Submitted by Maike Costa (maiksebas@gmail.com) on 2016-07-21T11:55:12Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivo total.pdf: 3180013 bytes, checksum: af9b75ccb5db9313b0156f70cef6f81d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-21T11:55:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivo total.pdf: 3180013 bytes, checksum: af9b75ccb5db9313b0156f70cef6f81d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-11-09 / In this study, we investigated scenes of joint attention that occurs between teachers and children and among children themselves in the language acquisition process in a day care center from a public early childhood institution, with the following objectives: to analyze the structure and functioning of these social interactions; to identify skills these children have, considering the use of language and its multimodality; to discuss the importance of these scenes in fostering this acquisitional process. During our investigations, we chose to do a qualitative research, a case study type, of a longitudinal character. Video recordings and their transcripts constituted the corpus investigation. Filming occurred within a year, with weekly, biweekly and monthly intervals, respectively, and was directed to spontaneous and planned situations found in the institution‟s pedagogical routine, observing the structure and functioning of these mentioned scenes. Sixteen children between 09-30 months old, six teachers and the researcher were the subjects involved. We sought for elements in studies of joint attention, represented by Tomasello (1995; 1983; 2003; 2005; 2009) and Bruner (1974, 1983), and language, trying to establish a dialogue with the following authors in an interactionist perspective: Vygotsky (1991; 2005); Bakhtin (1988; 2003); Bruner (1983); and Tomasello (2003). The hypotheses to the questions that guided the research report that: in the day care center, scenes of joint attention between adults and children, and among children themselves, are structured and driven by adult language; in the these scenes, there is the child‟s perception of the other's intention in Tomasellians molds; children identify insights and statements of significance in the scenes mentioned; social interactions of joint attention are important for language acquisition and use by children. Our data confirm these hypotheses, however suggests reworking the first one. Therefore, children participation in these scenes seems to be driven also by the intense and constant use of this interaction format in the institution‟s pedagogical routine, making children to become experienced in them. Among the evidence of this study we included: another type of joint attention, the quadratic interaction; two complex cognitive skills in the children who participate in these mentioned scenes, the redirected and collective/collaborative attention; and evidence which characterize that these same children recognize the other's intentions through language in its multimodal use. We concluded that social interactions of joint attention between teachers and children are constitutive of language, in its multimodal use, and are relevant in the acquisition process of this phenomenon, which seems to be driven not only by the adult as an interactive partner, but by children themselves. We hope that this study will contribute to the debate in the sciences dealing with language in social interactions, and as part of early childhood institutions. / Dans cette étude, nous avons investigué des scènes d'attention conjointe que se produisent entre des professeurs et des enfants en procèss d'acquisition du langage, et, entre les propres enfants dans une garderie d'une intitution publique d'éducation des jeunes enfants, avec les objectifs de : analyser le structure et fonctionnement de ces intéractions sociales ; identifier des capacités qui les enfants présentent, concernant l‟utilisation de la langage et sa multimodalité ; discuter l‟importance de ces scènes à faciliter ce processus inquisicional. Dans les chemins d‟enquête, on a choisi une recherche de genre qualitatif, du type étude de cas et de caractère longitudinal. Des videos et leur transcriptions ont constituait le corp de cette recherche. Les tournages ont été faits pendant une année, avec des pauses hebdomadaires, bihebdomadaires et mensuels, et ont été dirigés à des situations spontanées et planifiées de la rotine pédagogique de l'institution enquêté, visant la structure et le fonctionnement des scènes mentionnées. Seize enfants âgés de 09-30 mois, six professeurs et la chercheuse ont été les sujets participants. Nous avons cherché des fondements en études sur l'attention conjointe, représentés par Tomasello (1995; 1983; 2003; 2005; 2009) et par Bruner (1974; 1983), et sur le langage, en cherchant à établir un dialogue dans une perspective interactionnelle, avec les auteurs suivants: Vygotsky (1991; 2005); Bakhtin (1988; 2003); Bruner (1983); et Tomasello (2003). Les hypothèses à questions, qui ont guidé l'enquête, disent que: des scènes d'attention conjointe entre des adultes et des petits, et