scholarly journals Rethinking Policies, Procedures, and Practices Surrounding Language Learning and Learners

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Griffin ◽  
David Chiesa

The summer 2021 issue of GATESOL Journal is replete with research-based insights and strategies for supporting multilingual learners in varied teaching contexts. The five articles in this issue address ways to better equip multilingual learners for success in an increasingly diverse and multicultural society. One common thread throughout the issue is the rethinking of policies, procedures, and practices that surround language learning and learners. As the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 is on the rise and the future of K–12 and higher education continues to remain uncertain, we sincerely hope this issue of GATESOL Journal provides our wide conglomerate of readers—from K–12 mainstream and ESOL teachers to researchers and teacher educators in and outside of Georgia institutions of higher learning to state policymakers—ideas they can take back with them to their respective spheres of influence to make a lasting difference in how we do language teaching and learning in Georgia and beyond.

Author(s):  
Sirkka Tshiningayamwe ◽  
Ntha Silo ◽  
Crispen Dirwai

With the advent of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) which has spread to the majority of countries across the world, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared a global pandemic on 11 March 2020. Governments all over the world, including in southern Africa, introduced measures such as the banning of large gatherings,closure of borders, schools and institutions of higher learning to curb the spread of COVID-19. To ensure ongoing teaching and learning, institutions of higher learning made resolutions to transition to remote/online teaching and learning. While online education has long preceded the pandemic, the spiraling of COVID-19 all over the world resulted in the upscaling of online teaching and learning in higher education institutions. Mandatory online teaching and learning was a relatively new practice to most lecturers and students in southern Africa. Drawing on two case stories from Botswana and Namibia, this paper offers a think piece on the shifts to online learning, considering assumptions, implications and possibilities for quality learning in teacher education, through a reflection by teacher educators of environment and sustainability courses. The assumptions in online learning were that students and teacher educators had the capacity and infrastructure for remote/online teaching and learning. This paper thus opens up opportunities for institutions of higher learning to scale up their Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and support for both students and teacher educators for online teaching and learning which have the potential to improve on quality education during times of crisis. Keywords: Online teaching and learning, ICT infrastructure, Education for SustainableDevelopment (ESD), quality education


IFLA Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 034003522110182
Author(s):  
Evans F Wema

This article reviews literature on the use of virtual learning environments by highlighting their potential and the challenges of introducing the same in Tanzania. It introduces the concept of virtual learning environments by demonstrating their applications to support teaching and learning. The article discusses the use of virtual learning environments in teaching information literacy courses by highlighting the success of using such tools in facilitating the teaching of information literacy courses to library users. In this review, special emphasis is placed on attempts by Tanzanian institutions of higher learning to introduce web-based teaching of information literacy and the challenges faced. The review reveals the need for Tanzanian institutions of higher learning to develop virtual learning environments to facilitate the teaching of information literacy courses to students and faculty so as to reach many of those who may not manage to attend the face-to-face information literacy sessions that are offered by librarians on a regular basis.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hairol Anuar Hj Mak Din ◽  
Khairul Hamimah Mohd Jodi ◽  
Faridah Che Hussain

The Malaysia  Education Blueprint 2015-2025 clearly shows the aspirations of the Higher Education Ministry on the importance of applying national identity among graduates at Higher Education Institutions. In line with the wishes, the course of Malaysia Studies is a major medium for the building of patriotism values among students. Hence, the Malaysian Studies Course was strengthened and used as one of the General Subjects (MPUs) conducted by all Institutions of Higher Learning. All citizens and non-citizens are required to attend and pass the Malaysian Studies Course as a graduation requirement. In order to make the course more interesting and interactive, the Teaching And Learning method is always improved to achieve the predetermined learning outcomes. Thus, a study using a quantitative approach has been undertaken to identify students' responses to the implementation of the Malaysian School of Excellence in KUIS. The Teaching And Learning implementation assessment for this course is based on scoring components, teaching staff and teaching aids. The findings show that Teaching And Learning implemented in Malaysian Studies courses is relevant and capable of applying the elements of identity and patriotism among students. Keywords: Teaching And Learning, General Studies subjects, Malaysian Studies Course


Author(s):  
Zuraini Ramli Et.al

This study aims to explore the cross-language learning, referred astranslanguaging in bilingual teaching and learning(T&L) at the level of higher learning institutions, through the analysis of case studies conducted at three Public Universities (UA) in Malaysia. This study uses a case study method involving three lecturers in three UAs in Malaysia. Data is derived from audio recordings of three lectures per lecturer, in-class observations, as well as interviews with lecturers and a group of students from each class.Alllecture recordings and interviews were transcribed and qualitatively analysed.This study shows that translanguaging occurs in all recorded T&L sessions.Translanguagingbecomes the practice for bothlecturers and students as it encourages students to be more interactive and responsive and to prepare students to join the broaderscientific community on an international level.This study is equally crucial for both partiessince the use of a language ​​other than the medium of instruction should be given space in T&L in public universities which uses English as the medium of instruction.


