Integrating Assessment into Early Language Learning and Teaching


Book Description

The volume unites research and practice on integrating language learning, teaching and assessment at preschool and early school age. It includes chapters written by experts in the field who have studied some of the very youngest (pre-primary) children through to those up to the age of 12, in a variety of private and state contexts across Europe. The collection makes a much-needed contribution to the subject of appropriate assessment for children with the focus of many chapters being classroom-based assessment, particularly formative assessment, or the case for developing assessment skills in relation to even the youngest children. As a whole, the book provides useful case study insights for policymakers, teacher educators, researchers and postgraduate students with interest in or responsibility for how children are assessed in their language learning. It also provides practical ideas for practitioners who wish to implement greater integration of assessment and learning in their own contexts.




Self and Identity in Adolescent Foreign Language Learning


Book Description

This book explores the role of identity in adolescent foreign language learning to provide evidence that an identity-focused approach can make a difference to achievement in education. It uses both in-depth exploratory interviews with language learners and a cross-sectional survey to provide a unique glimpse into the identity dynamics that learners need to manage in their interaction with contradictory relational contexts (e.g. teacher vs. classmates; parents vs. friends), and that appear to impair their perceived competence and declared achievement in language learning. Furthermore, this work presents a new model of identity which incorporates several educational psychology theories (e.g. self-discrepancy, self-presentation, impression management), developmental theories of adolescence and principles of foreign language teaching and learning. This book gives rise to potentially policy-changing insights and will be of importance to those interested in the relationship between self, identity and language teaching and learning.







Leading Academic Achievement for English Language Learners


Book Description

How to give English language learners every opportunity for success This practical guide equips school leaders to help English language learners succeed. The authors show how school leaders and staff members can serve as student advocates and apply successful instructional practices that increase student learning. Written in straightforward language with quick reference charts and summaries, the text provides: Strategies for creating a culture of ELL advocacy and achievement Case studies from school leaders who have created positive change for ELLs Professional development tools that build teachers’ knowledge of second language acquisition Tips for strengthening home–school–community connections




Attitudes to Modern Foreign Language Learning


Book Description

Draws on comparative education to offer an insight into the development of modern foreign language learning.







Language Diversity, School Learning, and Closing Achievement Gaps


Book Description

The Workshop on the Role of Language in School Learning: Implications for Closing the Achievement Gap was held to explore three questions: What is known about the conditions that affect language development? What are the effects of early language development on school achievement? What instructional approaches help students meet school demands for language and reading comprehension? Of particular interest was the degree to which group differences in school achievement might be attributed to language differences, and whether language-related instruction might help to close gaps in achievement by helping students cope with language-intensive subject matter especially after the 3rd grade. The workshop provided a forum for researchers and practitioners to review and discuss relevant research findings from varied perspectives. The disciplines and professions represented included: language development, child development, cognitive psychology, linguistics, reading, educationally disadvantaged student populations, literacy in content areas (math, science, social studies), and teacher education. The aim of the meeting was not to reach consensus or provide recommendations, but rather to offer expert insight into the issues that surround the study of language, academic learning, and achievement gaps, and to gather varied viewpoints on what available research findings might imply for future research and practice. This book summarizes and synthesizes two days of workshop presentations and discussion.




Promoting Academic Achievement Among English Learners


Book Description

"Given the number of English learners already in our schools and the rate at which this population is growing, effectively educating language-minority students is one of the greatest challenges schools face. In this lucid, concise, and reader-friendly review of research, the authors present the information needed to create the strongest possible instructional programs." —Michael F. Graves, Professor of Literacy Education, Emeritus University of Minnesota "The authors have done an exceptionally good job of capturing the major trends, differing perspectives, and many challenges in schooling English language learners while putting forth a vision for the immediate future that is solidly grounded in research and in current and evolving knowledge." —Liliana Minaya-Rowe, Associate Researcher Center for Data-Driven Reform Johns Hopkins University "A must-read for administrators, program developers, policy makers, and educators who make decisions about English language learners. Promoting Academic Achievement Among English Learners is a trustworthy source for determining what is known about providing the highest-quality educational services for language-minority students." —Patricia G. Mathes, Texas Instruments Chair of Reading Professor of Teaching and Learning Southern Methodist University Discover the research and facts on what works in educating English learners! A generation or two ago, the achievement of children who came to school knowing little or no English was not a prominent national issue. Today, with the increased focus on school accountability and educational equity, it is. This comprehensive resource explores the research on promoting academic success among language-minority students. The authors offer educators a firm basis for making decisions on policies and programs for English learners and provide research-based discussions on what we know about: Bilingual education and using a student′s home language in instruction Teaching English and academic content simultaneously School and district factors that affect achievement for English learners Sociocultural factors in success, including the influence of parents and families




The Role of Self-Esteem in Foreign Language Learning and Teaching


Book Description

This book demonstrates how foreign language self-esteem (FLSE) affects foreign language (L2) learning and teaching, and how it fluctuates with growing proficiency. Further, it explains the interaction between FLSE and a range of factors of recognized importance in second language acquisition (SLA). The theoretical part of the book presents the main pillars of self-esteem as well as its notable influence on psychological functioning and learning, with special emphasis being placed on L2 learning. In turn, the empirical part presents the findings of a study that explored the trajectory and behavioural outcomes of FLSE across three stages of education. The book closes by outlining future research directions, as well as some pedagogical implications. In particular, the findings of the study can be employed in teaching English as a foreign or second language by helping instructors understand the significance of learners’ individual differences.