The Development of Second Language Proficiency

This text presents the findings of a major investigation of second language proficiency in various groups of school-aged learners. It invites a frank appraisal of the research from an outside panel of experts. The theoretical and practical implications of the study are the subject of a lively debate focused on three main research issues: the nature of second language proficiency, the impact of classroom treatment on second language learning, and the role of social and individual factors in bilingual development. This original collection of articles will be of interest to all those concerned with policy and practice in second language education.

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Developing Second language Skills

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Handbook of Research in Second Language Teaching and Learning

Volume III of the Handbook of Research in Second Language Teaching and Learning, like Volumes I and II, is a comprehensive, state-of-the-art overview of current research into social contexts of second language (L2)/foreign language (FL) teaching and learning; language policy; curriculum; types of instruction; incremental language skills such as listening, speaking, reading, writing, vocabulary, and grammar; international communication; pragmatics; assessment and testing. It differs from earlier volumes in its main purpose—to provide a more in-depth discussion and detailed focus on the development of the essential language skills required for any type of communication: speaking, listening, reading, vocabulary, grammar, and writing. Volume III preserves continuity with previous volumes in its coverage of all the classical areas of research in L2/FL teaching and learning and applied linguistics, but rather than offering a historical review of disciplinary traditions, it explores innovations and new directions of research, acknowledges the enormous complexity of teaching and learning the essential language abilities, and offers a diversity of perspectives. Chapter authors are all leading authorities in their disciplinary areas. What’s new in Volume III? Updates the prominent areas of research, including the sub-disciplines addressed in Volumes I and II, and represents the disciplinary mainstays Considers and discusses perspectives held by different schools of thought on the what, the how, and the why of teaching foundational language skills, including theories, pedagogical principles, and their implementation in practice Captures new and ongoing developments and trends in the key areas of L2/FL teaching and learning, and innovative research topics that have gained substantial recognition in current publications, including the role of corpora, technology, and digital literacy in L2/FL teaching and learning Examines new trends in language pedagogy and research, such as an increased societal emphasis on teaching academic language for schooling, somewhat contradictory definitions of literacy, and the growing needs for instruction in intercultural communication.

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Cambridge O Level Urdu as a Second Language Skills Builder Reading and Writing

An activity-led, engaging resource that offers flexible support for students at all levels through the Cambridge O Level Urdu as a Second Language syllabus. Designed to guide learners through the Cambridge O Level Urdu as a Second Language syllabus (3248), the Skills Builder also covers the reading and writing components of the new Cambridge IGCSE® Urdu as a Second Language syllabus (0539). Authentic, culturally relevant material selected by experienced authors and syllabus experts stimulates language awareness and critical thinking in teenage learners. Engaging, progressive activities offer flexible support to help students at all levels hone their skills and reach their individual potential, while self-assessment advice and exam-style questions at the end of each unit build confidence in the use of the Urdu language.

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Teaching English as a Second Language

First Published in 1994. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

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Thinking Skills and Creativity in Second Language Education

Across the world, education is being restructured to include greater focus on developing critical and creative skills. In second language education, research suggests that cognition and language development are closely related. Yet despite increasing interest in the teaching of thinking skills, critical thinking has not been widely intergrated into language teaching. Thinking Skills and Creativity in Second Language Education presents a range of investigations exploring the relationship between thinking skills and creativity, and second language education. Focusing on cognitive, affective, social, and emotional perspectives, this book highlights current research and raises questions that will set the direction for future research. Its aims are as follows: Provide an in-depth understanding of the link between second language development and thinking skills. Consider approaches to developing thinking skills in second language instruction. Examine practices in implementing thinking skills in second language learning. Offer an updated list of sources of information on thinking skills in second language education. A new addition to the Research on Teaching Thinking and Creativity series, this book is relevant to researchers in the field of educational psychology, to Masters degree and PhD students in this field, and to anyone interested in developing thinking skills.