Author(s):  
Jacklyne Alari ◽  
Maurice Okoth

Abstract Students' experience in institutions of higher learning can be a factor of make or break for the institution. Good students' experience is a great marketer of the institution through referrals of word of mouth by alumni and bad experiences can be great de-marketer. It is important that the universities strive to deliberately improve on students' experience. Research indicates that great students' experience in universities promotes peaceful co-existence, enhances academic performance and minimize disruption to teaching and learning. Enhanced students experience is directly proportional to good handling of students' complaints as they may come up from time to time. The study was guided by the following objectives: What are the major students concerns in the universities in Kenya? Is the University leadership aware of the students concerns? How does the University leadership address the major students concerns? A survey was conducted, data was randomly collected using digital google forms questionnaires. A total of 167 respondents participated in the study. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data. Quantitative data was analyzed directly using the google forms application as responses were received. Qualitative data was analyzed by creating themes and developing a narration. Results show that the major students concerns are: Stressful/traumatic experiences, academic issues and social issues. The findings also reveal that the university leadership is aware of the concern however there are serious lapses in addressing students' concerns. The lapses are systemic, policy related, legislative, leadership, governance resulting to unsatisfying or no responses. The study recommends that there is need for timely feedback by University leadership on the key students concerns. Further there is need for a structured platform of feedback that is interactive and friendly. These include but not limited to dialogue; constant monitoring of student needs in order to improve the general students' experience in universities.


Technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) is a dynamic theoretical description of teachers' knowledge for designing, implementing, and evaluating curriculum and instruction with digital technologies. TPACK portrays the complex interaction among content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, and technological knowledge for guiding all teachers (K-12 and higher education faculty) in the strategic thinking of when, where, and how to direct students' learning with technologies. Teacher educators' and educational researchers' acceptance of the TPACK construct mirrors the acceptance of its parent construct of pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). The importance of teachers' continued practice in integrating technologies is essential for extending and enhancing their TPACK. Connections with the knowledge-of-practice construct suggest calling TPACK TPACK-of-practice to more accurately describe the process of the knowledge development efforts for guiding inservice and preservice teachers in gaining, developing, and transforming their knowledge for teaching as new and more powerful technologies emerge for integration in education. Ultimately, the very nature of the TPACK construct describes a transformation of teachers' knowledge for teaching in the 21st century – a century reframed by robust and advanced technologies that have been integrated into the fabric of a more complex social, cultural, and educational environment.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 3433-3466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bokolo Anthony ◽  
Adzhar Kamaludin ◽  
Awanis Romli ◽  
Anis Farihan Mat Raffei ◽  
Danakorn Nincarean A/L Eh Phon ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Milcah M. Chokah

As technology transforms the world into a global village, people become more and more exposed to different cultures and opportunities. Opportunities for a better life, better education, better employment. Languages – especially foreign languages - have gained a special status in education systems. People want to learn other languages to be able to communicate and take advantage of what other countries have to offer. French as a foreign language was introduced into the Kenyan education system with noble objectives, the main one being to facilitate communication between Kenya and francophone members of the then African Union. In the late 1960s French was introduced into the university system and is today the most popular foreign language studied. Most institutions of higher learning in Kenya offer courses in French either as a main subject or as a support subject. However, the teaching/learning of this language has not been without challenges. The main objective of this paper was to examine the programmes offered, how they are organized and their relevance to the teaching/learning of French as a foreign language. It also investigated the challenges and the new approaches that could enhance the teaching and learning of French in institutions of higher learning


2020 ◽  
pp. 136216882093727
Author(s):  
Aki Tsunemoto ◽  
Pavel Trofimovich ◽  
Sara Kennedy

Teacher cognition has attracted increased attention among second language (L2) researchers and practitioners, likely because of its potential consequences for classroom practices, such as teaching and assessment. Prior research has revealed links between teacher beliefs about pronunciation teaching and teachers’ own experience (e.g. amount of teacher training and teaching experience). However, no research has to date focused on how teachers’ experience and their beliefs are intertwined, possibly affecting teacher assessments of L2 speakers’ pronunciation. For this study, 77 Japanese pre-service teachers of English completed an online questionnaire examining their beliefs about the teaching of English pronunciation and eliciting details about their L2 teaching and learning experience. Additionally, pre-service teachers assessed 40 Japanese secondary school students performing an extemporaneous speech task, rating these speakers for comprehensibility, accentedness, and fluency. Results showed that pre-service teachers could be categorized into two distinct profiles, defined by joint contributions of pre-service teachers’ experience (a mixture of language learning/teaching experience and pronunciation-related instruction) and their beliefs (teachability of L2 pronunciation and approaches to its teaching). Pre-service teachers with more experience appeared to be more skeptical about how (easily) L2 pronunciation can be learned and taught and also provided harsher accentedness ratings, compared to pre-service teachers with less experience, revealing links between experience, beliefs, and speech assessments. Taken together, the findings reveal how pre-service teachers’ experience might shape their beliefs and assessments, implying that teacher educators must encourage future teachers to hold positive views about the teachability of L2 pronunciation by shifting their attention toward communicatively oriented dimensions of L2 speech and by providing teachers with pedagogical skills to target these dimensions.


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