"September 2008". / Thesis (DAppLing)--Macquarie University, Division of Linguistics and Psychology, Dept. of Linguistics, 2009. / Bibliography: p. 189-196. / The purpose of this research was to analyse the pragmalinguistic and sociopragmatic development of language groups at different proficiency levels and investigate the relationship between interlanguage pragmatics and grammatical competence. For this study, 36 native Spanish speaking EFL learners at different proficiency levels were asked to respond in English to 24 different situations which called for the speech acts of request and apology. Their English performances were compared to those of 12 American English native speakers in order to provide base-line cultural data. Thirty six Mexican Spanish native speakers also participated as a control group in order to analyse the role of the mother tongue in the performances of the EFL learners. The data, collected using a carton oral production task (COPT), were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results showed three important findings that illuminate the relationship between pragmatic development and grammatical competence and lent support to Kasper and Rose's (2003) claim of a universal pragmatic principle. The first finding suggested that basic adult learners possess a previous pragmatic knowledge in their L1 that allows them to focus on the intended meaning and, in most cases, and to assemble (from the linguistic structures available to them) an utterance that conveys a pragmatic intention and satisfies the communicative demands of a social situation. The second finding revealed that there are two essential conditions to communicate a linguistic action: the knowledge of the relevant linguistic rules and the knowledge of how to use them appropriately and effectively in a specific context. Without an elementary knowledge of the linguistic rules, it is impossible to select the forms to realize a speech act in a target-like manner. The findings further suggested that advanced learners possess the grammatical knowledge to produce an illocutionary act, but they need to learn the specific L2 pragmatic conventions that enable them to know when to use these grammatical forms and under what circumstances. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / xi, 238 p. ill

Literature, while perceived as beneficial, is not widely used in the ESL arena. This study set out to investigate proven benefits of using literature in ESL through a review of the current research, at the same time establishing a link between literature and narrative based on `story grammar' which biological determinism claims the human brain is hardwired to use as a language learning tool. Hypothesizing that there would be no correlation between theory regarding the presence and application of literature in ESL as presented in the current research and the practice as found in the prominent ESL course, New Headway, the study set out to identify narrative input in New Headway's Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced Levels and analyzing the way in which narrative is used to teach language skills and communicative competence. Contrary to expectations a surprisingly high level of narrative was found and the narrative was exploited in full accordance with suggestions made in the current research. The findings indicate that the incorporation of narrative in New Headway is a pedagogically informed decision by the authors to exploit the benefits of literature while at the same time catering to a very heterogeneous audience of international ESL learners. Key terms: literature, narrative, story, biological determinism, ESL course books, New Headway / English Studies / M.Ed.

The study investigates the potential of teacher talk in enhancing learner capacity to negotiate learning, premised on a view of classroom interaction as guided construction of knowledge. It examines the extent to which levels of oracy - essentially, awareness of the language of instruction, and the ability to use it more effectively - can be raised by exposing teachers to an in-service distance education language-based course. The main research questions are: a. What are the effects of the course in classroom text and discourse on oracy in the high school classroom? b. How can the quality of classroom discourse be assessed in a relatively systematic and objective manner? With regard to the second question, an analytical framework was developed that defined three key constructs in terms of discourse acts, namely teacher dominance, teacher effectiveness and learner initiative, and these constructs formed the basis of the three hypotheses. Patterns of interaction in English, mathematics and geography classes during the first year of high school in Harare, Zimbabwe (main study) and Zomba, Malawi (supplementary study) were analysed. The Zimbabwe study used a pretest-posttest control group design, with six teachers in the experimental group and three as controls, while the Malawi study used a posttest-only control group design with three teachers in each group. The experimental groups took part in an intervention programme known as the Litraid Project, a course on classroom text and discourse. The findings, interpreted both quantitatively and qualitatively, showed that after intervention the experimental group teachers dominated classrooms less and used discourse input more consciously and effectively. Similarly, their learners showed improved ability to negotiate learning, as reflected in their heightened levels of initiative and discourse output, both in class and group discussion. Hence the conclusion that classroom praxis, specifically in English second language situations, benefits from a conscious enhancement of oracy, leading to more effective teaching and learning. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / D.Litt. et Phil. (Linguistics)

