty-seven technology-related activities for the language and/or translation class. Recent research on the capacities of generative AI. Examples of how to conduct a needs analysis in the Higher Education context. Comparisons of the main teaching methods. Ways to assess the use of technologies. Examples in Chinese, Spanish, Catalan, French, and German. A full glossary explaining the key terms in clear language. Drawing on years of classroom experience, Pym and Hao illustrate how these skills can be taught in a range of classroom and online activities, making this essential reading for teachers and researchers involved in the teaching of languages and the training of translators.

The fourth edition of the foundational, widely adopted AAC textbook Augmentative and Alternative Communication is the definitive introduction to AAC processes, interventions, and technologies that help people best meet their daily communication needs. Future teachers, SLPs, OTs, PTs, and other professionals will prepare for their work in the field with critical new information on advancing literacy skills; conducting effective, culturally appropriate assessment and intervention; selecting AAC vocabulary tailored to individual needs; using new consumer technologies as affordable, nonstigmatizing communication devices; promoting social competence supporting language learning and development; providing effective support to beginning communicators; planning inclusive education services for students with complex communication needs; and improving the communication of people with specific developmental disabilities and acquired disabilities. An essential core text for tomorrow's professionals--and a key reference for in-service practitioners--this fourth edition prepares readers to support the communicative competence of children and adults with a wide range of complex needs.

This book presents a current, interdisciplinary perspective on language requisites from both a biological/comparative perspective and from a developmental/learning perspective. Perspectives regarding language and language acquisition are advanced by scientists of various backgrounds -- speech, hearing, developmental psychology, comparative psychology, and language intervention. This unique volume searches for a rational interface between findings and perspectives generated by language studies with humans and with chimpanzees. Intended to render a reconsideration as to the essence of language and the requisites to its acquisition, it also provides readers with perspectives defined by various revisionists who hold that language might be other than the consequence of a mutation unique to humans and might, fundamentally, not be limited to speech.

Emerging technologies are becoming more prevalent in global classrooms. Traditional literacy pedagogies are shifting toward game-based pedagogy, addressing 21st century learners. Therefore, within this context there remains a need to study strategies to engage learners in meaning-making with some element of virtual design. Technology supports the universal design learning framework because it can increase the access to meaningful engagement in learning and reduce barriers. The Handbook of Research on Acquiring 21st Century Literacy Skills Through Game-Based Learning provides theoretical frameworks and empirical research findings in digital technology and multimodal ways of acquiring literacy skills in the 21st century. This book gains a better understanding of how technology can support leaner frameworks and highlights research on discovering new pedagogical boundaries by focusing on ways that the youth learn from digital sources such as video games. Covering topics such as elementary literacy learning, indigenous games, and student-worker training, this book is an essential resource for educators in K-12 and higher education, school administrators, academicians, pre-service teachers, game developers, researchers, and libraries.

This reference work is the first to examine pragmatic language disorders of clients in complex and underserved populations. In chapters written by a range of experts, the unique pragmatic language skills of clients are examined, allowing for a broad overview. The text gives focus to client groups ​with complex cognitive and psychiatric problems and children and adults that have been underserved by clinical language services ​because of maltreatment and social exclusion. Pragmatic disorders are examined in ​children ​with sensory loss, children who have been exposed to HIV and substance abuse, and adults with Huntington's disease and other complex neurodegenerative pathologies. This Handbook is an essential reference for researchers and clinicians in speech-language pathology, linguistics, psychology, and education.

Task-based language instruction has proven to be highly effective, but surprisingly underutilized. Theory can only go so far and hands-on experience can greatly speed and enhance the learning of a second language. Nineteen talented instructors who have successfully implemented task-based programs explain the principles behind the programs, discuss how problems were resolved, and share details on class activities and program design. Each chapter takes the reader through the different stages in designing and setting up such programs, adjusting them, and appraising and testing them in normal classroom conditions. This book covers TBI syllabus and program design and is based on actual classroom experience. Any one of the courses or programs discussed can serve as models for others. Many of the contributors are highly respected practitioners who are presenting their programs for the first time, while others are regular participants in today's ongoing dialogue about teaching methods. Full of concrete, adaptable models of task-based language teaching drawn from a number of countries and eleven different languages—including Arabic, Chinese, Czech, English, French, German, Korean, Spanish, and Ukrainian—Task-Based Instruction in Foreign Language Education presents proven, real-world, practical courses and programs; and includes web-based activities. It demonstrates useful and practical ways to engage students far beyond what can be learned from reading textbook dialogue. TBI involves the student directly with the language being taught via cognitively engaging activities that reflect authentic and purposeful use of language, resulting in language-learning experiences that are pleasurable and effective. For all instructors seeking to help their learners enhance their understanding and grasp of the foreign language they are learning, Task-Based Instruction in Foreign Language Education is a rich and rewarding hands-on guide to effective and transformative learning.

This essay sheds light on the importance of language skills and elucidates the benefits of enhancing your language skills. Moreover, how improving your language skills will strengthen your communication skills and persuasiveness is delineated in this essay. The eminent importance of building language skills as an indispensable component of cultural training programs is often overlooked. Language skills are critical to hone for effective communication skills of which employees who are slated to be transferred to the company's overseas division should competently master. The importance of knowing multiple languages and understanding cultural nuances goes beyond being able to attain more success in an international corporate environment. The benefits of honing language skills are multitudinous and can be highly advantageous for the individual to eminently enhance. "Language not only enhances the capability to understand other cultures, but the ability to understand, speak, read, and write in world languages, in addition to English, is critical to success in business, research, and international relations. Moreover, foreign languages are the most critical communication tools we have to develop relationships across cultures and solve complex cross border challenges-both at home and overseas. In a business setting, communicating in the first language of the client results in more effective business" ("25 Reasons Why," 2017). "Language training renders employees more confident when working with teams, partners, and vendors. Beyond, language acquisition being a bridge into other cultures, new empirical evidence suggests that language learning also encourages the development of empathy and effective interpretive skills. Language learning is only going to grow in importance as globalization makes the world more and more interconnected and 71% of business leaders are currently planning to grow in markets in which English is not spoken" ("25 Reasons Why"). The benefits of enhancing language skills are unequivocally profound since it allows you to more efficaciously communicate with more ethnic groups, bridge into more cultures, pursue more career opportunities abroad, more effectively navigate through foreign environments, and be able to better understand the needs of more cultural groups. Being multilingual and knowing how to communicate more effectively and persuasively with ample ethnic groups by competently understanding their needs, body language, and cultural nuances is a pragmatic and transferable skill that can be applied to contexts outside the business world. For instance, these language skills render traveling less of a cumbersome process, public speaking in foreign countries less strenuous, and networking abroad far more viable since possessing robust language skills from being multilingual can help dismantle language barriers. Moreover, possessing stellar language skills allows you to more seamlessly be successful in foreign environments, especially when you are not stifled by cultural misunderstandings, communication issues, and insurmountable language barriers. Also, improving your lexicon by assimilating more vocabulary words will not only help you better articulate your thoughts and ideas, but will also allow you to speak more persuasively as a result of having significantly improved verbiage to leverage. Being able to understand the subtleties of social ques, body language, and the audience responsiveness of foreign cultural groups will also allow you to further hone your public speaking skills and persuasiveness by being able make adjustments in real time to ameliorate your speeches based on the audience's receptiveness. Improving your language skills entails also augmenting your emotional language skills so that you can speak with more conviction, impact, and influence. Persuading the audience also involves not only establishing common ground with your audience, but also framing your message in a persuasive manner.