Research in applied linguistics and language teaching and learning in Singapore (2000–2007)

2009 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 317-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rani Rubdy ◽  
T. Ruanni F. Tupas

In this review of research in applied linguistics and language teaching and learning in Singapore, more than one hundred national publications for the period 2000–2007 will be reviewed. Since this period encompasses certain changes that were introduced in Singapore schools at the start of the new millennium, it would be appropriate to take stock of the studies that showcase these changes. These studies fall under five main areas of local research: norms, standards and models; English language curriculum and policy; reading and writing instruction and research; mother tongue teaching and learning; and the teaching of English to international students. In this review, representative work under each research area will be discussed, and this will be done within the broad historical and sociopolitical context of research in Singapore. The results of the review suggest that practical concerns assume priority over theoretical issues, which are relegated to secondary importance. This can be explained in terms of the role of the state in education reform and governance and its top–down decision-making processes, the impact of globalization on education, and the role of education in the management of race relations in the country.

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pitambar Paudel ◽  
Binod Neupane ◽  
Krishna Prasad Parajuli

The global spread of English has brought a significant shift in English language teaching from methodology to post methodology era, structural to communicative approach and theory-based conception of teaching to evidence-based practice of teaching harmonizing with the context of learning. The advent of postmethod pedagogy in the twenty first century had widely acknowledged the contribution of individual teachers in English language teaching and learning field. Consequently, incorporation of dialogues and the field of English language teaching have turned to be complex creating numerous kaleidoscopic thoughts and research in the arena of English language teaching. In this diverse and convoluted contexts, we are pleased to bring the first volume of Journal of NELTA Gandaki (JoNG) with the aim of accommodating such diversities and providing support and resources to all the language practitioners for boosting up their professionalism by promoting the arenas of English language teaching in the local context. This issue consists of eleven articles from various fields of applied linguistics, English language teaching, testing, researching and so forth. The first one sheds light on the pedagogical dimension of literature in ESL/EFL classroom and concludes with proposing the pedagogical approaches and procedures of exploring literary texts to maximize learning opportunities for students. The second examines the role of role play techniques in teaching speaking skill to the students of class 10. This article reports positive role of role play in fostering speaking skill of the students. Similarly, the third article has concluded that the reflection of critical events gave them some kind of relief in teaching practice and the events taught them a number of strategies. Likewise, the following article concludes that the book follows the gradual shift from foreign language literature to learners' local culture with communicative skills of interaction and provides learners an opportunity of learning foreign culture and their own cultures. The fifth article deals with the finding that shows unsupportive behavior of the supervisors and difficulties of selecting the appropriate area of study. They were the major challenges that students ever facing in writing thesis. Similarly, the next article reveals that both the teachers and the students were affirmative towards learner autonomy but most of them did not adopt it in English language teaching and learning. The seventh article shows a number of challenges in implementing self directed learning even if both the teachers and students had positive attitudes towards it. The eighth article justifies that mixed methods research design, which has been a recent practice in academia, should be adopted in the research of universities and the research centres. Similarly, the ninth article examines the strategies employed in learning English by Bachelor level students in Nepalese context. The following article reveals that integrated approach of language teaching is sure to pursue its harmony in teaching language. The final article concludes that majority of English teachers at secondary level followed product approach in teaching writing which led them to face a number of challenges in teaching writing. We have made this a peer reviewed journal, in which a number of hands directly and/or indirectly, seen or unseen have bestowed to maintain quality and standard to bring it into this form. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the contributors and reviewers from home and abroad without whose rigorous support, the journal would not have come to this form. We would also like to express our gratitude to NELTA Gandaki Province for full-blown support and guidance when, where and what the editorial team expected. The articles published in the journal are the properties of NELTA Gandaki Province, however, the authenticity and liability of the views and ideas expressed in them go to the authors themselves. Constructive suggestions from the valued readers and well-wishers are always welcome to uplift the standard and quality of the journal in the forthcoming issue.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanghua Peng

The study of grammar has been paid much attention and the grammar instruction becomes an emphasis and key problem in English language teaching and learning. How to instruct students grammar appropriately becomes controversial for some English teachers increasingly. Some linguistics, theorist and teachers hold that the grammar instruction should be taught traditionally and normally. There should be a standard in classroom instruction. However, others argue that grammar instruction should be approached scholastically, especially in cultural or religious practice since scholastic grammar is of great essence in language itself. On the basis of the theories of second language teaching and learning and acquisition and the viewpoints of Otto. Jespersen and H. Poutsma about scholastic grammar, this paper conducts a survey of grammar instruction at colleges and universities and analyzes the real conditions of grammar instruction from scholastic perspective and finds that it is necessary to reconsider the role of grammar instruction and enhance its importance in English teaching and learning. Finally, the paper ends with a conclusion about the deficit of scholastic grammar at colleges and universities and some implications of grammar instruction in the real English language teaching and learning. The survey put forward a basis and reference for Chinese education system especially for liberal education and humanistic quality.


