The Role of EFL Teachers in the ESL Setting

Se describen las acciones que los profesionales de la enseñanza del inglés como lengua extranjera deben llevar a cabo al trasladarse a un contexto en el que se aprende el idioma como segunda lengua. Se subraya la función de esos profesionales como defensores y tutores de estudiantes con diversidad cultural y lingüística. Asimismo, se señalan los importantes aspectos portener en cuenta para cumplir con esa función.A description is provided of the challenges that English as a Foreign Language teaching professionals face when being relocated to an English as a Second Language setting. Language teaching professionals' role as advocates and educational parents to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CLD) students is highlighted. The most important aspects to take into account to fulfill such a role are also presented.

Enseñanza de lenguas materna y extranjeras a niños con necesidades especiales: caso Síndrome de Down

Durante mucho tiempo se consideró que los niños con Síndrome de Down (SD) debían aprender su lengua materna y hasta pasada la adolescencia podrían seguir con otra lengua. No obstante, los beneficios posibles del aprendizaje precoz de lenguas sobre el desarrollo cognitivo y lingüístico de estos niños han de ser reconsiderados. La exposición de niños con SD asituaciones lingüísticas distintas puede evitar ponerlos a la defensiva, lo cual tiene consecuencias favorables en lo cognitivo. lo motivacional y lo emocional. La metodología de estimulación temprana mediante los idiomas es fundamental.For a long time it was believed that children with Down Syndrome (DS) should learn their native language, and not until after adolescence should they begin to study a second language. However, the potential benefits of early second-language education for cognitive and linguistic developmentshould be reconsidered. Exposure to new linguistic situations helps children with DS to avoid defensiveness, which in turn contributes positively to the child's cognitive, motivational and emotional level. Early stimulation with foreign languages is essential.

Teaching Communications, Cultures, Connections, Comparisons, and Communities with Multimedia: A University-Middle School Service-Learning Project

Se describe el uso de tecnología en forma de presentaciones de multimedia para facilitar la enseñanza de las Normas para el Aprendizaje de una Lengua Extranjera del Concilio Americano para la Enseñanza de Lenguas extranjeras. Las normas abarcan las comunicaciones, las culturas, las conexiones, las comparaciones y las comunidades. El estudiantado universitario aprende a crear, con multimedia, presentaciones sobre un tema cultural en la lengua meta. El componente de aprendizaje por servicio comunitario se fundamenta en las presentaciones creadas para estudiantes de colegio, quienes tienen acceso a las presentaciones en un sitio web de la universidad.A description is provided of how the use of technology in the form of multimedia presentations enhances the teaching of the Five C Standards for Foreign Language Learning of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages: communications, cultures, connections, comparisons, and communities. University students learn to create multimedia presentations on a cultural topic in the target language. The service-learning component provides the multimedia presentations for middle-school students who access them from the university website.

Reflexiones onomasiológicas en torno al papel de la administración en los programas de Español como lengua extranjera

Es un planteo de base teórica sobre la incorporación efectiva de la conciencia intercultural en los programas de Español como lengua extranjera (ELE) y de la influencia de las personas encargadas de administrar y facilitar su adecuada inclusión. La competencia en una lengua extranjera supone tanto capacidades lingüísticas, como el conocimiento y apropiación del conjunto de valores, creencias y normas culturales que conforman la identidad individual y colectiva de una comunidad académica.This is a theoreticalIy-based proposal conceming the effective incorporation of intercultural awareness in Spanish as a Foreign Language (SFL) programs and the influence of administering facilitating its adequate inclusion. Proficiency in a foreign language involves not only linguistic skills but also a knowledge and appropriation of the cultural values, beliefs and norms integrated in the individual and collective identity of an academic community.

A avaliação no ensino de inglês como LE : crenças, reflexões e ressignificação

Dissertação (mestrado)—Universidade de Brasília, Instituto de Letras, Departamento de Línguas Estrangeiras e Tradução, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Linguística Aplicada, 2015.

