En torno a los efectos de la edad en el aprendizaje escolar de una lengua extrangera

The purpose of this article is to treat a currently much debated issue, the effects of age on second language learning. To do so, we contrast data collected by our research team from over one thousand seven hundred young and adult learners with four popular beliefs or generalizations, which, while deeply rooted in this society, are not always corroborated by our data.Two of these generalizations about Second Language Acquisition (languages spoken in the social context) seem to be widely accepted: a) older children, adolescents and adults are quicker and more efficient at the first stages of learning than are younger learners; b) in a natural context children with an early start are more liable to attain higher levels of proficiency. However, in the context of Foreign Language Acquisition, the context in which we collect the data, this second generalization is difficult to verify due to the low number of instructional hours (a maximum of some 800 hours) and the lower levels of language exposure time provided. The design of our research project has allowed us to study differences observed with respect to the age of onset (ranging from 2 to 18+), but in this article we focus on students who began English instruction at the age of 8 (LOGSE Educational System) and those who began at the age of 11 (EGB). We have collected data from both groups after a period of 200 (Time 1) and 416 instructional hours (Time 2), and we are currently collecting data after a period of 726 instructional hours (Time 3). We have designed and administered a variety of tests: tests on English production and reception, both oral and written, and within both academic and communicative oriented approaches, on the learners' L1 (Spanish and Catalan), as well as a questionnaire eliciting personal and sociolinguistic information. The questions we address and the relevant empirical evidence are as follows: 1. "For young children, learning languages is a game. They enjoy it more than adults."Our data demonstrate that the situation is not quite so. Firstly, both at the levels of Primary and Secondary education (ranging from 70.5% in 11-year-olds to 89% in 14-year-olds) students have a positive attitude towards learning English. Secondly, there is a difference between the two groups with respect to the factors they cite as responsible for their motivation to learn English: the younger students cite intrinsic factors, such as the games they play, the methodology used and the teacher, whereas the older students cite extrinsic factors, such as the role of their knowledge of English in the achievement of their future professional goals. 2 ."Young children have more resources to learn languages." Here our data suggest just the opposite. The ability to employ learning strategies (actions or steps used) increases with age. Older learners' strategies are more varied and cognitively more complex. In contrast, younger learners depend more on their interlocutor and external resources and therefore have a lower level of autonomy in their learning. 3. "Young children don't talk much but understand a lot"This third generalization does seem to be confirmed, at least to a certain extent, by our data in relation to the analysis of differences due to the age factor and productive use of the target language. As seen above, the comparably slower progress of the younger learners is confirmed. Our analysis of interpersonal receptive abilities demonstrates as well the advantage of the older learners. Nevertheless, with respect to passive receptive activities (for example, simple recognition of words or sentences) no great differences are observed. Statistical analyses suggest that in this test, in contrast to the others analyzed, the dominance of the subjects' L1s (reflecting a cognitive capacity that grows with age) has no significant influence on the learning process. 4. "The sooner they begin, the better their results will be in written language"This is not either completely confirmed in our research. First of all, we perceive that certain compensatory strategies disappear only with age, but not with the number of instructional hours. Secondly, given an identical number of instructional hours, the older subjects obtain better results. With respect to our analysis of data from subjects of the same age (12 years old) but with a different number of instructional hours (200 and 416 respectively, as they began at the ages of 11 and 8), we observe that those who began earlier excel only in the area of lexical fluency. In conclusion, the superior rate of older learners appears to be due to their higher level of cognitive development, a factor which allows them to benefit more from formal or explicit instruction in the school context. Younger learners, however, do not benefit from the quantity and quality of linguistic exposure typical of a natural acquisition context in which they would be allowed to make use of implicit learning abilities. It seems clear, then, that the initiative in this country to begin foreign language instruction earlier will have positive effects only if it occurs in combination with either higher levels of exposure time to the foreign language, or, alternatively, with its use as the language of instruction in other areas of the curriculum.

La reflexió metalingüística en el treball de grup

En aquest article s'analitzen quatre factors que poden incidir en el desenvolupament i el resultats de les tasques de reflexió metalingüística quan es realitzen en grup: tipus de tasca, formes d'interacci ó del grup, condici ó de monolingüe o bilingüe dels participants i llengua objecte de reflexió. Les dades analitzades provenen de la gravació i transcripci ó d'un seguit de sessions de treball en grup en les quals es proposava a nois i noies de secundària (14-15 anys) diferents tasques de tipus metalingüístic. Com a complement de l'an àlisi dels quatre factors esmentats, l'article tamb e inclou un apartat on es compara el proc és de reflexió que segueixen els estudiants de secundària amb el procés que segueixen alumnes del Curs d'Aptitud Pedag ògica (CAP).

Introducing online teaching in Humanities: A case study about the acceptance of online activities by the academic staff of classical languages

The purpose of this paper is to show the perceptions of the academic staff of classical languages (ancient Greek and Latin) concerning use of online activities during their courses. The study was carried out in three countries: Greece (three major Universities), Spain (University of Barcelona) and the United States (University of California, Berkeley) with the participation of thirty-three academic instructors. Depending on the level of use and acceptance of the ICT and following G. Moore¿s classification, we separated the participating academics in three groups: the conservatives, the mainstream and the early adopters. The fact that the smallest group is the third clearly shows the necessity for teachers¿ preparation and training before introducing innovative projects in the classroom. Since the starting point for the application of innovation in the classroom is the teacher, policy makers should focus on helping them become conscious of changes in teaching methods and include their opinion during the design of innovative projects.

