A Teacher’s Formative Assessment Perceptions and Practices in Oral Intermediate English Courses at the Université de Montréal

Au cours des dernières années, les pratiques de l’évaluation comme aide à l’apprentissage (c’est-à-dire l’auto-évaluation, l’évaluation par les pairs, la rétroaction) dans la salle de classe ont été de plus en plus considérées comme des éléments essentiels (Black & Wiliam, 1998; Harlen & Winter, 2004; van de Watering & van der Rijt, 2006). Cependant, dans le domaine de l’apprentissage d’une langue seconde la recherche sur ce sujet est plutôt limitée. En nous fondant sur les études de Colby-Kelly et Turner (2007) et de Lyster et Ranta (1997), nous avons mené une recherche exploratoire visant à combler ce besoin. L’objectif général était de comprendre comment l’évaluation formative se réalise dans deux cours d’anglais intermédiaire à l’Université de Montréal, et de comparer comment ces pratiques sont perçues et vécues par la professeure et ses étudiants. Trois questions de recherche étaient posées: 1. Quelle est la nature de l’évaluation formative dans une salle de classe d’anglais langue seconde? 2. Est-ce que les pratiques de la professeure reflètent ce qu’elle pense de l’évaluation formative? 3. Quels sont les correspondances et différences entre les croyances de la professeure et les perceptions de ses étudiants quant aux bénéfices de l’évaluation formative pour l’apprentissage de l’anglais langue seconde? La collecte de données comprend des observations en classe, des entrevues auprès de la professeure et des questionnaires pour les étudiants. Pour répondre à notre première question de recherche, nous avons analysé la rétroaction donnée par la professeure pendant une production orale réalisée par ses étudiants à partir de la typologie de feedback et de uptake de l’étude de Lyster et Ranta (1997). En ce qui a trait à la deuxième question de recherche, nous avons fait des entrevues avec la professeure en vue d’expliciter ses perceptions relativement à l’évaluation formative. À la fin du trimestre, nous avons comparé ses réponses avec sa pratique à partir des enregistrements vidéo produits en classe. Finalement, pour répondre à notre dernière question de recherche nous avons comparé les réponses données par la professeure aux entrevues avec les réponses des étudiants à un questionnaire adapté à partir de celui de Colby-Kelly et Turner. Finalement, nous présentons et discutons les résultats les plus significatifs obtenus dans cette étude qualitative Nous concluons cette thèse en proposant de avenues pour des recherches futures.

Studies on a syntax based approach for translation between structurally different languages and the development of a prototype for Malayalam to English translation

This thesis summarizes the results on the studies on a syntax based approach for translation between Malayalam, one of Dravidian languages and English and also on the development of the major modules in building a prototype machine translation system from Malayalam to English. The development of the system is a pioneering effort in Malayalam language unattempted by previous researchers. The computational models chosen for the system is first of its kind for Malayalam language. An in depth study has been carried out in the design of the computational models and data structures needed for different modules: morphological analyzer , a parser, a syntactic structure transfer module and target language sentence generator required for the prototype system. The generation of list of part of speech tags, chunk tags and the hierarchical dependencies among the chunks required for the translation process also has been done. In the development process, the major goals are: (a) accuracy of translation (b) speed and (c) space. Accuracy-wise, smart tools for handling transfer grammar and translation standards including equivalent words, expressions, phrases and styles in the target language are to be developed. The grammar should be optimized with a view to obtaining a single correct parse and hence a single translated output. Speed-wise, innovative use of corpus analysis, efficient parsing algorithm, design of efficient Data Structure and run-time frequency-based rearrangement of the grammar which substantially reduces the parsing and generation time are required. The space requirement also has to be minimised

The status and barriers to the implementation and continuation of the school gardening projects in Germany, Nigeria and the United States of America

In drawing a conclusion for this study, care must be taken in generalizing findings since the population of students and teachers investigated were limited to certain levels in the different schools and countries. This study recognized some complexity of the factors underlying the status of school gardening instruction and activities in Germany, Nigeria and the U.S. as inadequate time for decision-making in the process of gardening, motivation of teachers and students. This was seen as the major impediments that influenced the status of gardening in the three countries. However, these factors were considered to have affected students’ mode of participation in the school gardening projects. This research finding suggests that the promotion and encouragement of students in gardening activities will promote vegetable production and increasing the numbers of practical farmers. Gardening has the potential to create opportunities for learning in an environment where children are able to experience nature first hand and to use the shared experience for communication (Bowker & Tearle, 2007). Therefore, the need for students to be encouraged to participate in gardening programs as the benefit will not only reduce the rate of obesity currently spreading among youths, but will contribute to the improve knowledge on science subjects. To build a network between community, parents and schools, a parent’s community approach should be used as the curriculum. The community approach will tighten the link between schools; community members, parents, teachers and students. This will help facilitate a better gardening projects implementation. Through a close collaboration, teachers and students will be able to identify issues affecting communities and undertake action learning in collaboration with community organizations to assess community needs and plan the implementation strategies as parents are part of the community. The sense of efficacy is a central factor in motivational and learning processes that govern educational improvement, standard and performance on complex tasks of both teachers and students. Dedication and willingness are the major stimulator and achievement of a project. Through a stimulator and provision of incentives and facilities, schools can achieve the best in project development. Teachers and principals should be aware that students are the lever for achieving the set goals in schools. Failure to understand what students need will result in achieving zero result. Therefore, it is advised that schools focus more on how to lure students to work through proper collaboration with the parents and community members. Principals and teachers should identify areas where students need to be corrected, helping them to correct the problem will enable them be committed in the schools’ programs.

