Transpacific Investment Corporation –TCI– is a private entity determined to take advantage of the increasing market opportunities arising between Asia and Latin America. TCI is to be incorporated under Guatemalan law in November 2003. The corporation plans to start its operations in Taiwan by February 2004, pioneering into the Spanish Language Industry. The Spanish Language Division of TCI will offer price-competitive opportunities to study Spanish and do tourism in Guatemala. The Division’s tasks will be distributed between two agencies: a Promotion and Recruitment Agency in Taiwan and a Coordination Agency in Guatemala. The latter is in charge of selecting the highly-qualified Spanish Learning Centers and Local Tour Operators that will be responsible for executing the language learning and tourism activities provided to TCI’s clients. Additionally, the Coordination Agency will select adequate insurance and security services to ensure maximum safety for the participants. The promotional efforts will be targeted at university students currently participating in Spanish language courses, and the marketing mix has been designed according to their needs. The leaders of this venture believe that there is a promising opportunity on this field because of the latent popularity of the Latin culture and the price advantages that Guatemala is capable of offering. Currently, more than 1,300 Taiwanese students participate in Spanish language courses. With its diverse products, TCI estimates it can attract at least 33 students on the first year of operations, 49 students on the second year, and 55 students on the third year. These numbers represent, respectively, market shares of 10%, 15%, and 20%, of conservatively defined potential markets. The initial investment required for the venture is slightly above NT 500,000. If the market share goals are achieved, it will be possible to reach the payback period in 13 months, and to enjoy net income above NT 200,000 for the second year, and above NT 800,000 for the third year. These results yield a return-on-investment ratio higher than 1.44.

The aim of this study was to contribute to the scarce amount of research on self-selected Spanish foreign language (FL) vocabulary learning strategies (VLS) by adult learners of Spanish in the United States and to investigate which type of learning strategies may result in higher vocabulary gains and why. This study investigated the relationships between the type of VLS university Spanish FL students at different levels of proficiency use, the amount of time they devote to the weekly study of Spanish outside the classroom, and their vocabulary size. In addition, the correlations between the VLS used by students with high and low vocabulary test scores and their vocabulary size were investigated. A total of 477 military cadets/students at the United States Air Force Academy enrolled in Spanish courses at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced language proficiency levels participated in this study. The data were analyzed through quantitative methods using two measuring instruments: a) a vocabulary learning questionnaire used to discover students’ VLS preferences, and b) a Spanish vocabulary tests used to estimate the participants’ Spanish vocabulary size. Analyses of the data suggest that a significant relationship exits between learning strategy use and vocabulary size among advanced, more experienced Spanish learners but not among beginning- or intermediate-level students. Findings suggest that novice or inexperienced Spanish FL learners may be ineffective at the management of their own vocabulary learning. Different patterns in VLS use were also identified between advanced students with high and low vocabulary test scores. Those with higher vocabulary test scores use significantly more social and metacognitive learning strategies, while those with lower vocabulary test scores resort to memorization and other less-cognitively-demanding strategies for learning Spanish vocabulary. Pedagogical implications and limitations are addressed. / text

The maze task is a psycholinguistic tool that is used in experimentally measuring online sentence processing time (Forster et al., 2009). It asks subjects to "weave" their way through sentences, choosing the correct grammatical alternative from two choices. This task can also offer insight into the processing strategies of L2 learners. Thus, whether or not this task can be used as an effective training program for beginning L2 learners is the topic of this current investigation. The maze task is therefore transformed into the "story maze", which contextualizes sentences for learners. Because the task provides immediate feedback regarding the precise location of an error, learners can efficiently tune their L2 processing strategies, which echoes VanPatten (2004) and his objective with processing instruction. In effect, connections made in the classroom through explicit instruction can be reinforced and strengthened through implicit maze task training. Using L2 Spanish learners, the efficacy of training types is tested in order to investigate whether the maze task can assist learners in altering their processing strategies of complex, L2 structures that are not found in the L1. Furthermore, the task's generalizing capability with respect to building the implicit and explicit knowledge bases is examined. Lastly, because the task speaks to students' identity as learners in a technologically advanced world, the likability of this task is evaluated through qualitative data, and pedagogical implications are discussed.

