This dissertation deals with the developing and development of EFL learners' communicative competence in writing in a blended learning course. The dissertation addresses issues related to the conceptualization of developing communicative competence and measuring learners' progress as well as using ICT in foreign language teaching. The underlying research question was whether learners' communicative competence changed after using a series of online discussion tasks, and if so, in what manner. The empirical research was conducted as a case study in which 18 learners in an EFL course at the CEFR A2 level participated in three discussion tasks conducted online, using asynchronous discussion forum. The discussions were built on social constructivist learning theories. Methods of data collection and analysis included pre- and post-tests, learner corpus compiled from the texts written by the students in two online discussions and its analysis, and a questionnaire survey. The results showed that learners' overall level of communicative competence in writing improved. Specifically, the syntactic complexity of learners' language produced at the beginning and at the end of the course increased and learners' perceived fluency in writing improved. These findings support the claim that learners' active participation in...

HAVELKOVÁ, L. Culturological aspects in lessons of Russian and German (based on the material regarding Czech, Russian and German lores) : Dissertation thesis. Praha : Univerzita Karlova, 2011. 254 p. Supervisor: PhDr. Hana Žofková, CSc. Key words: communicative competence, comparison of lores, (folk)lores, foreign-language education, language picture of the world, sociolinguistic competence, use of lores in foreing- language teaching Abstract: The dissertation thesis deals with culturological aspects of foreign-language education when concentrating on folklores, their culturological potential, their comparison and the possibility of their use in German and Russian language class work. The thesis is dedicated to the issue that has not been either theoretically or practically developed yet. The main objective was the discovery whether folklores can be used in foreign-language education while shaping communicative competence and eventually how they can be used. The thesis comes out from general relation between a language and culture, from knowledge about national culture and its components and from the analysis of basic modern linguistic didactic principles. The theoretical part explains basic terms and relations towards related disciplines which are crucial for the issue solution as well as the communicative...

El presente trabajo de investigación se realizó con el objetivo de confirmar si existe una relación entre el uso de TICS y su relación con las competencias digitales de los docentes de universidades privadas de Lima, Perú en el 2020. La metodología incluye una investigación cuantitativa, de diseño No experimental – Transversal con un alcance correlacional. El tipo de muestreo es aleatorio simple que es parte del muestreo probabilístico. De igual manera, como instrumento de investigación cuantitativa, aplicamos 363 encuestas a docentes de tres universidades privadas para analizar la relación entre las variables del estudio. En el primer capítulo, presentamos las hipótesis, los objetivos, el marco teórico, donde definimos las principales variables de estudio; uso de TICS y competencias digitales, de las cuales analizamos las tres dimensiones más importantes: competencias pedagógicas, técnico- tecnológicas y comunicativas. Asimismo, analizamos diversos papers y sus principales hallazgos. También, determinamos las limitaciones del estudio. En el segundo capítulo, presentamos la revisión de la literatura realizando un resumen histórico de ambas variables y sus principales hallazgos. Mientras que en el tercer capítulo determinamos la metodología de la investigación detallando la muestra, población e instrumento para el recojo de datos. En el cuarto y quinto capítulo analizamos los resultados, junto al análisis estadístico tanto descriptivo como inferencial, en donde usamos el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson para determinar si las hipótesis planteadas eran aceptadas o rechazadas. Por último, brindamos las conclusiones y recomendaciones de la investigación. / This research was carried out with the objective of confirming if there is a correlation between the use of ICTs and its relationship with the digital skills of teachers at private universities in Lima, Peru in 2020. The methodology includes quantitative research of Non-experimental design - Cross-sectional with a correlational scope. The type of sampling is simple random which is part of probability sampling. In parallel, as a quantitative research instrument, we applied 363 surveys to teachers from three private universities to analyze the relationship between the study variables. In the first chapter, we present the hypotheses, the objectives, the theoretical framework, where we define the main study variables; use of ICT and digital skills, of which we analyze the three most important dimensions: pedagogical, technical-technological and communication skills. Likewise, we analyze various papers and their main findings. Also, we determine the limitations of the study. In the second chapter, we present a review of the literature, making a historical summary of both variables and their main findings. While in the third chapter we determine the research methodology detailing the sample, population and instrument for data collection. In the fourth and fifth chapters we analyze the results, along with both descriptive and inferential statistical analyzes, where we use Pearson's correlation coefficient to determine whether the hypotheses raised were accepted or rejected. Finally, we provide the conclusions and recommendations of the investigation. / Tesis

Swedish learners of French often do not speak French in the FLE class (French as a foreign language). They experience large difficulties which are on the one hand specific to the French language e.g. chaining and deletion of Schwa, liaison, accentuation and on the other hand the excessive use of the mother tongue in FLE class. The aim of this essay is to understand why French learners communicate little in the target language. The essay consists of three parts. In the first part, through previous studies, we present the importance of the use of the target language in class. Theorists (Lundahl (2012), Tornberg (2015), Dysthe (1996,2003), Lindberg (1996) et Stoltz (2011), as well as the study plan, agree that it is very useful to expose students to the target language as often as possible in order to enrich their vocabulary and increase their knowledge in the taught foreign language. The second part consists in the responses and comments from the questionnaires submitted to the learners and the two teachers. In these questionnaires, most students admit not only that they like to speak French in class, but they would also like the teacher to use the target language. However, to overcome their difficulties to communicate they would like to have more oral production activities. The third part is based on our observations in class. We find out that the most spoken language in the classroom is the mother tongue, which is an obstacle. We also noticed that certain activities, such as watching a film followed by work in a small group and simple dialogues with themes very common in everyday life, prepared in advance and playing them in front of the class, encouraged students to express themselves in French without worrying too much about their faults.