Victorian Fairy Tales to develop the speaking skill for children of sixth level of basic education at Maria Auxiliadora High School

Este trabajo de investigación analiza los resultados de un estudio realizado en el Colegio Privado María Auxiliadora en la ciudad de Cuenca, en el uso de la narración como una estrategia comunicativa para mejorar la habilidad de hablar Inglés de los estudiantes de Inglés como lengua extranjera. En este trabajo se intentará demostrar que la narración es un método pedagógico adecuado para desarrollar las habilidades de hablar en estudiantes de sexto nivel que están inscritos en las clases de inglés como lengua extranjera. Los resultados significativos se reportan usando una Rúbrica dos veces: antes del proceso y después del mismo. La prueba estadística utilizada fue de Wilcoxon y el valor crítico fue 0,05. Los resultados mostraron una mejora en todos los cinco componentes diferentes de la rúbrica. La conclusión más importante es que los cuentos de hadas victorianos pueden ser incluidos dentro de la clase y que motiva a hablar el idioma Inglés.

Quel mode de gestion politique en éducation? Le cas de l’enseignement des langues étrangères au primaire dans le Bade-Wurtemberg (1998-2011)

Dans le Bade-Wurtemberg, land du sud-ouest de l’Allemagne limitrophe à la France, on enseigne une langue étrangère dans toutes les écoles primaires dès la 1re année depuis l’année scolaire 2003-2004. Certaines communes composant un corridor d’une trentaine de kilomètres de large longeant la frontière française se sont vu imposer le français, et non l’anglais comme ailleurs dans le land. Pour cette raison, le règlement a été dénoncé par des opposants lorsqu’il fut rendu public en 2001. La recherche a pour objectif dans une première étape de reconstituer, à l’aide de protocoles parlementaires du land, de publications ministérielles et de jugements de la Cour administrative, les événements entourant l’élaboration, l’implantation et la réception de cette politique éducative entre 1998 et 2011. La question qui nous intéresse dans une deuxième étape se rapporte aux causes des tensions entre le ministère de l’Éducation et les citoyens. La recherche mettra en évidence le fait que les citoyens n’étaient pas seulement contre l’enseignement du français plutôt que de l’anglais, mais aussi contre l’imposition de l’objet d’enseignement. Pour ce faire, un corpus d’articles de journaux dressera le portrait des opinions saillantes de la population, et les positions du débat pourront être systématisées. Une troisième étape proposera une analyse à l’aide de théories de l’évolution des modes de gouvernance en politique de l’éducation et proposera de nouvelles pistes de réflexion.

Quel mode de gestion politique en éducation? Le cas de l’enseignement des langues étrangères au primaire dans le Bade-Wurtemberg (1998-2011)

Dans le Bade-Wurtemberg, land du sud-ouest de l’Allemagne limitrophe à la France, on enseigne une langue étrangère dans toutes les écoles primaires dès la 1re année depuis l’année scolaire 2003-2004. Certaines communes composant un corridor d’une trentaine de kilomètres de large longeant la frontière française se sont vu imposer le français, et non l’anglais comme ailleurs dans le land. Pour cette raison, le règlement a été dénoncé par des opposants lorsqu’il fut rendu public en 2001. La recherche a pour objectif dans une première étape de reconstituer, à l’aide de protocoles parlementaires du land, de publications ministérielles et de jugements de la Cour administrative, les événements entourant l’élaboration, l’implantation et la réception de cette politique éducative entre 1998 et 2011. La question qui nous intéresse dans une deuxième étape se rapporte aux causes des tensions entre le ministère de l’Éducation et les citoyens. La recherche mettra en évidence le fait que les citoyens n’étaient pas seulement contre l’enseignement du français plutôt que de l’anglais, mais aussi contre l’imposition de l’objet d’enseignement. Pour ce faire, un corpus d’articles de journaux dressera le portrait des opinions saillantes de la population, et les positions du débat pourront être systématisées. Une troisième étape proposera une analyse à l’aide de théories de l’évolution des modes de gouvernance en politique de l’éducation et proposera de nouvelles pistes de réflexion.

