English as the target language : A literature study on teachers’ and L2 learners’ language use in the upper elementary classroom

Even though English is a subject where Swedish pupils do well compared to pupils in other countries, research indicates that pupils are not always motivated to learn in the English classroom. Therefore, the aim of this study is to find research relating to the use of the target language in classrooms for pupils at the upper elementary level, particularly language learners in Sweden. The focus of this thesis is to find out what benefits and challenges accompany the use of the target language during English lessons, as well as what pupils’ opinions are on the consistent use of the target language in the classroom. This literature review of five research articles shows that it is beneficial for pupils’ language development to have lessons where mainly the target language is used. It is for example beneficial for pupils’ ability to speak, their pronunciation, vocabulary and ability to use language strategies. The results show that there are challenges as well, especially for the teachers, since use of the target language presumes that the teacher has good language skills and is capable of scaffolding each pupil at their individual level and in their zone of proximal development. Furthermore, there are challenges like differences in pupils’ skill level, creating tasks that both motivate and stimulate, and creating a safe learning environment. Even though the results in this thesis are limited, it is still obvious that it is an important area, where more research is necessary in order to assist teachers in how to teach English as effectively as possible.

English as a Second Language and Children’s literature : An empirical study on Swedish elementary school teachers’ methods and attitudes towards the use of children’s literature in the English classroom

Previous research has shown multiple benefits and challenges with the incorporation of children’s literature in the English as a Second language (ESL) classroom. In addition, the use of children’s literature in the lower elementary English classroom is recommended by the Swedish National Agency for Education. Consequently, the current study explores how teachers in Swedish elementary school teach ESL through children’s literature. This empirical study involves English teachers from seven schools in a small municipality in Sweden. The data has been collected through an Internet survey. The study also connects the results to previous international research, comparing Swedish and international research. The results suggest that even though there are many benefits of using children’s literature in the ESL classroom, the respondents seldom use these authentic texts, due to limited time and a narrow supply of literature, among other factors. However, despite these challenges, all of the teachers claim to use children’s literature by reading aloud in the classroom. Based on the results, further research exploring pupils’ thoughts in contrast to teachers would be beneficial. In addition, the majority of the participants expressed that they wanted more information on how to use children’s literature. Therefore, additional research relating to beneficial methods of teaching English through children’s literature, especially in Sweden, is recommended.

Translations and Translators of English-language Literature in Catalan Literary Publications and Series between 1868 and 1910

Translations into Catalan of English and American authors during the final quarter of the nineteenth century are few and far between. Numerically, English-language literature most likely ranks fifth or sixth among all the translations of this period. We take inventory here of translations found in Catalan magazines from this time (the oldest dates from 1868) and in published series that came out at this time (if these continued until later, we trace them up to their final year). At the same time, the translators are examined, including reference, where available, as to whether the translations are direct or indirect. Finally, we consider some possible causes for the low English-language volume in Catalan translation during the period.

Authentic Texts in English Language Teaching : An empirical study on the use of and attitudes towards authentic texts in the Swedish EFL upper elementary classroom

International assessments indicate that Swedish students achieve high results in reading, writing and understanding English. However, this does not mean that the students display oral proficiency, despite an emphasis on functional and communicative language skills in the current English Syllabus. While a previous literature study by this researcher has shown that authentic texts are a way to increase these skills, most of the results shown are from an international viewpoint. Thus an empirical study was conducted within Sweden with the aim to examine the use of authentic texts in the Swedish EFL upper elementary classroom. Twelve teachers have answered a questionnaire on how they use authentic texts in their language teaching, as well as their opinions about these as a teaching tool. Additionally, 37 students have answered a questionnaire on their attitudes about authentic texts. Results indicate that all of the teachers surveyed see authentic texts as an effective way to increase students’ communicative competence and English language skills; however, only a few use them with any frequency in language teaching. Furthermore, this seems to affect the students’ attitudes, since many say that they read authentic texts in their free time, but prefer to learn English out of a textbook at school. These findings are based on a small area of Sweden. Therefore, further research is needed to learn if these opinions hold true for the entire country or vary dependent upon region or other factors not taken into consideration in this study.

Text-book of English grammar : a treatise on the etymology and syntax of the English language ... : for the use of students in training colleges and the upper classes in national and other elementary schools /

Mode of access: Internet.

Digest of insurance cases, embracing all decisions in any manner affecting insurance companies or their contract upon whatever plan or for whatever purpose their business may be conducted, covering all United States courts, namely the United States Supreme Court, the United States Circuit Courts of Appeal, and United States Circuit and District Courts--all courts of last resort and other appellate courts of the various states and territories and District of Columbia--all the highest judicial tribunals of all other English-speaking countries and all inferior courts within the foregoing jurisdictions whose decisions are reported--also reference to all annotations and leading articles on insurance in all law journals published in the English language.

Lettered on cover: Insurance digest.

The scholar's companion, or A guide to the orthography, pronunciation, and derivation of the English language[: containing, besides several other important improvements, extensive tables of words, deduced from their Greek and Latin roots. Designed for schools and academies, and also for students in elocution.] Arranged on the basis of the 15th London ed[ition] of Butter's etymological spelling-book and expositor.

Mode of access: Internet.

A dictionary, English-Latin, and Latin-English; : containing all things necessary for the translating of either language into the other ... /

Three columns to the page.

The Primitives of the Greek tongue. : Containing a complete collection of all the roots or primitive words, together with the most considerable derivatives of the Greek language. As also a treatise of prepositions and other undeclinable particles. And an alphabetical collection of English words derived from the Greek either by allusion or etymology. /

Pages 126 and 127 misnumbered 116 and 117, respectively.

A dictionary of the English language, pronouncing, etymological, and explanatory, embracing scientific and other terms, numerous familiar terms, and a copious selection of old English words,

Mode of access: Internet.

Literature and poetry. Studies on the English language; the poetry of the Bible; the Dies iræ; the Stabat Mater; the hymns of St. Bernard; the university, ancient and modern; Dante Alighieri; the Divina commedia,

Includes bibliographies.

A compendious history of English literature, and of the English language : from the Norman conquest. With numerous specimens /

A revised and enlarged edition of the author's Sketches of the history of literature and learning in England ... 1844-45.

Dictionary of anonymous and pseudonymous literature of Great Britain : including the works of foreigners written in, or translated into the English language /

Mode of access: Internet.

The history of English literature: with an outline of the origin and growth of the English language:

Mode of access: Internet.

The desk Standard dictionary of the English language, designed to give the orthography, pronunciation, meaning, and etymology of about 83,000 words and phrases in the speech and literature of the English-speaking peoples;

Mode of access: Internet.