The purpose of the study is to examine Spanish teachers’ understanding of the concepts of intercultural perspective and intercultural approach within the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language. The study investigates this understanding in relation to Swedish governing documents and directives. Another question is whether teachers consider themselves to include this in their own teaching and how they experience the support given by the schools where they operate concerning how to cover intercultural perspective and intercultural approach in Spanish language teaching and learning. In the study we use a qualitative method, specifically the semi-structured and explorative interview. Seven teachers are interviewed digitally. The results of this investigation indicate that the informants possess some knowledge as to the meaning and significance of intercultural perspective and intercultural approach within the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language. However, this knowledge seems to depend on the size of the community in which they operate and whether they consider themselves to be surrounded by multiple cultures or not and therefore have experience and continuous practice regarding the subject of the study. The results of the study also show that the informants share their view on work-related time pressure and that they claim this to affect their ability to work with an intercultural perspective.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / La competencia pragmática es un componente de la competencia comunicativa. Para que un hablante sea competente en una lengua, no sólo debe tener el conocimiento lingüístico, sino que, además, debe entender las normas, valores y estructuras sociales de la comunidad de habla. Al aplicar estos conceptos al campo de adquisición de segunda lengua (L2) o de lengua extranjera (LE), nos damos cuenta de que la enseñanza de pragmática de L2 es fundamental para ayudar a que el aprendiz establezca las similitudes y diferencias entre las normas, valores y estructuras sociales de su L1 y las de la lengua en estudio. Como no hay un modelo único a seguir en la enseñanza de pragmática para alcanzar los mejores resultados en cuanto a la adquisición de esta competencia, este estudio describe algunos modelos eficaces de enseñanza de la pragmática en el aula de español como lengua extranjera (ELE), y analiza la manera como los libros de texto examinados incluyen y tratan los temas de la pragmática. Este estudio sobre la adquisición de pragmática en segunda lengua aportará al campo de la enseñanza de pragmática, mediante una unidad didáctica que implementa los hallazgos de varios investigadores en el área de adquisición de segunda lengua, con énfasis en la adquisición de interlengua pragmática, es decir, de pragmática en segunda lengua (L2) o lengua extranjera (LE).

The aim of this master’s thesis is to compare the English syllabus for secondary school in Sweden and the English syllabus for (the age equivalent) junior high school level in Japan, with a focus on communicative competence as it is defined by Canale and Swain (1980). Moreover, the results of the syllabus analysis are compared with qualitative data gathered from in depth, semi-structured interviews with three active English teachers from secondary school in each of the respective countries. The qualitative data is discussed on its own and the teachers’ views, their teaching practices and their interpretations of the syllabus are contrasted with the directives and teaching guidelines described in the two formal syllabi.   The objective of this thesis is to shed light on similarities and differences between what the English language syllabus for secondary school in Sweden and Japan suggest about communicative competence, and compare the findings with teachers’ interpretation and implementation of the syllabus.   The findings of the study reveal significant differences in the way the syllabi treat communicative competence and this is corroborated by the teacher interviews. Though both syllabi have set developing communication skills as an outcome, the analysis highlights key distinctions between the documents. Qualitative data gathered from respondents further distinguishes the way CLT has been implemented in Sweden and Japan.

В работе анализируются причины возникновения и основные особенности коммуникативного подхода, обобщаются проблемы в развитии коммуникативной компетенции китайских студентов и различные методы интенсивного обучения иностранному языку. Описываются ход и результаты опытно–поисковой работы по формированию коммуникативной компетенции при интенсивном обучении русскому языку как иностранному китайских студентов. Посредством опытно-поисковой работы доказана эффективность методики интенсивного обучения по формированию коммуникативной компетенции на уроках РКИ. / The paper analyzes the causes and main features of the communicative approach, summarizes the problems in the development of communicative competence of Chinese students and various methods of intensive teaching of a foreign language. The course and results of experimental and search work on the formation of communicative competence in the intensive teaching of Russian as a foreign language to Chinese students are described. Through the experimental search for work, the effectiveness of the methodology of intensive training in the formation of communicative competence in the lessons of Russian as a foreign language has been proven.