entre les propres enfants, dans la garderie, sont structurés et fonctionnent entraînés par le langage du adulte. Dans cette scène, se produit la perception de l'intentionnalité de l'autre, par l'enfant, dans les moules tomaselliens. Il est possible l'identification des compréhensions et des significations indiquées, par les enfants, dans les scènes mentionnées; des interactions sociales d'attention conjointe sont importantes pour l'acquisition et l'utilisation du langage, pour ces enfants. Les données confirment ces hypothèses, par contre suggérent le remaniement de la primière. Ainsi donc, la participation des petits dans ces scènes semblent entraîné, également, par l'utilisation intensive et constante de ce format d'interaction dans la rotine pédagogique de l'institution enquêté, en devenant les enfants expérimentés dans cette participation. Deux importants évidences caractérisent le présent étude: l'indentification de l'autre type d'interaction d'attention conjointe, l'interaction quadratique, et de deux capacités cognitives complexes, par les enfants qui participent des scènes mentionées, l'Attention redirigé et l'Attention collective/collaborative ; et des preuves que caracterisent la reconnaissance de l‟intencionnalité de l‟autre, par rapport les mênes enfants, à travers du langage dans leur utilisation multimodale. Nous concluons que des intéractions sociales d'attention conjointe, entre des professeurs et des enfants, sont constitutives du langage et pertinentes dans le processus d'approvisionnement de ce phénomène, que semble être entraînée, non seulement par l‟adulte comme un partenaire interactif, mais par les enfants eux-mêmes. Nous éspèrons que cette étude peut contribuer au débat dans le cadre des sciences que traitant du langage dans les interactions sociales, et dans le cadre des institutions d'éducation des jeunes enfants. / Neste estudo investigamos cenas de atenção conjunta que ocorrem entre professoras e crianças em processo de aquisição da linguagem, e entre as próprias crianças, em uma creche de uma instituição pública de educação infantil, com os seguintes objetivos: analisar a estrutura e funcionamento destas interações sociais; identificar capacidades que apresentam essas crianças, considerando o uso da linguagem e sua multimodalidade; discutir a importância dessas cenas no favorecimento deste processo aquisicional. Nos caminhos investigativos, optamos por uma pesquisa de natureza qualitativa, do tipo estudo de caso e de caráter longitudinal. Vídeo gravações e suas respectivas transcrições se constituíram o corpus desta investigação. As filmagens foram realizadas no período de um ano, com intervalos semanais, quinzenais e mensais, respectivamente, e eram direcionadas para situações espontâneas e planejadas da rotina pedagógica da instituição investigada, com vistas na estrutura e funcionamento dessas mencionadas cenas. Dezesseis crianças na faixa etária de 09 a 30 meses de idade, seis professoras, e a pesquisadora, foram os sujeitos envolvidos. Buscamos fundamentos em estudos sobre atenção conjunta, representados por Tomasello (1995; 1983; 2003; 2005; 2009) e por Bruner (1974; 1983), e sobre a linguagem, procurando estabelecer um diálogo, numa perspectiva interacionista, com os seguintes autores: Vygotsky (1991; 2005); Bakhtin (1988; 2003); Bruner (1983); e Tomasello (2003). Às hipóteses aos questionamentos que nortearam a investigação, dizem que: cenas de atenção conjunta entre adultos e crianças, e entre as próprias crianças, no berçário, se estruturam e funcionam impulsionadas pela linguagem do adulto; nestas cenas, ocorre a percepção da intencionalidade do outro, pela criança, nos moldes tomasellianos; é possível a identificação de compreensões e significações de enunciados, pelas crianças, nas mencionadas cenas; interações sociais de atenção conjunta são importantes para a aquisição e uso da linguagem, por essas crianças. Nossos dados confirmam essas hipóteses, mas sugere a reelaboração da primeira. Assim sendo, a participação das crianças nessas cenas parece impulsionada, também, pelo uso intenso e constante deste formato de interação na rotina pedagógica da instituição investigada, tornando as crianças experientes nessa participação. Dentre as evidências deste estudo, destacamos: outro tipo de interação de atenção conjunta, a interação quadrática; duas complexas capacidades cognitivas, por crianças que participam dessas mencionadas cenas, a Atenção redirecionada e a Atenção coletiva/colaborativa; e indícios que caracterizam o reconhecimento da intencionalidade do outro, por essas mesmas crianças, através da linguagem em seu uso multimodal . Concluímos, dentre outros, que interações sociais de atenção conjunta, entre professoras e crianças, são constitutivas de linguagem e relevantes no processo de aquisição desse fenômeno, que parece impulsionado, não apenas pelo adulto, como parceiro interativo, mas pelas próprias crianças. Esperamos que esse estudo possa contribuir com o debate no âmbito das ciências que tratam da linguagem em interações sociais, e no âmbito das instituições de educação infantil.

