The Swedish upper-secondary level curriculum defines the English language as a necessary skill that the students need to be able to take part of the world around them, to participate in different social and cultural contexts and to learn about the world and broaden their horizons. In the curriculum, it is also stated that English literature is to be illustrate the different aspects of the English language. Literature is, in fact, introduced as a vital tool for the teachers of English. The purpose of this essay is to explore English teachers’ reasons and goals for using literature when teaching English, as well as their opinions on how literature should be used and is used in the English classroom.                        The results show that teachers see literature as a strong pedagogical tool that they use to help their students develop social and cultural understanding, as well as a tool for learning and studying the language itself. The problems encountered are the students’ negative attitude towards literature and their lack of motivation as well as planning and conducting literature-based teaching within a restricted time frame. All the teachers that took part in the study wished that they could use literature in a more extensive way and saw it as a great source for teaching a foreign language.

No description available.

In classrooms all over the world, there are students who fear the attention of both teachers and peers alike. Anxiety is a cause for such fears and in foreign language classrooms it can be prevalent. Foreign language anxiety (FLA) is a concept developed by Horwitz et al (1986) to describe the unique anxiety that arises in a foreign language learning situation. Anxious students are less prone to use their target language and feel less motivated in their language studies, both of which have a negative effect on their learning. The aim of this study was to measure and compare anxiety levels among Swedish lower and upper secondary school students, identify major sources of anxiety and gain understanding of individuals’ perception of foreign language anxiety. 49 subjects from two classes participated in the study. Their anxiety was measured with the foreign language classroom anxiety scale (FLCAS) developed by Horwitz et al (1986). Interviews were used to gain insight into the subjects’ perception of foreign language anxiety. The results showed that a majority of the subjects were anxious and that students in the lower secondary school class were more anxious than the upper secondary school class. The identified major sources of anxiety were teacher-induced anxiety, fear of negative evaluation and general anxiety. / I klassrum över hela världen finns det elever som är rädda för både lärarens och sina klasskamraters uppmärksamhet. Nervositet är en orsak till en sådan rädsla och kan vara vanligt i främmandespråkklassrum. Språkängslan inför främmande språk är ett begrepp utvecklat av Horwitz m. fl. (1986) för att beskriva den unika nervositet som uppstår vid lärande av främmande språk. Nervösa elever är mindre benägna att använda språket de lär sig och känner sig mindre motiverade att lära sig och båda sakerna har en negativ effekt på deras inlärning. Syftet med studien var att mäta och jämföra nervositetsnivåer bland svenska högstadie- och gymnasieelever, identifiera de största källorna till nervositet och få förståelse för elevers uppfattning av nervositet. 49 elever från två klasser deltog i studien. Deras nervositet mättes med skalan för språknervositet i samband med undervisning i främmande språk, utvecklad av Horwitz m fl (1986). Intervjuer användes för att få insikt i deltagarnas uppfattning om språknervositet inför främmande språk. Resultatet visade att en majoritet av deltagarna led av språknervositet och att högstadieeleverna i högre grad var nervösa än gymnasieeleverna. De största källorna till nervositet som identifierades var lärarorsakad nervositet, rädsla för negativt omdöme och generell nervositet.

This thesis aims to investigate socio-psychological factors that affect foreign language learners&rsquo / pronunciation and focuses on the relationship between in-class injunctive norms for English pronunciation and Fear of Negative Evaluation (FNE). Injunctive norms are a type of social norms that define the expected behavior from the group members and sanctions for disobedience. They are evaluative in their nature. FNE is one of the three components of foreign language classroom anxiety and experienced when a person is in an evaluative situation. For this study, the quantitative data were collected through a questionnaire developed by the researcher and the qualitative data were gathered from the interviews. Freshman students at the Department of Foreign Language Education at Middle East Technical University participated in the study. v The results indicated that speaking with native like or Turkish-like English pronunciation and having some pronunciation mistakes, which are commonly observed in the classroom, are approved according to in-class injunctive norms for English pronunciation. However, if speakers cannot achieve sounding native like when they are trying to emulate native pronunciation, or if they make pronunciation mistakes which are not commonly observed in the classroom or overemphasized by the instructors, these performances are not approved. Speaking with an English pronunciation in the classroom which is not approved according to these norms triggers FNE in the learners. Therefore, learners generally prefer speaking with Turkish-like English pronunciation, which is within the frame of inclass injunctive norms. The results also demonstrated that the pronunciation rules that teachers emphasize become a part of injunctive norms / therefore, teachers have an important role in the determination of these norms.

