Questa ricerca si propone di chiarire alcuni aspetti dell’insegnamento e dell’apprendimento di alcune strategie comunicative in una Lingua straniera (LS) simile: i nostri informanti sono studenti ispanofoni provenienti dalla Spagna e sono tutti di livello B1 del Quadro Comune Europeo di Riferimento per le Lingue. Tutti studiano italiano come LS. Alcuni di loro studiano nelle università del paese e gli altri nelle scuole ufficiali di lingue (EOI). Cerchiamo di osservare il livello di consapevolezza pragmatica raggiunto da questi informanti su alcuni atti comunicativi nella lingua straniera che studiano, tramite un test effettuauto con questionari comunicativi. Gli atti comunicativi osservati sono le richieste, le giustificazioni e le chiusure di conversazione in una prima fase pilota e le giustificazioni e chiusure di conversazione nella fase principale dello studio. L'obiettivo della ricerca è quello di vedere se l'affinità linguistica può aiutare gli informanti che partecipano al test, anche se sappiamo che le funzioni comunicative sono sempre specifiche nelle diverse culture, nonostante la forte somiglianza tra spagnolo e italiano. Inoltre, cerchiamo di dimostrare la validità dello strumento metodologico che utilizziamo per raccogliere i dati di ricerca. Il DCT ("Discorse completion test ") sono stati utilizzati più volte per raccogliere dati sulla pragmatica dell’interlingua e dell’intercultura e crediamo che essi rappresentano un valido metodo per la raccolta dei dati in un momento specifico di apprendimento di una LS (in questo caso, a livello B1) per valutare il livello raggiunto in queste funzioni comunicative.Ci proponiamo quindi di scoprire cosa si nasconde in questo settore dell'insegnamento delle LS affini, con l'idea anche di proporre progetti per la realizzazione di libri di testo e altro materiale didattico e di promuovere l'apprendimento dell’italiano da parte degli studenti spagnoli nativi della Spagna. Questo studio cerca anche di fare un confronto tra lo spagnolo e l’italiano nel campo delle richieste e delle giustificazioni, e tenendo conto del fatto che tale lavoro non era stato fatto prima, questa ricerca può chiarire alcune cose in questo settore della pragmatica e rappresentare un punto di partenza per ulteriori studi. I risultati dell’analisi dei dati sono positivi, la maggior parte degli informanti ha fatto registrare prestazioni accettabili nel test e un ricercatore indipendente specializzato in linguistica, ha analizzato i dati e ha convalidato la ricerca con una percentuale molto alta di accordo con noi. Per risultati ancor piu’ definitivi saranno necessari altri studi che utilizzino altri strumenti di raccolta dati, ma questa ricerca gia’ rende chiaro che, nonostante la scarsità di trattamento degli atti comunicativi nei libri di testo, gli studenti spagnoli hanno una buona consapevolezza pragmatica delle formule strategiche necessarie in italiano, e cio’ e’dovuto a una buona somiglianza delle norme sociali che vengono utilizzate nelle due culture. / En esta investigación queremos aclarar unos aspectos de la enseñanza y aprendizaje de las estrategias comunicativas en una LE afín: nuestros informantes son estudiantes hispanohablantes de España, todos son de nivel B1 del marco común europeo de referencia para las lenguas. Todos estudian el italiano. Algunos informantes estudian en universidades del país y otros en Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas (EOI). Intentamos observar el nivel de conciencia pragmática logrado por estos informantes en unos actos comunicativos en el idioma extranjero afín que estudian, mediante una prueba por medio de cuestionarios comunicativos. Los actos comunicativos que se observan son solicitudes, justificaciones y cierres conversacionales en una fase piloto y las justificaciones y los cierres conversacionales en la fase principal del estudio. El objetivo de la investigación es observar si la afinidad lingüística puede ser de ayuda a los informantes que participan en la prueba, aunque sabemos que las funciones comunicativas son siempre específicas en las diferentes culturas, no obstante la fuerte semejanza lingüística entre español e italiano. Además, intentamos demostrar la validez del instrumento metodológico que utilizamos para recoger los datos de la investigación. Los DCT (“discourse completion test”) se han utilizado muchas veces para la recogida de datos sobre la pragmática de la interlengua y de la intercultura y creemos que representan un método válido para recoger datos en un momento específico del aprendizaje de una LE (en este caso en el nivel B1) para evaluar el nivel logrado en esas funciones comunicativas. Queremos por lo tanto descubrir lo que se esconde en esta área de la didáctica de LE afines con la idea de proponer también proyectos para la realización de libros de textos y otro material para la enseñanza y para favorecer el aprendizaje del italiano por parte de estudiantes nativos de España. Este estudio, además, intenta hacer una comparación entre el español y el italiano en el ámbito de las solicitudes y de las justificaciones, y teniendo en consideración que este tipo de trabajo no se había hecho antes, esta investigación puede aclarar algunas cosas en esta área de la pragmática y hacer de punto de partida para otros estudios. Los resultados del análisis de datos son positivos, la mayoría de los informantes ha realizado prestaciones aceptables en las pruebas y un investigador independiente, especializado en lingüística, ha analizado los datos y convalidado la investigación con un porcentaje muy alto de acuerdo con nosotros. Para resultados mayormente definitivos serán necesarios otros estudios que emplean también otros instrumentos de recogida de datos pero este investigación ya aclara que, no obstante un escaso tratamiento de los actos comunicativos en los libros de texto, los estudiantes españoles saben bastante bien las formulas estratégicas que se requieren en Italiano, debido a una buena semejanza de las normas sociales que se utilizan en las dos culturas.

