Due Date: _____________
Speaking in Tongues – Extra Credit Assignment
The quotes below represent two different positions on the national language
debate. Use these as you reflect upon the questions you will answer for this
assignment.
“There is no country that has more linguistic assets. But we seem to take pride in
being monolingual and we even try to amend our constitutions to make sure that
we remain monolingual when the rest of the world under globalization is learning
second and third languages while we essentially shooting our own feet. It is a
national question. What does it mean to be an educated person in America today?”
– Dr. Ling-chi Wang (Scholar & Activist)
“U.S. businesses eagerly seek bilingual workers. The Department of Defense
spends millions to teach strategic languages. Yet voters have passed ‘English
Only’ laws in 31 states.”
“In this country, so much is offered to the children to speak other languages. We
don’t have to teach it in school. We really don’t. It’s taking away from their other
curriculum. In America we should speak English. This is America. I don’t think I
should be paying my taxes for someone else to learn a language.” – Kelly’s GreatAunt
Your answers to the questions should be approximately two pages typed, doublespaced. Please provide specific examples from the film. This extra credit
assignment is worth up to 20 points.
1. What new insights or knowledge did you gain from this film?
2. The “English-only” movement, which advocates that English be the official
and only language used in the United States, influences the life of language
minority children, their families, and educators working with them. Do you
agree or disagree with the “English only” legislation? Why or why not?
Due Date: _____________
Speaking in Tongues – Extra Credit Assignment
Rubric
CATEGORY 4 3 2 0
Quality of
Information
The information
clearly addresses
the two questions.
The information
somewhat addresses
the two questions.
The information
vaguely addresses
the two questions.
The information
does not address
the two questions.
Amount of
Information – two
double spaced pages
The length
requirement is met
75% of the length
requirement is met
50% of the length
requirement is met
25% or less of the
length
requirement is met
Organization The information is
very organized with
well-constructed
paragraphs.
The information is
mostly organized
with wellconstructed
paragraphs.
The information is
somewhat
organized, and
paragraphs are not
well constructed.
The information is
disorganized and
confusing.
Sources The essay includes
several supporting
details and
examples from the
film.
The essay includes
some supporting
details and examples
from the film.
The essay includes a
few supporting
details and
examples from the
film.
The essay does
not reference the
film.
Mechanics There are no
grammatical,
spelling or
punctuation errors.
There are almost no
grammatical,
spelling or
punctuation errors
There are a few
grammatical,
spelling, or
punctuation errors.
There are several
grammatical,
spelling, or
punctuation
errors.
