U.S. Language-in-Education Policy: Issues in Schooling of Language Minorities

1981 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 144-160
Author(s):  
Reynaldo F. Macías
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Language Contact ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Foreign Language Instruction ◽  
Language Policies ◽  
Black Vernacular ◽  
Language Minorities

A large literature exists on educational technology (instructional methods, materials, and facilities) and language minorities. Language policies--which guide the objectives and use of this technology--are explicit in some areas, like bilinguage policy. There are educational juris-dictions with responsibilities over teaching and learning. Foreign language policies are advocated more than officially recognized, yet the issue is very visible. The role of billingual education in generating language issues for discussion, debate, and policy making can be seen in its impact on other language related areas, such as foreign language instruction, desegregation policies, civil right, promotion of new innovative educational technologies (e.g., language proficiency assessment), TESOL, special education, inter-governmental relations (with Indian peoples, Puerto Rico, and the territories), and, indirectly, as it relates to instruction of Black vernacular English speakers, and instruction of the deaf. It is the (re-)opening of these language issues as they affect a cross section of the U.S. citizenry that is little recognized and, yet, profoundly important. Language permeates social relations, and so is the object of informal, if not formal, policies and norms most notably where there are groups in language contact, but also when language variation is a basis for social differentiation. That many of the works identified here do not deal with these relationships and differentions as they reflect the distribution of power on our society only idicates the youth of a slowly maturing educational language policy, planning, and politics literature.

scholarly journals Examining foreign language teaching and learning in Nepal: an ecological perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Prem Prasad Poudel ◽  
Madan Prasad Baral
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
Foreign Language Instruction ◽  
Ecological Relationship ◽  
Language Teaching And Learning

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.

Research on language teaching and learning in Austria (2004–2009)

2011 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiane Dalton-Puffer ◽  
Renate Faistauer ◽  
Eva Vetter
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Foreign Language Instruction ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
National Education ◽  
Learning And Teaching

This overview of six years of research on language learning and teaching in Austria covers a period of dynamic development in the field. While all the studies reviewed here illustrate research driven by a combination of local and global concerns and theoretical frameworks, some specific clusters of research interest emerge. The first of these focuses on issues connected with multilingualism in present-day society in terms of language policy, theory development and, importantly, the critical scrutiny of dominant discursive practices in connection with minority and migrant languages. In combination with this focus, there is a concern with German as a second or foreign language in a number of contexts. A second cluster concerns the area of language testing and assessment, which has gained political import due to changes in national education policy and the introduction of standardized tests. Finally, a third cluster of research concerns the diverse types of specialized language instruction, including the introduction of foreign language instruction from age six onwards, the rise of academic writing instruction, English-medium education and, as a final more general issue, the role of English as a dominant language in the canon of all foreign and second languages in Austria.

scholarly journals Good Practices for Primary-Level Content-based Foreign Language Instruction Identified in Finland

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taina M Wewer
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Classroom Practice ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Foreign Language Instruction

This practice-oriented article, also applicable for general foreign and second language instruction, outlines experiences and classroom practices recognized as functional and effective in CLIL (content and language integrated learning) contexts. CLIL can be defined as a comprehensive approach to foreign language teaching because it aims at learning language through various content across the curriculum. Since one of the guidelines in the Finnish basic education is teacher autonomy, the fluctuation in materials, practices and methods is notable. Therefore, there is no sole authenticated model of CLIL implementation, but the practices rather vary significantly from one classroom to another. Furthermore, the extent of the target language (TL) exposure has an impact on the instructional choices as well as the pre-negotiated and defined learning objectives. In most cases, the primary aim is that the child learns to read and write in the mother tongue or the main language of instruction (most often Finnish in Finland), and the target language (in this case English) is gradually and increasingly incorporated into the everyday classroom practice. Hence, instruction is bilingual. Research on foreign language teaching and learning helps to formulate some of the recurring linguistic practices in CLIL classrooms which is important in shaping the language used for social purposes. The integration of language and content and academic language need special attention in CLIL. In a similar manner, assessment of the target language, has to be specifically addressed. I will touch upon all these issues in the three main sections drawing on CLIL instruction with approximately 25% English exposure of total instruction.  

