scholarly journals Understanding Austria from Afar: Treating Regional Variation in the Virtu-al German as a Foreign Language Classroom.

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 59-69
Author(s):  
Mason Wirtz
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learning Goals ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
Language Instructors ◽  
Foreign Language Instructors

The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced nearly every aspect of the academic world, and study abroad is no exception. Particularly in the foreign language learning sector, the unprecedented switch from in-class lectures to distance learning brought with it many challenges. Not only were language instructors tasked with creating an interactive language learning atmosphere from afar but continuing to spark student motivation while catering to a broad range of learning goals constituted a seemingly insurmountable obstacle. The following case study therefore seeks to provide an easily adaptable and interactive task-based activity for the German as a foreign language classroom that should support learners in gaining a deeper understanding of the social dimensions and usages of Austrian regional varieties. Furthermore, the activity is designed so as to be applicable in both an online as well as face-to-face classroom and accommodate foreign language instructors with less experience in digital course delivery and/or minimal access to learning management systems.  Abstract in German Die COVID-19 Pandemie hat nahezu jeden Aspekt der akademischen Welt beeinflusst, und Study Abroad ist keine Ausnahme. Gerade im Bereich des Fremdsprachenerwerbs hat die beispiellose Umstellung von Präsenzunterricht auf Fernlehre viele Herausforderungen mit sich gebracht. Nicht nur wurden Fremdsprachenlehrer:innen mit der Aufgabe konfrontiert, eine interaktive Sprachlernatmosphäre aus der Ferne zu schaffen, sondern auch die Motivation der Schüler:innen trotz der Situation zu wecken, aufrechtzuerhalten und gleichzeitig ein breites Spektrum an Lernzielen zu berücksichtigen. Dies hat eine scheinbar unüberwindbare Hürde dargestellt. In der folgenden Fallstudie handelt es sich daher um die Bereitstellung einer leicht adaptierbaren und interaktiven task-based Aktivität für den Deutsch als Fremdsprachenunterricht, die Lernende dabei unterstützen soll, ein tieferes Verständnis der sozialen Dimensionen und Verwendungen österreichischer Regionalvarietäten zu erlangen. Darüber hinaus ist die Aktivität so konzipiert, dass sie sowohl im Online- wie auch im Präsenzunterricht Einsatz finden und von Fremd-sprachenlehrer:innen mit wenig(er) Erfahrung in der digitalen Abhaltung von Lehrveranstaltungen und/oder minimalem Zugang zu Lernmanagement-systemen umgesetzt werden kann.

scholarly journals Rapport in the Foreign Language Classroom: From Face-to-Face to Online in Times of Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 485-511
Author(s):  
Shayna Katz
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Corrective Feedback ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Online Data ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Teacher Student ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
The Impact

As shown in previous studies, positive teacher and student rapport increases motivation and performance in foreign language learning. This study investigated the impact of three forms of interaction on the development of teacher-student and student-student relationships in a Spanish as a Foreign Language classroom that transitioned from face-to-face (FtoF) to online due to the emergence of the covid- 19 pandemic. These forms of interaction were positive comments, corrective feedback, and personal thematic discourse. The participants were students from six different beginner-level Spanish courses at a university in Hawai’i. Because of covid restrictions, half of the semester was conducted FtoF and half online. Data were collected through a three-part questionnaire with open and closed-ended questions which explored the impact of the online and FtoF setting and forms of interaction on rapport. The results reveal the importance of corrective feedback and positive comments on the development of positive teacher-student rapport, and of positive comments and personal thematic discourse on student-student rapport. The study suggests the need to bring qualities from the FtoF classroom to online, such as a sense of a more personal experience, ability to connect, ease in asking questions, receiving feedback, and greater interaction.

scholarly journals Rapport in the Foreign Language Classroom: From Face-to-Face to Online in Times of Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 485-511
Author(s):  
Shayna Katz
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Corrective Feedback ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Online Data ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Teacher Student ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
The Impact

As shown in previous studies, positive teacher and student rapport increases motivation and performance in foreign language learning. This study investigated the impact of three forms of interaction on the development of teacher-student and student-student relationships in a Spanish as a Foreign Language classroom that transitioned from face-to-face (FtoF) to online due to the emergence of the covid- 19 pandemic. These forms of interaction were positive comments, corrective feedback, and personal thematic discourse. The participants were students from six different beginner-level Spanish courses at a university in Hawai’i. Because of covid restrictions, half of the semester was conducted FtoF and half online. Data were collected through a three-part questionnaire with open and closed-ended questions which explored the impact of the online and FtoF setting and forms of interaction on rapport. The results reveal the importance of corrective feedback and positive comments on the development of positive teacher-student rapport, and of positive comments and personal thematic discourse on student-student rapport. The study suggests the need to bring qualities from the FtoF classroom to online, such as a sense of a more personal experience, ability to connect, ease in asking questions, receiving feedback, and greater interaction.

