scholarly journals Language and Social Integration in Times of Increasing Anti-Immigration Discourses

Author(s):  
Charo Reyes ◽  
Sílvia Carrasco Pons ◽  
Laia Narciso Pedro

This article analyses the structural barriers affecting the processes of linguistic integration among adult migrants and refugees by focusing on both teachers’ and learners’ experiences in the context of an EU-funded project for good practice exchange. Reflections and assumptions of language teachers for migrants and refugees from four European countries (Spain, Germany, Italy and Poland) are set against the linguistic needs and expectations of their students through the case of a Pakistani migrant woman in Barcelona. Although language training for migrants’ labour integration and participation is widely emphasized by supranational, national and regional institutions, it is not a genuine priority in most of the countries of reception. Limited training focused on issues related to language and anti-immigration and/or nationalist discourses condition well-intended initiatives from third sector organisations. Moving away from purely pedagogical factors, this article aims to contribute to locating language learning as social integration under the lens of social justice.

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianco ◽  
Ortiz Cobo

The creation of laws regarding the linguistic integration of migrants has contributed to the change in Italian language teaching, which has had to adapt its materials and methodology to migrants. However, the specific case of refugees has not been specifically assessed, with the exception of experimentation with the Council of Europe toolkit for refugees. This paper aimed to study the linguistic integration of adult refugees in Italy by conducting an ethnography through participant observation and semi-structured interviews between Italian language teachers and refugees. The results of this work show both the teachers’ perceptions of the refugees’ linguistic integration and the refugees’ perceptions of linguistic integration practice. The conclusions highlight the need for more hours of Italian language courses as well as lessons based on specific integration needs. Moreover, this study emphasizes that the integration practice itself implies language learning. A final consideration is made concerning the current integration situation of refugees in Italy.


2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
António Lopes

Many foreign and second language teachers are reluctant about shifting from traditional language instruction to TBLT. Another challenge has been the use of ICT in the classroom, a problem addressed in previous Comenius projects. The ETALAGE project aimed to build on the achievements of such projects and to address these challenges, by collecting, re-designing, adapting and disseminating samples of good practice of ICT-based language learning tasks (A1-B2 CEF levels) in primary and secondary education. Partners produced in-service teacher training courses adjusted to local needs. Independent experts in language teaching monitored the quality of the products at a national level. This paper explains the project setup and its implementation in Portugal, describing a) the specific challenges and constraints that the local reality poses to an international project like this and; b) the perceptions of the Portuguese trainees in pre- and post-course surveys concerning the use of ICT in TBLT.


Author(s):  
Ute Ritterfeld ◽  
Timo Lüke

Abstract. Audio stories offer a unique blend of narrative entertainment with language learning opportunities as a user’s enjoyment is dependent on their processing of the linguistic content. A total of 138 third- and fourth-graders from low socioeconomic status and migrant families recruited from a metropolitan area in Germany participated in a randomized pre–post follow-up intervention study with a control group. Children listened to a tailored crime story of approximately 90 min over a period of 3 days within the classroom setting. Entertainment value for the age group was established in a pilot study. Outcome variables included semantic and grammatical skills in German and were administered before (pretest), shortly after intervention (posttest), and 2 weeks later (follow-up). We used nonverbal intelligence, reading, comprehension skills, age and sex as control variables. Results indicate a strong positive effect of media reception on language skills. The effectiveness of the intervention is discussed with reference to different linguistic domains, entertainment value, and compensatory effects in populations at risk of language learning deficits.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 21087-21095
Author(s):  
Ni Putu Nita Anggraini ◽  
Ni Luh Gede Yogi Arthani ◽  
I Putu Yuria Mendra

