scholarly journals Modes of Identification Within a Language Learner-Led Community of Practice

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-327
Author(s):  
Daniel Hooper ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Learning Center ◽  
Imagined Community ◽  
Bidirectional Relationship ◽  
The Everyday ◽  
Practical Implications

Although the importance of communities for social learning within self-access centers has been recognized over the last decade, there has yet been little research exploring student-managed communities in a self-access learning center (SALC). This short pilot study investigates the ways in which members identify with the community of practice (Wenger, 1998) of a student-led learning community within a university SALC. Five members of the Learning Community (LC), an English conversation community, were interviewed three times over the course of one semester about their language learning histories and their experiences in the LC. This data was analyzed inductively and subsequently categorized according to Wenger’s (2010) modes of identification – engagement, imagination, and alignment. The findings of the study indicated that members’ identification with the practice of the LC was connected to a desire for an accessible learning environment, attaining membership in an international imagined community of English users, and the ability to negotiate sociocultural norms for their own purposes. This study highlights a bidirectional relationship between the “baggage” that members bring with them and the everyday practice developed over the course of the LC’s two-year history. Additionally, the insights gained from this exploration of the LC CoP have practical implications for SALC staff aiming to cultivate and support student-led learning communities.

scholarly journals Introduction: Promoting Engagement with Language Learning Spaces: How to Attract Users and Create a Community of Practice

2016 ◽  
pp. 297-300
Author(s):  
Katherine Thornton
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
Learning Space ◽  
Good Balance ◽  
Considerable Success ◽  
Number Of Factors

The three institutions featured in this instalment have all shown considerable success in raising user numbers in recent years. In order to attract users to a language learning space (LLS), a number of factors need to be present. Potential users need to be aware of the existence of the space itself, and know its location. They need to have some knowledge of its functions, and feel that it has the potential to fulfil at least one of their needs as a language learner (Heigham, 2004). Then, they need to feel inspired enough to step into the unknown and have the confidence to enter and engage with staff and other users (Gillies, 2010). The space needs to have a welcoming atmosphere, and the interactions the learners have should provide them with a good balance of success and challenge in order to convince them to return and become regular users.

scholarly journals The social networking service “Niconico Douga” as a virtual self-access learning space: An analysis of the language learning history of a Japanese language learner from Hong Kong ニコニコ動画が持つバーチャルなセルフアクセスラーニングスペースとしての機能に関する考察～香港出身の日本語学習者の言語学習史をもとに～

2018 ◽  
pp. 179-195
Author(s):  
Yoshio Nakai
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Japanese Language ◽  
Social Networking Service ◽  
Learning Space ◽  
Learning History ◽  
Virtual Self ◽  
The Social

This article explores a language learning experience of a JFL (Japanese as a Foreign language) learner from Hong Kong who uses the social networking service “Niconico Douga”. An analysis of her language learning history revealed that she not only utilized Niconico Douga as a resource bank for learning Japanese, but also that it functioned as a virtual self-access learning space. She learned Japanese language through watching and broadcasting live videos of playing computer games. Niconico Douga acts as a community of practice consisting of people who want to share and exchange information about playing digital games. She acquired Japanese language through practicing in the community of practice that allowed her to participate freely in special interest groups for playing digital games which offered the role models supporting her practice of broadcasting live videos of playing games. The features of Niconico Douga have a great potential for learning Japanese autonomously due to its accessibility and availability of resources. 本稿は、香港出身の日本語学習者Aさん（仮名）が行ったJFL環境下で独学による日本語学習に関する論考である。Aさんは香港では学校などでのフォーマルな日本語教育を受けた経験がなく、日本語に興味を持った中学生のころからニコニコ動画にアップロードされているゲームの実況動画やその生放送を用いて自力で日本語を学んできた。Aさんはゲームを楽しむ、あるいは攻略方法を知るという目的を持った人たちが集まる実況動画や生放送の中から自身に合ったものを選択し、そこでのやり取りを理解してコメントを発信したり、Aさん自身がゲーム実況の生放送をしたりすることを通して日本語を学んできた。Aさんにとって、ニコニコ動画という場は、ゲームに関する実践を通して日本語が学べる実践共同体であると同時に、自身の目的や日本語レベルに合った動画や生放送が見られる保管庫でもあるバーチャルなセルフアクセスラーニングスペースとして機能していたことが分かった。

Interacting with native speakers of Chinese through online learning communities: A case study with East Asian learners

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-235
Author(s):  
Boning Lyu ◽  
Chun Lai
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Social Dimensions ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Online Learners ◽  
Online Learning Communities ◽  
Authentic Language

Abstract Online language learning communities play an important role in providing learners of Chinese as a second language (CSL) with access to authentic language opportunities to communicate with native speakers of Chinese. However, few studies have examined CSL learners’ self-initiated naturalistic interactions with native speakers of Chinese on such platforms. This current study aims at filling this research gap by examining five East Asia CSL adult learners’ interactions with native speakers of Chinese in an informal learning context on an instruction-oriented social-networking based learning community. Adopting Henri’s (1992) analytic framework to understand the interactions between online learners from both cognitive and social dimensions, it finds that different types of interactions with native speakers of Chinese influenced learners’ differently. The study provides suggestions to CSL teachers as well as educational technology designers on how to maximize the benefits of online learning communities for CSL learners in their informal language learning beyond the classroom.

scholarly journals Creating a Complete Learning Community

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynne McMahan ◽  
Tiffany Talbert
Keyword(s):  
Social Justice ◽  
Learning Communities ◽  
Learning Community ◽  
John Dewey ◽  
Progressive Education ◽  
Learning Culture ◽  
Learning Center ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
The Family ◽  
The Future