This comparative study aims to discover and demonstrate the potential relationship between foreign language speaking anxiety and course level among 183 students from three consecutive courses of English as a foreign language, i.e. English 5, 6, and 7, at three upper secondary schools in the South of Sweden. Accordingly, a survey was distributed in order to account for demographic information about the students, such as course level, age, and sex, to determine the students’ oral proficiency levels, and to assess the students’ anxiety levels in relation to 33 anxiety-provoking classroom situations. The results showed that Swedish upper secondary students are not particularly anxious regardless of course level, save that the students in English 5 would feel less comfortable around native speakers of English, although not to an extent which would indicate anxiety, and that the students in English 7 would, in contrast to the other course levels, experience high levels of anxiety when volunteering answers and being called on in class. However, the most notable differences were found between the genders and between the students with high and low oral proficiency levels. Female students generally showed higher levels of anxiety than male students did. Yet, in most cases, the difference did not suggest that one of the genders was anxious while the other one was not. In terms of oral proficiency levels, the students with low oral proficiency showed higher levels of anxiety, often to the extent that they would be anxious while the ones with high proficiency would not. Thus, the levels of anxiety seem to depend on gender and oral proficiency more than the students’ course levels.

This study aims to answer the questions of when and why foreign language teachers use their learners’ first language (L1) in the foreign language classroom. Additionally, the study also explores learner attitudes toward teachers’ use of the L1, and compares these attitudes with the teacher practices. In order to answer the research questions, international peer-reviewed studies have been used and analysed. The findings include L1 use in a number of different situations, for example during grammatical and lexical explanations, when giving instructions on classroom activities, and in informal interactions with the learners. Teachers may use the L1 in order to facilitate learners’ understanding, to save time, and to create a positive and welcoming classroom environment. The investigation of the learner attitudes shows that they are not always aligned with the teachers’ beliefs and practices. The learner attitudes are also ambiguous, displaying a variety of opinions for or against the teachers’ use of the L1. One possible explanation for the wide range of opinions could be the different levels of target language proficiency among the learners, with advanced learners leaning more toward less L1 use by the teacher, while beginners lean more toward the use of the L1. However, this could not be shown to always be the case, suggesting that other factors might also influence the attitudes toward the use of the L1. In the light of the results of this study, the discussion mainly revolves around the possible benefits and disadvantages of L1 use in the foreign language classroom, and what implications this might have for foreign language teachers. For example, more L1 use could result in less meaningful communication in the target language, which might pose a lost opportunity for language acquisition. On the other hand, the L1 could also lead to learners feeling more comfortable in class, lowering their affective filter and thus result in improved language acquisition.

This study sought eight grade students’ experiences of verbal production in the English classroom. From the perspectives of foreign language anxiety (FLA) and willingness to communicate (WTC), what are the students' experiences of verbal production, in what situations are students willing to communicate and in what situations are they not? A quantitative study was conducted using a self-report paper questionnaire, consisting of Nilsson’s (2019) modified version of the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale (FLCAS) in conjunction with open-ended questions. The result indicates that verbal production causes a high level of foreign language anxiety, and that the students' willingness to communicate increases and decreases depending on stable and situational variables that influence a student's willingness to use their L2. The findings of this study are beneficial to English teachers by raising awareness of FLA and WTC and their presence in our classrooms. The greatest beneficiary of this study is L2 language teachers, who will be inspired to create a classroom environment where the students seek opportunities to engage in verbal production.

