Writing and Culture in CALL

2019 ◽  
pp. 1579-1603
Author(s):  
Reyes Llopis-García ◽  
Margarita Vinagre
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Columbia University ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Target Culture

This chapter discusses the importance of writing as a key ability to address in the foreign/second language classroom. The need to design and implement projects and tasks that foster authentic cultural learning through the meaningful use of written production is addressed, and a project that meets these criteria is presented. This email tandem exchange project was conducted between 94 intermediate-level students (47 pairs) from Columbia University/Barnard College in New York and the Universidad Autonóma de Madrid in Spain during the Fall Semester 2010 (and subsequently in 2011 and 2012). There were several goals to this project: to help improve students' writing skills; to encourage them to learn about culture through authentic and real exposure to the target language (TL onwards, understood as “direct contact with a native speaker”); to foster progress in their use of the TLs through peer-to-peer corrections; and to take an active part in their own learning through self-assessment. Based on students' opinions, this project had a very positive impact on the way they viewed the foreign/target culture on both sides of the Atlantic. It also helped them enhance their written proficiency and acquire a new lexical mastery that would have been impossible through the limited and less-real scope of the classroom.

Writing and Culture in CALL

2014 ◽  
pp. 129-151
Author(s):  
Reyes Llopis-García
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Columbia University ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Target Culture

This chapter discusses the importance of writing as a key ability to address in the foreign/second language classroom. The need to design and implement projects and tasks that foster authentic cultural learning through the meaningful use of written production is addressed, and a project that meets these criteria is presented. This email tandem exchange project was conducted between 94 intermediate-level students (47 pairs) from Columbia University/Barnard College in New York and the Universidad Autonóma de Madrid in Spain during the Fall Semester 2010 (and subsequently in 2011 and 2012). There were several goals to this project: to help improve students’ writing skills; to encourage them to learn about culture through authentic and real exposure to the target language (TL onwards, understood as “direct contact with a native speaker”); to foster progress in their use of the TLs through peer-to-peer corrections; and to take an active part in their own learning through self-assessment. Based on students’ opinions, this project had a very positive impact on the way they viewed the foreign/target culture on both sides of the Atlantic. It also helped them enhance their written proficiency and acquire a new lexical mastery that would have been impossible through the limited and less-real scope of the classroom.

Email Tandem Exchanges as a Tool for Authentic Cultural Learning

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 43-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reyes Llopis-García
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Columbia University ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Target Languages ◽  
Target Culture

This paper presents the description of an email Tandem exchange project conducted between 94 intermediate-level students (47 pairs) from Columbia University/Barnard College in New York and Universidad Autonóma de Madrid in Spain during the Fall Semester 2010. There were several goals to this project: to help improve students’ writing skills; to encourage them to learn about culture through authentic (understood as ‘direct contact with a native speaker’) and real exposure to the target language; to foster progress in their use of the target languages through peer-to-peer corrections; and to take an active part in their own learning through self-assessment. Based on students’ opinions, this project had a very positive impact in the way they viewed the foreign/target culture on both sides of the Atlantic. It also helped them enhance their written proficiency and acquire a new lexical mastery that would have been impossible through the limited and less-real scope of the classroom.

scholarly journals Using the Spanish Online Resource Aula Virtual de Español (AVE) to Promote a Blended Teaching Approach in High School Spanish Language Classrooms / Utilisation de la ressource en ligne espagnole AVE pour favoriser l’approche de l’enseignement hybride

2012 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Martine Pellerin ◽  
Carlos Soler Montes
Keyword(s):  
Learning Styles ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Spanish Language ◽  
Teaching Approach ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Online Resource ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Delivery Approach ◽  
Blended Teaching

The study explores the effectiveness of the implementation of blended teaching (BT) by combining the Spanish online resource Aula Virtual de Español (AVE) with the face-to-face (F2F) delivery approach in second language Spanish programs in two high schools in Alberta, Canada. Findings demonstrate the effectiveness of combining the online resource AVE to the F2F teaching approach to promote BT in the Spanish language classroom. The use of BT approach in the language classroom had a positive impact on the students’ attitudes towards the study of the language, the students’ motivation and their participation levels in class, as well as their use of the target language in the classroom. Moreover, the multimodal experiences provided by the use of the online AVE resource combined with the F2F delivery approach responded more to the different learners learning styles and specific needs. Finally, the use of online AVE in conjunction with F2F teaching was also perceived as an effective tool in the preparation for the International Spanish Diplomas (DELE) taken by the students in the more advanced Spanish classes. La présente étude explore l’efficacité de l’enseignement hybride combinant l’utilisation de la ressource espagnole en ligne Aula Virtual de Español (AVE) et l’interaction face à face dans les programmes d’enseignement de l’espagnol, langue seconde, dans deux écoles secondaires de l’Alberta (Canada). Les résultats démontrent l’efficacité de la combinaison de la ressource en ligne AVE à la prestation face à face pour favoriser l’approche de l’enseignement hybride dans les cours d’espagnol. L’utilisation de l’approche de l’enseignement hybride dans le cours de langue a eu une incidence positive sur l’attitude des élèves relativement à l’apprentissage de la langue, la motivation des élèves et leur taux de participation en classe, ainsi que leur utilisation de la langue d’apprentissage dans la classe. En outre, les expériences multimodales fournies par l’utilisation de la ressource en ligne AVE et l’interaction face à face correspondaient mieux aux styles d’apprentissage et aux besoins particuliers des apprenants. Enfin, l’utilisation de la ressource en ligne AVE et de l’interaction face à face a aussi été perçue comme un outil efficace de préparation aux Diplômes internationaux d’espagnol (DIE) entrepris par les élèves des cours d’espagnol plus avancés.