More than one hundred years ago, John Dewey espoused an aligned belief that classrooms should be a model of the family, a complete community where students would be nurtured and grow through the learning culture. His profound belief in democracy and progressive education focused his pedagogical philosophy around creating civically engaged citizens. This ideal is one that is critically needed in 2020—the year where racial and social justice and a global pandemic have unearthed and tested individual and systemic rights and responsibilities, requiring civically engaged citizens to move us through this unprecedented time. This article is an article of stories to encourage and anchor the reader in the mission and vision of two purpose-filled organizations (Tribes Learning Community and Peace Learning Center) that have taken Dewey’s beliefs and philosophy in a civically engaged, democratic classroom to the level of restorative action to build safe and courageous learning communities of trust and care for our students and the future of our world beyond the year 2020.

scholarly journals Moving Towards Legitimate Participation. A Venezuelan Girl Learning English in an Iowa City Elementary School

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
José Miguel Plata-Ramíez
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Iowa City ◽  
Legitimate Peripheral Participation ◽  
School Activities ◽  
Field Notes

This qualitative case study seeks to understand and describe, in depth, the different learning processes in which a nine-year old, Venezuelan girl (Victoria) engaged to reaffirm her identity as a language learner and become a legitimate member of a community of practice during the first six months in an Iowa City Elementary School. Data collection included observations in class and at home, field notes, interviews, oral and written artifacts and e-mails. Analysis was made through a constant comparison of the data to reflect on the potential categorizations of the artifacts considering mainly two theoretical constructs: “legitimate peripheral participation” (Lave & Wenger, 1991) and “collaborative relations of power” (Cummins, 1996). Results suggest that students engage more actively in activities, which are designed to construct meaning through social participation. Legitimate participation in school activities helped Victoria improve her English language ability and reaffirm her identity. The speed with which she learned English at school is mainly due to the solid community of practice she had the fortune to participate in and Mrs. Brown’s mediation. The more she interacted, the better she performed; and the better she performed, the more she interacted. This research offers alternative ways to understand Victoria’s experience as a language learner, the complexity of a second language learning process, and the fundamental role teachers need to perform to mediate in the students’ learning to reaffirm their identities. This study represents an exemplary reflection of what we, as classroom teachers, SL/foreign language teachers, should do in our classrooms if we really want to offer students real opportunities to learn the language and help them reaffirm their identity as language learners.

scholarly journals Adversity and redemption: Learning and teaching in the language learning histories of two EFL student-teachers

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miri Tashma Baum
Keyword(s):  
Popular Culture ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Student Teachers ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Imagined Community ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Narrative Structures ◽  
Close Analysis ◽  
Situated Identity ◽  
The One

A better understanding of the multifaceted, dynamic and situated identity of the language learner stands at the center of much current SLA research. One of the main ways in which it is investigated is through the examination of autobiographical language learning histories. In an effort to better understand some of the processes which lead to a motivated, confident and successful language learner and user, this article analyzes the language learning histories of two EFL student-teachers, notable for their commitment to the learning and teaching of English. A close analysis of their narratives, focusing on thematic, stylistic and performative aspects, reveals what narrative psychologist McAdams (2006) has called “redemptive” patterns, that is, narrative structures in which hardship leads to inner growth and difficulties become “springboards” (Pals, 2006) to success. The two narrators also display a similar flexibility in their evolving self-positioning in response to the difficulties they narrate, and for both, attachment to the imagined community of Anglophone popular culture is an essential component in this process. Together, the learning experiences delineated in the accounts support the call for student-focused pedagogy, which puts emphasis on creating a positive emotional atmosphere, on the one hand, and providing rich intercultural knowledge, on the other.

THE ADVANTAGES OF PROMOTING LEARNERS’ AUTONOMY IN EFL CONTEXT

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hapsari Dwi Kartika
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Autonomous Learning ◽  
English Teaching ◽  
Efl Context ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Students Success

This paper explains why learner autonomy is taken into account in language learning where English is a foreign language for the learners particularly in Indonesia. The definition of learner autonomy and its advantages to language learner in EFL contexts will be described within this paper. Many scholars from psychological education and English teaching and learning had proved that language learning can be improved by certain strategy. They revealed the correlation between the autonomous learning with students’ success in learning with different aspect. The definition of autonomy is similar to many different words such as self-regulated and self-determined. Finally, the writer suggests how teacher can promote the autonomous learning atmosphere in the classroom.Keywords: strategy, promoting autonomy, EFL context, Indonesia

An Interview with Sarah Mercer on Language Learner and Teacher Well-Being

Relay Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 459-463
Author(s):  
Sam Morris ◽  
Sarah Mercer
Keyword(s):  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Language Teacher ◽  
New Directions ◽  
The University

In our June 2019 LAB session on Teacher/Advisor Education for Learner Autonomy, our featured interview was conducted with Sarah Mercer, Professor of Foreign Language Teaching and Head of ELT at the University of Graz, Austria. Sarah has published a wealth of papers in the field of language and teacher psychology, and co-edited many books including, most recently, New Directions in Language Learning Psychology (2016), Positive Psychology in SLA (2016), and Language Teacher Psychology (2018). Sarah was awarded the 2018 Robert C. Gardner Award for Outstanding Research in Bilingualism in recognition of her work. We were delighted that she was able to share her knowledge on the topic of language learner and teacher well-being with us during the session.

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