scholarly journals Mobile technology in second language classrooms: Insights into its uses, pedagogical implications, and teacher beliefs

ReCALL ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Van Praag ◽  
Hugo Santiago Sanchez

AbstractAdopting a multiple-case, multiple-method design, this study investigates mobile technology use in the practices of three experienced second language teachers. The findings, based on an analysis of the teachers’ rationales, stated beliefs and classroom actions, show that the teachers tend to prohibit or reluctantly tolerate mobile device usage, while they recognise some of its potential benefits to support their teaching and student learning. They also highlight the incentives and barriers which respectively facilitate and hinder the integration of mobile technology, including factors which are internal (e.g. beliefs) and external (e.g. contextual constraints) to the teachers. Implications for classroom practice and teacher education are drawn.

Author(s):  
Siusana Kweldju

Today’s classrooms, including second language classrooms, are created to be more engaging, effective and empowering for learners to develop their knowledge, interests and experiences. One effort is to consider how the brain learns in the classroom; what the brain is able to do, and what is not. Educational neuroscience is a transdisciplinary convergence of neurosciences to translate  neuroscience research into classroom practice, including how a second language is learned. Therefore, every teacher, including second language teachers should know about neuroscience. Educational neuroscience is a wide field which still remains open for further investigation. Exploring the latest findings from neuroscience research, this paper proposes seven second language classroom principles. The principles are developed mostly based on research on declarative memory, instead of univcrsal grammar, which is developed based on mentalistic philosophy.


2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Williams ◽  
Frank Condon

Although some translingual advocates call for collaboration amongst composition studies, translingual, and second language writing theorists, current misinterpretations of translingual theory represent the field of second language writing in a negative light, making an alliance amongst the scholars of these elds unlikely. Translingualism is embedded in inclusive rhetorics, which, we demonstrate, equate difference with the ability to think divergently. From this perspective, linguistic difference is a catalyst for critical thinking, and linguistic standardization is discrimination. Although this view is accurate, translingual theorists are at risk of misinterpreting second language classrooms as sites of forced linguistic homogenization. The teaching of form and genre are particularly contentious as translingual theorists, who may be unaware of research in second language writing, believe that these elements are taught in second language classrooms without tolerance of linguistic variation. Because translingualism is deeply rooted in inclusive rhetorics, second language teachers are unable to object to this nega- tive view of their field without affiliating themselves with exclusionary rhetorics. However, theorists such as Larsen-Freeman, Halliday, and Tardy write about form and genre using terms similar to those used by translingual theorists, suggesting that current second language writing theory recognizes linguistic variability and the interdependence of form/genre and context. Therefore, alliances amongst scholars in the elds of composition studies, translingualism, and second language writing would be possible if the negative view of second language writing implied by misinterpretations of translingual theory could be redressed. Bien que quelques tenants du translinguisme prônent une collaboration entre les études en rédaction, les théoriciens en translinguisme et ceux en expression écrite en langue seconde, des interprétations erronées de la théorie du translinguisme présentent actuellement le domaine de la rédaction en langue seconde sous un jour négatif, rendant peu probable une alliance entre les chercheurs de ces domaines. Le translinguisme est intégré à la rhétorique de l’inclusion qui, nous le démontrons, présente la notion de la différence comme synonyme de capacité de raisonnement divergent. Selon ce e perspective, la différence linguistique est un catalyseur pour la pensée critique et la normalisation linguistique constitue une forme de discrimination. Même si ce point de vue est valide, les théoriciens en translinguisme risquent de mal interpréter les cours en langue seconde comme des sites d’uniformisation linguistique imposée. L’enseignement de la forme et du genre est particulièrement controversé car les théoriciens en translinguisme, ignorant peut-être la recherche portant sur la rédaction en langue seconde, croient que l’enseignement de ces éléments dans les cours de langue seconde se fait sans tolérer la variation linguistique. Puisque le translinguisme est fermement ancré dans la rhétorique de l’inclusion, les enseignants en langue seconde ne peuvent contester ce e vision négative de leur domaine sans s’a lier à la rhétorique de l’exclusion. Toutefois, certains théoriciens comme Larsen-Freeman, Halliday et Tardy s’expriment sur la forme et le genre en employant des expressions qui sont similaires à celles qu’emploient les théoriciens en translinguisme, ce qui permet de croire que la théorie actuelle portant sur la rédaction en langue seconde reconnait la variation linguistique et l’interdépendance de la forme, du genre et du contexte. Des alliances entre les chercheurs des trois domaines (rédaction, translinguisme et langue seconde) sont donc envisageables si l’on corrige l’opinion négative face à la rédaction en langue seconde qui ressort des mauvaises interprétations de la théorie translingue. 