Introducing online teaching in Humanities: A case study about the acceptance of online activities by the academic staff of classical languages

The purpose of this paper is to show the perceptions of the academic staff of classical languages (ancient Greek and Latin) concerning use of online activities during their courses. The study was carried out in three countries: Greece (three major Universities), Spain (University of Barcelona) and the United States (University of California, Berkeley) with the participation of thirty-three academic instructors. Depending on the level of use and acceptance of the ICT and following G. Moore¿s classification, we separated the participating academics in three groups: the conservatives, the mainstream and the early adopters. The fact that the smallest group is the third clearly shows the necessity for teachers¿ preparation and training before introducing innovative projects in the classroom. Since the starting point for the application of innovation in the classroom is the teacher, policy makers should focus on helping them become conscious of changes in teaching methods and include their opinion during the design of innovative projects.

Educació i immigració a les Illes Balears : característiques i anàlisi evolutiva. 'Educación e inmigración en las Islas Baleares : características y análisis evolutivo'.

Resumen tomado de la publicación. Incluye gráficas y tablas de datos

Escola Francesc d'Albranca : un repte de futur. 'Escuela Francesc d'Albranca : un reto de futuro'.

Resumen tomado de la publicación. Incluye imágenes

Aprenentatge Integrat de Continguts i Llengües (AICLE) i alumnes amb necessitats educatives especials: un estudi de cas

En aquest treball de recerca s'estudia el procés d'aprenentatge del principi d'Arquimedes que desenvolupa un estudiant amb necessitats educatives especials durant una unitat didàctica de ciències en anglès. Les preguntes de recerca són: (1) quines activitats d'aprenentatge realitza aquest alumne per apropiar-se dels continguts proposats? i (2) quins aprenentatges s'observen i com es mostren discursivament aquests aprenentatges? L'anàlisi ha revelat que l'estudiant fa servir diferents estratègies per intentar comprendre el contingut meta; mostra indicis d'aprenentatge a curt termini sobre la major part d'aquest contingut, al mateix temps que s'aproxima discurs científic, començant així a desenvolupar les competències científica i comunicativa

Les Representacions d’alumnes de segon de Primària sobre les llengües de l’entorn i el seu aprenentatge a través de l’escriptura d’autobiografies lingüístiques

Els resultats parcials que presentem formen part d’una investigació realitzada a partir de la demanda de l’escriptura d’una autobiografia lingüística a alumnes de nivells educatius de 2on i 6è de Primària, 4art d’ESO i Universitat (2º curs de Magisteri) de centres de la ciutat de València en tres llengües (espanyol, català i anglès). L’objectiu és indagar l’escriptura de l’alumnat en la seua materialitat i, igualment, com a expressió de les seues experiències sobre l’aprenentatge lingüístic i en relació amb el fet multilingüe

Afectivitat i aprenentatge de les llengües estrangeres.'Afectividad y aprendizaje de las lenguas extranjeras'.

La última página del artículo contiene referencias bibliográficas

Aprenentatge, llengües i tecnologies de la informació i la comunicació. 'Aprendizaje, lenguas y tecnologías de la información y la comunicación'.

Resumen basado en el del autor en catalán

El paper de les activitats en l'ensenyament-aprenentatge de les llengües. 'El papel de las actividades en la enseñanza-aprendizaje de las lenguas'.

Resumen de la autora en catalán

La química com a vehicle per a l'aprenentatge de les llengües. 'La química como vehículo para el aprendizaje de las lenguas'.

Este artículo forma parte de la monografía 'La gestió de la qualitat educativa' (La gestión de la calidad educativa)

El paper de les cultures en l'ensenyament i l'aprenentatge de les llengües : confrontacions, articulacions i encontres. Qüestions relatives a la formació del professorat en contextos plurilingües. 'El papel de las culturas en la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de las lenguas : confrontaciones, articulaciones y encuentros. Cuestiones relativas a la formación del profesorado en contextos plurilingües'.

Resumen basado en el de la autora

L'aprenentatge actiu de llengües estrangeres. 'El aprendizaje activo de lenguas extranjeras'.

Resumen basado en el de la autora en catalán

La lectura a l'aula : un projecte per a l'aprenentatge de les llengües, l'autoformació i el tractament de la diversitat. 'La lectura en el aula : un proyecto para el aprendizaje de las lenguas, la autoformación y el tratamiento de la diversidad'.

Se quiere ayudar al alumnado en su deseable convivencia con el mundo de la lectura, y hacerlo de una manera progresiva, con la ambición de consolidar su aprendizaje y formación lingüística, literaria y personal. Un proceso planteado de forma colectiva, alumnos y profesor, a partir de una serie de textos en los que se pueda observar de manera evidente, capítulo a capítulo, aquello que se les explica de forma introductoria. Se utiliza una novela escrita por el propio autor para utilizarla como hilo conductor, despertando la curiosidad sobre los hechos y convertiendo en familiares unos personajes y unas situaciones para que la motivación del alumnado hacia la lectura resulte superior, así como la cohesión general de los materiales. En relación a la motivación las actividades y propuestas han ido en el sentido de la intervención personalizada y de la participación a partir del propio criterio y de las propias inclinaciones; por esta razón se tiende a individualizar de forma regular muchas de las cuestiones.