scholarly journals English Language Policy in Relation to Teachers and Teacher Educators in Latvia: Insights from Activity Systems Analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 60-76
Author(s):  
Tatjana Bicjutko ◽  
Līva Goba-Medne
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Policy ◽  
Systems Analysis ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teacher Educators ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Language Management ◽  
Activity Systems ◽  
Language Competence ◽  
Activity Systems Analysis

The ambitious objectives of European language policy and the strive for competitiveness have led to an increasing emphasis on foreign language competence at the level of national education systems. Using Spolsky’s onion model of language policy (2004) and Engeström’s Expansive Learning theory (1987, 2008), the study attempts to determine the formative influence of the existing multilayered language policy on the professional development of Latvian educators with the aim to compare the situation for teachers and teacher educators in respect of their English language proficiency.Given the prioritisation of English and strategic differences in foreign language management in relation to teachers and faculty, the activity systems analysis points to significantly higher demands and concomitant pressure in respect of English language competence of academic staff, and the lack of incentives to increase their proficiency for teachers. Remedying the existing situation through policy making, both systemic and individual perspectives should be taken into account, as their interplay affects the agency of educators in achieving the goals.

scholarly journals Difficulties in the Development of English-Language Competence in Reading in High School Students of General Secondary Education

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-78
Author(s):  
Iryna V. Vlasiuk
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Secondary Education ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Industrial Society ◽  
School Students ◽  
Language Competence ◽  
Personal Skills ◽  
English Competence

The relevance of the study is conditioned by the growth of intercultural communication in modern post-industrial society, resulting in the need to change opinions on the development of foreign language competence in school-age students for its effective improvement and further use in professional activities. The purpose of the study is to determine the features of the development of English language competence in reading in high school students of general secondary education and to find methods of overcoming difficulties in the process of mastering a foreign language. In the process of the study, the author used general scientific theoretical methods, including methods of analysis, synthesis, generalisation, and classification. Based on research results of Ukrainian and foreign scholars, the study characterised the basic opinions on the development of foreign language competence in reading, in particular, in high school students. The study defines the term “reading” and considers its main categories, such as types of reading, levels of comprehension of the text, general personal skills for perfect command of reading in a foreign language, etc. It was found that the main difficulties in the development of English competence in reading in high school students are general language, including spelling, and psychological, based on the lack of motivation to learn the language. Tips for English teachers are presented, focused on improving the development of English competence in reading in students, including the use of authentic materials, information technology, as well as the use of practical exercises that help improve reading aloud. The authors see the prospects for further research in the empirical substantiation of methods for overcoming the difficulties of developing English-language competence among high school students

Effective Usage Of Game Activities, Dialogues And Role-Plays In Communicative Language Teaching

2021 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. 72-79
Author(s):  
Fotima Abduvosiyevna Rafikova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Educational System ◽  
English Language ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Communicative Language Teaching ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
National Standard ◽  
Language Competence ◽  
Foreign Language Skills

At present, the English language is being taught by adapting world standards of Common European Framework Reference (CEFR) for teaching foreign languages to our national educational system. According to the Uzbek national standard the knowledge of the foreign language competence from the first to fourth grade is defined as A 1- for the beginner level. This article will disclose the formation and development of primary school learners’ foreign language skills through communicative competence.

Compulsory African language learning at a South African university

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-135 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Rudwick
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Policy ◽  
South African ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
African Language ◽  
The South ◽  
Language Management ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
Vernacular Language

Abstract While many universities in the world are making provisions to include the English language in their institutional structure, the South African University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is opposing the hegemony of English in its institution. The University has launched a language policy and planning (LPP) strategy that makes provisions first to incorporate the vernacular language Zulu as language of learning and teaching, and second, to promote it as a subject. In this vein, the institution recently made an unprecedented decision for the South African higher education system. Since the first semester of 2014, a specific Zulu language module is a mandatory subject for undergraduate students who have no proficiency in the language. Although considered a watershed moment among many African language promoters, the mandatory ruling is fiercely discussed and debated in the institution and beyond. Theoretically grounded in Language Management Theory (LMT) and empirically based on semi-ethnographic fieldwork, this article examines the interplay between macro and micro language dynamics at UKZN in the context of the mandatory Zulu module. In juxtaposing interview discourses of language policy stakeholders with those of Zulu lecturers, the study reveals a stark discrepancy between macro and micro language management at this university. The article argues that this mismatch between the language policy intents and actual practices on the ground is symptomatic for South Africa’s language policy in education being shaped more by ideological interests than by pedagogical regards.

scholarly journals The English-speaking environment of a non-linguistic university: features, prospects and risks in the context of digital transformations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Р.М. Игнатьева
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
University Management ◽  
State Budget ◽  
Language Competence ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Language Environment ◽  
The University

В статье раскрыты стратегические цели и задачи проекта «Формирование англоязычной среды» в одном из региональных неязыковых вузов в ГБОУ ВО «Альметьевский государственный нефтяной институт». Автором представлены результаты констатирующего этапа эксперимента по формированию иноязычной компетенции субъектов образовательного процесса, позволяющие выявить как проблемы преподавателей, так и студентов. В связи с этим, в рамках реализации данного проекта автором разработан комплекс мероприятий по повышению уровней сформированности иноязычной компетенции отдельно для преподавателей и студентов; представлены педагогические механизмы поступательного формирования англоязычной среды для руководства вуза; выявлены особенности и конкурентные преимущества вуза в формировании англоязычной среды; спрогнозированы некоторые организационные ограничения и риски при реализации данного проекта. The article describes the strategic goals and objectives of the project "Formation of the English-speaking environment" in one of the regional non-linguistic universities in the State Budget Institution of Higher Education "Almetyevsk State Oil Institute". The author presents the experimental results of the establishing stage on forming foreign language competence of the subjects of the educational process, allowing to reveal both teachers' and students' problems. In this regard the author developed a set of measures to increase the levels of foreign language competence formation separately for teachers and students; presented pedagogical mechanisms of progressive formation of English-language environment for university management; identified features and competitive advantages of the university in formation of English-language environment; predicted some organizational constraints and risks in realization of the project.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document