scholarly journals Language Policy in Non-Classroom Language Learning Spaces

2018 ◽  
pp. 156-178
Author(s):  
Katherine Thornton
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Policy ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Official Policy ◽  
Classroom Language ◽  
First Languages

As self-access centres become increasingly social in function, the language of the interactions which take place in such language learning spaces (LLSs) and the guidelines or policies which guide their use have become increasingly important. Despite this, little research has been conducted into language policy. This preliminary study surveyed 50 self-access language learning practitioners in 30 institutions around the globe about their language policies and how they are received by different stakeholders, including learners. A range of approaches to language policy are in place, from strict policies that only permit the target language, to more flexible ones that allow or encourage learners’ first languages. Around a third of institutions reported no official policy in place. The data reveals that LLSs with strict policies tend to be found more in EFL contexts, but the factors governing policy choice are complex and depend on local context. While support for all kinds of policies is present in the data set, there is a distinct trend towards flexibility and acknowledgement of the complexity of creating an environment which maximises learning opportunities for all users.

Foreign Language Education in Japan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryuko Kubota
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Foreign Language Education ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Early 21St Century ◽  
Learning English

Historically, foreign language education in Japan has been influenced by local and global conditions. Of the two major purposes of learning a language—to gain new knowledge from overseas and to develop practical communication skills—the latter pragmatic orientation became dominant toward the end the 19th century, when access to foreign language learning increased and English became a dominant language to learn. The trend of learning English as an international language for pragmatic purposes has been further strengthened since the 1980s under the discourses of internationalization and neoliberal globalization. An overview of the current status of foreign language education reveals that there are both formal and non-formal learning opportunities for people of all ages; English predominates as a target language although fewer opportunities to learn other languages exist; English is taught at primary and secondary schools and universities with an emphasis on acquiring communicative skills, although the exam-oriented instructional practices contradict the official goal; and adults learn foreign languages, mainly English, for various reasons, including career advancement and hobbyist enjoyment. Such observations include contestations and contradictions. For instance, there have been debates on whether the major aim of learning English should be pragmatic or intellectual. These debates have taken place against the backdrop of the fact that the learning of a foreign language—de facto English—is much more prevalent in society in the early 21st century compared with previous periods in history, when access to learning opportunities was limited to elites. Another contradiction is between the multilingual reality in local and global communities and the exclusive emphasis on teaching English. This gap can be critically analyzed through a critical realist lens, through which multilayers of ideology in discourses and realities in the material world are examined. The predominance of English is driven by a neoliberal ideology that conceptualizes English as a global language with economic benefit, while testing and shadow education enterprises perpetuate the emphasis on English language teaching. The political economy of foreign language education also explains the longstanding socioeconomic disparity in English ability.

scholarly journals Teaching speaking in large classes: Crossing the barriers

2013 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 72-89
Author(s):  
Nargis Chowdhury ◽  
Sabrina M Shaila
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Large Classes ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Classroom Language ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
Innovative Techniques

The modern theories, approaches and methodologies regarding classroom language learning perceive learning as an interactive process. In countries like Bangladesh, where English is a foreign language, one common phenomenon is that the teachers have to deal with large classes. This paper tries to focus on how the English language teachers deal with large classes at the tertiary level, especially when they are conducting classes to practice and evaluate speaking skills of students. A survey was conducted on 52 English language teachers working at different private universities to find out the problems teachers face when the carry on and observe speaking classes. The study finds that students’ less exposure to the real life interaction in the target language, their nervousness, influence of the L1, adverse social environment along with other problems tend to hamper the smooth ongoing of the class. But as most of the teachers consider large class as a challenge rather than a problem, so they attempt to utilize different new methods of teaching speaking in classrooms. The authors of this paper suggest some innovative techniques and methods found to be effective and fruitful in large classes. Stamford Journal of English; Volume 6; Page 72-89 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/sje.v6i0.13904

scholarly journals Students’ Perception of Teachers’ Bilingual Language Use in EFL Classroom

