The Teaching of Advanced Reading Skills in Foreign Languages, with Particular References to English as a Foreign Language

1977 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 73-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Brumfit
Author(s):  
Madelon van den Boer ◽  
Maaike H. T. Zeguers

Abstract To capture the complexity of foreign language literacy acquisition, we investigated cognitive skills underlying word reading, sentence reading, word vocabulary and sentence vocabulary in three different foreign languages. Students fluent in Dutch simultaneously acquired three foreign languages that differed in orthographic transparency and writing system (Spanish, French, Chinese). Cognitive skills at the start of literacy acquisition (Grade 7) were longitudinally related to literacy attainment in each of the foreign languages after two years of instruction (end of Grade 8). Structural equation regression models indicated that three areas (word and sentence vocabulary, and sentence reading) related most strongly to verbal and nonverbal intelligence, indicating the involvement of academic skills. For word reading the influence of cognitive skills appeared language specific. Across languages, native reading skills seemed to be employed to varying degrees of efficiency to decipher foreign words, more so for foreign languages with a smaller orthographic distance from the native language.


Reading is a universal and convenient means of obtaining the necessary information. Modern students have to read a large number of texts in foreign languages to obtain the necessary informa-tion from various fields of knowledge. A methodological system of studying at an institution of higher education that is unable to give proper reading skills cannot be considered effective and rational one. The purpose of the study is to consider reading as one of the main foreign language teaching strategies at an institution of higher education and determine the most effective types of reading at non-linguistic faculties in the context of reducing classroom hours, as well as, to determine the most appropriate teaching materials for successful realizing students’ reading skills. Reading is one of the receptive types of speech activity since it relies on the perception (recep-tion) of information within a written text. It includes techniques of reading and understanding. Combining two kinds of reading: analytical (based on training texts and performed mainly in classes) and extensive (outside the classroom) is the most effective approach. A training text is one of the main tools for forming and developing students’ reading skills and the ability to process different types of training texts and advances the ability to speak on profession-al-oriented topics. Taking into account the fact that students' knowledge of foreign languages varies widely, the text selection should be guided by one of the didactic principles – the principle of accessibility, which is reflected both in the content of the texts and in the lexical means that convey this content. At university scientific texts should be preferred as training ones, due to their main features, namely, logicality and lack of emotionality. The text, its content and reading strategies, which match the individual abilities of students and the arsenal of their knowledge of both the foreign language and the specialty, are essential means of controlling the student's motivation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 118-123
Author(s):  
Denysenko I.I. ◽  
Tarasiuk A.M.

The article is devoted to one of the advanced formats of foreign language teaching at high school, which effectively complements extramural and full-time forms of education – distance learning. The author emphasizes that the quality and effectiveness of foreign languages distance learning athigher educational establishments depends on effectively organized course; the pedagogical skills of teachers, participating in the educational process; the quality of applied methodical content.The main principles of foreign languages distance learning in higher education has been covered, the means of improving the quality and effectiveness of this educational format has been proposed, the key conceptual regulations of foreign languages distance learning has been determined. The article proposes a model for organizing foreign languages distance learning course for future specialists, describes a system to control and monitor the knowledge of all types of speech activities. It is also noted that independent work in the foreign languages distance course at high school should not be passive, but on the contrary, the student should be involved in active cognitive activities, not limited to acquiring foreign language skills, but necessarily includes their practical application; to solve certain communicative tasks in the future professional activity.The article concludes that in the process of organizing the foreign language distance learning course at high school, it is necessary to take into account not only the didactic characteristics and functions of multimedia and telecommunications as a technological basis, but also the conceptual trends of didactic distance learning as a component of modern education. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the specific nature of foreign language teaching in general.Key words: higher educational establishment, distance learning, multimedia means, independent work, information and communicative technologies, Internet, interactive engagement.


