October 13, 2020 Chair of Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication of the Academy “Bolashaq” together with SIC “Rukhaniyat” held a discussion of Stephen Pinker’s book “Language as Instinct” as part of a special project “New Humanitarian Knowledge. 100 new textbooks in Kazakh language” within the state program “Rukhani Zhangyru”.
Stephen Pinker is one of the most advanced authors in philological and cognitive sciences, a Harvard University professor. His other famous books are “Words and Rules: Components of Language”, “How Does the Brain Work?”, “Substance of Thinking: Language as a Window into Human Nature”. He was awarded several important prizes for his work in education and research. He also writes periodically in The New York Times, Time, New Republic.
For his work “Language as Instinct” was awarded the prize of the American Psychological Association and the American Linguistic Organization.
This classic work answers questions about consciousness. The researcher tells with examples of the latest achievements and news regarding the relationship between language and consciousness, how language serves, how a child learns language and draws conclusions. This textbook is intended not only for university students, but also for all those interested in linguistics and psychology.
The purpose of the lecture is to create conditions for students to receive education in the state language in the best world examples of humanities.
Objectives: 1. Contribute to the increase of students’ professional skills and broaden the scope of knowledge in the humanitarian disciplines.
- organize the permanent work of students with electronic resources:
– https://openedu.ru/ to pass free courses
The “Library” section of the “Bolashaq” Academy website for systematization and updating of knowledge.
- To develop the reader’s culture of personality in the modern information environment.
The opening speech was made by the director of “Rukhaniyat” Center. A.U. Aupenova on the implementation of the special project “New Humanitarian Knowledge. 100 new textbooks in Kazakh language” in the framework of the state program “Rukhani Zhangyru”.
Senior lecturer of the Chair of Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication A.N. Kalizhanova emphasized the role of language in intercultural communication.
The head of the literary club “Philology Island” A.K. Khomutova announced the upcoming activities within the circle.
The participants of the educational lecture took an active part in the discussion of Stephen Pinker’s book “Language as Instinct” and answered the following questions:
- What knowledge do you think should be included in the textbook?
- Could you name your favorite textbooks?
- Based on your experience with textbooks, what are their strengths and weaknesses?
- What would you like to see in modern textbooks?
- After reading the “Language as Instinct” textbook, what did you pay attention to in the first place?
- What does “language” mean to you?
- What place do you give language in your life?
- What questions did the author raise in this textbook?
- What did the study of “Language as Instinct” give you?
This circle of questions caused a lively discussion among the participants of the meeting. This is a confirmation that the given vector of discussion is an actual trajectory, both for teachers and students. Each of the participants shared their personal experience of obtaining knowledge from textbooks, naming their strengths and weaknesses.
To get acquainted with the textbook “Language as Instinct” in electronic format, please follow the link: https://openu.kz/ru/book/til-instinkt
