Studies on ELF-awareness in English language teacher education
Abstract
This chapter considers the research conducted on ELF-awareness and English
language teacher education. It examines studies published in well-known journals and
in edited volumes between the years of 2008 and 2018, and that focus on both preservice and in-service English language teacher education. Bearing in mind the results,
this review reveals that pre- and in-service teachers continue to be largely dependent
on standard norms and seem somewhat confused in terms of the implications of an
ELF-aware pedagogy. In-service teachers also seem concerned especially about their
teaching context and the restrictions associated with it. However, it is evident that
English teachers are open to new ELF perspectives and could be potential agents of
action if they receive the necessary educational and insitutional support.
Research into the pedagogical implications of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) has seen important developments over the last decade, through investigation of how English Language Teaching (ELT) can, and should, respond to the challenges and issues connected to the global spread of English in terms of curricula, syllabi, materials and classroom practices. In this perspective, Language Teacher Education is a central factor to promote awareness of the necessity to respond to how English is used as a global lingua franca today, not least in terms of Language Awareness, multilingual practices and meaning negotiation through Communication Strategies. In this paper we aim at addressing aspects related to teacher awareness as to ELF, in terms of how ‘language’, ‘language teaching and learning’ and ‘language use’ are conceived within an ELF-aware perspective. We will look in particular at the role that Language Awareness, Communicative Competence especially as to its strategic dimension in pragmatic moves, and multilingual practices play in ELF, and at their relevance in raising teachers’ awareness of ELF and ELF-aware pedagogic practices. We will then examine how these aspects interrelate with the three components in Sifakis’ ELF awareness model – awareness of language and language use, awareness of instructional practices, awareness of learning – also providing exemplifications of activities that could be used in ELF-oriented Teacher Education, and in ELT practices, to foster reflection on how they can become part of English language teaching and learning.
Research shows that, while exposure to English as a lingua franca (ELF) discourse and to discussion of ELF-related interactional strategies – such as rephrasing, paraphrasing and translanguaging – can help raise English language teachers’ and learners’ ELF awareness, this is often not enough nor is the value of such exposure adequately monitored. In this paper, following the principles of ELF awareness (Sifakis, Nicos. 2019. ELF awareness in English language teaching: Processes and practices. Applied Linguistics 40(2). 288–306), I suggest that raising teachers’ and learners’ awareness of and attitudes towards their own experience as users of English inside and outside of the classroom needs to be prioritised, especially in Expanding Circle teaching and learning contexts. Together with this awareness, teachers and learners need to be made fully conscious of their deeper perceptions about key ELF concerns, such as the role of the native speaker in ELF interactions, the nature of intercultural communication, etc. Such awareness can be raised through metalinguistic and metacognitive activities and questions added to existing activities/materials. To this end, I propose a framework and a series of specific step-by-step scenarios and tools for raising teachers’ and learners’ ELF awareness along these lines and present four examples of integrating such metacognitive and metalinguistic activities with those of a specific textbook.
The use of the first language (L1) in English language teaching has long been debated; views have been advanced that L1 should be avoided in classrooms or used only sparingly or lightly, for specific reasons. Given the changes in ELT teaching approaches over the years, discussion on this issue is more complicated and multifaceted as different contexts are considered. This entry presents some key features for discussion of this issue worldwide: there is no single solution and ELT practitioners need to consider the matter flexibly and appropriately for each situation, with an understanding of different contexts of English teaching and learning.
Immigrant communities bring a rich diversity of linguistic and cultural resources to neighborhoods and schools, yet these are fast depleting. Loss of the home language is inextricably linked to an increased use of another language. It is further hastened, especially among pre‐adolescent immigrant children, by their assimilative and integrative orientation, reduced communication opportunities in the home language, and their growing proficiency in the new language. Teacher education programs are key to preparing educators for pedagogical approaches that ensure successful acquisition of the new language and academic achievement, while providing opportunities to preserve, scaffold, and further enhance the students' home languages. Partnering with families and communities is key to understanding the students' backgrounds, experiences, and intergenerational communication patterns in the home, and to promote home language literacy practices to preserve the rich linguistic and cultural heritage that immigrant students bring.
Teacher Language Awareness (TLA) is an area of increasing interest to those involved in language teacher education. This book provides an introduction to the nature of TLA, assesses its impact upon teaching and its potential impact on learning. The book focuses specifically on grammar. It aims to encourage teachers and others involved in language education to think more deeply about the importance of TLA ad to adopt a more principled approach to the planning of those parts of their programmes assosciated with it.
Practice as a necessity for learning a second language has been a tacit assumption among language teachers for quite some time; however, the concept has not been widely considered from a theoretical perspective until now. This volume of twelve original articles focuses on the topic, with attention to the four skill areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking. The contributors explore a number of questions including what kind of practice is most effective, in what contexts, and for what kinds of learners. This text will serve as a valuable resource and reference for second-language educators and researchers alike.
Interest in technology in language teacher education has grown recently as evidenced by the success of CALICO's Teacher Education SIG and the publication of two edited volumes on the topic in the past 2 years. Here, I explore the current state of technology and teacher education and suggest that the future paths of language teacher education and CALL are linked. I begin with a review of data showing that technology education for language teachers is lacking in the majority of existing training programs but that the institutional demand for technology savvy teachers is increasing. I then speculate on the barriers that are limiting the supply. Next, I briefly discuss two concepts that bear on the future of educational technology, Prensky's "digital nativism" and Bax's "normalization." The remainder is devoted to identifying and discussing issues, approaches, and processes that are emerging in CALL language teacher education, drawing primarily from the two previously mentioned edited volumes. The approaches and processes in particular represent promising directions for future CALL course development. I conclude by noting the importance of having a sufficient number of CALL professionals available to develop novel applications and train the next generation of language teachers.
This study investigated how two teachers of languages, facilitated by university researchers, developed their practices with regard to intercultural language teaching. Taking a qualitative case study approach, we collected data from classroom observations, interviews, debriefing conversations, and guided reflective pieces written by the teachers. Findings indicate that the opportunities for teachers to inquire into their own practices shifted these teachers' approaches to language teaching to accommodate a curriculum expectation to develop students' intercultural communicative competence in plurilingual contexts. The study offers valuable insights for teacher education into the ways teachers' inquiries can support teachers’ responses to curricular change.
This book provides an accessible guide to concepts in language testing and the testing of specific skills and systems. It combines theory and practical recommendations to help teachers understand the principles of testing and how they can be applied, supporting them to write better tests. The third edition has been extensively revised and updated to reflect recent developments in the field, while retaining the straightforward approach that made the earlier editions essential reading for trainee and experienced teachers alike. It features new content on technology, including computer adaptive testing and the use of automated scoring for all skills. It also includes an extended discussion of language testers' responsibilities, new chapters on non-testing methods of assessment and a checklist to help teachers choose tests.