As opportunities for distance language learning expand language teachers and learners are presented with a new set of issues, challenges and practical realities. By taking a learner-centred approach to issues and developments within the field this book provides an overview of distance language learning and explores the ways in which all participants are adapting their practices in response to the new learning environments. Important themes include the initial experience of distance language learning and the need to develop a practical knowledge of distance learners, as well as learner support, learner autonomy, innovation and the emergence of new constraints associated with distance learning environments.

Shortlisted for the 2020 BAAL Book Prize This book brings together empirical studies from around the world to help readers gain a better understanding of multilinguals, ranging from small children to elderly people, and their lives. The chapters focus on the multilingual subjects' identities and the ways in which they are discursively and/or visually constructed, and are split into sections looking specifically at the multilingual self, the multilingual learner and multilingual teacher education. The studies draw on rich visual data, which is analysed for content and/or form and often complemented with other types of data, to investigate how multilinguals make sense of their use and knowledge of more than one language in their specific context. The topic of multilingualism is addressed as subjectively experienced and the book unites the current multilingual, narrative and visual turns in Applied Language Studies. It will be of interest to students and researchers working in the areas of language learning and teaching, teacher education and bi/multilingualism, as well as to those interested in using visual methods and narratives as a means of academic research.

This book explores the usage patterns of a group of adversative and concessive conjunctions in English texts written by Chinese EFL learners and their native speaker counterparts. Focusing on probability profiles and systemic potentials, the study encompasses three stages and combines the strengths of two research methods - the corpus-based approach and text-based analysis - to examine the conjunctions under the theoretical framework of systemic functional linguistics and rhetorical structure theory. Starting with an overview of seventeen conjunctions across two corpora in terms of overall frequency, positional distribution and distribution of semantic categories, the book then offers a more detailed discussion of three individual conjunctions, highlighting the interconnections between 1) syntactic positions and co-occurrence patterns and 2) semantic relations encoded by these conjunctions. Lastly, it presents a case study of one full-length text taken from the learner corpus, applying rhetorical structure theory to provide new insights into the relevance of adversative and concessive relations to text structure. This comprehensive, in-depth analysis is both diagnostic and pedagogically informative.

This edited collection explores the use of Exploratory Practice (EP) by language teachers in classrooms. Written by practitioners, the chapters showcase unique examples of each principle of EP, with topics ranging from mentoring practitioner researchers, to teaching and learning in EAP, and investigating curriculum development in language teaching programs. The book provides example EP studies and gives voice to practitioners' experiences of the challenges they experienced as well as the benefits. Examples include tackling intercultural communication in linguistically and culturally diverse classrooms; pedagogy and curriculum design in language teaching; explorations of continuing professional development in language education. In doing so, it offers tools that can be transferred to other classroom contexts and used to aid teacher development. The concluding chapter highlights critical aspects of Exploratory Practice which emerge in the studies and examines how practitioners advanced their understandings. This book will appeal to those working in Applied Linguistics, TESOL research, as well as language teachers and teacher educators.

This book examines approaches to teaching students who aim to make the leap from "advanced" or "superior" proficiency in a foreign language to "near-native" ability. While there are an abundance of publications on classroom techniques and methods for lower levels of instruction, almost nothing exists about the transition, which is vital for those who intend to use foreign languages in high-level arenas. Compiled by leading practitioners in this area of foreign language teaching, the book fills the gap for those developing programs at the "advanced to distinguished" level.

Extensively revised and updated, this second edition provides, in an A-Z format, an analysis of the most important generalizations that have been made on the unidirectional change of grammatical forms and constructions. Based on the analysis of more than 1,000 languages, it reconstructs over 500 processes of grammatical change in the languages of the world, including East Asian languages such as Chinese, Korean and Japanese. Readers are provided with the tools to discover how lexical and grammatical meanings can be related to one another in a principled way, how such issues as polysemy, heterosemy, and transcategoriality are dealt with, and why certain linguistic forms have simultaneous lexical and grammatical functions. Definitions of lexical concepts are provided with examples from a broad variety of languages, and references to key relevant research literature. Linguists and other scholars will gain a better understanding of languages on a worldwide scale.

The influence of cognitive processing on second language acquisition (SLA), and on the development of second language (SL) instruction, has always been a subject of major interest to both SLA researchers and those involved in SL pedagogy. Recent theoretical research into SLA and SL pedagogy has shown renewed interest in the role of cognitive variables such as attention, short, working, and long term memory, and automaticity of language processing. This volume first examines the theoretical foundations of research into the cognitive processes underlying SLA, and then describes various implications for pedagogically oriented research and for SL classroom practice. This book's blend of research from the cognitive sciences and applied linguistics make it an excellent introduction to applied linguists and language teachers interested in the psycholinguistic processes underlying SLA.