This dissertation investigates the relationship between Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) and language-learning approaches. In this sense, Language Learning Autonomy (LLA) seems to be the most preferred candidate by researchers in order to become the suitable approach in order to make the most out of technology (Blin, 1999; Little, 2001; Littlemore, 2003; The European Directorate General of Education and Culture, 2003; sanz, 2003; Villanueva, 2003). The increasing research on this specific field and the theoretical reflections derived from it over the last decade constitutes the framework of our study. Following previous studies (Beatty, 2003; Chapelle, 2003; Alessi, 2001; Marqués, 1995, 2001; Rushby, 1997; Shin and Wastell, 1998; Blin, 1999; Holliday, 1999; Hoven, 1997, 1999; Murray, 1998; Sanz, 2003), the aim of the present study is to examine to what extent an approach to language learning autonomy from a socioconstructivist perspective can effectively inform the design of a specific language learning package taht promotes both autonomising behaviours and positive attitudes in learners. With these reflections in mind, three aspects underline the present study, namely 1) the need to carry out qualitative studies in order to inform a theoretical framework for CALL development, 2) the need to focus on the relationship between CALL and LLA and 3) the need to examine the "teachibility"of learner autonomy by means of a language learning package designed for this specific purpose. This context motivated the following actions: 1) to design a pilot application based upon autonomising criteria (TADLA: Technology Applied to the Development of Learner Autonomy); 2) to test this design with learners with a specific learner style regarding their learner autonomy degree. And finally 3) to compare the results obtained in the tests of other language learning package (Communicate and Connect, 2003).The results obtained in the case-study confirm that the criteria upon which the design of TADLA is based could be considered the requirements that enable the integration of autonomising strategies within the learning activities. In this sense, attention to learning styles, implementation of authentic materials, the possibility of transfer and a discursive approach among others are suitable criteria for the development of attitudes that could lead to a later development of learner autonomy.

This study of the motivation to learn English as L2 (as a second/foreign language) provides a local model of L2 motivation which employs a new contextualised perspective. It is based on the socio-cultural backgrounds of the learners and their social relations. This model not only incorporates insights from major debates in the field, but it is also in harmony with recent trends of L2 motivation research. The study had three major objectives. First, it sought to identify the factors that represent Omani students’ motivation to learn English in Oman. Second, it attempted to verify the effects of social relations on motivation. Third, it examined the mechanisms employed by the learners which influence their motivation through personal relations. Since this study views motivation as a complex bundle of constructs, it was more feasible to adopt its most significant factors as determined by the immediate socio-cultural context. Interest and Self-efficacy (SE) were established as the two main constructs representing Omani students’ motivation to learn English as L2. The ‘L2 Motivation Osmosis Model’ was suggested to offer an explanation of the workings of influence on students’ L2 motivation in Oman. This study employed a mixed methodology. A quantitative method was used to confirm the importance of Interest and SE for Omani students. A qualitative study was then designed to further verify this and ascertain the devices employed to influence learners’ motivation. The first question was answered using quantitative and qualitative data. Correlation and Linear Regression statistics were used to verify the importance of Interest and SE. This question was also examined through the students’ depictions of motivated English as L2 learners and the reasons they provided for liking English and why people in Oman learn it. The second question inspected the role of social relations in influencing students’ motivation. The third question studied the devices used by people which influence students’ motivation. The analysis also revealed the importance of the affective dimension expressed through the concept of ‘closeness’, which explains the type and strength of the influence initiated through social relations. This study emphasised the need to consider the socio-cultural context of learners in designing programs and recruiting teachers and the necessity of providing help, encouragement and emotional support. Instead of simply giving recommendations of good practice, the findings of this study provide practitioners with guidelines on how to devise their own plans and guiding principles.