L'objet de cette thèse est d'explorer le croisement entre la didactique de l'espagnol langue vivante étrangère pour son enseignement au collège en France en 4° LV2 et la pratique théâtrale. Il s'agit de développer une dramadidactique, dans l'optique très pragmatique de son utilisation en cours par un enseignant, afin de développer particulièrement la compétence langagière qu'est l'interaction orale. Le résultat concret de ce travail est la production d'une méthode nommée DramAula. L'objectif principal de cette dramadidactique est de permettre de mieux enseigner l'espagnol aux élèves dans la motivation et l'action grâce aux éléments dynamisants des activités que le genre dramatique apporte afin d'obtenir plus de confiance en soi, d'autonomie et de créativité dans l'apprentissage de la langue espagnole par les élèves à l'oral en interaction. Cette didactique s'intègre dans la perspective actionnelle présentée dans le Cadre Européen commun de référence pour les langues. Elle entend développer des éléments qui améliorent et enrichissent l'enseignement actuel. / This thesis aims to analyse Spanish didactic and theatrical performance. Spanish didactic is analysed in the context of learning a second language in school with Year 8 children (4eme). The aim is to develop a theatrical didactic to be used by teacher to improve verbal communication in school. This research allows the creation of a new methodology called DramAula. The main objective of this work is to improve the teaching of a second language in school by developing confidence, autonomy and creativity in children with the help of theatrical activities. Theatrical activity is thought to increase motivation and verbal exchanges in children and create a better learning environment. This didactic method is in accordance with the European program to improve language skills learning.

Orientador: Ucy Soto / Banca: Mônica Ferreira Mayrinck O'kuinghttons / Banca: Nildiceia Aparecida Rocha / Resumo: Esta dissertação apresenta uma reflexão que envolve três grandes temáticas: mediação, fórum virtual e ensino-aprendizagem de língua (espanhola). Desenvolvemos nosso estudo a partir das seguintes questões de pesquisa: 1. Com base nas estratégias de mediação de Santarosa e nos critérios de mediação de Feuerstein, que procedimentos de mediação foram usados nos Fóruns educacionais do curso Español para Turismo? 2. Como se comportaram professores e alunos com relação a um possível papel de mediador no contexto dos fóruns virtuais? 3. O fórum se caracterizou como um lugar de discussão, de debate, propício às estratégias de mediação, como, a princípio, seria esperado desse gênero? Buscamos fundamentar nossos estudos em teorias sobre os gêneros discursivos, embasamo-nos em trabalhos de Bakhtin (2002) e Marcuschi (2005) para localizarmos o fórum educacional virtual nesse contexto. Apoiamo-nos na teoria de Vygotsky (1930/1998), Feuerstein (1980, 1982:1994, 2002), Gutiérrez & Prieto (1994) e Masetto (2000) para compreendermos o conceito de mediação, e buscamos em Santarosa (2002) a classificação dos tipos de mediação. Para responder nossos questionamentos, realizamos a coleta dos dados em fóruns educacionais de um curso virtual de extensão universitária, intitulado Español para Turismo. Nossa análise indica que a mediação é desempenhada, primeiro, pelo professor/tutor, mas os alunos também realizam diversas mediações, inclusive entendem a necessidade da promoção de debates. Verificamos que os alunos utilizam estratégias de mediação muito semelhantes à de seu professor. E concluímos que a mediação no ambiente virtual de aprendizagem é uma ação que pressupõe estratégias e metodologias diferentes da educação presencial, mas que se estabelece a partir das relações interpessoais e da interação do grupo... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This dissertation presents a reflection that involves three main themes: mediation, virtual forum and Spanish learning and teaching. We developed our study from the following research questions: 1. Based on Santarosa mediation strategies and on Feuerstein mediation criteria, what procedures were used in the educational forums of the Español para Turismo course? 2. How have teachers and students behaved in relation to a possible mediator role in the virtual forums context? 