Variation theory in Austrian initial EFL teacher education: potentials and challenges

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 130-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erwin Maria Gierlinger ◽  
Harald Spann ◽  
Thomas Wagner
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Variation Theory ◽  
Learning Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Learning Cycles ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Efl Teaching ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
Efl Teacher Education

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to scrutinise the potentials and challenges of variation theory when adopting learning study in Austrian initial EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teacher education. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a hermeneutic and epistemological approach, projects, and publications employing variation theory in the context of EFL are critically evaluated. Findings – Variation theory and learning study turn out to have great potential for EFL teaching and learning in Austria. However, three critical issues need further conceptual and empirical research before new learning cycles can be implemented and evaluated: the object of learning, the SLA-variation theory interface, and the roles of variation theory on different educational levels. Originality/value – By identifying and discussing important critical issues within the current practice of variation-theory-oriented EFL teaching, this study could lead to further theoretical and empirical deliberations in various areas of modern language teaching. This in turn could help pave the way for both the development of theoretical underpinning and methodological refinement, ultimately fostering international co-operations in implementing learning cycles.

scholarly journals Linguistic Education Under Revision: Globalization and EFL Teacher Education in Brazil

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Rachel Mendes ◽  
Kyria Rebeca Finardi
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Digital Literacy ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Information And Communications Technology ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Efl Teacher Education ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Education In Brazil

Globalization brought about many changes to the current society's life and mindset and thus, some new challenges to linguistic education, more specifically, foreign language education, have emerged as a consequence of these changes. This paper aims at reflecting upon some impacts of globalization on pre-service English as Foreign Language (hereafter EFL) teacher education in Brazil. Based on the literature review, the paper addresses the changes in the concepts of language, culture and identity related to cultural hybridity and the impact of new information and communications technology on the use, teaching and learning of foreign languages. It concludes that curricula for EFL teacher education programs in Brazil should be reviewed in order to focus more on glocal knowledge and digital literacy for a 21st century aligned education.

How teachers’ practice knowledge is used and challenged in a Learning Study using Variation Theory as a tool

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anja Thorsten
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Research Process ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Variation Theory ◽  
Learning Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Video Recordings ◽  
Field Notes ◽  
Practice Knowledge

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss how teachers’ practice knowledge is used as a tool in a Learning Study and how teachers’ practice knowledge is challenged by using Variation Theory as a tool in the process? Design/methodology/approach – The analysis is based on data from the research process in a Learning Study. The data consists of meeting notes of ten research meetings, field notes of the research meetings and from the enactment of the lessons, video recordings of the lessons and reflective notes after and between the meetings. The analysis is qualitative and the findings are described in themes. Findings – Teachers’ practice knowledge was used and challenged in different ways in the process. This is described in five themes. Teachers’ practice knowledge was visible in the process since it enabled relevant questions to be addressed and subtle signals from students to be taken into account. It also ensured that the activities used were suitable for the students. The theory provided a focus on the object of learning and a language to talk about teaching and learning. It also challenged teachers’ assumptions about teaching and learning and allowed them to be discussed. Originality/value – The paper addresses both teachers’ practice knowledge and Variation Theory in relation to a Learning Study. It focusses on how practice knowledge of teachers can be used and challenged in the same process. The perspective is from the inside, from a teacher researcher’s point of view.

Pedagogical and learning theories in lesson and learning studies – revisited

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 295-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulla Runesson
Keyword(s):  
Lesson Study ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Learning Theories ◽  
Variation Theory ◽  
Learning Study ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
Point Of Departure

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss two theoretical frameworks, Pirie and Kieren’s work (Pirie and Kieren, 1994) and variation theory of learning (Marton, 2015) in relation to lesson/learning study and mathematics teaching and learning. Design/methodology/approach The point of departure is the article: “Folding back and growing mathematical understanding: a longitudinal study of learning” (Martin and Towers, 2016) where it is demonstrated how Pirie and Kieren’s work (1994) and particularly the notion “folding-back” can be used as the theoretical framework in lesson/learning study. By dealing with similar arrangements and different theories, the two frameworks are contrasted. Findings It is suggested that the theory appropriated must be in resonance with the aim and focus of the study the theoretical perspective taken since it has implications for what becomes the focus of the process and subsequently the results of lesson/learning study. Originality/value This paper contributes to the discussion about how a more theory-informed lesson study and a broader theoretically framed learning study would improve and change the scope and progress of the two.