This thesis presents English-medium instruction (EMI) in the Swedish context, focusing on perspectives and practices in two schools. The research question is as follows: How and why is EMI offered, chosen, and practiced in the Swedish upper secondary school today? The aim is to explore the status of the educational option, the reasons for offering EMI to stakeholders, the stakeholders’ beliefs about and goals of EMI, and the implementation of EMI in the classroom. A survey of all upper secondary schools in Sweden was conducted to ascertain the spread of content teaching through a foreign language. The educational context was studied from an ecological perspective using methods based in linguistic ethnography. Language alternation, academic language, and language hierarchy were all considered. Interviews were analysed for content; and classroom language use was analysed for language choice and function. The concepts of affordance and scaffolding together with translanguaging were key. The de facto policies of the micro contexts of the schools were examined in light of the declared national policy of the macro context of Sweden. The results indicate that the option in Swedish schools has not increased, and also tends to only be EMI—not Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) or instruction through other languages. EMI is offered for prestige, an international profile, marketing potential and personal interest. EMI students are academically motivated and confident, and see the option as “fun”. 100% EMI in the lessons is not the goal or the practice. Translanguaging is abundant, but how language alternation is perceived as an affordance or not differs in the two schools. One focuses on how the languages are used while the other focuses on how much each language is used. In conclusion, the analysis suggests that a development of definitions and practices of EMI in Sweden is needed, especially in relation to language policy and language hierarchy.

Esta tesis doctoral pretende aportar nuevos datos sobre los efectos del enfoque AICLE (Aprendizaje Integrado de Contenido y Lengua Extranjera) en las habilidades productivas y receptivas de los alumnos de una escuela privada de Barcelona (Catalunya). Se trata de una comunidad bilingüe en la que las lenguas oficiales son el catalán y el español y en la que el inglés representa la tercera lengua del curriculum. Con este objetivo, se analizan longitudinalmente 100 alumnos bilingües catalán / español de edades comprendidas entre 12 y 15 a lo largo de dos años académicos en dos contextos de exposición diferentes: EFL (inglés sólo como asignatura de lengua extranjera, n=50, grupo de control) y AICLE (inglés como medio de instrucción cuando estudian ciencias naturales, n=50, grupo experimental). Se extraen datos a partir de las habilidades productivas y receptivas y se analizan de forma cuantitativa y cualitativa utilizando un diseño posttest al final de cada curso académico. Los resultados demuestran la efectividad del enfoque AICLE aunque no de forma generalizada en todas las habilidades. A diferencia de investigaciones anteriores, es importante destacar la mejora de la corrección dentro de la producción escrita y de las habilidades léxico-gramaticales. Finalmente, los resultados tienden a confirmar que el factor edad es relevante y que obtienen mejores resultados los sujetos mayores. / The present study seeks to contribute new evidence on the effects of the CLIL approach (Content and Language Integrated Learning) on the learners’ productive and receptive skills in a private school in Barcelona (Catalonia). This is a bilingual community in which both Catalan and Spanish are official languages and where English represents the third language included in the currículum. For that purpose, 100 bilingual Catalan / Spanish students aged 12 to 15 are analysed longitudinally over two academic years in two different types of exposure contexts: EFL (English only as a foreign language school subject, n=50, control group) and CLIL (English as medium of instruction when learning Science, n=50, experimental group). Data are elicited both for productive and comprehension skills and are analysed quantitatively and qualitatively using a posttest design at the end of each academic year. The results show the effectiveness of the CLIL approach, however not in all skills. In contrast with findings published in previous studies, the subjects’ writing and particularly so accuracy, significatively progressed and so did lexico-grammatical abilities.Results also tend to confirm that age had an impact and thus the older, the better.