scholarly journals USING LITERARY TEXTS IN NORWEGIAN LANGUAGE TEACHING

2021 ◽  
pp. 505
Author(s):  
Danica Piršl ◽  
Tea Piršl
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Literary Texts ◽  
Cultural Patterns ◽  
Authentic Material ◽  
Language And Culture ◽  
Teaching Language ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Target Culture

The use of literary texts in teaching language has varied from the strict focus on translation and essential grammar and vocabulary lists derived from the text to the more creative uses like acting, writing and debating. Nowadays, communicative language approach prevails in most classrooms and insists on immersing students into both the target language and culture. In this paper, the author argues that to accomplish this, one can use literary texts in a number of ways and help the students learn, practice and master various language skills, while at the same time relating the texts to the students' interests, goals and lived experiences and help them relate to the society whose language they are learning. Literature is presented as a great source of authentic material that can contribute to students' language enrichment and cultural awareness. According to the data obtained from the research conducted for the purpose of this paper, students learning the Norwegian language by extensive use of literature reported better understanding of the target culture, raised awareness of the different cultural patterns and improved language skills. The pedagogical implications of the research are that more authentic literary texts should be used in language classroom to boost successful language acquisition.

scholarly journals EFL STUDENTS’ VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES OF CULTURE LEARNING: ARE THEY WORTHY TO FOSTER INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE?

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Marwa Marwa
Keyword(s):  
Intercultural Competence ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Culture Learning ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Student Questionnaire ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Target Culture

Abstract: In the light of globalization, intercultural competence is crucially demanded by the language learners to be successful speakers and mediators in international interaction and communication. This study aims at investigating how the Indonesian EFL students view and undertake the culture learning in their classrooms. This study was a survey research carried out in October and December 2016 in two state universities: 1) University of Riau (UR) located in Riau Province and 2) Brawijaya University (UB) in Malang-East Java. There were a total of 80 participants involved by using random sampling. The student questionnaire (adopted and adapted from HST. Kiet, 2011) consisting of six statements was used. To answer the research question, descriptive statistics analysis (Sum of score, Mean and Standard Deviation) was used to analyse the completed student questionnaire. The findings reveal that the students showed positive attitudes in culture learning purposes; they mainly learned cultural facts oriented to target culture exploration as the dominant cultural learning in the classroom; they used media such as internet, TV and literature as the most dominant cultural learning sources outside the classroom; they found that culture learning benefited them to their EFL learning; and finally they agreed that the target culture should be taught together with the target language in EFL classes. Therefore, it is suggested that future researchers do such an in-depth study pertaining to students’ ICC learning and development in the environment of classroom interactions.

scholarly journals The involvement of Polish teachers of English in teaching target language culture

2019 ◽  
pp. 259-265
Author(s):  
Jerzy Zybert
Keyword(s):  
Present Situation ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Target Culture

The present paper discusses the current perception of the concept of culture with relation to FL students’ needs. It explores the extent to which Polish teachers of English are aware of the significance of teaching target culture and reports on its actual implementation in the language classroom. Comments on the present situation and suggestions for improving it are provided.

Short-term accommodation as a function of addressee language proficiency

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-193
Author(s):  
Cecily Corbett
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Spanish Speakers ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Dominican Spanish

Abstract This paper examines patterns of phonetic accommodation as a function of addressee target language proficiency. Specifically, it analyzes short-term adjustments in the articulation of coda consonants /s/, /ɾ/, and /n/ in the speech of eight New York Dominican Spanish speakers during a series of conversations with different addressees – a native speaker and three nonnative Spanish speakers who have varying levels of Spanish proficiency. Results demonstrate that addressee native-speaker status and proficiency play a statistically significant role in both the degree and direction of phonetic accommodation exhibited by the native speaker informants. While the informants converge with both the most- and least-proficient addressees, they initially diverge from the mid-proficient addressee. The study finds that the native speaker informants use overtly-prestigious variants to attune to the academic Spanish of the most-proficient addressees and use covertly-prestigious, emblematic variants with both the mid-proficient and native speaker addressees to demonstrate outgroup and ingroup membership, respectively.