You can only see what you have chosen to see

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 170-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mun Ling Lo
Keyword(s):  
Lesson Study ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Current Issue ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Variation Theory ◽  
Learning Study ◽  
Inherent Limitation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research On Teaching

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to suggest ways that we can widen our vision since our views are limited by our theoretical lens. Design/methodology/approach – The paper first draws on articles in the current issue to illustrate how limitations imposed by our theoretical lens can be partly overcome. It then draws on the insights from two recent papers by Svensson (2016) and Lo and Chik (2016) to discuss some ways forward. Svensson’s paper argues for integrating research on teaching and learning using case-based studies and the contextual analysis approach. Lo and Chik’s paper is about how our learning can go beyond the single case through attending to fusion in the external horizon. The conceptual lens from these two papers which are from the phenomenography, variation theory and learning study tradition is applied to look at some of the papers in this issue which are from the lesson study tradition. Findings – Although there is an inherent limitation to what we can see as a consequence of the theoretical lens that we take, we can widen our vision by learning to see from others’ perspectives and gain insights that would be useful to us. Originality/value – The conceptual lenses from the phenomenography, variation theory and learning study tradition is applied to look at some of the papers which are from the lesson study tradition to reveal alternative ways of seeing.

Learning Study – the dual process of developing theory and practice

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 272-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Po Yuk Ko
Keyword(s):  
Student Performance ◽  
Teaching Strategies ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Dual Process ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Variation Theory ◽  
Learning Study ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – Variation Theory has been used as a source of guiding principles for pedagogical design, lesson analysis and improvement in Learning Study (LS). The purpose of this paper is to argue that the LS approach provides an important opportunity for teachers and researchers not only to improve the teaching strategies together but also refine the Variation Theory in action. Design/methodology/approach – A case study of teaching writing in Chinese at Primary 4 level of a LS project is selected using analysis of covariance to identify lessons that had significant differences in student learning outcomes. Analysis focuses on examining one of the major claims in Variation Theory which is that “contrast should precede generalization” in order to explore if this argument is able to provide a possible answer to the difference in student performance in the two classes of students of similar ability learning the same topic. Teachers’ contribution to the discussion of the application of the theory is analysed to explain the different teaching strategies chosen. Findings – The case study shows that in a LS platform, teachers’ teaching act and their interaction with theorists contributed to a dual process of developing the practice as well as the theory itself. The results of students’ learning serve as evidences for the claim that “contrast should precede generalization” as the theory suggested. Originality/value – Most of the lesson study and LS projects emphasize teachers’ learning through the participation in the process. This paper illustrates that in conducting LS approach, when there is conscious effort to direct discussion toward how to handle the content in terms of Variation Theory explicitly, the result could contribute to the development of the theory itself. Hence, the LS provides an important opportunity for teachers and researchers to refine strategies as well as theories of teaching and learning together.

scholarly journals Developing cross-cultural communicative competence via computer-assisted language learning: the case of pre-service ESL/EFL teachers

2011 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdelilah Salim Sehlaoui
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
National Council ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Efl Teacher Education

