ELT Revisited


Book Description

This volume brings together selected papers presented during the 9th International Conference of the Association of Czech Teachers of English, titled “Teaching for Tomorrow” and hosted by the English Department of the Faculty of Science, Humanities and Education at the Technical University of Liberec, Czech Republic. The conference brought together English Language Teaching (ELT) professionals from primary, secondary and tertiary education to discuss a variety of English as a Foreign Language (EFL)-related topics, ranging from reports on language research to viewpoints and insights on classroom practice. The contributions are grouped into three sections: a) Focus on Selected Language Topics, b) Increasing Learner Autonomy and c) Innovative Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) ideas. Papers were carefully chosen in order to appeal to a broad audience. Consequently, there are articles which have a mainly theoretical bent and those which have a more practical leaning. Although the conference was hosted in the Czech Republic and the majority of participants were from this country, the book is relevant to any context where English is taught as a foreign or second language. Therefore, teachers, advanced students of English, language researchers, and, indeed, anyone engaged in the EFL profession will find this collection both educational and thought-provoking.




Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching


Book Description

By adopting a historical perspective, this edited collection of papers takes a fresh look at a key concept in applied linguistics, that of innovation. A substantial introduction advocates historical re-evaluation of this notion via exploration of its rise to prominence, while the ten subsequent chapters present in-depth case studies of apparently successful as well as ineffective innovation(s), from the early eighteenth to the late twentieth century. Language learning/teaching developments in Brazil, China, England, France, Germany and Italy are considered along with ‘global’ innovations in language learner lexicography, while the languages considered include Chinese, English, French, Italian, Latin, Portuguese and Spanish. Various types of primary source material are utilized, illustrating the possibilities of applied linguistic historiography for both students and academics new to the field. The book questions ideas of perpetual innovation and progress, supporting the adoption of more critical perspectives on change and innovation in applied linguistics and language teaching.




English Language Teaching through the Lens of Experience


Book Description

The focus of this volume in our ongoing series has shifted from the technological advances that were the topic of numerous papers in the previous book to more rigorous and empirical research, especially in the linguistics and methodology section. While the former is represented by the majority of papers, methodology still manages to surprise with new findings in often-overlooked areas, such as how to address students with impairments in English Language Teaching (ELT), the use of gesture, and the development of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The linguistics section starts out with a look at academic English as a lingua franca (ELF) practices, native and non-native English varieties and ELT, pragmatic markers and hedging, and corpora. The compact literary section correlates with the diversity inherent in the field and concerns ethnic writing, indigenous storytelling, animality and elaborations on postmodernist fiction. As such, this collection of research papers will bring topics and approaches to the attention of a wide spectrum of practitioners as both an impetus and inspiration.




Language Functions Revisited


Book Description

The English Profile Programme is an elaboration of the performance level descriptions of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) that is concerned specifically with the English language. The CEFR has become influential in building a shared understanding of performance levels for foreign language learners. However, there is a considerable gap between the broad descriptions of levels provided, which covers a range of languages and learning contexts, and the level of detail required for applications such as syllabus or test design, which this volume addresses. With its combination of theoretical insights and practical advice, this is a useful work for academics, policy-makers, curriculum designers, textbook writers, postgraduate students and examination board staff.




Innovative Practices in Early English Language Education


Book Description

This book shines a light on novel and less familiar domains of early English language education for children aged 3 to 12, in mainstream and out-of-school settings. Enveloping the volume is the making of creative connections to wider educational philosophies which extend beyond the confines of a narrow linguistic lens. In reconciling the theory-practice divide in English language education, each chapter presents a synthesis of research issues leading to a practical showcase of ideas. Organised in two main parts, the first focuses on innovations within classroom practice, curriculum development, and child-centred assessment, exploring areas which have either received insufficient attention and/or have been reimagined through fresh perspectives. The second part explores innovations in pre- and in-service teacher education contexts and focuses on lesser-known and/or underexplored topics, including bridging general and language education, multilingualism, in-depth learning, metacognition, and pragmatics. This is a timely publication for teacher educators and practitioners alike.