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Desi Surayatika
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Use ◽  
First Language ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Target Language ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Classroom Language ◽  
Students First ◽  
English Classroom

<p class="SammaryHeader" align="center"><strong>ABSTRACT</strong></p><p><em>Students’ perception of teachers’ bilingual language use was based on bilingual approach in English language learning in which the students’ first language ( </em><em>L1 </em><em>) is combined with the target language ( </em><em>L2 </em><em>) being studied to be a language instruction used by the teacher to conduct an English classroom.  The purpose of this research was to find out the students’ perception toward the use of Bilingual language they are English and Indonesian by the teacher in EFL classroom. This research was a qualitative approach with the forty students as the sample. In collecting the data, questionnaire was used. The data was analyzed through Likert Scale in order to find out students’ perception of teachers’ bilingual language use in EFL classroom. Based on the result of data analysis and interpretation of the data gained from questionnaire, it indicates that students show their positive perceptions to the use of bilingual language done by the teacher as language instruction in their English classroom. Finally, the result of the research would give a contribution to the improvement of the classroom language instruction used by the teacher in an English language learning classroom particularly for teaching the students who were learning English as a foreign language ( </em><em>EFL </em><em>)</em>.</p><p><strong><em>Keyword </em></strong><strong><em>: </em></strong><em>Bilingual, Students’ Perception, language use, EFL classroom</em></p><p align="center"><strong>ABSTRAK</strong></p><p><em>Persepsi siswa tentang penggunaan dua bahasa oleh guru didasarkan pada pendekatan bilingual dalam pembelajaran bahasa Inggris di mana bahasa pertama siswa ( </em><em>L1 </em><em>) dikombinasikan dengan bahasa target (L2) yang dipelajari menjadi pengajaran bahasa yang digunakan oleh guru untuk melaksanakan pembelajaran bahasa Inggris di kelas. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui persepsi siswa terhadap penggunaan dua bahasa yaitu bahasa Inggris dan bahasa Indonesia oleh guru di kelas EFL. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan empat puluh siswa sebagai sampel. Dalam mengumpulkan data, kuesioner digunakan. Data dianalisis melalui Skala Likert untuk mengetahui persepsi siswa tentang penggunaan dua bahasa oleh guru di kelas EFL. Berdasarkan hasil analisis data dan interpretasi data yang diperoleh dari kuesioner, hal ini menunjukkan bahwa siswa memiliki persepsi positif  terhadap penggunaan dua bahasa yang dilakukan oleh guru sebagai bahasa pengantar di kelas bahasa Inggris.. Pada akhirnya, hasil penelitian diharapkan dapat memberikan kontribusi pada peningkatan pengajaran bahasa Inggris di kelas yang digunakan oleh guru di kelas pembelajaran bahasa Inggris terutama untuk mengajar siswa yang belajar bahasa Inggris sebagai bahasa asing ( </em><em>EFL </em><em>).</em></p><strong><em>Kata kunci : </em></strong><em>Dua bahasa, Persepsi Siswa, penggunaan bahasa, kelas EFL</em>

Learners’ and teachers’ voices in developing digital language learning environments: insights from a survey

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-156
Author(s):  
Janne Niinivaara ◽  
Johanna Vaattovaara
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Online Tools ◽  
Practical Strategy ◽  
Classroom Language ◽  
Digital Environments ◽  
Digital Language

Abstract This article deals with a learning environment survey conducted among University of Helsinki students and language teachers in the university’s Language Centre (LC). The survey was designed to acquire information for the development of a practical strategy for the digitalization of language learning and teaching by the local LC. The article presents the central results of the survey by systematically comparing the student (N=219) and teacher (N=39) data, and it also considers more general implications. The investigated areas include attitudes towards and experiences of out-of-classroom (language) learning environments in general and digital environments in particular. Special attention was in the possible differences and similarities of the response groups’ views and experiences in order to point out possible gaps as specific challenges within the local context. One of the most central findings is that while there may be challenges, particularly in designing pedagogy for online environments, no huge generational gaps exist in attitudes towards online tools.

