An understanding of language as open, dynamic, energetic, constantly evolving and personal encompasses the rich complexities of communication. This expanded view of language also makes educational experience more engaging for students. Language is not a thing to be studied but a way of seeing, understanding and communicating about the world and each language user uses his or her language(s) differently to do this. People use language for purposeful communication and learning a new language involves learning how touse words, rules and knowledge about language and its use in order to communicate with speakers of the language.

This understanding of language sees a language not simply as a body of knowledge to be learnt but as a social practice in which to participate. Language is something that people do in their daily lives and something they use to express, create and interpret meanings and to establish and maintain social and interpersonal relationships. If language is a social practice of meaning-making and interpretation, then it is not enough for language learners just to know grammar and vocabulary. They also need to know how that language is used to create and represent meanings and how to communicate with others and to engage with the communication of others. This requires the development of awareness of the nature of language and its impact on the world.

A. Scarino; A. J. Liddicoat. Teaching and learning

languages: a guide. Australia: Commonwealth of Australia, 2009, p. 16. Internet: <www.tllg.unisa.edu.au> (adapted).

According to the text, judge the following item.

In “each language user uses his or her language(s) differently", the elements “his” and “her” indicate possession.