El aprendizaje en una comunidad en internet de profesores de español como segunda lengua: estudio etnográfico virtual de la comunidad Todoele

In the digital era the availability of resources for online learning has multiplied along with personal learning environments. Proof of this is the proliferation of phenomena in the internet like Open Educational Resources or the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and the vast diversity of Online Communities of Practice (OCoP). The former is the object of study in the present Thesis. As Juan Freire (2012: 71) wrote: “The education is already happening, specially outside of educational institutions and formal process of education.” The OCoP garnered attention in the research community during the last few years. And, according to published research, online communities are turning into an emerging phenomena not only for “digital natives” (White, 2011) but also for lifelong learning (Wenger et al, 2002; Dubé et al, 2006; Lai et al, 2006) and specially as a tool for teacher training (Garrido, 2003; Murua, 2015). Teachers develop, through these tools, networks of self support, share didactic material, and look for solutions to common problems while undertaking initiatives towards even more collaboration. The present thesis is a study of Comunidad Todoele (CT) one of the most reputable networks for Spanish as a Foreign Language Teachers (ELE, from it’s Spanish acronym). Currently the community has near 11,000 members and it’s main purpose is researching, describing, and theorising the formative processes that happen inside the network from the perspective of those experiencing it. Debate is centred on the questions: What relevant knowledge do the teachers get from the community? In which way are these processes of learning developed? In other words, How, and what, do teachers learn in these environment?..

Educational software in english to the awareness in a preschool education supervised context

Information and communication technologies play an increasingly important role in society, in the sense that all areas and professions make use of digital resources. The school can not be brushed off this reality, aim to create full subjects and integrated in society today. Educational software can be used very early in the education of children, but they must be carefully and monitoring. This article aims to present the results of the use of educational software in English to the awareness of context with children of pre-school education in kindergarten, nursery center Redemptorist Fathers - The smallest fox in White Castle, a 21 group children under 5 years. Early awareness of foreign language such as English can be started with digital multimedia capabilities and various software available on the market. However, the small study described the case reveals some resistance from parents and educators, in the preparation of these to choose and monitor the use of ICT by children, in addition to also highlight the self-interest of the children involved and their learning a few words in English language in different contexts of daily worked. The study opens perspectives on close monitoring needs of such uses and training of educators in the field of use of resources multilingual awareness in pre-school education.

L’interaction comme méthode d’apprentissage du Français langue étrangère (FLE) en Suède

Mon travail s’inspire de l’idée de la Direction nationale de l’enseignement scolaire suédoise (Skolverket, 2011) qui suggère que « les élèves doivent avoir la possibilité de développer une capacité de communication et de compréhension de la langue ». Mon mémoire commence par une introduction générale, continue avec une analyse des manuels utilisés dans l’apprentissage du FLE et des activités favorisant l’interaction - échange réciproque verbale ou non verbale, pour terminer par une conclusion générale. Comme il n’existe pas d’enseignement sans méthodes appropriées, il existe des manuels qu’on peut utiliser afin de faciliter l’apprentissage par l’interaction de la langue cible. Les activités de communication orale et écrite d’ordre pédagogique sont indispensables. Tout comme l’écrit Revue française de pédagogie (1994 :133) « La classe est un système social complexe dont les parties sont en interaction dynamique, acteurs (enseignant et élève[s]), situation, matière selon des statuts sociaux. ». Pour effectuer mes recherches, j’ai porté mon attention sur l’analyse des manuels scolaires qu’il m’a été permis de consulter. Il s’agit des manuels d’entraide comme : Mais oui 3 et Escalade littéraire. Concernant l’analyse du matériel didactique favorisant l’interaction, ces deux manuels proposent des exercices de réflexion selon le niveau de l’apprenant. Dans mon travail, je m’intéresse à l’aspect didactique et linguistique de ces deux manuels scolaires.