This book addresses the acquisition of pragmatics in second and foreign language classrooms, offering two state-of-the-art survey chapters, and eleven chapters reporting the results of empirical research. All chapters have been written especially for this collection. The empirical studies cover three areas: incidental acquisition of pragmatics in instructed contexts, the effects of instruction in pragmatics, and the assessment of pragmatics ability. The studies address a number of areas in pragmatics, from speech acts and discourse markers to conversational routines and address terms, and represent a range of target languages and contexts in the US, Asia, and Europe. A wide array of research methodologies are also employed, from questionnaires to in-depth interviews and conversation analysis. The first collection of its kind, Pragmatics in Language Teaching offers a comprehensive and essential introduction to a rapidly growing area, and should be of interest to researchers and language teachers alike.

Do you want to communicate easily and freely in Spanish? Master Spanish grammar and broaden your vocabulary with your very own Spanish Tutor. This contemporary interactive workbook features 200 activities across a range of grammar and vocabulary points with clear goals, concise explanations, and real-world tasks. By studying and practicing Spanish grammar you'll understand how the language really works and be able to speak Spanish with clarity and ease. What will I learn? The Spanish Tutor: Grammar and Vocabulary Workbook covers a comprehensive range of the most useful and frequent grammar and vocabulary in Spanish. You can follow along unit by unit, or dip in and dip out to address your weak areas. As you progress, you will be introduced to new vocabulary and combine it with the grammar to complete extensive exercises. You will then practice the language through authentic reading and writing practice. You will achieve a solid upper intermediate level* of Spanish grammar. Is this course for me? The Spanish Tutor: Grammar and Vocabulary Workbook can be used as a standalone course or as a complement to any other Spanish course. It offers extensive practice and review of essential grammar points and vocabulary and skills building. The personal tutor element points out exceptions and gives tips to really help you perfect your Spanish. What do I get? This Spanish workbook offers a range of clear and effective learning features: -200 activities across a range of grammar and vocabulary points -Unique visuals and infographics for extra context and practice -Personal tutor hints and tips to help you to understand language rules and culture points -Learn to learn section offers tips and advice on how to be a good language learner 25 short learning units each contain: -communication goals to guide your studies -grammar explanations with extensive exercises -vocabulary presentations and activities -reading and writing sections to consolidate your learning *This workbook maps from Novice High to Advanced Mid level proficiency of ACTFL (American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages) and from A2 Beginner to B2 Upper Intermediate level of the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) guidelines. What other courses are available? For further study and practice, see Get Started in Spanish (ISBN 9781444174922) and Complete Spanish: Teach Yourself (ISBN 9781444177244). Rely on Teach Yourself, trusted by language learners for over 75 years.

This book is about planning lessons and courses for students of English as a foreign language. It is the only book on the market totally devoted to this. It does not take the view that "planning" equals writing pages and pages of notes by an assessor or observer. Rather it takes the everyday reality of the working teacher as they design short and long instructional units. Each chapter is based on a real life question, such as: Who are the students? When is the lesson? What can go in to a lesson or course? How do people learn? How can I teach? What materials can I choose? How can I get started on planning? What are my constraints and freedoms? What activities can I use and adapt?Each chapter contains both thought provoking analysis of parts of a teacher's job and many practical principles clearly explained. The book is designed to help inexperienced teachers gather working routines and sequences of ideas and to help experienced teachers to refresh the routines they have grown used to.

This book is a guide devoted to what language teachers can do to become more aware of and explore their teaching beliefs, attitudes, and practices. It provides teachers with the kind of knowledge and guidelines that can empower them to make their own informed teaching decisions. As such, teacher educators will find this a practical book to use in training courses.

This book examines establishing, maintaining and developing self-access language learning (SALL). While much of the book presents practical ideas dealing with issues related to SALL, they are supported by references to relevant literature and research. This link between theory and practice makes the debate about SALL accessible and makes the book a useful resource for those establishing and running self-access learning facilities, from pre-service teacher trainees to experienced teachers and from managers of self-access centers to administrators.

Welchen Stellenwert soll und kann ein intertextuelles Netzwerk aus literarischen Texten, Filmen und Medienmaterialien im Lehren und Lernen von Fremdsprachen einnehmen? Um darauf Antworten anbieten zu koennen, konzentriert sich das Buch auf zentrale Merkmale, welche literarische und filmische Texte kennzeichnen, die in komplexen, zwischen Sprachen und Kulturen situierten Raumen entstehen und diese thematisieren. Deren Potenziale produktiv fur den Fremdsprachenunterricht zu nutzen, ist ein wesentliches Ziel dieses Bandes. Vorgeschlagen wird eine integrativ verstandene Sprach-, Literatur- und Filmdidaktik. Der Fokus liegt auf dem Italienischen und Franzoesischen als Fremdsprache, auf transkulturellen Theorien und Methoden und deren Anwendung in plurilingualen LernerInnen-Kontexten.

Inevitably, it is in the most commonly used languages that the vocabulary of language testing and assessment is most highly developed, and for which most of the literature has been produced. A multilingual glossary has a significant role to play in encouraging the development of language testing in less widely taught languages. The idea of producing a multilingual glossary of assessment and language testing terms has grown out of the needs experienced by members of the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE) while engaged in work on language testing projects. It is anticipated that this glossary will be of use, not only to members of ALTE, but to many others working in the context of European languages, who are involved in language testing and assessment. The glossary contains entries in ten languages: Catalan, Danish, Dutch, English, French, German, Irish, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.

