scholarly journals The role of inter- and intralingual factors and compendiums in acquisition of Swedish as a foreign language: the case of Finns learning definiteness and the use of articles

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 297-327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eeva-Lisa Nyqvist

This study explores the acquisition of definiteness and article use in written Swedish by Finnish-speaking teenagers (n=67) during the three years in secondary school. The studied grammatical phenomena are problematic for all L2 learners of Swedish and are especially difficult for learners, such as Finns, whose L1 lacks expressive definiteness morphologically. The informants produce complex NPs already in their first narratives. The form of NPs poses significantly more problems than the choice of a correct form of definiteness. Hence, it is possible that previous knowledge in English helps informants in the choice of definiteness. The common nominator for problematic expressions is simplification, in both formal aspects and in the relation between form and meaning. Previous research in Sweden has made similar findings. The most central types of NPs build an acquisition explainable by a complexity hierarchy between the different types of NPs. The informants master best NPs without definiteness markers. Definite singulars containing an ending are significantly easier than indefinite singulars, the indefinite article of which is notoriously difficult for Finns learning Swedish as an L2. This acquisition order, however, profoundly differs from the traditional order of instruction of their compendiums.

2021 ◽  
pp. 83-98
Author(s):  
Silvia Gilardoni

In this paper we examine the treatment of terminology in CLIL context (Content and language integrated learning), through the analysis of a corpus of subject textbooks in a foreign language and in Italian as a second language. After introducing the CLIL methodology and its application in the field of foreign language and Italian as a second language teaching as regards the Italian context, we consider the role of terminology in CLIL environment. Then we present the results of the analysis of the corpus, which consists of CLIL textbooks in English for the secondary school and of subject textbooks in Italian as a second language for non-native speakers of secondary school and adult migrants who need the qualification of Italian secondary school. The analysis of the treatment of terminology in the corpus allows to outline methodological suggestions to integrate the terminological approach into teaching practice in different CLIL contexts.


Author(s):  
Félix Montealegre Ramón

Abstract The role of Corrective Feedback (CF) in the process of acquiring a second language (L2) has been deemed an issue of controversy among theorists and researchers alike. In this empirical study, the objective is to investigate the quality of EFL learners’ processing of feedback employing models and different types of noticing (perfunctory or substantive [Qi & Lapkin, 2001]). The study was carried out with 13- and 14-year-old learners placed in two groups and engaged in a three-stage writing task that included composing a picture-based story (Stage 1), comparing their texts with a model (Stage 2), and rewriting the story (Stage 3). The groups differed in the way they were prompted to process the model text. The findings indicate that there are no differences between the two feedback groups within stages. All the participants increased the number of features reported across stages regardless of the feedback condition. The employment of a model text provided the students with alternative features related to lexis, form, and ideas. The potential effects of model texts and types of noticing on L2 learners’ language development are discussed.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 778-783
Author(s):  
Vesna Prodanovska-Poposka

Speaking as a productive skill is one of the very first obstacles that foreign language users face when using the language. Knowledge of a language does not refer to the correct and proper pronunciation however, being able to produce sounds, words or utterances in their proper way does not refer to proficiency of a language nor can it assess the overall level of the user of that particular language. The aim of this study is to present the components of speaking as a productive skill emphasizing the role of acquiring proper pronunciation as a factor for effective communication. The study also presents the most significant "common core" of English pronunciation as a lingua franca, details of the requested phonological competence as knowledge set by the Common European Framework of Languages: Learning, Teaching and Assessment and viewpoints of EFL teachers and authors. Additionally, the study includes data from EFL self- assessments from University students in Macedonia regarding their speaking and pronunciation skills and overall evaluation from their assessor –an English language instructor.


Author(s):  
Karimova Jamila Shariyevna

This article is devoted to the role of listening skill and it’s different types in terms of obtaining new language. The stages which are typically used in order to do listening  are given with their instructions in the article.


Author(s):  
Olga Supe ◽  
Aivars Kaupuzs

The research reflected in the article focuses on the analyses of scientific literature, investigates the foreign experience on theoretical aspects of foreign language acquisition and the role of homework in the learning process. The author clarifies the current situation of English vocabulary acquisition among secondary school students, traditionally assigning homework and gathers students’ views on this, compares and analyses the results gained. The aim of the research is to investigate the impact of homework on the secondary school students’ English vocabulary development process. Methods of research: theoretical - studying pedagogical, psychological and scientific sources; empirical – a survey, document analysis, and an experiment. The article deals with students’ opinions about homework and examines the data of homework assignment at Rezekne State Gymnasium No.1.