3. Has the forum been characterized as a discussion and debate spot, favorable to mediation strategies as, at first, would be expected from this genre? We attempted to found our studies on theories about discursive genres, we were based on Bakhtin (2002) and Marcuschi (2005) works to locate the educational virtual forum in this context. We we supported by Vygotsky (1930/1998), Feuerstein (1980, 1982:1994, 2002), Gutiérrez & Prieto (1994) theory to comprehend the mediation concept, and searched in Santarosa (2002) the classification of the types of mediation. In order to answer our questioning, we collected data in educational forums from a college extension virtual course, entitled Español para Turismo. Our analysis indicates that mediation is carried out, firstly, by the professor/tutor, but also the students perform diverse mediations and understand the need of promoting debates too. We verified that the students use very similar meditation strategies to their professor's. And we conclude that the mediation in the virtual environment of learning is an action that assumes different strategies and methodologies in the present education, but it's established through the interpersonal relations and group interaction. As being a case study, we believe the reflections in this dissertation are not conclusive, but can contribute with the development of other researches related to this subject and, mainly, for bettering the virtual courses strategies and methodologies / Resumen: Este trabajo presenta una reflexión que envuelve tres grandes temáticas: mediación, foro virtual y enseñanza-aprendizaje de lengua (español). Desarrollamos nuestro estudio a partir de las siguientes cuestiones de investigación: 1. Con base en las estrategias de mediación de Santarosa y en los criterios de mediación de Feuerstein, ¿qué procedimientos de mediación fueron usados en los Foros educacionales del curso Español para Turismo? 2. ¿Cómo se comportaron profesores y alumnos con relación a un posible papel de mediador en el contexto de los foros virtuales? 3. ¿El foro se caracterizó como un espacio de discusión, de debate, propicio a las estrategias de mediación, como, a principio, fue esperado de este género? Buscamos fundamentar nuestros estudios en teorías sobre los géneros discursivos, embasémonos en trabajos de Bakhtin (2002) y Marcuschi (2005) para localizar el foro educacional virtual en este contexto. Apoyamos nuestros estudios en la teoría de Vygotsky (1930/1998), Feuerstein (1980, 1982:1994, 2002), Gutiérrez & Prieto (1994) y Masetto (2000) para comprender el concepto de mediación, y buscamos en Santarosa (2002) la clasificación de los tipos de mediación. Para responder nuestros cuestionamientos, realizamos la coleta de los datos en foros educacionales de un curso virtual de extensión universitaria, intitulado Español para Turismo. Nuestra análisis indica que la mediación es desempeñada, primero, por el profesor/tutor, pero los alumnos también realizan diversas mediaciones, incluso entienden la necesidad de la promoción de debates. Verificamos que los alumnos utilizan estrategias de mediación muy semejantes a la de su profesor. Y concluimos que la mediación en el ambiente virtual de aprendizaje es una acción que presupone estrategias y metodologías distintas de la educación presencial, pero que se establece a partir de las relaciones interpersonales y de la interacción / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:26:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-08-13Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:15:50Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 gabrielli_ks_me_arafcl.pdf: 2846381 bytes, checksum: 8aa253c47e9e9d9f8ed78d3b83a80556 (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Esta dissertação apresenta uma reflexão que envolve três grandes temáticas: mediação, fórum virtual e ensino-aprendizagem de língua (espanhola). Desenvolvemos nosso estudo a partir das seguintes questões de pesquisa: 1. Com base nas estratégias de mediação de Santarosa e nos critérios de mediação de Feuerstein, que procedimentos de mediação foram usados nos Fóruns educacionais do curso Español para Turismo? 2. Como se comportaram professores e alunos com relação a um possível papel de mediador no contexto dos fóruns virtuais? 