scholarly journals Principles and Practices of L1/L2 Use in the Japanese University EFL Classroom

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Ford
Keyword(s):  
Critical Pedagogy ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Policy ◽  
Learning Theory ◽  
University Teachers ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Classroom Language ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
L1 Use ◽  
University Settings

This paper considers the issue of classroom language policy in the context of an EFL environment. Specifically, it focuses on the context of university settings in Japan. Using a semi-structured format, I interviewed ten university teachers about their principles and practices concerning both teachers’ and students’ L1 use. Policies ranged from those requiring strict L2 only classrooms to those allowing students to use the L1 whenever they needed. The policies of most teachers were not constrained by any institutional requirements or particularly influenced by critical pedagogy or any language learning theory. Rather, they tended to be determined by pragmatism, individual beliefs and personality. この論文では、EFL環境というコンテクストにおける教室内での言語使用の方針について考察する。とりわけ、日本の大学環境というコンテクストに焦点を置く。半構造的インタビューを用いて、教員と学生の第一言語の使用について10人の大学教員に彼らの理念と実践について尋ねた。彼らの言語使用の方針は、第二言語のみの教室を厳密に求めるものから、学生の第一言語の使用を必要である時には認めるものまで、多岐に渡っていた。ほとんどの教員の方針は大学側の要求により強制されたものでも、とりわけ批判的教育学や言語学習理論により影響されたものでもなかった。むしろ、実用的理由、個人的信念、性格により決定される傾向にあった。

scholarly journals CROSS-LINGUISTIC TRANSFER CLASSROOM L3 ACQUISITION IN UNIVERSITY SETTING

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Sokolova ◽  
E. Plisov
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
Target Sentence ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Formant Frequency ◽  
Oral Production ◽  
L3 Acquisition ◽  
Classroom Language ◽  
Linguistic Influences

Introduction: the paper investigates cross-linguistic influences between the two previously learnt languages and their effects on classroom L3 acquisition. The study checks the predictions of the existing theories of mechanisms of transfer into the L3 attested for naturalistic learners. The main predictions get confirmed with the population of classroom learners of English as the L3. All the participants are native speakers of Russian. They all learnt their dominant foreign language, either French or German, in the classroom. The results suggest a governing role of the Universal Grammar in classroom language learning. Materials and Methods: the experiment uses three production tasks: written production, oral production and pronunciation task. The written assignment asks the participants to translate sentences from Russian into English. The target sentence contains the existential there are that does not exist in Russian. The way the participants structure the target sentence in English allows for conclusion about possible influences of the first foreign language on the development of their L3- English. In the oral production task, the participants are prompted to produce negative sentences. The influences from previously learnt languages is traced through the placement of the negation not. In the pronunciation task Praat was used to measure the duration and the formant frequency of the nasal [N] in English. Differences in sound quality trace back to the influences from the previously learnt languages. The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA for between and within group differences. Results: in the written task, the participants who studied German as their first foreign language prefer verb final placement in the subordinate, which is ungrammatical in English but grammatical in German. The L2-French group put the verb in the right place, but they do not use the existential there are, which required in English. In the oral task, the placement of negation is Russian-like in both groups. In pronunciation, the quality of English [N] is influenced by the amount of nasality the participants learnt before, i.e. French influences make the English [N] more nasalized than the [N] in the group with German as the first foreign language. Discussion and Conclusion: classroom learners of English as the L3 experience influences from all the previously learnt languages, the native language and the first foreign language. These findings pattern with the assumptions of the main generative theories of naturalistic L3 acquisition. Concluding that classroom language learning is governed by universal grammar, the teaching can benefit from predicting what cross-linguistic influences can be facilitative or not for the acquisition of the target language.

