In Sweden, there are three subjects that are mandatory to pass to be qualified for further studies (gymnasium) after year 9 of elementary school: English, Mathematics and Swedish. Sweden has a long tradition of teaching English as a foreign language in schools, from a very young age. However, municipalities and schools are given the freedom in Sweden to decide when to start teaching English, between age 7-10, which means that there could be a great difference between schools and different parts of the country. It also means that there are different reasons and discussions behind when and why students should start learning. The purpose of this paper is to investigate what reasons and discussions lie behind different schools’ decision of when to start teaching English. The head teachers and one teacher from three different types of schools were interviewed to find what their views were. The results look at whether the decision was based on research, if teachers were involved in the decision, whether they viewed positive or negative effects of an early language start, if there are any practical issues with an early start and whether or not different age starts affects an equal school for all. The four interviewees answered quite similarly to the questions with only some exceptions. The decision at all schools was to start English language instruction from year 1, in a playful manner with games, songs and rhymes. The general feeling at all schools seems to be that the earlier language instruction starts, the better. This assumption has not been based on any specific research, but rather something, that is considered a ‘universal truth’

The aim of this paper is to investigate how the actual implementation of target language use might differ from the theoretical standpoint that is promoted in the curriculum in Swedish and teacher attitudes towards the suggested level of TL use. The paper will also investigate teacher motivations behind these differences. It has long been the tradition in language teaching to promote a sole use of the target language in order to expose students to as much of the language as possible. However, research shows that student’s first language (L1) is frequently used in foreign language teaching. The current study is qualitative and investigates four English teachers from three different schools in the south of Sweden, all teaching in K-3. In order to collect data, observations were conducted and a semi-structured interview with each of the participating teachers. The results present a limited use of the target language and a more extensive use of the L1 in class. The results regarding teacher attitudes and motivations towards the use of the target language emerged into three themes: Teachers’ use of the TL and L1; Facilitating young language learners; and Teacher experience and awareness. The study implicates that teacher language choices are highly affected by students understanding and teachers’ own experience with attitudes reflecting inclusion of the L1 and an enjoyable learning environment as the main target.

This empirical degree project explores the use of Swedish in foreign language learning such as English and the subsequent consequences. For this study, we explored the positions of researchers regarding the topic and investigated how, when and why three teachers in Sweden used the Swedish language during English teaching. The study provides an overview of theories and literature regarding the use of first language during foreign language teaching. Some findings suggest that the first language should not be excluded in second language acquisition but incorporated with limited use. However, it could be problematic to incorporate the Swedish language for the students with different origins. In that scenario, the students would be forced to acquire a foreign language through their second or third language. The study also connects these findings and research to the theoretical background of the socio-cultural views in the classrooms and the zone of proximal development. The method used for this study was a qualitative data collection in the form of semi-structured interviews with three primary teachers. The results show that these teachers reported using the Swedish language with variations thus the common reason for usage of Swedish during English learning would be for instructing purposes. Moreover, research suggests that maximising the target language during foreign language learning would expose the students to utilize the target language and that if the teacher would overuse Swedish during foreign language teaching the students would not sense the need to practise the language. The study also investigates when and how the teachers believe their students are exposed to the English language. The participants agreed upon that the exposure of the English language occurs on daily basis for the students moreover, participants would also agree that most of the exposure would be extramural. Our major conclusion is that incorporating the Swedish language in English learning should be considered with care. Some research suggests that the first language may provide enough scaffolding for the students however, the teachers may find several variations of providing the scaffolding for the students without the incorporation of the Swedish language.

Providing feedback on students’ written tasks is a common aspect in today’s classrooms. Feedback affects students’ written language learning by either enhancing it or hindering it, depending on what, how and when it is given. The purpose of this degree project is to research how teachers perceive students’ writing process, how they give feedback on students’ written tasks in a primary EFL classroom, and the reasons behind their chosen strategies. Semi-structured interviews with two English teachers teaching years 4-6 were used as a method for this study. To support and analyse the data from the interviews, this project contains an overview of the fields of written language learning, formative assessment, effective formative feedback and writing as a process using literature and previous research. The literature and research show that teaching writing in a foreign language should focus on enhancing students’ interest in writing by supporting their curiosity and willingness to become writers. This can be done by focusing on content of a text instead of grammar or spelling, as this does not support young learners in their writing process. Teachers therefore need to provide feedback on aspects such as content, coherence and structure and give students information on how they can proceed in and improve a task. That is when the feedback will have the most positive effect on students’ learning. Further, the process-based approach of writing is argued to be beneficial for students’ learning as it encourages students to take an active part in their writing process. The major conclusions of this study are that the two teachers prefer to give informal and oral selective feedback on students’ writing tasks during the task. They give feedback once or twice on a task and often in the middle, to scaffold a progression. However, this is not in alignment with process-based writing. The study also shows that the two teachers are not aware of the theories underpinning writing as a process. Instead, they are well trained in ways of formative assessment and scaffolding language learning, but not the process-based approach of writing.