This study explores the challenges faced by high school science learners when they use English language as a medium of instruction in a South African context. Questionnaires were administered and focus group interviews were conducted with both science learners and science educators. Results indicated that learners are challenged in a number of ways when English is used to teach science especially if English is not their home language. Both learners and educators prefer to be taught and teach science respectively in English though ideally learners would like to be taught in their home languages. To overcome these challenges a home language scientific register should be drawn to cater for all learners’ home language, learners should also be proficient in English or language of science instruction. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

This study explores Cummins' interdependence hypothesis in the South African context. The design is experimental, involving Zulu primary language writing instruction to explore whether skills taught in Zulu composition classes transfer into English expository writing. The intervention and control groups were drawn from two ex-Model C high schools and the focus was on measuring use of coherence and cohesion in English essays. Quantitative findings showed, although the intervention group's writing skills did not improve significantly, they did not decline. By contrast, the control group's writing skills declined significantly. A more qualitative investigation of the corpus supports the statistical findings. However, because of the limitations of this study, more research is required into Cummins' hypothesis, bilingual programmes and teaching academic writing skills in African languages. It is hoped that this research design will benefit future researchers investigate the current debate about the efficacy of bilingual and multilingual approaches to education. / Linguistics / M. A. (Applied Linguistics)

This research study aims to evaluate how the trilingual policy (Kinyarwanda, French and English) is implemented in Kigali City’s nursery and primary schools in terms of facilitating learners’ cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP) development, in both the pre-2008 and post-2008 language policies. It is an exploratory-qualitative-interpretative research study, which analyses the language preference, the age of change-over and the multilingual models adopted and how they contribute to learners’ CALP development. It also analyses the implications of the post-2008 policy. The findings indicated that initial bilingualism, initial trilingualism, early total immersion and gradual transfer models were implemented in the pre-2008 policy; while the post-2008 policy implements early total immersion. The learners’ CALP in both the MT and the AL could be more developed in public schools under the pre-2008 policy due to exposure to Kinyarwanda instruction from the start but it may not be developed fully under the post-2008 policy, because English is used as MOI from the onset of education. / Linguistics / M.A. (Applied Linguistics)

The purpose of the research was to look critically at the language development of the young second-language learner within their social context, in relation to theory and practice (praxis), using as a ‘lens’, “the right to participation” (UNCRC General Comment No 12, 2009). Language and communication were seen by the researcher as fundamental to the child’s ‘right to participate’ as ‘agents of their own life’ (General Comment No 7, 2005) as they engage in meaning-making with others, both at home and at school. The research was conducted as a Case Study within a Pre-Primary School over a three month period, with the lead-researcher involving the teachers as co-researchers. A Participatory Action Research methodology was used, within a praxeological conceptual framework. Parents and their young children (between the ages of 2 – 6 years) were participants in the research. Ways were explored to build ‘bridges’ to overcome perceived ‘barriers’ to the children’s participation. Various data collection techniques were used, including the Persona Doll approach, the Mosaic Approach, Documentation of Learning and Learning Story Books. The results of the research were increased awareness of the value of inclusive practices that place a value on diversity and which actively support and promote the use of the mother tongue, as well as the learning of English as a second language. In the course of the research, it was seen as important for adults (parents or teachers) to support the learning of concepts in the mother tongue or in English by verbalizing for the child, while engaging in the process of meaning-making. The ‘choice’ to use English in preference over the mother tongue became apparent. Therefore the research methodology was seen as an important way to develop ‘critical, reflective practice’ amongst the teachers and to create partnerships with the parents. The aim was to strive towards ‘phronesis’ or wise practice, using as a ‘lens’ for critical reflection, the child’s ‘right to participation’ (UNCRC General Comment No 12, 2009). / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Educational Psychology)

The purpose of the research was to look critically at the language development of the young second-language learner within their social context, in relation to theory and practice (praxis), using as a ‘lens’, “the right to participation” (UNCRC General Comment No 12, 2009). Language and communication were seen by the researcher as fundamental to the child’s ‘right to participate’ as ‘agents of their own life’ (General Comment No 7, 2005) as they engage in meaning-making with others, both at home and at school. The research was conducted as a Case Study within a Pre-Primary School over a three month period, with the lead-researcher involving the teachers as co-researchers. A Participatory Action Research methodology was used, within a praxeological conceptual framework. Parents and their young children (between the ages of 2 – 6 years) were participants in the research. Ways were explored to build ‘bridges’ to overcome perceived ‘barriers’ to the children’s participation. Various data collection techniques were used, including the Persona Doll approach, the Mosaic Approach, Documentation of Learning and Learning Story Books. The results of the research were increased awareness of the value of inclusive practices that place a value on diversity and which actively support and promote the use of the mother tongue, as well as the learning of English as a second language. In the course of the research, it was seen as important for adults (parents or teachers) to support the learning of concepts in the mother tongue or in English by verbalizing for the child, while engaging in the process of meaning-making. The ‘choice’ to use English in preference over the mother tongue became apparent. Therefore the research methodology was seen as an important way to develop ‘critical, reflective practice’ amongst the teachers and to create partnerships with the parents. The aim was to strive towards ‘phronesis’ or wise practice, using as a ‘lens’ for critical reflection, the child’s ‘right to participation’ (UNCRC General Comment No 12, 2009). / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Educational Psychology)