The Routledge Handbook of English Language Teaching


Book Description

The Routledge Handbook of English Language Teaching is the definitive reference volume for postgraduate and advanced undergraduate students of Applied Linguistics, ELT/TESOL, and Language Teacher Education, and for ELT professionals engaged in in-service teacher development and/or undertaking academic study. Progressing from ‘broader’ contextual issues to a ‘narrower’ focus on classrooms and classroom discourse, the volume’s inter-related themes focus on: ELT in the world: contexts and goals planning and organising ELT: curriculum, resources and settings methods and methodology: perspectives and practices second language learning and learners teaching language: knowledge, skills and pedagogy understanding the language classroom. The Handbook’s 39 chapters are written by leading figures in ELT from around the world. Mindful of the diverse pedagogical, institutional and social contexts for ELT, they convincingly present the key issues, areas of debate and dispute, and likely future developments in ELT from an applied linguistics perspective. Throughout the volume, readers are encouraged to develop their own thinking and practice in contextually appropriate ways, assisted by discussion questions and suggestions for further reading that accompany every chapter. Advisory board: Guy Cook, Diane Larsen-Freeman, Amy Tsui, and Steve Walsh




Academic Discourse


Book Description

Academic Discourse presents a collection of specially commissioned articles on the theme of academic discourse. Divided into sections covering the main approaches, each begins with a state of the art overview of the approach and continues with exemplificatory empirical studies. Genre analysis, corpus linguistics, contrastive rhetoric and ethnography are comprehensively covered through the analysis of various academic genres: research articles, PhD these, textbooks, argumentative essays, and business cases. Academic Discourse brings together state-of-the art analysis and theory in a single volume. It also features: - an introduction which provides a survey and rationale for the material - implications for pedagogy at the end of each chapter- topical review articles with example studies- a glossary The breadth of critical writing, and from a wide geographical spread, makes Academic Discourse a fresh and insightful addition to the field of discourse analysis.




ELT in a Changing World


Book Description

A novel ELT resource for language specialists and teachers across the world, this selection of papers is a collection of the most compelling and innovative ideas presented at a seminar hosted by the Centre of English Language, Aga Khan University, Pakistan, in January 2011, entitled ‘ELT in a Changing World: Innovative Approaches to New Challenges’. The book is divided into three sections, the first of which is ‘Global change and language learning’. This section offers a guided tour of language teaching evolution, highlighting the merits of enhanced language awareness, self-immersive and input/output-based learning, and innovative pedagogical interventions. Section Two, ‘Developments in Second Language theory and practice in Pakistan’, reveals the findings of the latest research conducted in Pakistan on language policy scholarship, the development of traditional and e-learning environments, the relationship between language learning and immigration opportunities, and the impact of language ideologies on individual identities. Section Three, ‘Learning innovations’, discusses the need for change and fresh approaches to English language education, and highlights the efforts made within the context of Pakistan to ensure the successful implementation of holistic, needs-based and socially driven curricula. Highly readable and virtually jargon free, the book will prove to be an excellent resource for those seeking up-to-date information on the teaching of English in Pakistan and other related parts of the developing world today.




Homage to W. R. Lee


Book Description

No detailed description available for "Homage to W. R. Lee".




Contemporary Task-Based Language Teaching in Asia


Book Description

Over the last decade task-based approaches to language learning and teaching (TBLT) have become a global focus of increased levels of research. Governments around the world have turned to TBLT as a potential solution for curricula that lack authentic and meaningful engagement with language learning and are failing to motivate students as a result. This book focuses on Asia, where this shift has been particularly in evidence. TBLT has often been implemented in top-down approaches to curriculum development, which presents a huge range of challenges at the cultural as well as the pedagogic level. Contemporary Task Based Language Teaching in Asia looks at the drivers, stakeholders and obstacles across the region. Some countries have adapted TBLT to deal with the local constraints, others have found it hard to apply and many are still in the process of investigating its implementation in their specific contexts. This collection is important to all involved in language development, from curriculum reform to materials development. It assists from programme evaluation to the setting of assessment standards. The chapters cover all aspects of language education across Asia, from primary to tertiary, private and public education, as well as innovations at local, regional and national levels.