This thesis presents English-medium instruction (EMI) in the Swedish context, focusing on perspectives and practices in two schools. The research question is as follows: How and why is EMI offered, chosen, and practiced in the Swedish upper secondary school today? The aim is to explore the status of the educational option, the reasons for offering EMI to stakeholders, the stakeholders’ beliefs about and goals of EMI, and the implementation of EMI in the classroom. A survey of all upper secondary schools in Sweden was conducted to ascertain the spread of content teaching through a foreign language. The educational context was studied from an ecological perspective using methods based in linguistic ethnography. Language alternation, academic language, and language hierarchy were all considered. Interviews were analysed for content; and classroom language use was analysed for language choice and function. The concepts of affordance and scaffolding together with translanguaging were key. The de facto policies of the micro contexts of the schools were examined in light of the declared national policy of the macro context of Sweden. The results indicate that the option in Swedish schools has not increased, and also tends to only be EMI—not Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) or instruction through other languages. EMI is offered for prestige, an international profile, marketing potential and personal interest. EMI students are academically motivated and confident, and see the option as “fun”. 100% EMI in the lessons is not the goal or the practice. Translanguaging is abundant, but how language alternation is perceived as an affordance or not differs in the two schools. One focuses on how the languages are used while the other focuses on how much each language is used. In conclusion, the analysis suggests that a development of definitions and practices of EMI in Sweden is needed, especially in relation to language policy and language hierarchy.

The thesis is focused on the implementation of method of content and language integrated learning in mathematics in the small school where several grades are taught in one class. The thesis is divided into two parts. The theoretical part deals with issues related to teaching of vocational subject in the foreign language. I define CLIL and show the opening implementation of teaching of this method in schools in the Czech Republic. Then, I concern the advantages and disadvantages of this method, the suitability of different subjects and to implement different variants of CLIL, which I can use while teaching at different stages of education in the Czech school system. The main aim of the practical part is to create educational materials and individual plans of lessons for teaching a curriculum of mathematics in English at the first stage of the primary school for grades 4 and 5, implementation of this method to teaching in selected small school and confirmation or refutation the statements of the authors of publications that, if implemented CLIL teaching at schools, it brings indisputable advantages for the whole educational process.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:25:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3496.pdf: 1752989 bytes, checksum: 64dc301beb6f383c78434d208bd11d9a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-02-25 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / This paper focuses on the relations between the adversative and concessive notions that are conveyed by the conjunctions and, also, on the operations that are accomplished in the generation and in the constitutive process of the enunciations where we can find this marks. The research intents to observe how the enunciation construction and organization translate the intersubjective relations. In this way, the parlance is treated as an interaction mean and we aim to analyze its implications on the language teaching/learning process. In order to discuss this matter, we observe how students in different levels produce meaning in theirs texts. To do so, we chose theoretical proposals that we considered essential to enunciative studies, such as Theory of Enunciative Operations by Antoine Culioli, through which we intent to propose speculations around the notion concept. This author s work approaches the articulation between parlance and natural languages and, furthermore, between texts production and grammar, through the representation (the perception the subject has about himself and the world around him how he reads the world), referential (dialogue establishment through discursive materialization discursive-lexical-grammatical marks) and regulation (mediation process between interacting interlocutors) operations, which are presented as responsible for the dialogical process constitution. We emphasize, in this way, the importance to propose an enunciative grammar in the teaching process that can approach these operations. We believe that this perspective change is fundamental not only to researching purposes, but as well to teaching. / Esta pesquisa de mestrado versa sobre as relações que permeiam as noções adversativas e concessivas veiculadas pelas conjunções e sobre as operações efetuadas na geração e no processo constitutivo dos enunciados onde encontramos essas marcas. A pesquisa visa à observação de como a construção e a organização dos enunciados traduzem as relações intersubjetivas. Dessa maneira, trabalha com a linguagem como meio de interação e suas implicações no ensino/aprendizagem de língua. A fim de discutir esta questão, observamos como os alunos de diferentes níveis de ensino produzem significações em seus textos. Para tanto, como suporte teórico, recorremos a textos que consideramos essenciais aos estudos enunciativos filiados à Teoria das Operações Enunciativas proposta pelo linguista francês Antoine Culioli, por meio dos quais pretendemos levantar reflexões envolvendo o conceito de noção. O trabalho deste estudioso aborda a tese de articulação entre linguagem e línguas naturais e, por sua vez, de articulação entre produção de texto e gramática por meio de operações de representação (percepção que o sujeito tem de si mesmo e do mundo como ele lê o mundo), referenciação (instauração do diálogo pela materialização discursiva marcas léxico-gramatico-discursivas) e regulação (processo de mediação entre os interlocutores em interação), apresentadas como as responsáveis pela constituição do processo dialógico. Ressaltamos, assim, a importância de se propor, para o ensino, uma gramática enunciativa, que se caracteriza por abordar essas operações. Acreditamos que essa mudança de perspectiva seja fundamental, não só para a pesquisa, mas também para o ensino.