A review of the relevant literature strongly suggests that many, if not most, English as a Second or Foreign Language (ESL/EFL) teacher education programmes typically utilize concepts of culture and strategies for teaching and learning that are open to some cogent, but constructive, critiques from the perspective of critical educational theory. In addition, according to Wise (1995), throughout the last ten years the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education has required that colleges of teacher education must integrate technology into their curricula. In fact, ESL/EFL teacher education programmes are increasingly incorporating computer-based technologies and software into their curricula. However, this integration is often done in ways that seem to leave unquestioned the potential cultural and hegemonic ramifications of such technology (see, for example, Bowers, 1988; Jones, 1995; Morton, 1996; Murray, 1997; Sehlaoui, 1999).DOI:10.1080/0968776010090306 

Developing theoretical coherence in teaching and learning: case of neuroscience-framed learning study

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuen Sze Michelle Tan ◽  
Joshua Johnstone Amiel ◽  
Kwesi Yaro
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Brain Research ◽  
Cognitive Architecture ◽  
Variation Theory ◽  
Theoretical Knowledge ◽  
Learning Study ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Using Data

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to describe two cycles of learning study (LS) involving eight elementary teachers in British Columbia, Canada. The study explored the teachers’ experiences of learning to plan and teach lessons as informed by recent brain research. Design/methodology/approach The case study was constructed using data sources including teacher semi-structured interviews (pre-study, post-study and delayed post-study), classroom materials (including student assignments), LS training materials, fieldnotes and recordings of meetings and research lessons; sources were triangulated. Thematic analysis was applied. Contemporary neuroscience perspectives framed the LS discourse and analysis. Findings The teachers developed theoretical coherence and could better articulate reasons for their pedagogy. They developed understandings of the cognitive architecture underlying functions like learning and memory, allowing them to identify pedagogical actions that are consistent with human biology and understand why these actions are effective in promoting learning. Practical implications LS is shown to be an effective professional development (PD) model where theoretical knowledge, like neuroscience, could be employed and tested in classroom settings to provide depth to support teachers’ praxis. This teaching–research nexus supports exploration of fruitful connections between theoretical knowledge and education to advance the science of learning and the science of instruction. Originality/value Findings demonstrated how LS could be employed with alternative theoretical perspectives to promote teacher PD, thus extending beyond the dominant use of variation theory. Also, illustrated is the potential use of LS to bridge the knowledge gap between neuroscience and education.

scholarly journals Learning from teachers and pupils in literature: case-based aesthetic reading in EFL teacher education

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Spann
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Professional Learning ◽  
Personal Growth ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Aesthetic Reading ◽  
Context Specific ◽  
Efl Teacher Education ◽  
Case Based

Abstract Claims for the value of literature in EFL teaching and learning traditionally centre around three models: the cultural, language, and the personal growth model (Carter & Long, 1991). In the context of EFL teacher education, the core question is: can literature also contribute to the professional development of EFL trainee teachers and, if so, how? Based on the assumption that school-related English-language literature can be used for professional case-based work this paper reports a context-specific interdisciplinary model of literature in education which synthesizes case theory (Steiner, 2004) and the theory of dialogic aesthetic reading (Delanoy, 2002), thus providing an educational setting for both literary experience and professional learning in EFL teacher education.

scholarly journals EFL Teachers' Competence in the Context of English Curriculum 2004: Implications for EFL Teacher Education

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 79
Author(s):  
Nenden Sri Lengkanawati
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
English Teachers ◽  
West Java ◽  
English Curriculum ◽  
Efl Teacher ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Efl Teacher Education ◽  
Descriptive Method

This is a report of a study which was intended to respond to criticism of the English curricula used in Indonesia which have been claimed by some as failure to make Indonesian students ready in competing with those from other nations. The study tried to portray EFL teachers' competence in West Java and the implications for teacher education. Using a descriptive method, the study investigated proficiency of English teachers in West Java as a tool to assess their readiness in facing the challenge of the implementation of the 2004 English Curriculum and its implication for teacher education. The data concerning teachers' proficiency in Listening, Structure, and Reading Comprehension were collected using a TOEFL-eq

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document