The purpose of this paper was to investigate how some teachers interpret, teach and assess listening strategies. Our investigation was based on interviews and a questionnaire answered by some year 9 English teachers. Furthermore, the aim was to study whether awareness and teaching of listening strategies are important for teachers in their everyday practice. The results indicate that the teachers interpret listening strategies as purposes for listening, such as listening for detail or the whole. The teachers do not explicitly teach listening strategies, and they do not assess them. For these teachers the main focus is placed on listening comprehension and not on the listening strategies.Key concepts: EFL, secondary school, interpretations, teaching, assessment, listening strategies.

The aim of this paper is to investigate students’ understanding of the learning requirements for grade E in English in year 9 at a secondary school in the south of Sweden. Additionally, the student’s teacher is also interviewed to provide a context and setting for the study. The student data was conducted using open-ended questionnaires while the teacher was interviewed using a semi-structured qualitative approach. In their responses to the questionnaire, the students showed different degrees of understanding of parts of the syllabus. Some students were able to answer all questions and were capable to express themselves, however some students did not answer all the questions. Furthermore, a majority of the students felt that the language in the syllabus was difficult to understand. The teacher believed that the language in Lgr11 makes it difficult for students to understand the text. Additionally, she believed that the language is difficult even for teachers.

This paper discusses the issue of how different masculinities are being represented in the English classroom. It specifically aims to examine how a teacher’s own principals concerning gender will be reflected in the texts she chooses to use. The field was explored through a case study, where interviews with an upper secondary English teacher as well as a content analysis on the texts she chose to use in the classroom were central to the study. The results of the case study showed tendencies towards a discrepancy between the teacher’s self-expressed thoughts on gender issues and her choice of texts. The teacher conveyed modern ideas on gender issues, while most of the texts she chose to use in the classroom were positive towards more traditional gender patterns. Therefore, our hypothesis did not correspond to the findings. The findings were analyzed by comparing the teacher’s reported attitudes to the different aspects of gender in the chosen texts. In relation to these findings, the paper focuses on the possibility of further studies within this field of research, such as e.g. observation of how gendered texts are being used in classroom and a more quantified investigation, concerning the number of teachers being studied.

This degree project is a quantitative study of dialogues and speaking exercises in twelve EFL textbooks used in secondary schools in Sweden. The chosen textbooks are from the four textbook series Happy, Time, Whats’s Up? and Wings Base Book. The aim is to investigate if there is any over-representation of female or male characters in the textbook dialogues. We will be looking at four different typologies, namely the number of initiated dialogues, turns taken, number of characters and words used. Previous research concerning classroom interaction, scholastic performance, textbooks and textbook dialogues is included to provide some background into this area. The findings show over-representation exists in all the textbook series in various degrees of both female and male characters. This degree project maps the over-representation of female and male characters both in the four textbook series and the twelve individual textbooks. Our results will show that while a textbook series might over-represent one gender it does not necessarily mean that the individual textbook within that series over-represents the same gender. The findings make it clear that educators need to be aware of gender-biased textbook dialogues in order to be better equipped to ensure equal opportunities for all learners.

This dissertation aims to investigate when and why code-switching occurs and the attitudes towards code-switching among teachers and students in four EFL classrooms in two mediumsized secondary schools. To be able to reach the goals set forth for this study we used classroom observations, student questionnaires and teacher interviews. We managed to get thecooperation of four teachers and four classes of students, two classes of eight graders and two classes of ninth graders.The previous research on the subject of code-switching has shown both positive and negative sides of its use and existence. Although extensive research has been done on the subject it is far from complete and there are still many interesting aspects left to investigate. The resultspresented in this study and the opinions raised by the participating teachers and students are in line with the already given results. Our conclusions are that the use of code-switching can be both beneficial and negative in learning/teaching situations.

The purpose of this degree project is to address upper secondary outdoor language education. It explores upper secondary EFL students’ attitudes and responses towards the teaching of English outdoors. The research has been based on data from qualitative research methods with an action research approach: peer observation, a reflective diary and focus group interviews. Peer observation and the reflective diary was used to recover information on four upper secondary EFL classes’ responses towards being taught outdoors. Focus group interviews were conducted on two groups of students from two of the classes on their attitudes towards being taught in outdoor English. The results from the data gathering are discussed using secondary sources which can be connected to outdoor education, and the research establishes that the students responded negatively to the instructions during the classes, many of them were active while some did not do what they were supposed to, and hardly no English was spoken. Even though mostly negative results were found the interviewees were generally positive to be taught outdoors and enjoyed it more than receiving education indoors, but some of them were aware that they did not learn much English since they hardly used it. This research provides ideas for how the lessons can be improved and acts as inspiration for future outdoor ESL classes.