The social context of English

Family Interactions

CARLOS PINALES

Workplace

• It involves acquiring language skills through interactions with family members at home.
• Examples: Conversations during meals, storytelling, watching English-language movies or TV shows together, helping with homework, playing language-learning games, and discussing daily activities in English.

• It occurs through communication with colleagues, participation in meetings and presentations, reading work-related materials, and receiving training or professional development.
• Examples: Email correspondence in English, participating in meetings conducted in English, giving presentations in English, attending English-language workshops or seminars, reading reports or manuals in English, and collaborating with international colleagues who speak English as a common language.

school environment

• It occurs through formal instruction, classroom activities, interactions with teachers and peers, and participation in extracurricular activities.
• Examples: English language classes, group discussions, presentations, reading English literature, participating in drama clubs or debates, writing essays, and attending English-language events or workshops.

Social contexts where english can be learned

community settings

• It involves engaging with English speakers outside of school or home, participating in community events, and utilizing resources available within the community.
• Examples: Joining English conversation clubs, attending cultural events where English is spoken, volunteering with English-speaking organizations, visiting libraries or community centers offering English resources, and interacting with English-speaking neighbors or local businesses.

Entertainment

• It involves consuming English-language media, such as movies, music, books, and online content, for leisure and educational purposes.
• Examples: Watching English-language movies or TV shows, listening to English songs or podcasts, reading English novels or magazines, playing video games in English, following English-language social media accounts, and attending English-language theater performances or comedy shows.