237f. / Submitted by Suelen Reis (suziy.ellen@gmail.com) on 2013-05-17T13:28:54Z No. of bitstreams: 1 tese Adelaide de Oliveira.pdf: 3271000 bytes, checksum: 0867463d23e68b8aa5d8bd0b82df0bd8 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Alda Lima da Silva(sivalda@ufba.br) on 2013-06-04T17:18:08Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 tese Adelaide de Oliveira.pdf: 3271000 bytes, checksum: 0867463d23e68b8aa5d8bd0b82df0bd8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-06-04T17:18:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese Adelaide de Oliveira.pdf: 3271000 bytes, checksum: 0867463d23e68b8aa5d8bd0b82df0bd8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007 / Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar como dois professores não-nativos de língua inglesa de um instituto de línguas e dois de um curso de extensão universitário em Salvador, Bahia lidaram com conteúdo cultural presente nos livros-texto globais adotados pelas instituições de modo a desenvolver a competência comunicativa intercultural dos alunos. O quadro teórico que embasa este trabalho é composto dos modelos de competência comunicativa intercultural, o conceito de cultura no sentido restrito (small culture), os pilares para a educação para o século 21 e os princípios da transdisciplinaridade. As questões que nortearam esta investigação podem ser resumidas em se e como os professores identificam os elementos culturais presentes no livro-texto de modo a desenvolver a competência comunicativa intercultural dos alunos dentro dos princípios da transdisciplinaridade. Uma análise dos livros-texto usados, das aulas observadas, e das respostas dos professores a uma entrevista e a três questionários demonstra que é preciso que haja um tratamento mais sistemático em relação a questões culturais e à aprendizagem intercultural nos currículos para cursos de formação de professores sejam eles de nível universitário ou não. Esta tese também discute as implicações pedagógicas de um ensino de língua inglesa como L2 propondo uma série de princípios pedagógicos e sugerindo algumas atividades para o desenvolvimento da competência comunicativa intercultural que podem ser usados em sala de aula. / Salvador

This Master's thesis is focused on selected factors in fluencing the learning of Czech language as a foreign language for speakers whose mother tongue is Spanish. It focuses on adult respondents aged between 25 and 40 years with a minimum level of B1. The theoretical partrepresents a brief overview of a second language learning approaches (SLA) and the relevant basic terminology.An overview of factors influencing the SLA follows and endsby own suggestion of categorizing factors for research purposes which this thesis deals with. Finally, communicative competences and selected levels of language levels A2, B1, B2 and C1 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages are introduced. The research part is realized by 5 semi- structured interviews through which the factors that play a significant role in the study of Czech as a foreign language are scrutinised from the point of view of the participants in the research. It is mainly about the evaluation of their own language/communication competencies, experience with teaching and about motivation to learn Czech. The uploaded and transcribed interviews are characterized by language analysis at the level of language levels. Keywords Czech as a foreign language, factors influencing SLA, interview, communicative competence,...

Linguistics and Modern Languages / M.A. (Linguistics)

English Second Language {ESL) teaching has undergone noticeable changes in recent years. One such change, based upon current second language teaching theory, has been a striving for authenticity and relevance in ESL classrooms. Innovations in ESL resulting from such a striving, have been collectively labelled as Communicative Language Teaching {CLT). A new generation of ESL core syllabuses and course books has arisen, based upon the ideals and terminology of CL T. In spite of official sanction from education departments there was perceived to be an apparent lack of communicative activities in many ESL classrooms. This study considered the extent of this perceived absence of CL T approaches from ESL classrooms in certain Ciskeian secondary schools. Using purposeful sampling a group of Ciskeian ESL teachers was identified for possible classroom observation. The purpose of this qualitative study was to provide a "thick description' of ESL classroom life, with an emphasis on the orientation of the teachers towards CL T. A measure of typicality in the findings derived from such observation would allow for the applicability of such an understanding of classroom life to other schools in the Ciskei region and in the greater Eastern Cape Province. The study addressed the following two issues: * The changes that have occurred in English Language teaching methods with particular reference to CL T and the claim that can be made for CL T to be considered as an educational innovation; * The extent to which CL T was encountered in the Ciskeian ESL classrooms observed and the role that the teachers in these classrooms fulfill as agents of change in the light of the innovative nature of CL T. A literature study was undertaken of the theory and practice of Educational Innovation and CL T. Because of a desire to locate this research in a qualitative paradigm consideration was given to the theoretical underpinnings of Qualitative Research in general, and of Ethnography in particular. Teachers in the study were identified by means of their responses to a questionnaire designed to establish the teacher's perceived inclination to CL T. The subsequent data collection strategy included classroom observation, the use of an observation protocol (the Communicative Orientation of Language Teaching-COLT), audiorecordings of lessons observed and teacher interviews which were recorded and transcribed. Analysis and interpretation of the data led to a series of statements indicating the extent of the CL T orientation of the classrooms observed. Synthesis of these statements revealed that classrooms were organized around teacher-centered, wholeclass, pedagogic activities supporting a 'transmission' mode of teaching. this supported the earlier perception that there was a lack of communicative activities in CL T classrooms. Arising out of these findings were a number of implications for the teachers in the sample, for the college of education which had produced these teachers, and for the Eastern Cape Department of Education. It was suggested that there should be a commitment on the part of the teachers to CLT, a sensitivity on the part of the college to the need for sound theoretical and practical pre-service training for prospective ESL teachers, and the recognition on the part of the Department of a need for a comprehensive programme of CL T in-service training. / Language Education Arts and Culture / D. Ed. (Didacticts)