Author(s):  
Sanju Choudhary

<p>Literature is not generally considered as a coherent branch of the curriculum in relation to language – development in either mother tongue or foreign language – teaching. As teachers of English in Multi cultural Indian class rooms we come across students with varying degree of competence in English language learning. Though, language learning is a natural process for natives but the Students of other languages put in colossal efforts to learn it. Despite   their sincere efforts they face challenges regarding Pronunciation, Spelling and Vocabulary. The Indian class rooms are a microcosm of the larger society, so teaching English language in a manner which equips the students to face the cut-throat competition has become a necessity and a challenge for English language Teachers. English today has become the key determinant for getting success in their career. The hackneyed and stereotypical methods of teaching are not acceptable now. Teachers have no longer remained arbitrary dispensers of knowledge but they are playing the role of a guide and facilitator for the students. Teachers of English are using innovative ideas to make English language teaching and learning interesting and simple. Teachers have started using the literary texts and their analysis to explore and ignite the imagination and creative skills of the students. One needs to think and rethink the contribution of literature to intelligent thinking as well as its role in the process of teaching – learning. My paper would, therefore, be an attempt at exploring the nature of the literary experience in the present day class rooms; and the broader role of literature in life.</p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-12
Author(s):  
Revista Colombian Applied Linguistics Journal

The Colombian Applied Linguistics Journal has been a space for encouraging language teacher researchers to share their experiences and illuminate others’ experience. In this trajectory, applied linguistics and English language teaching have been intertwined fields, where the integration of theoretical tools has allowed new comprehensions of one another. Authors of the journal have demonstrated this mutual exchange with the multiple outlooks and topics that they have proposed as part of their writings. As mentioned in the previous editorial (CALJ, Vol. 21, Nº 2, 2019), applied linguistics has been useful to determine not only a variety of practices of language teaching and learning, but also the implication of those in broader areas (Quintero & Bonilla, 2020, p. 2). In the same line of thought, the reflections that have emerged in the process of language teaching and learning have originated new inquiries in applied linguistics that have further contributed to both fields. In the commitment that the Colombian Applied Linguistics Journal has taken on, authors continue to explore areas that have a variety of characteristics.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Judith Hanks

Abstract Classroom research has long been recommended as a fruitful avenue for English language teaching (ELT) in applied linguistics. Yet recognition of the value of practitioners exploring their own praxis has only recently come to the fore. In this plenary, I focus on Exploratory Practice, a form of ‘fully inclusive practitioner research’, in which learners as well as teachers are invited to integrate research and pedagogy. Drawing on studies from around the world, I spotlight the potential of learners and teachers to contribute to debates in the fields of language teaching and learning, applied linguistics and social sciences alike. This co-production between learners and teachers illuminates the nexus of research and pedagogy (praxis), providing plentiful puzzles for exploration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Waquar Ahmad Khan

Believe it or not, attitude can be an obstacle.To learn any language, positive attitude is prerequisite, and a learner needs to go for it. Learning English as a foreign language is certainly not an easy task. Particularly if you are learning English in a non-English-speaking country. English language teaching and learning always attracts the attention of young minds and young generations across the globe for many pedagogical, sociolinguistic, and economic reasons. The present study focuses on teaching English to the students of Arabic and Islamic studies as their compulsory paper at Taibah University. The research paper is based on action research carried out at Al Ula campus, Taibah University. Compulsory English course specification caters to a mixed and mostly large group of students who belong to different social, cultural, economic, and regional background. It is because of this reason; the primary focus of this study is to find out the problems and challenges among learners and teachers. More precisely, the impact and interference of mother tongue (Arabic), lack of opportunity to use English in day to day activities, approach concerning learning English, and inefficacy of EFL learning and teaching.


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