Power of Language

Philip Thompson

Eng 420
 More than reading, writing, math, science, or any other subject, language in and of itself

plays a wide role in shaping our ability to communicate effectively and develop as functioning

participants in the world around us. While reading and writing are a part of language, they are

simply tools used to help utilize its full potential. Language is power. It is a power that surges

through all communication, and must be tapped into. As educators it is essential that we help

students to utilize the tool of language so that they can better succeed in the world that lays

before them.

As I said earlier, reading and writing are only part of language. Being able to read and

identify words isn’t enough. We need to be able to interpret the meaning behind the words.

Likewise, putting a pen to paper means little without knowing how to give meaning to the

scribbles that you place upon a page. Ng and Deng state in their article, ​Language and Power,

that “The wide range of language functions and its versatility combine to make language

powerful”(2017). Language is the overarching idea behind communication, taking simple words,

and giving them power. Power to communicate. Power to persuade. Power to inform. Power to

connect.

Dr. Danielle McNamara explains in her ted talk that the power behind language stems

from its multidimensional nature(2017). For example, words are made up of various features

beyond just a simple definition. A word carries with it associations that can vary between

cultures and experiences. Words can also carry emotions with them, as well as images and

connotations. This variability allows words, and language as a whole, to generate a wide array of

meanings depending on the context. Dr. McNamara goes on to explain that by expanding on
students' language abilities we can use the skills they attain to “improve learning”(2017).

Studying language is so important because it improves students ability to learn in all other areas.

With language being such a vital tool to improve student learning and help them to

harness the power that language holds, it is important as educators for us to understand where to

put our focus. In her article, ​21st century skills and the English language classroom, ​Sara Davila

lists the 4 Cs of 21st century skills as being “communication, critical thinking, creativity, and

collaboration”(2016). In a world where technology is rapidly advancing and worldwide

communication can be found in our pockets, critical thinking and creativity play a vital part in

our students ability to adapt to the rapidly changing scenery of public communication. From

email, text messaging, and phone calls, to video chat and social media platforms, communication

with the world around us is nearly constant. Students need to be able to communicate effectively,

in a wide variety of language pathways. With all of this connectivity in place, we are now more

connected to the rest of the world than ever before, which makes collaboration an essential skill.

With all this said, the 4 Cs as presented above are clearly important skills for students to

develop in order to use language effectively in a modern world. Thankfully, Sara Davila also

shares a fantastic tip on how to hone these skills in our students. She refers to students as the

“most important resource available in the classroom”, suggesting that we utilize their natural

curiosity in order to get them engaged in learning(2016). By allowing for student input in the

lessons being put forth, educators can encourage students to engage by becoming a part in the

decisions behind their education. Giving students open ended tasks, such as finding an example

of a verb within images in a magazine, allows students to focus on learning while also expressing
themselves. They feel a sense of control over what they are learning, while still engaging with

the lesson at hand.

Coming from a background in behavior management, I have found that allowing students

to have a say in their surroundings goes a long way towards getting them to engage. For

example, allowing students to be a part in choosing what the established rules are at the start of

the year often leads to students being more inclined to respond to the rules, because they came up

with them themselves, rather than having been made by the teacher. In a similar way, allowing

students to play a part in shaping their education helps to engage their interests, while still

facilitating their development.

Language plays such a major role in shaping our interactions with people and the world

around us. The power that language holds to help us connect with others is a vital resource.

Beyond simple reading and writing, language skills help us to improve our learning capabilities

and better excel in all fields of study. As educators it is our professional and ethical duty to help

students grow in their understanding of language skills so that they can develop into successful

citizens of this modern world.

 References

​ etrieved from
Ng, S. and Deng, F. (2017). ​Language and Power. R

https://oxfordre.com/communication/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.001.0001/acrefore-

9780190228613-e-436

McNamara, D. (2017). The Power of Words and the Secrets of Language. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=266&v=bSdJYhID_AQ&feature=emb_logo

Davila, S. (2016). ​21st century skills and the English language classroom. ​Retrieved from

https://www.english.com/blog/21st-century-skills/