Author(s):  
Tomoyuki Kanetsuna ◽  
Peter K. Smith

This is an English translation with some expansion of the article originally published in Japanese as a university bulletin in 2009. Previous research has found both differences and similarities between ijime in Japan and bullying in England. Bullying is often by pupils in different classes or higher year groups whom the victim does not know very well; ijime is often by victims’ classmates whom the victim knows very well. However, it has not been shown whether these differences are found for all types of bullying, or how they relate to friendships generally and the impact of differing school systems. We aimed to see whether previously found differences between ijime and bullying could be replicated, and, if so, whether they held for six different types of victimization, and whether friendship characteristics were consistent with explaining why they occur. To investigate the role of friendships and their location, 1036 Japanese and 931 English secondary school pupils participated in a comparative study of perceptions of bullying and ijime. The previous differences were confirmed and found to hold irrespective of type of bullying. Japanese pupils mainly formed friendships on a class basis, English pupils on a broader basis including pupils in different years. In school, English pupils spent much time in the playground with their friends and saw this as a likely venue for bullying, whereas Japanese pupils spent more time in the classroom and saw this as a likely venue for ijime. The difference in friendship formation, together with differences in the organization of class-based teaching in the two countries, are hypothesized to play a significant role in explaining some differences between bullying and ijime.


Author(s):  
Grażyna Zarzycka

The aim of this article is to discuss the place and role of the intercultural encounter (IE) in communication and education, including in foreign language teaching. Firstly, I present the IE as a communicative event and define it using terms developed by ethnographers of speech (communication). Secondly, I discuss the concepts contained in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Companion Volume with New Descriptors (CEFR 2018) relating to the mediation of text, concepts, and communication, and present the original definition of mediation in intercultural contacts. That section emphasises that mediation does not only act as an intermediary facilitating the course of a communication event but also as an “understanding interview with oneself.” Next, I discuss theoretical concepts related to the IE, I describe it as a tool used in teaching and intercultural education, and I present a description of the IE by a student of the Teaching Polish as a Foreign/Second Language course at the University of Lodz. Finally, I analyse an example description of an IE and present preliminary conclusions on how to use IE descriptions in various educational contexts.


e-TEALS ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-69
Author(s):  
Carla Ulisses ◽  
Nic Hurst

Abstract This article reports on a small-scale action research project developed in the context of the practicum of a Teacher Education Masters course at the Faculty of Letters, the University of Porto. The project was focussed on the importance of visual stimuli in the foreign language teaching classroom (English and Spanish), within the context of an intercultural approach. Different strategies, activities and materials were employed with the general aim of helping the learners to develop their critical cultural awareness. The learners played a central role, participating actively, by bringing into the classroom their own knowledge of the world. Simultaneously, the role of the teacher was not without importance in this action research project, presenting herself as an example of a cultural mediator.


Neofilolog ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 73-86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystyna Szymankiewicz ◽  
Radosław Kucharczyk

Modern language policy in Europe has put forward the concept of multilingualism,and with this plurilingual competence. The definitions of both phenomenacan be found in numerous documents of the Council of Europe, especiallyin the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.The authors of this document describe multilingual communication in somedetail, where the native speaker user is beyond the scale. A lot of attention iscurrently being given to issues of multilingualism in education, with numerousarticles, suggestions for teaching activities and tools to develop related skills.This article raises the question of the preparation of future teachers of languageswhich will be taught as the second foreign language (L3) and how plurilingualcompetence can be developed in the classroom. The study, conductedamong students of Romance languages answers the following questions.Are students, who are future L3 language teachers, adequately preparedto develop plurilingual competence in their students? Do they have theappropriate knowledge and practical skills to do this? What are their beliefsregarding the role of different languages when teaching the L3 target language?


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 113-118
Author(s):  
M. Labach

The article substantiates the relevance of the problem of forming a linguistic and cultural personality at a higher school, although this problem is not new. Obviously, the strategies used before were either ineffective or not very actively implemented into practice. A closer look at the problem allows actualizing it, finding those aspects that were obviously not taken into account, and, therefore, focusing on them. Emphasis is put on the subjects that have the strongest potential in the formation of a linguistic and cultural personality. It is emphasized that the majority of the citizens of our state and young people, including those who were formed by our secondary school and later become students of higher schools, unfortunately have a misconception about the functions of their native language: they believe that its main function is communicative, they do not sometimes know about others. Hence the lack of understanding of the role of language in the formation of consciousness, intelligence, and worldview in general, and these factors are of global importance for understanding the security, strategic, and nation-building significance of the native language. The common phenomenon of diglossia is emphasized, the reasons caused it are pointed out, and the features of a high-level linguistic and cultural personality that everyone can develop in themselves to avoid diglossic situations are characterized. Such phenomena as jargon and slang are widespread among young people, and most of those who use them are convinced that only Russian vocabulary can be used in these forms of language. The Ukrainian language, developing as a living organism, serves the needs of different strata of the population, has a rich vocabulary and virtually unlimited possibilities, can undoubtedly be used to create surzhik and slang concepts - this is a normal process of language development, indicating its versatility and unlimited capacity. Emphasis is placed on the formation of a linguistic and cultural personality while teaching technical disciplines.


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