scholarly journals USING GROUP-BASED METHODS IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSROOM WITH STUDENTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION ESTABLISHMENTS

2021 ◽  
pp. 216-220
Author(s):  
T. SOKURENKO ◽  
O. KONONENKO ◽  
A. KRYSHTAL
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Small Group ◽  
Small Groups ◽  
Group Work ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Small Group Work ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom

The article deals with the problem of using group-based foreign language learning in higher education establishments. The emphasis is on the advantages of small-group work in the foreign language classroom. The general models of using small groups are described in the article.

scholarly journals Anxiety in adult foreign language learning: The case of Ghanaian undergraduate students of Spanish

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-81
Author(s):  
Benedicta Adokarley Lomotey
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Classroom Anxiety

This study investigates students’ anxiety levels through the administration of the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) among Spanish learners at a Ghanaian University. The differences according to level of instruction, the association between classroom anxiety and performance, as well as the possible relationship between language immersion and anxiety are also analysed using descriptive statistics, and Pearson’s Moment Correlation Coefficient. The findings indicate that the majority of student participants experienced foreign language classroom anxiety. Nonetheless, contrary to previous research findings, anxiety was not found to decrease systematically as proficiency increased. Additionally, as confirmed by previous studies, the result of the Pearson correlation analysis showed that students’ overall Spanish classroom anxiety and their classroom achievement had a negative association.

scholarly journals Music in the Foreign Language Classroom: How and Why?

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 412
Author(s):  
Pauline Degrave
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Classroom Teachers ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Over Time

Despite a positive attitude towards the use of music in the foreign language classroom, teachers rarely integrate music into their lessons. Studies suggest two main explanations for this discrepancy: a limited knowledge of adapted material and a lack of theoretical grounding to support the use of music in the foreign language classroom. This article aims at examining how and why music can be used in the foreign language classroom. The first section describes some musical methodologies frequently used for language acquisition over time and provides references to resources containing music-based exercises for foreign language learning. The second part reviews research studies about the potential benefits of music-related methodologies for language acquisition and for specific linguistic skills.

First language and target language in the foreign language classroom

2009 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Littlewood ◽  
Baohua Yu
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
First Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom

For many decades, foreign language teaching has been dominated by the principle that teachers should use only the target language (TL) and avoid using the mother tongue (L1) except as a last resort. However, reports show that teachers make extensive use of the L1. This paper illustrates this discrepancy and considers some main reasons for it. It suggests a framework of principles for balancing L1 and TL use in the classroom. Finally, it reviews some strategies available to teachers who wish to make maximal use of the TL without denying the potential of the L1 to support foreign language learning.

The Use of Weblogs in Language Education

2009 ◽  
pp. 274-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Raith
Keyword(s):  
Social Interaction ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Discourse Communities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
The Relationship

This chapter explores in how far Web 2.0, Weblogs in particular, has changed foreign language learning. It argues that Weblogs, along with Web 2.0, have created new genres for which users need new forms of literacy. A qualitative study on the relationship between the online audience of Web 2.0 and learners’ writing processes is presented and the findings are discussed. The study supports the assumption that learners are aware of the social interaction taking place through weblogs and that this awareness of audience influences the writing process. The author’s intention is to point out that Web 2.0 has created new communities of language practice and that foreign language learning is happening in these discourse communities through social interaction. The challenge in foreign language education is to integrate these communities of practice into the foreign language classroom.

Two Barriers to Teaching Culture in Foreign Language Classroom

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 1128
Author(s):  
Xinxiao Yang ◽  
Dianbing Chen
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
College Level ◽  
Teaching Culture ◽  
Culture Teaching ◽  
Language Instructors ◽  
Barriers To Teaching ◽  
Beliefs And Attitudes

The teaching of culture teaching has been listed as one of the five goals in foreign language teaching and learning by the Standards for Foreign Language Learning in the new Century. However, the beliefs and attitudes of foreign language instructors towards the teaching of culture at the college-level remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate language instructors’ attitudes and beliefs towards teaching culture and the difficulties and barriers of teaching culture to college-level students. This qualitative case study explored the teaching of culture in Modern Language Department at a university through document mining, classroom observations, and interviews of language instructors who taught various foreign languages. Findings revealed two profound barriers, 1) instructors’ beliefs and attitudes, and 2) the lack of professional development opportunities in learning strategies on weaving culture teaching, in foreign language classrooms at the college-level.

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