This study explores Cummins' interdependence hypothesis in the South African context. The design is experimental, involving Zulu primary language writing instruction to explore whether skills taught in Zulu composition classes transfer into English expository writing. The intervention and control groups were drawn from two ex-Model C high schools and the focus was on measuring use of coherence and cohesion in English essays. Quantitative findings showed, although the intervention group's writing skills did not improve significantly, they did not decline. By contrast, the control group's writing skills declined significantly. A more qualitative investigation of the corpus supports the statistical findings. However, because of the limitations of this study, more research is required into Cummins' hypothesis, bilingual programmes and teaching academic writing skills in African languages. It is hoped that this research design will benefit future researchers investigate the current debate about the efficacy of bilingual and multilingual approaches to education. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / M. A. (Applied Linguistics)

This research study aims to evaluate how the trilingual policy (Kinyarwanda, French and English) is implemented in Kigali City’s nursery and primary schools in terms of facilitating learners’ cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP) development, in both the pre-2008 and post-2008 language policies. It is an exploratory-qualitative-interpretative research study, which analyses the language preference, the age of change-over and the multilingual models adopted and how they contribute to learners’ CALP development. It also analyses the implications of the post-2008 policy. The findings indicated that initial bilingualism, initial trilingualism, early total immersion and gradual transfer models were implemented in the pre-2008 policy; while the post-2008 policy implements early total immersion. The learners’ CALP in both the MT and the AL could be more developed in public schools under the pre-2008 policy due to exposure to Kinyarwanda instruction from the start but it may not be developed fully under the post-2008 policy, because English is used as MOI from the onset of education. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / M.A. (Applied Linguistics)

Research has shown that literacy acquisition and the ultimate realisation of literacy, comprehension of the written text requires more than the ability to decode individual words. This study brings together a synthesis of current research on early language acquisition, language structure, vocabulary development and its intrinsic underpinning of comprehension in monolinguals thereby providing a theoretical framework for a comparative study of limited English proficient learners (LEP’s)/English language learners (ELLs) acquiring first time literacy with the attendant vocabulary deficits and age appropriate decoding skills. A quantitative and qualitative study examines the statistical differences between reading, vocabulary, rapid automatic naming (RAN/decoding) and comprehension when a learner born of foreign parents acquires first time literacy in a language other than the language spoken at home. The study isolates and specifies an at risk educational minority through the identification of a hidden comprehension deficit (HCD). In summarising the main findings from the literature review and the empirical investigation, an “at risk educational minority” was identified and isolated through the identification of the HCD. The envisioned outcome was achieved and the hypothesis accepted. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

In many international schools where English is the language of learning and teaching there are large percentages of students whose first language is not English. Many of these students may have low vocabulary levels which inhibits their chances of taking full advantage of their education. Low vocabulary levels can be a particular problem for students in mainstream classes where fluent English speaking teachers are using English to teach content areas of Mathematics, Science and History. Not only do students have to comprehend the low-frequency, academic and technical vocabulary pertaining to the subject, but they also need to know the higher frequency vocabulary that makes up general English usage. If students’ vocabulary levels fall too far below the vocabulary levels with which their teachers are speaking, then their chance of comprehending the topic is small, as is their chance of succeeding in their subjects. This study has two broad aims. Firstly, I have set out to assess the English vocabulary levels of students at an international school where English is the language of learning and teaching. The majority of students at this school do not have English as their first language. The second aim of this study is to explore the vocabulary profile of the teachers’ spoken discourse at the research school. By gaining a better understanding of the nature of teacher discourse – specifically the percentage of high, mid and low-frequency vocabulary, as well as academic vocabulary that they use – English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers will be in a stronger position to identify what the vocabulary learning task is and be able to assist students in reaching the vocabulary levels necessary to make sense of their lessons. This study revealed a large gap between the generally low vocabulary levels of ESL students and the vocabulary levels spoken by their teachers. As a result the need for explicit vocabulary instruction and learning is shown to be very important in English medium (international) schools, where there are large numbers of students whose first language is not English. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / M.A. (Applied Linguistics)