A proper understanding of intelligibility is at the heart of effective pronunciation teaching, and with it, successful teaching of speaking and listening. Far from being an optional 'add-it-on-if-we-have-time' language feature, pronunciation is essential because of its tremendous impact on speech intelligibility. Pronunciation dramatically affects the ability of language learners to make themselves understood and to understand the speech of others. But not all elements of pronunciation are equally important. Some affect intelligibility a great deal, while others do not. With a strong emphasis on classroom practice and how pronunciation teaching can be more effectively approached in different teaching contexts, this book provides an important resource for pronunciation researchers, with a distinctly practical focus. It shows how intelligibility research informs pronunciation teaching within communicative classrooms, enabling language teachers to incorporate intelligibility findings into their teaching. Professionals interested in oral communication, pronunciation, and speech perception will find the book fascinating.

Die enge Verbindung zwischen Sprache und Kultur ist eine Grundidee der kulturwissenschaftlich-interkulturellen Linguistik sowie der Fremdsprachendidaktik. Ausgehend von kommunikationstheoretischen Ansatzen untersucht die Autorin, wie genau sich die Brennpunkte dieser Verflechtung ausgestalten. Darauf basierend erfasst sie systematisch die Voraussetzungen fur erfolgreiche, sozial erfolgreiche und selbstbestimmte Kommunikation - auch unter Bedingungen der Fremd- und Mehrsprachigkeit. Die entwickelte interkulturell orientierte Theorie der Kommunikation bildet schliesslich die Grundlage fur den anwendungsbezogenen Teil der Studie. Dieser zeigt klare Perspektiven fur die Sprach- und Kulturvermittlung auf.

Im Jahr 2001 erschien der Gemeinsame europaische Referenzrahmen fur Sprachen (GeR) und hat national und international eine erhebliche Wirkung fur das Lehren, Lernen und Beurteilen von Fremdsprachen entfaltet. Im Jahr 2018 (Endfassung 2020, deutsche UEbersetzung 2020) erschien der Begleitband zum GeR mit neuen Skalen und Beispieldeskriptoren, der auch eine konzeptionelle Erweiterung darstellt. Die Beitragenden des Sammelbandes diskutieren und illustrieren die zentralen Aspekte des Begleitbandes mit einem Fokus auf dem deutschen Kontext und zeigen Umsetzungsmoeglichkeiten fur den Fremdsprachenunterricht auf.

This book examines a wide range of innovations in language learning and teaching in Japan. Each of the chapters describes the impetus for a change or new development in a particular context, from early childhood to adult learning, details its implementation and provides an evaluation of its success. In doing so, they provide a comprehensive overview of best practice in innovating language education from teaching practice in formal classroom settings, to self-directed learning beyond the classroom, and offer recommendations to enhance language education in Japan and beyond. The book will be of interest to scholars of applied linguistics and language development, and in particular to those involved in managing change in language education that attempts to mediate between global trends and local needs.

This edited book examines modern foreign language teachers who research their own and others' experiences of identity construction in the context of living and teaching in UK institutions, primarily in the Higher Education sector. The book offers an insight into a key element of the educational and socio-political debate surrounding MFL in the UK: the teachers' voices and their sense of agency in constructing their professional identities. The contributors use a combination of empirical research and personal reflection to generate knowledge about MFL teachers' identity that can enhance how they are perceived in the social and educational establishments and raise awareness of key issues affecting the profession. This book will be of particular interest to language teachers, teacher trainers, applied linguists and students and scholars of modern foreign languages.

This collection illuminates the process of course development through the narratives of six ESL/EFL teachers who have designed courses in widely varying contexts worldwide. Graves provides a framework for course design and examines how these six teachers have utilized or departed from the framework in meeting the challenges of their particular situations. Each narrative is followed by an analysis and a set of tasks that direct the reader's attention to a particular aspect of the framework.

This collection of nineteen original papers is about what really happens in language classrooms, both those in which language is the topic of instruction and those where it functions primarily as the medium of instruction. The authors utilize a variety of research methods, with an emphasis on the collection and analysis of data. Chapters investigate such issues as language-related anxiety, curriculum renewal, classroom interaction, teachers' on-line decision-making, and sociopolitical concerns affecting life in schools.

This book introduces a new field of educational research called "teacher learning," as it applies to the teaching of languages. Seventeen original articles, based on studies done in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, provide examples of theory and research into teacher learning and of the role that previous experience, social context, and professional training play in the process.

Advances in second language teaching methodology, including new emphases on learner-centeredness and individualized instruction, have significantly changed the roles teachers play in the classroom and made ever greater demands on their classroom management skills. Nunan and Lamb help language teachers to meet these new demands by providing them with the practical knowledge and skills necessary for the effective management of teaching and learning in today's classrooms. The central focus of the book is on the independent decisions teachers must make in key areas such as lesson planning, teacher talk, group work, error correction, resource management, and evaluation. The text uses a task-based approach, and the material presented is well-supported by theory and research.