scholarly journals English as a foreign language instruction in Ecuador: Implementation of the Content and Language Integrated-Learning during 2019-2021

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Pamela Barre ◽  
Jhonny Villafuerte-Holguin
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Foreign Language Instruction ◽  
Integrated Learning ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
The Impact

Ecuadorian educational policy for English as Foreign Language instruction in Ecuador mandated in 2016 to introduce Content and Language Integrated-Learning (CLIL) methodology to improve the teaching and learning process. This research aims to analyze the implementation of CLIL methodology in zone 4 of Ecuador during 2019-2021. This work subscribed to the transformative paradigm and administrated quantitative and qualitative methods of educational research. The participants were 70 English as a Foreign Language teachers from nine public and private educational institutions located in Manabi Province of Ecuador. The instrument used was the Instructor Perceptions of Differentiated Instruction of Turner, Solis, and Kincade (2017) in an observation format. The information collection techniques used were in-depth interview and focus group discussion. The results allowed the research team to determine the impact of the pandemic on the CLIL implementation in zone 4 of Ecuador. The results show differences in the implementation of the methodology between public and private schools which are linked to internet and technology devices access, teachers' knowledge regarding CLIL methodology, and institutional policies. In regards COVID19 pandemic, it is concluded that it has pacted the implementation of CLIL methodology in both public and private secondary schools that participated in the study.

scholarly journals Adoption of Team Coaching Competencies for Innovative Translation and Foreign Language Instruction: Polylingual and Polycultural Dimensions in Higher Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oksana Chaika ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
Foreign Language Instruction ◽  
Academic Degree ◽  
Contemporary World ◽  
Team Coaching ◽  
Coaching Competencies

The contemporary world is subject to waves of highly rated turbulences and demand volatility in the market of educational services. In the recent decades, Ukraine as a developing state has witnessed varied response from educators, students, observers, bloggers as to the content and quality of education. The paper aims to elaborate the surface scratching recommendations for the development of an educational policy, which may be eligible for adoption at universities, endorsing modernisation of content and structure of higher education inside and outside Ukraine by means of developing, growing and applying coaching mind-set for teaching and learning processes. First, this refers to growing efficiency in communication models by foreign language (FL) teachers (irrespective of the field) and foreign language instructors (teaching foreign languages, languages for specific purposes in foreign languages, and translation) in giving lectures and moderating polycultural and polylingual classes. Second, it links to fostering culturological, axiological, intercommunicative values for polycultural communication in various languages, if applicable, between the teacher and the student and vice versa, the teacher and the teacher, the student and the student, etc. Team coaching may be treated one of the fastest growing disciplines in the coaching profession; and for the higher education, it is becoming increasingly important Team coaching competencies as hard skill of a modern FL / LSP teacher may enable a U-turn in the educational market as viewed in the light of demotivated students, losing interest in an academic degree, or gaining qualifications within the university walls. Team coaching defined as partnering in a co-creative and reflective process with a team (class) on its dynamics and relationships in a way that inspires them to maximize their abilities and potential in order to reach their common purpose and shared goals, may well fit into class instruction of the modern era.

scholarly journals Sense of agency among frequently anxious learners of English in Swedish primary school: Mismatching beliefs and experiences

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Nilsson
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Sense Of Agency ◽  
Foreign Language Instruction ◽  
Emotional Experiences ◽  
Young Learners ◽  
Oral Interaction

Instilling a sense of agency (SoA) in young learners is an important aspect of foreign language instruction, as is the counteracting of emergent foreign language anxiety (FLA). Focusing on learners who frequently experience FLA, this study explores young learners’ beliefs and classroom experiences in relation to teaching and learning of English, in order to highlight the way in which they perceive their own agency, that is, their situated SoA. After initial classroom observations, learners from seven Swedish classrooms, across years 2–5, were seated in small groups to discuss open questions about target language (TL) use, oral interaction, instructional work mode and the role of the teacher and the learners. The present study is based on discussions among 31 of those learners. Qualitative content analysis of the recorded discussions reveals conflicting beliefs and experiences. These frequently anxious learners stressed the importance of extensive input in English and of learners engaging and speaking the TL. However, they also expressed that oral instructions and prompts, which were sometimes incomprehensible, made them feel frustrated and insecure. Considering the risk of embarrassment, they refrained from asking questions or volunteering to speak. Thus, their accounts of their emotional experiences and actions did not align with their beliefs, which hampered their SoA. The findings illustrate the interrelated nature of beliefs, emotional experiences and agency. Implications for primary language teaching relate to target language use and offering plenty of time for learners to practice their oral skills under conditions that they perceive as safe.