[pt] O presente trabalho tem como objetivo principal a geração de entendimentos sobre o(s) papel(eis) desempenhado(s) pelas emoções – ou, mais precisamente, pelas experiências emotivas - no processo de aprendizagem de língua inglesa, tendo como plataforma analítica a construção discursiva dessas experiências afetivas no solo da prática interacional. Visando subsidiar tal investigação, teço um diálogo entre a Psicologia de inclinação sócio-histórica (VYGOTSKY, 1994; AVERILL, 1985), a Psicologia Discursiva (WETHERELL, 1998) e a Linguística Aplicada (MOITA LOPES, 2006). Como ferramental de análise do corpus investigado, articulo o instrumental teórico-analítico da Linguística Sistêmico-Funcional (HALLIDAY, 1994) em seu diálogo com o Sistema de Avaliatividade (MARTIN; WHITE, 2005) com o modelo estruturante das narrativas proposto por Labov (1972). No que tange aos expedientes teórico-metodológicos que balizam esta pesquisa, me ancoro em uma visão (inter-)subjetivista e dialógica do processo de construção de conhecimento, sistematizada teoricamente no edifício da Epistemologia Qualitativa (GONZALEZ-REY, 1997). Foram realizadas três entrevistas em formato semiestruturado, cujo eixo temático centrava-se nas experiências dos participantes com a língua inglesa. As análises desses dados sugerem que, tal qual a inter-relação entre afeto e experiência preconizada por Vygotsky (2001), os expedientes avaliativos que saturam os excertos discursivos observados orientam o processo de construção discursiva das experiências emocionais, instituindo os balizamentos sobre os quais as narrativas iluminadas são erigidas. / [en] The main objective of this work is to generate understandings about the role(s) played by the emotion(s) - or, more precisely, by emotional experiences - in the process of teaching/learning English, taking the discursive construction of these affective experiences grounded on the interactional practice as an analytical platform. To support this investigation, in this research, a theoretical dialogue between Discursive Psychology (WETHERELL, 1998), Sociohistorical Psychology (VYGOTSKY, 1994; AVERILL, 1985) and Applied Linguistics (MOITA LOPES, 2006) is crafted. As a tool for analysis of the corpus here investigated, the theoretical and analytical framework of the Systemic-Functional Linguistics (HALLIDAY, 1994), in dialogue with the Appraisal System (MARTIN; WHITE, 2005), is articulated with the structural narrative model (LABOV, 1972). Regarding its theoretical and methodological aspects, this research is grounded on a (inter-)subjectivist and dialogical view of the process of knowledge construction, theoretically systematized in the Qualitative Epistemology (GONZÁLEZ-REY, 1997). Three semi-structured interviews have been conducted, having as a thematic axis the participants experiences with the English language. Analyses of data suggest that, as well as the interrelationship between affect and experience preconized by Vygotsky (2001), the evaluative aspects of the discursive fragments guide the process of the discursive construction of the emotional experiences, setting the basis for the construction of the highlighted narratives.

This literature review explores the global trend towards implementing English as a medium of instruction in the form of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) in countries where English is not an official language. Additionally, the essay analyses stakeholders’ perspectives on English language instruction and Extramural English (EE).This is done in a European and Swedish context to explore CLIL, EMI and EE possible effects on proficiency on English and mother tongue from a language hierarchy, second language motivational and egalitarian perspective. The results of the review indicate that further research regarding CLIL, EMI and EE is essential to improve CLIL and EMI education in a European and Swedish context.