L'objectif de la recherche-création conçue dans ce document était de développer les contenus d'un cours de Compétence Communicative Interculturelle (CCI) en Espagnol Langue Étrangère (ELE) à travers d’un jeu vidéo sérieux. Pour ce faire, les composantes culturelles à ajouter ont été identifiées en associant les éléments considérés dans les « Référents culturels » du Plan curricular del Instituto Cervantes (PCIC) et les « Caractéristiques distinctives » du Cadre Européen Commun de Référence (CECR). Ainsi, 18 sujets interculturels ont été extraits pour être abordés en classe. En outre, les six attitudes et les sept compétences interculturelles envisagées dans le PCIC ont été prises en compte. Avec ces éléments, un jeu vidéo sérieux appelé Ex Novo a été développé, dans un lieu fantastique appelé Maremagnum, dans lequel se trouvent sept clans, chacun avec des conflits internes qui sont liés aux attitudes et aux compétences interculturelles. Le joueur accomplit des missions qui conduisent chaque clan à célébrer la fête qui le caractérise, et qui se terminent par la persuasion du chef de clan de repenser son système de croyances. Le matériel développé intègre, outre le contenu du cours, un manuel pour l'enseignant et un carnet de bord intergalactique pour l'étudiant, qui permettent d'enregistrer une conversation entre le jeu et le travail en classe. Il est conclu qu'un jeu vidéo sérieux permet de travailler les compétences interculturelles parallèlement aux sujets développés en classe, puisqu'il ouvre un espace de débat, d'analyse et d'empathie. / The purpose of the research-creation conceived in this document was to develop the contents of a course on Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) in Spanish as a Foreign Language (SFL) through a serious video game. To achieve this, the cultural components to be added were identified, through the association of the elements considered in the “Cultural Referents” of the Plan curricular del Instituto Cervantes (PCIC) and the “Distinguishing Characteristics” of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Thus, 18 intercultural topics were extracted to talk about in the classroom. Additionally, the six attitudes and the seven intercultural skills contemplated in the PCIC were taken into account. With these elements, a serious video game called Ex Novo was developed, in a fantasy place called Maremagnum, in which seven clans are found, each with internal conflicts that are related to intercultural attitudes and skills. The player completes the missions that lead each clan to celebrate the festival that characterizes them, ending with the persuasion of the clan leader to rethink their belief systems. Within the material developed, along with the course contents, a manual for the teacher and an intergalactic logbook for the student are integrated, which allow recording a conversation between the game and the classroom work. It is concluded that a serious video game allows intercultural skills to be worked on in parallel to the topics developed in class, since it opens space for debate, analysis and empathy. / La investigación-creación desarrollada en el presente documento tuvo como propósito desarrollar los contenidos de un curso sobre la Competencia Comunicativa Intercultural (CCI) en el ámbito del español como lengua extranjera (ELE), a través de un videojuego serio. Para lograrlo, se identificaron los componentes de la cultura que se debían agregar, por medio de la asociación de los elementos considerados en los “Referentes culturales” del Plan curricular del Instituto Cervantes (PCIC) y las “Características distintivas” del Marco Común Europeo de Referencia (MCER). Así, se extrajeron 18 temas interculturales para hablar dentro del salón de clase. Adicionalmente, se tuvieron en cuenta las seis actitudes y las siete habilidades interculturales contempladas dentro del PCIC. Con estos elementos se desarrolló un videojuego serio llamado Ex Novo, ambientado en un lugar de fantasía llamado Maremágnum, en el cual se encuentran siete clanes, cada uno con unos conflictos internos que se relacionan con las actitudes y habilidades interculturales. El jugador desarrolla las misiones que llevan a que cada clan celebre el festival que los caracteriza, finalizando con la persuasión a la lideresa del clan para replantear sus sistemas de creencias. Dentro del material desarrollado, junto con los contenidos del curso, se integra un manual para el docente y una bitácora intergaláctica para el estudiante, que permiten registrar una conversación entre el juego y el trabajo en el aula. Se concluye que un videojuego serio permite que las habilidades interculturales se trabajen en paralelo a las temáticas desarrolladas en clase, puesto que abren un espacio para el debate, el análisis y la empatía.

Данная работа посвящена развитию иноязычной коммуникативной компетенции с помощью коммуникативного тренинга и мультимедийных технологий. Актуальность исследования обусловлена необходимостью выявления новых путей развития компонентов иноязычной коммуникативной компетенции. В теоретической главе были определены основные составляющие иноязычной коммуникативной компетенции, рассмотрены мультимедийные технологии, использующиеся при обучении иностранным языкам, а также изложены принципы и условия применения коммуникативного тренинга в процессе обучения иностранному языку. В практической главе были разработаны планы единичного коммуникативного тренинга и серии коммуникативных тренингов, описано их практическое применение. / This work is devoted to the development of foreign language communicative competence with the help of communicative training and multimedia technologies. The relevance of the study is determined by the necessity to identify new ways to develop the components of foreign language communicative competence. In the theoretical chapter the main components of foreign language communicative competence were identified, multimedia technologies used in foreign language teaching were considered and the principles and conditions of communicative training application in the process of foreign language teaching were outlined. In the practical chapter the plans of a single communicative training and a series of communicative trainings were developed, and their practical application was described.