English in the digital age : Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and the teaching of English.

Muestra cómo la aplicación de las Tecnologías de la Información y de la Comunicación (TIC) mejoran la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de la lengua inglesa, enriquecen las habilidades de los alumnos e, introducen nuevos métodos educativos. Los estudios de varios colaboradores de Europa, Australia y América del Norte, consideran que tanto la utilización del material audiovisual tradicional: videos, películas, cintas de audio, cómo la de recursos más recientes: juegos de ordenador, recursos en línea, son materiales valiosos para la práctica educativa.

English teaching in the secondary school : linking theory and practice.

Es un texto para la enseñanza de la lengua inglesa en las escuelas secundarias dirigido a los profesores que estudian, están recién titulados ó son experimentados docentes. Cumple con los requisitos del plan nacional de estudios inglés para el año 2000 y con la Estrategia Nacional de Alfabetización (National Literacy Strategy) para la etapa 3 (key stage 3). Entre sus objetivos están: dar ideas prácticas específicas que vinculen la teoría y la práctica y estimular el pensamiento crítico sobre la enseñanza del inglés.

99 ideas and activities for teaching English learners with the SIOP model.

El modelo SIOP (Shelthered Instruction Observation Protocol) consiste en treinta indicadores agrupados en ocho categorías, que ayudan a diseñar y planificar la práctica educativa para ser utilizada en contextos en los que haya alumnos que tienen que aprender en una lengua que no es su lengua materna. Este modelo tiene en cuenta las necesidades lingüístico-académicas de los alumnos y propone diferentes estrategias y técnicas para enseñarlos de una manera más comprensible, a la vez que se potencia su desarrollo lingüístico. Dentro de la preparación de la unidad didáctica, el SIOP señala la importancia de definir claramente tanto los objetivos de contenido como los objetivos de lenguaje y compartirlos con los alumnos. Asimismo destaca la necesidad de adaptar los contenidos a las necesidades académico-lingüísticas de los alumnos mediante el uso de materiales complementarios.

100 preguntas para el examen de E.U. ciudadanía-naturalización rediseñado = 100 questions and answers for the new U.S. citizenship-naturalization test. New english reading and writing vocabulary for the citizenship test.

Contiene cien preguntas y respuestas sobre la historia y sistema de gobierno de Estados Unidos para el examen de naturalización realizado por el USCIS ó Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos. También, incluye tests sobre lectura y escritura de habla inglesa.

The verbal reasoning test workbook : umbeatable practice for verbal ability, English usage and interpretation and judgement tests.

Cada vez se utilizan mas las pruebas psicométricas, como parte del procedimiento de selección laboral. Casi todas las baterías de pruebas psicométricas incluyen un subtest de razonamiento verbal o una serie de preguntas. Este manual está pensado para quienes se enfrentan a una prueba de razonamiento verbal en el nivel intermedio y que carecen de cualquier práctica o confianza en sus destrezas. Ayuda a preparar estas pruebas con setecientas preguntas prácticas, una prueba de larga duración de simulación de práctica real, una explicación detallada de las respuestas y la interpretación de los resultados.

Input usage, output mix and industry deregulation: an analysis of the Australian dairy manufacturing industry

In this paper we estimate a Translog output distance function for a balanced panel of state level data for the Australian dairy processing sector. We estimate a fixed effects specification employing Bayesian methods, with and without the imposition of monotonicity and curvature restrictions. Our results indicate that Tasmania and Victoria are the most technically efficient states with New South Wales being the least efficient. The imposition of theoretical restrictions marginally affects the results especially with respect to estimates of technical change and industry deregulation. Importantly, our bias estimates show changes in both input use and output mix that result from deregulation. Specifically, we find that deregulation has positively biased the production of butter, cheese and powders.

Literature, literacy and the discourses of English teaching: a case study

This article examines the discourses of English teaching, and their implications for subject and literacy teaching and learning. Case study evidence is presented to illustrate the ways in which competing discourses are enacted in the classroom. We argue the need to critically examine the educational value of teacher discourses, which have an important impact on instructional practices and the quality of pupils' learning.