Author(s):  
Olena Ivashko

The article tackles the problem of teaching foreign languages to seniors. The general trends in FL education for the third-age learners are outlined. The institutions in which seniors can study foreign languages in Poland are enumerated. The psychological, physiological, methodological and social peculiarities of teaching a foreign language to the third agers are analyzed. Special emphasis is laid upon educational needs of the Third Age learners. Some language learning strategies which help seniors’ foreign language learning are suggested.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Prem Prasad Poudel ◽  
Madan Prasad Baral

Abstract In recent years, in Nepal, while some languages of the nation are on the verge of extinction, some foreign languages (such as Japanese, Korean, Chinese) are emerging as new attractions among the youths and adults and are widely taught in the marketplaces through the private sector initiative. Against this backdrop, in this article, we have examined the current foreign language teaching and learning situation drawing on qualitative empirical data obtained from the institutes involved in foreign language instruction in a city in Gandaki Province of Nepal. The data were collected from a survey in forty institutes, ten individual interviews and five focus group discussions. Drawing on the data, an ecological model was adopted, which focused on dynamic interaction, co-existence, and competition among languages, and findings were discussed in line with these aspects of ecological understanding. Findings revealed that learning foreign languages has been established as a conduit towards economic gains and opportunities for employment and education, which has largely been contributory towards reshaping the ecological relationship among the foreign languages in Nepal.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Szyszka

AbstractThis paper investigates multilingual learners’ attitudes to native (L1 – Ukrainian), second (L2 – Polish) and foreign (L3 – English) languages’ pronunciation, and discusses them from the perspective of structuring multilingual identity. In the study, the choice of the sample has been controlled in terms of the participants’ nationality and the context in which they acquire their second and foreign languages – variables that are interwoven in shaping identities. More specifically, the 40 Ukrainian individuals, taking part in the study, are in the process of a foreign language acquisition, English, embedded in the context of their second language, Polish. The attitudes to L1, L2 and L3 pronunciation of the 40 multilinguals have been measured quantitatively and analysed with the aim of providing more insight into understanding how individuals construe their multilingual identities. Negative relationships were found between those who reported an L1 accent as an important factor involved in the perception of their selves and the desire to sound native-like in L2 – Polish (r = −0.37, p < 0.05), and L3 – English (r = −0.43, p < 0.05). The latter variable, however, correlated positively with having native-like pronunciation as a goal in learning Polish (r = 0.75, p < 0.05) and English (r = 0.89, p < 0.05).


2018 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
pp. 01155
Author(s):  
Yuliya Savinova ◽  
Tatiana Akhmetzyanova ◽  
Svetlana Pozdnyakova ◽  
Ekaterina Dvorak ◽  
Zhanna Zarutskaya

The issues of the student engagement in science-related activities and the development of students’ language communicative competence are especially relevant in a technical university, where due to the prevailing of the Sciences, the professional communicative competence has become increasingly vital. The goal of this article is to examine how interdisciplinary scientific conferences for students held in foreign languages can foster the foreign language communicative competence of students. In the article, we present the definition and the three basic models of communicative competence. A method of pedagogical observation is used that represents comprehension and analysis of goal-oriented preparation of students for practical scientific conferences. We reveal the fact that interdisciplinary scientific conferences for students held in foreign languages allow educators to foster the foreign language communicative competence of students and deepen their knowledge in professional area, as well as to equip them with research skills since students’ participation in the conferences increases their attention and focus, motivates them to practice critical thinking skills of high level.


2020 ◽  
Vol XIII (XIII) ◽  
pp. 72-77
Author(s):  
L.D. KRIVYKH ◽  
◽  
O.B. BAGRINTSEVA ◽  

The article deals with the application of new technologies in teaching foreign languages. Substantiates the importance of the development of other forms and methods of teaching English to students of information technology disciplines. As well as drawing attention to the use of new information and communication technologies of the Internet. The article includes examples of the use of podcasts in the development of listening skills. The article is written for foreign language teachers, all interested in the methodology of teaching foreign languages, based on new technologies.


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