scholarly journals PRAGMATICS: WHY USE AUDIOVISUAL INPUT IN SECOND AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING CONTEXTS?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 161-178
Author(s):  
Manuel Rodríguez Peñarroja
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
General Education ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Foreign Language Instruction ◽  
Learning Contexts ◽  
Input Source ◽  
Static Images

The teaching and acquisition of pragmatics in second and foreign language learning contexts has been traditionally reduced to coursebooks’ decontextualized dialogue samples and static images with almost no effects on learners’ communicative competence. This paper outlines rationale on the teaching of pragmatics since it has become of essential importance as specified in different language proficiency paradigms i.e. the CEFR. Thus, attention is centered on the use of audiovisual materials as a rich input source used for that aim. With this in mind, a review of studies appraising for the validity of language used in audiovisual genres is provided. In addition, an overview of its applicability and effects as a part of the general education curricula and in second and foreign language instruction is presented. Results from the studies reviewed reported overall advantageous outcomes when using this type of input for different instructional aims and more specifically with pragmatics’ acquisition purposes.

scholarly journals Investigating the Effect of Using Multiple Sensory Modes of Glossing Vocabulary Items in a Reading Text with Multimedia Annotations

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Abbas Ali Rezaee ◽  
Neda Sharbaf Shoar
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Foreign Language Instruction ◽  
Vocabulary Test ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Opportunities For Learning ◽  
Reading Text ◽  
Unknown Words

In recent years, improvements in technology have enhanced the possibilities of teaching and learning various subjects. This is specially the case in foreign language instruction. The use of technology and multimedia brings new opportunities for learning different areas of language. In this regard, the present study attempts to find out if the use of multimedia, images and movies, helps learners in learning vocabulary items included in a reading comprehension text. For this purpose, 70 students studying English at pre-intermediate level have been selected. These participants are then divided into three groups, each of which receives a different kind of instruction. The members of the first group were required to read some texts in which certain vocabulary items were included as the target of teaching. Those in the second group received the same texts with some pictures added so that the grasp of the unknown words would become facilitated. The students in the third group were exposed to the same material along with some movie strips. The strips were selected in a way to include the specific vocabulary items. The course duration was about 45 days. At the end of the course, all the students in the three aforementioned groups were sat for taking a vocabulary test. The test format was multiple-choice. The results of the ANOVA indicated that annotating reading comprehension passages with movie clips contributes to better learning and recall of vocabulary through reading texts.

Invited colloquium: Foreign languages in an age of globalization

2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 425-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Kramsch
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Information Technologies ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
Foreign Language Instruction ◽  
Common Prior

With the advent of globalization and the increasingly multilingual and multicultural nature of nations, institutions and classrooms, the fundamental nature of foreign language instruction is changing. Such traditional notions as: ‘native speaker’, ‘target culture’, ‘standard L2’ are becoming problematic with the influx of immigrants to industrialized nation-states, the diversification of accents, and the stratification of language varieties. Foreign language classrooms, too, are becoming less and less homogenous: lacking common points of reference in a common L1, students have to learn the L2 without any common prior cultural or historical context. Caught between the need to impart a skill that will be ‘usable’ in a variety of global settings and the desire to develop an L2 academic literacy that is specific to a given national culture, foreign language study is challenged to reconcile the local and the global, its national premise and its transnational entailments. This colloquium explored the changing nature of the challenges facing the teaching and learning of foreign languages in an age of global information technologies, global job market, and global migrations. In particular it focused on the notion of the ‘foreign’ in foreign language education and how globalization has affected this foreignness.

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