Today, unlike yesterday we talk about Moral Regeneration amongst the Vhavenḓa youth of today and throughout the whole world. Strategies of combating this monster that is snatching our youth are recommended in this study. The problem dealt with in this study is the issue of Moral degeneration amongst the youth which needs to be regenerated. There are many causes of moral degeneration amongst the youth discussed in this study which are accompanied by the remedial strategies. As a way forward in this study, observations of researchers and scholars on how to find the solution about moral degeneration that has impacted on the lives of Vhavenḓa youth and other youth of today around the globe were focused on. The literature review in this study was based more on issues that are linked to Indigenous Knowledge Systems as discussed by various scholars. This study used the qualitative research methodology though quantitative minimally. The sampling of data was more purposive though there were cases of convenience and snowballing so as to get more data. Data for this research study was collected through questionnaires and interviews from a host of interviewees. This data was analysed using open and axial coding. The findings were grouped or categorised into major themes in terms of selective coding. Reasons behind the findings were explained too. Finally, consequences, implications for further study and also recommendations were indicated. / African Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African languages)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:25:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3463.pdf: 11809720 bytes, checksum: 61f9e0521874247915109110e8290643 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-12-09 / The objective of this research is to sketch a short view of the didactic books (from now on LD Livro didático) that focus the teaching of the Spanish Language which were published in Brazil between the years of 1991 and 2008. To focus this research I analyzed 29 different titles, whose target public are the students of Elementary (I and II cycles) as well as High School students. The analyses considered the way of proposed activities directed to acquiring/developing communicative competence and the four linguistic abilities (reading, writing, speaking and listening). The option to analyze the LDs was due to a research checked that was previously performed by Denise Pincaço, which resulted in a Mastering dissertation named História e Ensino de Espanhol de 1942 a 1990 and is related to my research that continuous, that is, goes on such work and focus the subsequent years (that is from 1991 till 2008). First the LDs were analyzed one by one in accordance to the target public, so that it was possible to perform the following analyses. In a reduced way we can summary the production of LDs in three moments: (a) domain of a Traditional approach from 1940 to 1990; (b) publishing books with activities focusing a communicative teaching (from 1991 to 1999); (c) the first LDs published in a communicative way from 2000. Comparing the Spanish LDs with the orientations in the PCNs (Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais) and in the OCEMs (Orientações Curriculares para o Ensino Médio), I observed the presence of disparity between what is suggested and what is developed in the LDs as an example the lack of activities focusing the development of discursive, strategic and sociolinguistic sub-abilities. With this interpretative research, I hope to contribute to the Scientific Brazilian community effort to make up an historic of LDs production in our country as well to point lacks to be even when elaborating LDs aiming the Spanish language teaching and learning. / O objetivo da presente pesquisa é esboçar um panorama da produção de livros didáticos (doravante, LD) destinados ao ensino de língua espanhola publicados no Brasil entre 1991 e 2008. Para isso, analisei 29 títulos, cujo público-alvo são alunos do Ensino Fundamental (ciclo I e ciclo II) e do Ensino Médio. As análises consideraram o modo como as atividades propostas nos LDs favoreciam a aquisição e/ou desenvolvimento da competência comunicativa e das habilidades linguísticas (ler, escrever, escutar e falar). A opção por analisar esses LDs deu pelo fato de, durante o levantamento bibliográfico das pesquisas relacionadas com o tema de meu trabalho, eu encontrar a dissertação de Mestrado de Deise Picanço, intitulada História, memória e ensino de espanhol de 1942 a 1990, na qual a autora analisa os livros didáticos de espanhol cuja publicação é anterior a 1990. Na primeira etapa os livros didáticos foram analisados separadamente (de acordo com seu público-alvo). Ao esboçar, na