Motivational research has recently shifted focus to include what role teachers, and the motivational strategies they use, play in the language learning classroom (Cheng & Dörnyei, 2007; Dörnyei & Csizer, 1998). Motivational research has traditionally gathered data from either teachers or students. However, researchers have recently been calling for a shift in focus from this individualistic perspective to evaluating motivation more holistically (Dörnyei, 2001a; Oxford, 2003; Ushioda, 2006). Nevertheless, few studies have included the opinions of both the students and teachers. This study has elicited the opinions of both students and teachers to find out which teaching practices both groups believe foster motivation in the foreign language classroom. The results indicate that students and teachers alike find teaching practices related to Teacher, Rapport, and Climate as the top three most motivational conceptual domains. Furthermore, only 3 conceptual domains, out of 17, were statistically different between groups: Task, Effort, and Comparison.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:25:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5468.pdf: 1456422 bytes, checksum: 6e10cadaf6891b84cdaed6623f9f8abc (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-06-24 / Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais / According to Almeida Filho (2005), the classroom is not the most important part of the language teaching/learning process, but it is certainly the most significant one. Based on this assumption, the classroom turns up to be the "stage" where both teacher and student can achieve and produce the potential work regarding the language teaching/learning process. As conferred by Novelli (1997:49), the classroom is where humans meet and, precisely for this reason, we can recognize, in this "meeting", that the produced knowledge is constructed through teacher/learner and learner/learner interaction. Thus, when we consider its actualization in the language teaching/learning classroom, interaction can be regarded as highly relevant. In this sense, this research focuses on the process of interaction between the teacher and foreign learners in the context of Portuguese as a foreign language classroom. The investigation will be oriented by Bakhtin s theory of language and by assumptions of the Communicative Approach related to the teaching of foreign language. According to Bakhtin´s ideas (1997), the subject seeks its wholeness in another person/others, who are also uncompleted/unfinished. Only through the eyes of someone else we can have the awareness about our own half-full/half being/ our uncompleted selves. This process of noticing the other and be noticed by the other is made possible through interaction. We recognize that the other is essential for us to understand who we are, and in this language teaching/learning context this perspective makes it relevant to the investigation on how the teacher relates to the other (student) and which are the meanings produced through this meeting. Recognizing that human beings are social agents who are constructed in/by interaction, it is possible to assume that improving comprehension of the relationship self-other within the context of foreign language learning/teaching is of considerable importance, especially in the contemporary context of language teaching, theoretically oriented by assumptions of the communicative approach which emphasizes meaningful interactions and allows us to take the class as an important stage of cultural and social-historical constructions. Regarding the methodology, this investigation was conducted with the use of qualitative procedures based on ethnographic and interpretive methods. As part of the theory that oriented this research belongs to another area, we discussed about the multi-, inter-, trans-, or in-disciplinary character of Applied Linguistics. Regarding the achieved results, it was noticed that the use of authentic material by teachers in the classroom is not a guarantee of communicative teaching, as interactions constructed in that place can prioritize the structure of language and not its meaningful use. According to Bizon (1994:45) it is the chosen approach, consciously or not by the teacher, what can determine the interaction built in the classroom. Taking into consideration that studies on human interaction are fundamental to understand life in society, we expect that this research will help to develop critical reflection and comprehension related to the area of Portuguese as foreign language, thus offering contribution to teacher s education process. / A sala de aula pode não ser a única parte significativa do processo de ensino-aprendizagem de línguas, mas é certamente a mais impactante (Almeida Filho, 2005). Nesse sentido, esse espaço pode se configurar como palco de realização do potencial trabalho produzido pelo professor e pelo aluno em relação ao ensinar-aprender língua estrangeira. Para Novelli (1997:49), a sala de aula é um encontro entre humanos e, talvez, precisamente devido a isso, tenham-se desencontros (...). Reconhecemos que, nesse encontro , os conhecimentos produzidos são construídos por meio da interação do professor-aluno e aluno-aluno. Nessa perspectiva, ao refletirmos sobre sua realização no processo de ensino-aprendizagem de línguas, a interação se configura como altamente relevante. Levando em consideração a importância da interação nesse contexto, objetivamos, com o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa, analisar a interação (professoraluno) construída em sala de aula de um curso de português para estrangeiros, oferecido em uma universidade do interior paulista, e investigar significados produzidos nesse encontro . Os estudos bakhtinianos e a abordagem comunicativa compõem os aportes teóricos que orientam esta investigação. Segundo os estudos bakhtinianos, é por meio da interação que o sujeito se constitui como sujeito. De acordo com Geraldi (2010:143), (...) o sujeito de Bakhtin é sempre de uma incompletude fundante (é a relação de alteridade que lhe dá existência). Nessa perspectiva, o sujeito busca sua completude no outro que, por sua vez, também é incompleto. Somente esse outro tem sobre nós uma ideia de um quase todo que nós mesmos não podemos ter de nós. Nesse sentido, reconhecemos que o outro seja de fundamental importância para compreendermos quem somos e transpondo essa perspectiva para a área de ensinoaprendizagem de línguas, parece-nos questão pertinente investigarmos como o professor se relaciona com o outro (o aluno) e quais significados são produzidos nesse encontro . A abordagem comunicativa compõe outra parte da fundamentação teórica por conceber como relevante que as interações construídas sejam significativas para o aluno se capacitar a usar a língua-alvo na prática social. Em relação à metodologia, os procedimentos de natureza qualitativa de base etnográfica e interpretativista orientaram o desenvolvimento desta investigação. Levando em consideração que parte da fundamentação teórica desta pesquisa tem como base aporte de outra área, discutimos sobre o caráter multi-, inter-, trans- ou in-disciplinar da Linguística Aplicada. Em relação aos resultados alcançados, foi evidenciado que o uso de materiais autênticos em sala de aula pelo professor não é garantia de ensino fundamentado nos pressupostos comunicativos, já que as interações construídas nesse espaço podem priorizar a estrutura da língua e não seu uso significativo. Nesse sentido, para Bizon (1994:45), é a abordagem assumida conscientemente ou não pelos professores que determina o tipo de interação construída em sala de aula. Considerando que o estudo das interações humanas é de fundamental importância para compreensão da vida em sociedade, esperamos que o desenvolvimento desta pesquisa possibilite a construção de reflexão crítica em relação à interação professor-aluno construída em sala de aula, no âmbito do ensino-aprendizagem de português como língua estrangeira, e contribua para instigar profissionais em formação e profissionais já formados a ampliarem a perspectiva crítica sobre suas práticas.