The group of foreign language instructors and Indonesian language instructors for foreigners initially had problems in the fields of HR, legality, marketing and management. The implementation of the community partnership program (PKM) funded by the Ministry of Research and Technology's Research and Development Program aims to solve partner problems through entrepreneurship building. The method applied is in the form of knowledge transfer in the form of counseling, training, simulation and diffusion of science and technology about teaching methods, mentoring financial management and marketing and managing agency permits. The teaching method quality improvement program is carried out through workshops and workshops with the theme of teaching Indonesian and multimedia-based foreign languages. The resulting output is in the form of certificates and the quality of teaching increases. The problem of business management and enlargement has been solved through mentoring by management experts so that partners know the tips of building a small business. To build a language teaching business, the team helped partners manage the Business Course and Training (LKP) business license in a notary and operational permits in the Badung District Education Office. From the marketing aspect, the team has helped partner market course service products through the creation of signboards, business cards and websites with the domain www.gepbali.com . The implementation of all these activities has been running 70% while the draft article and seminar papers are still in draft form. This activity has had a positive impact on providing employment for language teachers and improving language skills for the community.


Think India ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 455-457
Author(s):  
Y.L MARREDDY

Y.L MARREDDY English is recognized as a universal language. Learning English is inevitable in this present global scenario. It also acts like a link language. Especially, English literature enables learners to develop critical thinking skills, helps to discover and enlighten themselves. It is quite challenging task to teachers to teach literature for studentsin non native English countries like India. The role of the language teachers becomes predominant and the methods of teaching literature according to the students’ level of understanding also play a significant role because studying literature assists students’ tohave real time experiences, passion for language acquisition and think innovatively. In this context, it is necessary for teachers to distinct between teaching literature for special purposes or it is used as a resource language for teaching this foreign language. This paper throws light on the importance of teaching literature, several approaches and methods of teaching literature at graduate level. Literature connects the cultures across the world, throws challenges to solve and even to heal some cultures. It really provides an individual space for learners to express themselves and improve competence levels among them. It allows learners to share their participation in the experience of others, strengthens to shape, alter their attitude and meet their expectations.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 223
Author(s):  
Musa Ismail