scholarly journals Language learning with Netflix: from extensive to intra-formal learning

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Antonie Alm
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
German Language ◽  
Formal Learning ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Mainstream Media

<p>This article introduces the concept of intra-formal learning. Building on approaches to extended learning (in reading, listening and viewing) it suggests that instead of extending learning from formal into personal learning spaces, learners should be encouraged to draw on informal learning experiences to extend learning opportunities in formal settings. The concept is illustrated through extended viewing. With the emergence of Netflix as a global provider of international and multi-lingual TV, language learners have unprecedented access to second language video. Mainstream media has picked up on the opportunities of this resource for language learning, as have many informal language learners who share their experiences on social media. The pilot study presented in this article examines the viewing behaviour of 12 intermediate German language students who engaged in out-of-class viewing of self-selected German TV series over a period of three weeks. Drawing parallels between principles of extensive learning and emerging patterns from the data analysis of the participants’ reflective blog entries, the findings suggest that the principles of variety and frequency apply similarly to extensive and intra-formal learning, and that appropriate use of learning strategies develop through reflective viewing.</p>

scholarly journals “Employers could use us, but they don’t”: voices from blue-collar workplaces in a northern periphery

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 389-416
Author(s):  
Anna-Elisabeth Holm ◽  
Bernadette O’Rourke ◽  
Mike Danson
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Policy ◽  
Labour Market ◽  
Migrant Workers ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Blue Collar ◽  
Faroe Islands ◽  
Language Policies ◽  
Language Management ◽  
Policies And Practices

Abstract This article analyses labour market experiences of migrants of non-Nordic origin who have settled in the Faroe Islands, a small North Atlantic archipelago with a population of about 51,000 people. By examining the experiences of educated migrant workers who are employed in three different blue-collar workplaces: a cleaning company and two fish-processing plants, evidence is drawn from a cross-disciplinary study on language and migration in the Faroe Islands. This study explores the experiences of migrants in acquiring, using and becoming “new speakers” of Faroese and the challenges they face regarding labour market access and participation. In this article, framed within an ethnography of language policy, we highlight the institutional language policies which may be shaping migrants’ experiences, and how migrants enact their own language policy decisions and practices on the ground. We focus in particular on internal communication and language management in the three blue-collar worksites, comprising views and voices of both employers and employees, on the language policies and practices observed in these workplaces, and on workers’ views on language learning opportunities in blue-collar workplaces. Added to this, attention is drawn to implications of limited language learning opportunities in blue-collar jobs (which become the main barrier to accessing skilled jobs), to underutilisation of professional skills, and to long term implications of present macro- and micro-level language policies and practices affecting lived realities of workers of migrant origin.

scholarly journals Introduction: The Crucial Role of Peer-Learning in Language Learning Spaces

2015 ◽  
pp. 286-287
Author(s):  
Katherine Thornton
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Social Space ◽  
Social Dimension ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Social Aspect ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
Self Directed Learning ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
The Social

Welcome to the second instalment of the Language Learning Spaces: Self-Access in Action column. While the first instalment examined the process of establishing facilities, this second instalment focuses on the role learners themselves play in the ecology of a self-access centre. When the self-access movement first started, many facilities were labelled Resource Centres and centred around providing physical resources (mainly books and audiovisual materials) for self-directed learning for individuals. In recent years, the rise of the Internet, which provides easy access to learning materials and authentic audio and visual from target language countries has challenged proponents of physical self-access spaces to assert their relevance to learners (Reinders, 2012). These technological advances, in addition to the growing recognition of the social dimension of both language learning and learner autonomy (Murray, 2014), have stimulated a shift from a resource-focused approach to self-access language learning, to one which emphasises the social aspect of learning. In some cases, the term self-access has been rejected altogether, in favour of social learning spaces (Murray, Fujishima & Uzuka, 2014). The previous column in SiSAL documented one such reinvention of a resource-based self-access centre into a social space (Allhouse, 2014).

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