2020 ◽  
pp. 136216882095121
Author(s):  
Parvaneh Tavakoli

The study reported in this article was aimed at investigating whether making the findings of second language fluency research accessible to language teachers has an impact on their self-reported understanding of the concept of oral fluency, confidence in promoting it, and classroom practice in short and medium term. The data come from 106 initial and 32 delayed questionnaires, eliciting both qualitative and quantitative data, from second language teachers in England after attending a one-day research-informed and practice-oriented training workshop. The results indicate a positive impact of the intervention on teachers’ understanding of fluency, confidence in helping their learners, and self-reported practice in short term, with the impact being reported 10–12 weeks after the intervention. The findings imply that adopting a narrow perspective to defining and conceptualizing fluency is linked with a more in-depth understanding of fluency and enhanced confidence and ability for using fluency-focused classroom activities.


2020 ◽  
pp. 103
Author(s):  
Aline Fay de Azevedo ◽  
Gabriela Da Cruz Gafforelli

Dyslexia is a learning disorder and a neurobiological condition, which means it affects areas of the brain that process language. Dyslexic teachers carry the struggles caused by dyslexia with them to the workplace. Despite the fact that dyslexia may not be considered a positive characteristic, dyslexic teachers show more empathy towards their pupils with learning disabilities and make use of creative coping strategies, which help them overcome their own learning disability in the classroom. Taking these aspects into consideration, the present article was developed with the purpose of throwing light on dyslexic teachers and the impacts of dyslexia in their practice. The aim of this theoretical study was to define dyslexia and to present an overview of this learning disability. Furthermore, we intended to investigate through bibliographical research how dyslexia affects second language teachers in their classroom practice and workplace. To present some strategies teachers can use to cope with dyslexia. Lastly, to design a pamphlet to be used as a guideline for dyslexic teachers.Keywords: dyslexia; dyslexic teachers; foreign language learning; learning disabilities.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Kartchava ◽  
Seunghee Chung

<p><em>It has been long accepted that teachers’ beliefs guide their classroom practices (Borg, 2006; Fang, 1996; Pajares, 1992; Woods, 1996). Yet, in the current high-tech age and with the push by mainstream education to incorporate technology in language teaching, little is known about what teachers think and feel about technology integration. Using Borg’s (2006) framework of language teacher cognition, this study investigated the beliefs of pre-service and in-service English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers (n = 35) about the use of digital technology in the classroom and the factors that influence those beliefs. </em><em>The participants completed a three-part beliefs’ questionnaire and some (n = 10) were later met for one-on-one interviews. The results suggest that while the teachers value technology and its use in the ESL classroom, the two groups differed in their subscribed beliefs. These differences were traced back to the teachers’ age, </em><em>classroom practice, experiences with digital technology, context(s) in which digital technology was used, and the amount of technology-related training the teachers received.</em><em></em></p>


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Szabo

The aim of this article is to raise awareness in L2 education about the relationship between second-language learners' linguistic choices in the L2 and their identities. The author reviews empirical research and language-learning narratives that show that L2 learners may purposely use nonstandard L2 forms. Using a poststructuralist framework to conceptualize identity, the author argues that these second-language learners use nonstandard language in the L2 in order to create positive identities, and in some cases to resist social inequalities, in the L2 community. The implications of this research for second-language teachers are discussed and suggestions for classroom practice are offered.


1999 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 492-493
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Bernhardt

From reader to reading teacher: Issues and strategies for second language classrooms is a book targeted at second language teachers in training. The first two chapters provide a brief overview of theory and research in second language reading. Chapter 3 treats course design; 4, prereading activities; 5, activities during reading; 6, postreading activities; 7, vocabulary; 8, the use of literature; 9, assessment; 10, lesson planning; and 11, teacher development. In other words, the book attempts a comprehensive treatment of important issues related to reading instruction in second language contexts.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-53
Author(s):  
Katherine Rehner ◽  
Ivan Lasan ◽  
Anne Popovich ◽  
Zehra Palta

This study explores the impact of professional learning about the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR) on second language (L2) teachers’ classroom practice. Ninety self-selected French as a second language (FSL) teachers across Canada responded to an online survey about their planning, teaching, and assessment/evaluation practices before versus after their professional learning. The results revealed that the impact of such professional learning is wide-reaching and remarkably consistent across all three areas of practice. The teachers reported that their professional learning spurred them to start presenting language through speech acts and based on students’ needs, to emphasize not only linguistic but sociolinguistic and pragmatic competence as well, and to focus more intently on students’ ability to communicate in the L2. The teachers also reported that they increased the use of authentic materials and developed communicative and action-oriented tasks that simulate real-life situations. The findings suggest that CEFR-related professional learning may be used successfully to inspire L2 teachers to implement CEFR-informed classroom practices.


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