Indonesian language (IN) is one of the obligatory lessons in Senior High  School. The learning of Indonesian language is pointed to the  increasing ability of students. This aim  to increase students’ ability to communicate in Indonesian language well and properly. The communication ability is expected especially in oral and written. Besides, students are hoped to  be  able  to  appreciate  literary works. The objective of this research is to identify and to describe the implementation of role play method in the efforts to increase the activity of Indonesian language  learning  in speaking aspects and to identify and to get  the description whether  the implementation of the method can increase process and result speaking aspect of Indonesian language learning of students class XI IPS 1, Semester 1, SMAN 3 Bengkalis. The method used was classroom action method and the subject was class XII IPS 1, semester 1, SMAN 3 Bengkalis. The collection of data and information were carried out by observation, journal and document study. The result of the research showed that (1) The implementation of of  role play method can increase  the activities of  speaking aspects  in   Indonesian  language learning. On the  1st cycle1, 1st meeting, the percentage of students’ activities was 73% with the good category (3,6), while on the second meeting, it was 82% with the very good category (3,7). On the first meeting of the second cycle, the percentage of students’ activities became 83% with the very good category (4,3), while on the second meeting was 96% with the  very good category (5,0), (2) The implementation of role play method is able to increase the result of speaking aspect in learning Indonesian language. On the first cycle, the students’ reserved effort was 73% while on the second cycle was 77%. Meanwhile, based on attachment 3, the classical completeness on cycle 1 reached 86%, on cycle 2,  it  increased 96%. Based on the result  of  the  research,  the  researcher proposed that it would be better for the Indonesian language  teachers to implement role play method for the materials  that  are  suitable  with . speaking aspects. The reason is that this method is proved to be able to increase the process and result of students  learning. When implementing  this method,  teachers are hoped to give guidance, motivation, and explanation that more focused so that students can learn optimally.Abstrak  Bahasa Indonesia (BI) merupakan salah satu mata pelajaran wajib di SMA. Pembelajaran BI diarahkan  untuk  meningkatkan  kemampuan  peserta  didik.  Hal  ini  bertujuan  untuk meningkatkan  kemampuan  siswa  berkomunikasi  dalam  BI  dengan  baik  dan  benar. Kemampuan  berkomunikasi  yang  diharapkan  terutama  secara  lisan maupun  tulisan.  Selain itu,  siswa  diharapkan  juga  sanggup mengapresiasi  hasil  karya  sastra.  Tujuan  penelitian  ini adalah untuk mengetahui dan mendeskripsikan bagaimana penerapan metode bermain peran dalam upaya meningkatkan aktivitas pembelajaran BI aspek berbicara dan untuk mengetahui dan mendeskripsikan  apakah  penerapan metode  bermain  peran  dapat meningkatkan  proses dan  hasil  pembelajaran  BI  aspek  berbicara  siswa  kelas  XI  IPS  1,  Semester  1,  SMAN  3 Bengkalis. Metode  penelitian  ini  adalah  penelitian  tindakan  kelas  dengan  subjek  penelitian siswa  kelas  XII  IPS  1,  semester  1,  SMAN  3  Bengkalis.  Pengumpulan  data  dan  informasi dilakukan melalui observasi/pengamatan,  jurnal, dan telaah dokumen. Hasil penelitian, yaitu  (1)  Penerapan  metode  bermain  peran  dapat  meningkatkan  aktivitas  pembelajaran  Bahasa Indonesia aspek berbicara pada  siswa kelas XI  IPS  1, Semester  1, SMAN  3 Bengkalis T.P. 2013/2014.  Pada  siklus  1  pertemuan  1,  persentase  aktivitas  belajar  siswa  adalah  73  persen dengan kategori  baik  (3,6),  sedangkan pertemuan  2  sebesar 82 persen dengan kategori  baik (3,7). Pada siklus 2 pertemuan 1, persentase aktivitas belajar siswa menjadi 83 persen dengan kategori sangat baik (4,3), sedangkan pertemuan 2 sebesar 96 persen dengan kategori sangat baik  (5,0);  (2)  Penerapan  metode  bermain  peran  dapat  meningkatkan  hasil  pembelajaran Bahasa Indonesia aspek berbicara siswa kelas XI IPS 1, Semester 1, SMAN 3 Bengkalis T.P 2013/2014. Pada siklus 1, daya serap siswa sebesar 73 persen, sedangkan siklus 2 sebesar 77 persen. Sementara itu, berdasarkan Lampiran 3, ketuntasan klasikal pada  siklus  1 mencapai 86  persen,  sedangkan pada siklus 2 meningkat  menjadi  96  persen. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, peneliti menyarankan agar guru mata pelajaran, khususnya Bahasa Indonesia sebaiknya menerapkan metode bermain  peran untuk materi yang sesuai dengan aspek berbicara. Alasannya, metode ini terbukti mampu meningkatkan aktivitas dan hasil belajar siswa. Ketika menerapkan metode bermain peran untuk aspek  berbicara, guru dituntut memberikan bimbingan, motivasi, dan penjelasan yang  lebih  terfokus agar siswa dapat melaksanakan pembelajaran dengan maksimal.


RELC Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 003368822098527
Author(s):  
Benjamin Luke Moorhouse ◽  
Yanna Li ◽  
Steve Walsh