scholarly journals KIAT MAHASISWA BERKOMUNIKASI DIDALAM BAHASA INGGRIS PASKA PENDEKATAN FRESHNESS DAN ENTHUSIASM

Edulib ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Doddy Rusmono
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Second Language ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Intended Receiver ◽  
The One ◽  
Learning English

AbstractThrough DIMBI (Diskusi Ilmiah Mahasiswa Berbahasa Inggris – Student’s English Discussion) some can be drawn that learners (i.e. Students) want to have their messages accepted in a proper way by the receiver in the target language. By merely integrating vocabulary and grammar to communicate, the meaning of the expression could not reach the intended receiver and might end up with being incomprehensive on his part. Elelments of culture are neede to make other people understand what you are trying to say, especially when the one you are talking to is a native speaker of English language.  Learners are in the situation in which English fall into the category of a foreign, and not English as a second language. When learning English as a second language takes place, the learners are involved in the language in their daily life ectivities while  learning English as a foreign language as the case in Indonesia, acquisition and usage depend on and are restricted to learning structures as designed for classroom mode with its various impacts. However little any attempts made by the learners, appreciation and good points of view must emerge for the sake of skill developments. Ways of exploring with tricks by the learners everytime they try to communicate in English with a number of mistakesn needs to be ameliorated in such a way that hopes for betterments live a good endeavour. Approach in the light of teacher demeanor brings with it a positive impact. The approach generates freshness and enthusiasm as well and thus encouraging the learners to express with confidencde regardless of possible inaccuracies in their various forms.Keywords: vocabulary, grammar points, communication, culture, target language. AbstrakMelalui DIMBI (Diskusi Ilmiah Mahasiswa Berbahasa Inggris) terperoleh simpulan bahwa para pembelajar (baca: Mahasiswa) ingin agar pesan yang mereka komunikasikan dapat berterima. Dengan menggabungkan kosa-kata dan gramatika saja pesan yang mereka sampaikan sebagai penutur belum cukup untuk memenuhi keberterimaan oleh penerima pesan pada bahasa sasaran (Bahasa Inggris). Diperlukan unsur kultur untuk mencapai bahasa sasaran. Unsur kultur akan sangat menentukan makna yang ditangkap oleh penerima pesan, terutama bilamana penerima pesan tadi adalah penutur asli (native speaker).  Pembelajar berada dalam situasi yang dikategorikan Bahasa Inggris sebagai Bahasa Asing (English As A Foreign Language) , bukan sebagai Bahasa Kedua (English As A Second Language). Ketika bergagas melalui ujaran didalam Bahasa Inggris sebagai bahasa kedua, pembelajar dilibatkan dengan bahasa ini didalam kehidupan sehari-hari mereka sedangkan pembelajaran Bahasa Inggris sebagai bahasa asing seperti misalnya di Indonesia, perolehan dan penggunaan Bahasa Inggris tergantung dan terbatas pada rancangan belajar di ruang kelas dengan segala dampak penyertanya. Upaya sekecil apapun oleh pembelajar harus dilihat dari segi positifnya untuk kemudian dicarikan cara pengembangannya. Kiat penuh kekeliruan sekalipun perlu dihidupkan agar komunikasi tetap berlangsung lancar dan berterima. Pendekatan melalui teacher demeanor yang menyegarkan dan penuh semangat membawa dampak positif bagi pembelajar berupa keberanian berekspresi, terlepas dari ketidakpasan disana-sini.Kata kunci: kosa kata, gramatika, komunikasi, kultur, bahasa sasaran.

scholarly journals Cultural threads in three primary schools

AILA Review ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 64-90
Author(s):  
Patricia Driscoll ◽  
Adrian Holliday
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Ethical Guidelines ◽  
Substantial Evidence ◽  
Teachers Perceptions ◽  
Inclusive Practice ◽  
High Deprivation ◽  
Cultural Experiences ◽  
Target Culture

Abstract This paper explores headteachers’ and teachers’ perceptions of foreign languages(FL) and cultural learning in three primary schools in areas of disadvantage in England. Drawing upon a new theoretical frame for primary languages, Critical Cosmopolitanism (Delanty, 2006; Beck and Sznaider, 2006) and The Grammar of Culture (Holliday, 2018), we argue that the grand narrative of a target language inhabited by a target culture is outdated and approaches to cultural learning in primary schools could lead the way. There is substantial evidence that most learners find language lessons fun, particularly activities such as songs, stories and intercultural events (Driscoll et al., 2004, 2014; Cable et al. 2010). The discourse on conditions for inclusive practice is less commonplace and little is known about FL learning in areas of high deprivation (Nikolov & Mihaljević Djigunović, 2011). Teachers and headteachers in this study were committed to cultural learning and staff adopted creative approaches to teaching. The findings, however, also indicate that traditional notions of a mono or homogenised national culture with associated stereotypes linger in teachers’ framing of FL. There exists a need for a more personalised approach to cultural learning drawing upon children’s own cultural experiences. Data was analysed thematically following strict ethical guidelines and all names were anonymised to ensure confidentiality.

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