Cette étude relève de la didactique des langues, mais elle s’appuie également sur l’analyse des interactions verbales et des interactions en classe de langue, ainsi que sur l’anthropologie et la sociologie. Elle repose sur la capacité de l’image à susciter des productions verbales. La photographie d’auteur est ici considérée comme un déclencheur d’interactions orales permettant de communiquer en classe de langue. Nous avons mis en oeuvre une technique didactique dans descours de français enseigné comme langue étrangère en contexte pluriculturel à Paris avec des apprenants de niveaux A1 à B2. Le projet mené en groupe consiste à commenter des photographies d’auteur sans objectifs langagiers prédéterminés. Nous n’avons pas cherché à transmettre des informations concernant les images, volontairement énigmatiques. La question de recherche porte sur la nature des échanges verbaux déclenchés. L’analyse des données dans la partie 2 révèle l’importance de la communication entre les apprenants. Ceux-ci déploient des stratégies de communication et d’appropriation. L’interaction fortement coopérative encourage un apprentissage mutuel entre pairs avec des phénomènes d’étayage collectif. Dans la partie 3, nous analysons les manifestations verbales de la réception des photographies. L’observation des images donne lieu à de la description et de la narration, à la recherche de solutions ou de messages, à des réactions esthétiques, interprétatives, ou encore à des phénomènes d’immersion fictionnelle. Les apprenants mettent en relation les photographies avec d’autres images, ce qui révèle l’importance de l’intericonicité dans la perception visuelle et favorise des échanges interculturels. / The study lies in the field of foreign language education, but it also refers to verbal interaction analysis, foreign language classroom research, anthropology, and sociology. It rests onthe capacity of visual images to trigger verbal expression. Photography is here considered as ameans to induce oral interaction, thus enabling students to communicate in language courses. Wehave implemented a task in lessons of French taught as a foreign language in a pluricultural contextin Paris, learners’ levels ranging from A1 to B2. In this group project, students were invited tocomment on fine art and documentary photographs. We had no predetermined language objectivesand we did not seek to pass on information about the images, which were intentionally enigmatic.Our research question deals with the nature of the verbal interactions triggered by the photographs.In part 2, the analysis of the corpus highlights how learners interact. They implement strategies to communicate and to learn. The interactions are highly cooperative, which encourages students tolearn from their peers by using collective scaffolding. In part 3, we analyse the verbal reactions of the students when they comment on the photographs. These learners describe the images, they buildnarratives, they seek solutions, messages or interpretations, they evaluate the pictures esthetically,and they immerse themselves in the fiction of the photographs. They also find analogies with other images, which reveals the importance of intericonicity in visual perception and encourages learners to engage into intercultural exchanges.