Interaction is seen by many English language teachers and scholars as an essential part of face-to-face English language classrooms. Teachers require specific competencies to effectively use interaction as a tool for mediating and assisting learning. These can be referred to as classroom interactional competence (CIC). However, the situation created by the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic which began in early 2020, and the recent advancement in technologies have led to teachers conducting synchronous online lessons through video-conferencing software. The online environment is distinctly different from the face-to-face classroom and teachers require new and additional skills to effectively utilise interaction online in real time. This exploratory study used an online mixed-method survey of 75 university level English language teachers who had engaged in synchronous online teaching due to COVID-19, to explore the competencies that teachers need to use interaction as a tool to mediate and assist language learning in synchronous online lessons. Teachers were found to require three competencies, in addition to their CIC – technological competencies, online environment management competencies, and online teacher interactional competencies – which together constitute e-CIC. The findings provide greater insights into the needs of teachers required to teach synchronously online and will be of interest to teachers and teacher educators.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Clarissa Giebel ◽  
Kerry Hanna ◽  
Manoj Rajagopal ◽  
Aravind Komuravelli ◽  
Jacqueline Cannon ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Sudden public health restrictions can be difficult to comprehend for people with cognitive deficits. However, these are even more important for them to adhere to due to their increased levels of vulnerability, particularly to COVID-19. With a lack of previous evidence, we explored the understanding and changes in adherence to COVID-19 public health restrictions over time in people living with dementia (PLWD). Methods Unpaid carers and PLWD were interviewed over the phone in April 2020, shortly after the nationwide UK lockdown, with a proportion followed up from 24th June to 10th July. Participants were recruited via social care and third sector organisations across the UK, and via social media. Findings A total of 70 interviews (50 baseline, 20 follow-up) were completed with unpaid carers and PLWD. Five themes emerged: Confusion and limited comprehension; Frustration and burden; Putting oneself in danger; Adherence to restrictions in wider society; (Un) changed perceptions. Most carers reported limited to no understanding of the public health measures in PLWD, causing distress and frustration for both the carer and the PLWD. Due to the lack of understanding, some PLWD put themselves in dangerous situations without adhering to the restrictions. PLWD with cognitive capacity who participated understood the measures and adhered to these. Discussion In light of the new second wave of the pandemic, public health measures need to be simpler for PLWD to avoid unwilful non-adherence. Society also needs to be more adaptive to the needs of people with cognitive disabilities more widely, as blanket rules cause distress to the lives of those affected by dementia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 171-193
Author(s):  
Lucía Pintado Gutiérrez

AbstractThis article explores the agency of the student in translation in language teaching and learning (or TILT). The purpose of the case study discussed here is to gain an overview of students’ perceptions of translation into the foreign language (FL) (also known as “inverse translation”) following a module on language and translation, and to analyse whether there is any correlation between students’ attitude to translation, its impact on their language learning through effort invested, and the improvement of language skills. The results of the case study reveal translation to be a potentially exciting skill that can be central to FL learning and the analysis gives indications of how and why language teachers may optimise the implementation of translation in the classroom. The outcome of the study suggests that further research is needed on the impact of translation in the language classroom focussing on both teachers’ expectations and students’ achievements.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 160
Author(s):  
Saba Qadhi ◽  
Alan Floyd

The Qatari government views English language learning as crucial to the country’s future success. Anecdotal evidence suggests, however, that English language teachers (ELTs) employed in Qatar may not necessarily have the appropriate training, qualifications, and experience to enable them to teach successfully. Despite growing research and interest in the continuing professional development (CPD) experiences and needs of ELTs in Western contexts, there remains a lack of research in Middle Eastern countries in general and in Qatar in particular. The aim of this study was to address this gap by exploring female ELTs’ perceptions and experiences of CPD in Qatar in order to develop new practical and theoretical insights into our understanding of this area. The study draws on data from life history interviews undertaken with 16 female ELTs with at least 3 years of teaching experience in Qatari schools. The study found that the participants had very different experiences of CPD based on their personal and professional characteristics. This suggests that for it to be perceived as a positive experience, the current model of professional development for ELTs may need revising. We propose a paradigm shift from a traditional “one size fits all” CPD model towards a more dynamic and interactive style of teacher development that facilitates both personal reflection and professional discourse among teachers. It is argued that such a shift would prove a considerable step forward for English language teaching in this country.


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