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The Second Language Learning Processes of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties

The Second Language Learning Processes of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties is the only recent book available to offer a detailed and in-depth discussion of the second language learning processes of students with specific learning difficulties (SpLDs). It summarizes research advances in the fields of cognitive and educational psychology and integrates them with recent studies in the area of second language acquisition (SLA). Thus the book is relevant not only to readers who are particularly interested in the role of specific learning difficulties in learning additional languages, but also to those who would like to understand how individual differences in cognitive functioning influence SLA. The book focuses on four important areas that are particularly relevant for language learners with SpLDs: the processes of SLA in general and the development of reading skills in particular, the effectiveness of pedagogical programs, the assessment of the language competence of students with SpLDs and identifying SpLDs in another language. The book also views learners with SpLDs in their social and educational contexts and elaborates how the barriers in these contexts can affect their language learning processes. This is an excellent resource for language teachers, students, and researchers in the areas of second language acquisition and applied linguistics.

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Teaching Foreign Language Skills Rev Ed

Since its original publication in 1968, Rivers's comprehensive and practical text has become a standard reference for both student teachers and veteran instructors. All who wish to draw from the most recent thinking in the field will welcome this new edition. Methodology is appraised, followed up by discussions on such matters as keeping students of differing abilities active, evaluating textbooks, using language labs creatively, and preparing effective exercises and drills. The author ends each chapter of this new edition with questions for research and discussion—a useful classroom tool—and provides an up-to-date bibliography that facilitates further understanding of such matters as the bilingual classroom.

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Classroom Techniques

The success of a second-language course depends not only on the quality of the basic program but also on the flexibility with which the teacher uses that program. The aim of this handbook is to show teachers ways of implementing and supplementing existing materials. The suggested teaching procedures may be used with large classes, small groups, and individual students. They may also be used with any method, inasmuch as a special effort has been made to include a variety of teaching approaches. Classroom Techniques contains several outstanding features. First, the reader will note the inclusion of special techniques for teachers of ESL. The emphasis is on elementary and intermediate language classes, although some of the techniques are applicable for advanced students. Second, all sample items from foreign languages are accompanied by English equivalents, so that readers can understand them more readily. Third, a wide variety of communication activities has been included for all four language skills. Finally, the chapter on teaching culture reflects recent trends.

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Issues in Second Language Proficiency

Benati provides clarity about the characteristics and notion of language proficiency in the field of second language acquisition. He looks at four areas of research paradigmatically related to the role of proficiency: theorizing and measuring second language proficiency; the dimensions of L2 proficiency; factors contributing to the attainment of L2 proficiency and attaining L2 proficiency in the classroom. It also contains a variety of research accounts about the specific factors which have an effect on proficiency together with a theorised measurement of proficiency in second language research. It will be required reading for researchers in applied linguistics and second language acquisition.

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A Practical Guide to Teaching Foreign Languages in the Secondary School

How can you effectively motivate young people to engage with foreign language learning? How can young people engage with new ideas and cultural experiences within and outside the classroom? The new edition of A Practical Guide to Teaching Foreign Languages in the Secondary School offers straightforward advice and inspiration for training teachers, NQTs and teachers in their early professional development. Written by a team of expert professionals, it offers a wide range of strategies for successful teaching in the languages classroom. Key topics covered include: Helping pupils develop better listening skills Effective speaking activities Choosing the best texts and technology for reading skills Teaching grammar Internet tools and services for teaching and learning Integrating formative assessment The intercultural dimension of language teaching Collaborating with primary schools and successful transition Teaching Arabic and Mandarin Working with TAs and FLAs Classroom research and reflective practice This fully revised and updated second edition includes new chapters on homework, motivation and less widely taught languages, while the core sections on reading and writing, planning, and culture and diversity have been significantly updated to reflect important changes in research, practice and policy. A Practical Guide to Teaching Foreign Languages in the Secondary School extends the popular Learning to Teach Foreign Languages in the Secondary School by providing detailed examples of theory in practice, based on the most up-to-date research and practice, as well as links to relevant sources supporting evidence-informed practice. It is an essential compendium of support and ideas for all those embarking upon their first steps in a successful career in teaching foreign languages.