The use of english as a lingua franca for scientific dissemination and its impact on EFL speakers with a Ph.D.

English has become the lingua franca for scientific divulgation and definitely has an impact on EFL speakers. They have to develop competences in a foreign language to publish their scientific articles and to become part of a community. Years of study, effort, and many challenges are daily present in the life of the students of the sciences. However, despite a certain skepticism, the impact English has on EFL speakers with a Ph.D. is positive: they are highly competent in a foreign language which allows them to establish better relationships around the globe and improve the world of science through collaborations and the publication of scientific articles.

Health Related Quality of Life Assessment questionnaire for children aged 5 to 11 years with HIV/AIDS: cross-cultural adaptation for the Portuguese language

The objective of this study is to describe preliminary results from the cross-cultural adaptation of the Quality of Life Assessment Questionnaire, used to measure health related quality of life (HRQL) in Brazilian children aged between 5 and 11 with HIV/AIDS. The cross-cultural model evaluated the Concept, Item, Semantic and Measurement Equivalences (internal consistency and intra-observer reliability). Evaluation of the conceptual, item, semantic equivalences showed that the Portuguese version is pertinent for the Brazilian context. Four of seven domains showed internal consistency above 0.70 (α: 0.76-0.90) and five of seven revealed intra-observer reliability (ricc: 0.41-0.70). This first Portuguese version of the HRQL questionnaire can be understood as a valuable tool for assessing children's HRQL, but further studies with large samples and more robust analyses are recommended before use in the Brazilian context.

Motivations to visit and image destination of Guimarães: differences between Portuguese and foreign tourists during 2012 Guimarães European Capital of Culture (ECOC)

Guimarães hosted the European Capital of Culture (ECOC) during the year of 2012. This study investigates the differences between Portuguese and foreign tourists regarding the main motivations to visit Guimarães and the retained perceived image of the destination. To achieve that purpose a survey was administered to 390 tourists that visited the city during the cultural event. The results show that tourists who visited Guimarães are relatively young, wealthy, employed and well educated. They are touring around the northern part of the country which includes an itinerary beginning in Porto, and extended to other important neighboring cities such as Braga or Viana do Castelo. The main motivations to visit the city, for both Portuguese and foreign tourists, are its historical heritage and the title of ECOC, the associated cultural events and celebrations that take place during 2012. However, these items were more valued by foreigners than Portuguese tourists. Using a factor analysis the tourists’ perceived attributes of Guimarães were described in four dimensions: “material heritage”, “intangible heritage”, “cultural performance”, and “sport and education”. Although foreigners and nationals perceived the tourism attributes of the city differently, the comparison of the mean scores of the four factors across Portuguese and foreigner tourists reveals that the most valued and least valued factors are common to both groups.

Language and trade: the (new) route of portuguese in the 21st century

Globalisation has eliminated frontiers and in the case of Europe helped the crossing of borders and changed forever the concept of social (and I would also say individual) geography: the rest of the world is out there; we can pretend not to see it, but we cannot avoid it. Moreover, Europe is undergoing a serious crisis, also economic, and new markets and business partners are welcome. In this context, cultural bonds like a common language can open new investment paths and give rise to successful stories. In this paper we intend to present an example of how low linguistic distance can lead to good business, even if a) in the internationalization process of the companies’ language is often forgotten as a management element and b) consumers of language products (like User Guides) are also not stimulating investment in language by the companies. Through the results of 2 studies carried out in 2010 and 2011 we will show how a pluricentric language like Portuguese is managed in multinational companies (MC) and Small and medium Enterprises (SMEs). The second study is based on an online survey questioning the effectiveness, efficiency and general quality of User Guides and the reaction of consumers to language. Results show that although playing a role in the internationalization process of companies in the same linguistic space, language is opportunistically used. On the other hand, Portuguese and Brazilian consumers show a very functional perception of the Portuguese language...