scholarly journals Researching the Complexities of the School Subject Swedish as a Second Language: A Linguistic Ethnographic Project in Four Schools

Languages ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 205
Author(s):  
Christina Hedman ◽  
Ulrika Magnusson

This article focuses on language education policy for language learners in Sweden by building on a synthesis of findings from a research project on the school subject Swedish as a second language (SSL). The project was located in three upper secondary schools and one primary school with a large proportion of migrant students, of whom a majority studied SSL. We present previously published core findings, as well as revisit data for new analyses. The overarching aim is to contribute new knowledge on the complexities of arranging for sustainable, equitable and high-quality language educational provisions that include the teaching and learning of the language of schooling, through the lens of SSL. First, we outline and discuss the relatively unique design of SSL and discourses surrounding the subject, and also make some international comparisons with English as an Additional Language. Secondly, we discuss the role of pedagogical scaffolding of advanced literacy and literary content, and of multilingual aspects in SSL, as well as examine policy frictions in the data. We conclude by reflecting on the role of teacher competences and research methodology. Researching a second language subject is to stand in the crossroad of macro policy, the theory and practice of language education, and equity. All these aspects need to be considered to reach sustainable educational goals.

2011 ◽  
Vol 31 ◽  
pp. 120-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha Bigelow ◽  
Patsy Vinogradov

Some second language (L2) learners are unique in that they bring low print literacy and limited formal schooling to the language learning enterprise. A range of personal, economic, historical, and political circumstances bring them to highly literate, industrialized societies where print literacy becomes not only desirable but necessary to earn a living and participate in a range of everyday activities. This article is a review of current research related to this population of learners for the purpose of informing educators about their particular teaching and learning needs. While the emphasis is on scholarship focused on adult L2 emergent readers, attention is also given to related research with bi- and multilingual children and monolingual adults who are not print literate. Finally, sociopolitical and historical issues are touched upon with regard to broader policy matters that may have contributed to or perpetuate low print literacy.


1995 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 307-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maggie Bruck ◽  
Fred Genesee

ABSTRACTEnglish-speaking children (N = 91) who were attending French schools (bilingual group) were given a battery of phonological awareness tests in kindergarten and in grade 1. At the time of kindergarten testing the mean age of the children was 5:9. Their performance was compared to age-matched English-speaking children (N = 72) attending English schools (monolingual group). The bilingual children showed heightened levels of phonological awareness skills in kindergarten in the area of onset-rime awareness. By grade 1, the pattern of group differences was more complex. The monolingual and bilingual children performed similarly on onset-rime segmentation tasks. The monolingual children had higher phoneme awareness scores than their French-schooled peers; this result is interpreted to reflect the role of literacy instruction on phoneme awareness development. In comparison, the bilingual children had higher syllable segmentation scores than their monolingual peers. This result is interpreted to reflect the role of second language input on phonological awareness.


2001 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 278-281
Author(s):  
D. Bradford Marshall

Judith Rosenthal has brought together a wide variety of articles on second language (L2) teaching and learning that will surely interest foreign language (FL) educators in U.S. universities who are struggling to increase or maintain enrollment in their courses or who are seeking new ideas to meet the needs and demands of an increasingly diverse student population. Rather than encourage individual language departments to continue their separate battles for survival, Rosenthal hopes to enhance the “integration” of FL programs in order “to better promote proficiency in more than one language” (p. 353). This volume clearly illustrates how teachers of various languages can collaborate and share experiences in order to find solutions to what are often very similar problems.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (05) ◽  
pp. 052-061
Author(s):  
MOHMED MOGHAZY

Enrolment into Arabic as a second language (ASL) in Dubai has increased steadily due to the high influx of immigrant populations. Although Arabic is the primary language in Dubai mandatory taught in primary schools in Dubai, training and learning face challenges that affect learning a teaching objective. The extant investigation aimed to examine the teaching and learning of ASL in Dubai through exploring the importance of ASL, ALS programs in Dubai, ASL changes and solutions, and the role of technology infusion and motivation in ASL training and learning. The examination utilized a qualitative case study where seven teachers and eight learners were interviewed. The researcher analyzed the data using thematic analysis. The data obtained revealed that ASL is important among non-Arabic natives and immigrants since its improved communication and interaction. The main challenge noted included curriculum shortcomings, inadequate training and learning, poor technology utilization, and insufficient learning times. The findings suggested curriculum review, increase in the technology used in training and learning, and allocation of more time for ASL lessons to curb the challenges. The examinations discuss the policy, practice, and research implications of the findings. Although the findings are insightful in ASL training and learning in Dubai, the researcher recommended extensive research using different methodologies, sample sizes, and other cities in the UAE.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahmah Yulia

Curriculum administration is the whole process of planned and deliberately planned and serious activities and continuing coaching of the teaching and learning situation effectively and efficiently in order to help the achievement of educational goals that have been set. In the process of curriculum administration, there are 4 processes that we can find out, namely: curriculum planning, curriculum implementation, curriculum monitoring / development, and evaluation. The role of the teacher in the administration of education, namely: implementers, adapters, developers, researchers.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunita Rozalinda ◽  
Hade Afriansyah

This article was written to explain the understanding, process, and role of the teacher in curriculum administration. The method used to compile this article is a systematic literature review (SLR). Curriculum administration is the whole process of planned and earnest activities to help, and direct and foster the teaching and learning situation to run effectively and efficiently for the achievement of predetermined educational goals. In general the curriculum administration process consists of planning, implementation, supervision, evaluation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-129
Author(s):  
Ndegwa Grace Konyu; Dr. Lucy Wathika; Dr Josephine Khaemba

The intention of the study was to establish the effect of teachers’ use of reinforcement on learners’ performance in English language. It was done in selected secondary schools in Nakuru town and used descriptive research design. The study was guided by Gardner and Lambert’s Socio-Educational model of second language acquisition. Stratified random sampling was employed in selecting four schools while simple random sampling was used to choose one stream in form two, three and four in each school for observation. It resulted in eight observational schedules. The study sample of 60 students in form 2-4 and 8 teachers of English was purposively selected for interviews. A total number of 353 learners were observed. The study used interviews, audio recording and Structured Observational Schedules for data collection. The data was presented in form of tables, figures and verbatim transcript excerpts used for exemplification and illustration in a qualitative explication. The findings of the study revealed that second language learners’ performance in English is greatly influenced by teachers’ use of reinforcement. Moreover, it proved that teachers of English give unguarded praises, negative statements and criticisms to English second language learners. This study is a vital contribution to the field of Second Language Acquisition theory and practice with regard to offering information and insight into reinforcement, motivation and attitude in practical language acquisition and learning in the classroom situation. These findings are useful in the improvement of second language learners’ performance in English. Teachers of English will also acquaint themselves with effective use of positive verbal reinforcement which works as a motivational force on learners’ acquisition and use of the English language.


Author(s):  
Ani Derderian

Concepts about tasks have been considered as the major part of analysis in different teaching approaches. Instructors are being more interested in the use of task-based instruction in foreign and second language teaching. Task-based instruction and teaching strategies are implemented by emphasizing meaning. The purpose of this paper is to introduce and discuss some major principles of open architecture in the application of task based instruction in areas such as second language vocabulary acquisition, grammatical rules, and expressing new ideas. This manuscript examines the following topics (a) Task based (supported) instruction, (b) Open Architecture teaching design, and (c) The role of technology in language learning.


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