3. O fórum se caracterizou como um lugar de discussão, de debate, propício às estratégias de mediação, como, a princípio, seria esperado desse gênero? Buscamos fundamentar nossos estudos em teorias sobre os gêneros discursivos, embasamo-nos em trabalhos de Bakhtin (2002) e Marcuschi (2005) para localizarmos o fórum educacional virtual nesse contexto. Apoiamo-nos na teoria de Vygotsky (1930/1998), Feuerstein (1980, 1982:1994, 2002), Gutiérrez & Prieto (1994) e Masetto (2000) para compreendermos o conceito de mediação, e buscamos em Santarosa (2002) a classificação dos tipos de mediação. Para responder nossos questionamentos, realizamos a coleta dos dados em fóruns educacionais de um curso virtual de extensão universitária, intitulado Español para Turismo. Nossa análise indica que a mediação é desempenhada, primeiro, pelo professor/tutor, mas os alunos também realizam diversas mediações, inclusive entendem a necessidade da promoção de debates. Verificamos que os alunos utilizam estratégias de mediação muito semelhantes à de seu professor. E concluímos que a mediação no ambiente virtual de aprendizagem é uma ação que pressupõe estratégias e metodologias diferentes da educação presencial, mas que se estabelece a partir das relações interpessoais e da interação do grupo... / This dissertation presents a reflection that involves three main themes: mediation, virtual forum and Spanish learning and teaching. We developed our study from the following research questions: 1. Based on Santarosa mediation strategies and on Feuerstein mediation criteria, what procedures were used in the educational forums of the Español para Turismo course? 2. How have teachers and students behaved in relation to a possible mediator role in the virtual forums context? 3. Has the forum been characterized as a discussion and debate spot, favorable to mediation strategies as, at first, would be expected from this genre? We attempted to found our studies on theories about discursive genres, we were based on Bakhtin (2002) and Marcuschi (2005) works to locate the educational virtual forum in this context. We we supported by Vygotsky (1930/1998), Feuerstein (1980, 1982:1994, 2002), Gutiérrez & Prieto (1994) theory to comprehend the mediation concept, and searched in Santarosa (2002) the classification of the types of mediation. In order to answer our questioning, we collected data in educational forums from a college extension virtual course, entitled Español para Turismo. Our analysis indicates that mediation is carried out, firstly, by the professor/tutor, but also the students perform diverse mediations and understand the need of promoting debates too. We verified that the students use very similar meditation strategies to their professor’s. And we conclude that the mediation in the virtual environment of learning is an action that assumes different strategies and methodologies in the present education, but it’s established through the interpersonal relations and group interaction. As being a case study, we believe the reflections in this dissertation are not conclusive, but can contribute with the development of other researches related to this subject and, mainly, for bettering the virtual courses strategies and methodologies / Este trabajo presenta una reflexión que envuelve tres grandes temáticas: mediación, foro virtual y enseñanza-aprendizaje de lengua (español). Desarrollamos nuestro estudio a partir de las siguientes cuestiones de investigación: 1. Con base en las estrategias de mediación de Santarosa y en los criterios de mediación de Feuerstein, ¿qué procedimientos de mediación fueron usados en los Foros educacionales del curso Español para Turismo? 2. ¿Cómo se comportaron profesores y alumnos con relación a un posible papel de mediador en el contexto de los foros virtuales? 3. ¿El foro se caracterizó como un espacio de discusión, de debate, propicio a las estrategias de mediación, como, a principio, fue esperado de este género? Buscamos fundamentar nuestros estudios en teorías sobre los géneros discursivos, embasémonos en trabajos de Bakhtin (2002) y Marcuschi (2005) para localizar el foro educacional virtual en este contexto. Apoyamos nuestros estudios en la teoría de Vygotsky (1930/1998), Feuerstein (1980, 1982:1994, 2002), Gutiérrez & Prieto (1994) y Masetto (2000) para comprender el concepto de mediación, y buscamos en Santarosa (2002) la clasificación de los tipos de mediación. Para responder nuestros cuestionamientos, realizamos la coleta de los datos en foros educacionales de un curso virtual de extensión universitaria, intitulado Español para Turismo. Nuestra análisis indica que la mediación es desempeñada, primero, por el profesor/tutor, pero los alumnos también realizan diversas mediaciones, incluso entienden la necesidad de la promoción de debates. Verificamos que los alumnos utilizan estrategias de mediación muy semejantes a la de su profesor. Y concluimos que la mediación en el ambiente virtual de aprendizaje es una acción que presupone estrategias y metodologías distintas de la educación presencial, pero que se establece a partir de las relaciones interpersonales y de la interacción