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Readings in Second Language Pedagogy and Second Language Acquisition

The selected contributions of this volume focuses on various issues related to second language pedagogy and second language acquisition in the Japanese context. Part I covers such topics as discourse pragmatics and cross-cultural pragmatics in language teaching; the instruction of conversation through training in story telling skills; task activities as a means for grammarization in grammar teaching; the development of a computerized speaking test and a proficiency scale for EFL learners; and the social aspects of the language teacher expertise. Part II deals with the cognitive transformation involved in the acquisition of syntactic structures; the application of ZPD to adult learners not only in terms of interpersonal interaction but also through interfacing with other media; examination of learners' narrative data to analyze linguistic and gestural reference and to investigate learners' use of phrasal verbs; learner's strategy use in self-instruction that utilizes audiovisual materials; and network computer technology in computer-assisted language learning.

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Teaching English to Second Language Learners in Academic Contexts

Teaching English to Second Language Learners in Academic Contexts: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking provides the fundamental knowledge that ESL and EFL teachers need to teach the four language skills. This foundational text, written by internationally renowned experts in the field, explains why skills-based teaching is at the heart of effective instruction in English for academic purposes (EAP) contexts. Each of the four main sections of the book helps readers understand how each skill—reading, writing, listening, and speaking—works and explains what research has to say about successful skill performance. Pedagogically focused chapters apply this information to principles for EAP curriculum design and to instructional activities and tasks adaptable in a wide range of language-learning contexts. Options for assessment and the role of digital technologies are considered for each skill, and essential information on integrated-skill instruction is provided. Moving from theory to practice, this teacher-friendly text is an essential resource for courses in TESOL programs, for in-service teacher-training seminars, and for practicing EAP teachers who want to upgrade their teaching abilities and knowledge bases.

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Second Language Practice

Language teachers present theories for sharpening students' communication skills in a second language, and describe examples of their application in actual classrooms. They explain strategies for beginning listening comprehension; interaction skills with idiomatic expressions, integrating social skills, and group work at intermediate levels; and refining literacy skills for advanced students. Provides a springboard of ideas and approaches for teachers and administrators to tailor to their specific needs. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

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Achieving Native like Second language Proficiency Speaking

This book is the first in a planned series (speaking, reading, listening, and writing) that reports on a research project to discover what the critical factors are for reaching near-native levels of second language proficiency, based on in-depth interviews with individuals who have formally tested at those levels.

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The Second Language Curriculum

Issues of language curriculum development underlied the planning and implementation of language teaching programmes. These papers argue for the process to be made explicit and deal with curriculum planning, specification of ends and means, programme implementation and classroom implementation.

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Teaching English as a Foreign Or Second Language Second Edition

Teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language, Second Edition, is designed for those new to ESL/EFL teaching and for self-motivated teachers who seek to maximize their potential and enhance the learning of their students. This guide provides basic information that ESL/EFL teachers should know before they start teaching and many ideas on how to guide students in the skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It stresses the multifaceted nature of teaching the English language to non-native speakers and is based on the real experiences of teachers. The second edition of Teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language includes a wider range of examples to coincide with a variety of teaching contexts-from K-12 schools, to university intensive language programs and refugee programs. It is also updated with discussions of technology throughout, and it considers ways in which technology can be used in teaching language skills. Sources for further study are included in each chapter and in the appendixes.

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Second Language Teaching Learning

Second Language Teaching and Learning is a practical guide to the methodology of task-based language instruction. Replete with illustrative scenarios and topics for discussion and writing, this professional title provides the pedagogical overview that ESL/EFL teachers need to teach with Atlas, Go For It!, Listen In, and Expressions!

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Modelling and Assessing Second Language Acquisition

This book forms an invaluable reference work for all teachers of second languages and researchers in the field of L2 acquisition. It discusses the contribution that modern research into L2 acquisition makes to the curriculum development process. It also provides the reader with arguments for and against the various approaches to teaching.

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Issues in Teaching Learning and Testing Speaking in a Second Language

The volume constitutes a state-of-the-art account of issues related to teaching, learning and testing speaking in a second language. It brings together contributions by Polish and international scholars which seek to create links between theory, research and classroom practice, report the findings of studies investigating the impact of linguistic, cognitive and affective factors on the development and use of speaking skills, and provide concrete pedagogic proposals for instruction and assessment in this area. As such, the book will be of interest not only to second language acquisition theorists and researchers, but also to foreign language teachers willing to enhance the quality of speaking instruction in their classrooms.

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