etapa seguinte, o panorama da produção de LDs de espanhol, constatei que esse, de forma resumida, pode ser dividido em três momentos: (a) predomínio da Abordagem Tradicional de 1940 a 1990; (b) publicação de LDs com atividades precursoras do ensino comunicativo, entre 1991 e 1999; (c) publicação dos primeiros LDs comunicativos a partir de 2000; Ao comparar os resultados da análise dos livros didáticos de espanhol com as orientações pedagógicas presentes nos PCNs (Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais) do Ensino Fundamental e Médio e nas OCEMs (Orientações Curriculares para o Ensino Médio), constatei a existência de disparidades entre o que é recomendado nesses documentos oficiais e aquilo que é desenvolvido nos LDs, como por exemplo a escassez de atividades cujo objetivo é o desenvolvimento das sub-competências discursiva, estratégica e sociolinguística. Com esta pesquisa interpretativa, espero contribuir para os esforços da comunidade científica brasileira em elaborar um histórico da produção de livros didáticos em nosso país, bem como apontar lacunas a serem superadas na elaboração desses livros destinados ao ensino de língua espanhola.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:25:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 6301.pdf: 13529065 bytes, checksum: 3dd0f5e7e2c7165dcea9b0758e2ff350 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-28 / This study aims at investigating the relations between a Thematic Task-Based Syllabus and the Communicative Competence (CC) of students of Portuguese as a second language. This qualitative, ethnographic - interpretative research is grounded in studies on CC (CANALE; SWAIN, 1980; CANALE, 1983; CELCE-MURCIA, 2007; HYMES, 1972) of foreign language learners in immersion context. The framework for the Thematic Task-Based Syllabus is founded on theoretical studies of Barbirato (2005), Ellis (2003), Nunan (1989). The thematic material used in this work is called Brasilidades and the theme is based on cultural perspectives of the Northeast and South parts of Brazil. The material was implemented in two courses of Portuguese as a second language in a university in the Southeastern part of Brazil. Each course lasted 30 hours, and the data was collected in the second semester of 2012 and the first semester of 2013. Some of the instruments used for data collection were: research diary, audio and video recording of the classes and questionnaires. The results suggest that the Thematic Task-Based Syllabus allow students a profound mobilization of their CC in communicative scenarios. This kind of syllabus has also shown to be consonant to the model of CC proposed by Celce-Murcia (2007) which places the discursive competence as the center of the CC model since this type of planning recovers primary functions of language such as communication and production of meaning through meaningful contexts. During the task phase, it also offers moments of interaction between students based on the discursive construction of language. / Este estudo tem por objetivo pesquisar as relações que podem ser estabelecidas entre um planejamento temático baseado em tarefas (PTBT) e a competência comunicativa (CC) em um curso de português língua estrangeira (PLE). Esta é uma pesquisa interpretativista, de cunho etnográfico, com tratamento qualitativo dos dados, alicerçada em estudos sobre a CC (CANALE; SWAIN, 1980; CANALE, 1983; CELCE-MURCIA, 2007; HYMES, 1972) de alunos de língua estrangeira em contexto de imersão. Incorporado à base deste estudo está o PTBT, ao qual os participantes desta pesquisa foram expostos. Embasamo-nos nos estudos de Barbirato (2005), Ellis (2003) e Nunan (1989) para a elaboração de um material didático chamado Brasilidades, cujo foco está nas Regiões Nordeste e Sul do país, interpretadas a partir de recortes culturais. Esse material foi implementado em duas turmas de português para estrangeiros, com carga horária de 30 horas cada curso e duração de um semestre cada turma, totalizando um ano de coleta de dados (2012-2013) em uma universidade no interior paulista. Para a coleta de dados, utilizamos caderno de observações, gravação das aulas em áudio e vídeo e questionários semiabertos. Os resultados demonstraram que o PTBT possibilita ao aluno uma profunda mobilização de sua CC perante os cenários comunicativos. Este planejamento também mostrou ser consoante com o modelo da CC proposta por Celce-Murcia (2007) que coloca o componente discursivo como centro do modelo da CC, pois o PTBT resgata funções primárias da linguagem de comunicar e produzir conhecimentos por meio de tema significativo, além de oferecer, nas tarefas, momentos de interação dos alunos fundados na construção discursiva da linguagem.