The relationships between the average semester growth rates of lexical sophistication in L2 English writing at secondary school: A learner corpus analysis

In line with Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST), the aim of the paper is to examine dynamics and causality among the growth rates of lexical sophistication in L2 writing development. The study was based on The Written English Developmental Corpus of Polish Learners (WEDCPL) which consists of over 1,900 essays composed during 21 repeated measurements by 100 learners over three years (2014–2017) at secondary school. Lexical sophistication, operationalised as different frequency levels, was analysed with the Lextutor software (Cobb 2014). The results indicated that the learners relied on the first frequency level. The monthly growth rates (MGRs) of the frequency levels were variable but no significant peaks were registered. The relationships between the average semester growth rates (ASGRs) revealed competition between the first and higher frequency levels, and some support between the higher levels. Thus, developing learners’ lexis beyond the first level counteracts the production of lexically unsophisticated texts and supports the use of more advanced words.

Über ból und symptomy… Wortschatz im Polnischunterricht für deutschsprachige Rettungskräfte

This paper focuses on the lexical side of the emergency communication of German paramedics who are learning Polish as a foreign language for professional purposes. The aim of the study is to find out which lexical units arise during language courses and how often. To what extent can the acquired vocabulary be used to develop dedicated programmes for foreign language acquisition in medical emergency communication? The analysis shows that the vocabulary collected here depends on the subject, such as ból (pain) or leki (medicines). According to the participants, symptomy (symptoms) and duszności (shortness of breath) are also part of the common vocabulary. Emergency medical communication can be carried out with the question pronouns kiedy (when) and gdzie (where). Among the most frequently repeated lexical units of vital parameters during patient transfer are saturacja (oxygen saturation) and puls (pulse). The vocabulary collected here should help in preparing a description of the competences which should form part of a language course for professional purposes.

The perception of languages by Italian native speakers

This essay showcases the results of a survey conducted on a sample of Italian speakers which focused on their perception of languages. The research, carried out in the second half of 2019, has enabled corroborating the initial hypothesis about the existence of preconceptions and stereotypes associated with the perception of foreign languages and cultures (Elman & McClelland 1986) by Italian people. In particular, a questionnaire was used to clarify which adjectives are commonly associated with selected foreign languages, in order to identify certain trends and stereotypes. The survey is based on ethnolinguistic and language education studies (Cardona 2006), and was performed through data collection techniques used in ethnography and sociolinguistics (Tagliamonte 2006).

Przemysław Gębal / Władysław Miodunka. Dydaktyka i metodyka nauczania języka polskiego jako obcego i drugiego. / Didactics and methodology of teaching Polish as a foreign and second language. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN. 2020. Pp. 454

Book review. Przemysław Gębal / Władysław Miodunka. Dydaktyka i metodyka nauczania języka polskiego jako obcego i drugiego. / Didactics and methodology of teaching Polish as a foreign and second language. Warszawa: Wydawnictwo Naukowe PWN. 2020. Pp. 454.

Bericht über die Jubiläumsfeier zum 70. Geburtstag von Prof. Dr. habil. Izabela Prokop

Bericht über die Jubiläumsfeier zum 70. Geburtstag von Prof. Dr. habil. Izabela Prokop

Methodischer Ansatz zur Simulation wissenschaftlichen Schreibens im Fremdsprachenstudium: Vorgehensweise und Probleme bei Vermittlung und Erwerb wissenschaftlicher Textprozeduren

The preparation of a written diploma work is often a prerequisite for completion of one’s academic studies. The requirements that it must comply with, require targeted and systematic instruction in developing academic writing skills. This article introduces the concept of academic writing and effects of developing it, based on the simulation of the editing processes of a scholarly text.

Grażyna Zenderowska-Korpus. Phraseme in Textsorten. Landau: Verlag Empirische Pädagogik. 2020. S. 233

Book review. Grażyna Zenderowska-Korpus. Phraseme in Textsorten. Landau: Verlag Empirische Pädagogik. 2020. S. 233.

Conference report: Academic conference “Perspektywy kształcenia nauczycieli języków specjalistycznych w Polsce” (Perspectives on educating LSP teachers in Poland), Institute of Applied Linguistics of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, 20th October 2020

Conference report: Academic conference “Perspektywy kształcenia nauczycieli języków specjalistycznych w Polsce” (Perspectives on educating LSP teachers in Poland), Institute of Applied Linguistics of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, 20th October 2020.

Authenticity and awareness of English as a lingua franca in English language classrooms

Research on the incorporation of the emerging English as a lingua franca (ELF) paradigm into English language teaching has flourished in recent years, foregrounding the necessity of translanguaging practices. However, despite the growing awareness of ELF, teachers still struggle to determine whether and how to adhere to the emerging paradigm. In particular, the authenticity of ELF teaching methods in the English language classroom has not been sufficiently addressed, and therefore, needs to be revamped. The aim of this paper is twofold. On the one hand, it explores the aspect of teachers’ ELF awareness in English teaching practices as well as the importance of incorporating authentic ELF materials into the classroom to help learners become ELF-aware and, consequently, competent intercultural speakers. On the other hand, it helps English language teachers, specifically those who have no or marginal exposure to ELF to reflect on the subject they teach, challenging the dominant World Englishes paradigm.

Elżbieta Gajewska, Magdalena Sowa, Joanna Kic-Drgas. Filologia wobec wyzwań komunikacji specjalistycznej. Od współpracy z biznesem po kształcenie nauczycieli. Poznań: Wydawnictwo Naukowe UAM. 2020. Pp. 238

Book review. Elżbieta Gajewska, Magdalena Sowa, Joanna Kic-Drgas. Filologia wobec wyzwań komunikacji specjalistycznej. Od współpracy z biznesem po kształcenie nauczycieli. Poznań: Wydawnictwo Naukowe UAM. 2020. Pp. 238.