Content-based language instruction has gained widespread acceptance as an effective approach in a range of educational settings for adults and children. It is premised on the belief that language and content are inextricably linked and that learning is enhanced through an integrated approach. Yet the nature of the relationship between content and language, and how integration can be achieved in the content-based language classroom, continue to be points of divergence for both researchers and practitioners. One approach to this question draws on research in form-focused instruction (FFI), which describes various instructional options that draw learners’ attention to form in primarily meaning and content-based classrooms. While widely accepted that FFI has a positive impact on language learning outcomes in a variety of contexts, FFI research in content-based language programs for adults has been limited. This study investigated the effect and effectiveness of FFI in a content-based language program designed to prepare adult newcomers to Canada for employment in a specific workplace sector. Two groups of adult learners participated in the study. One group of 16 adults received content-based instruction integrated with FFI while the other group of 20 adults received the same content-based instruction with a focus on meaning only. A quasi-experimental, pre-test/post-test/delayed post-test design was adopted for this comparative study in order to measure language and content outcomes. Language measures included an error correction task, a cloze task, and oral production tasks. Content outcomes were measured via content tests. In addition, a retrospective awareness protocol was designed to assess learners’ awareness of language and content in their instruction and to explore the relationship between this awareness and language development. ANOVA and ANCOVA results indicated that there was no advantage for the participants receiving form-focused instruction on language outcomes but a significant benefit on the content knowledge tests. Analysis of the retrospective report data indicated that the participants were able to identify the focus of the instruction they received. However, no relationship between awareness of language and language development was found. These findings are discussed in light of previous research and in terms of their implications for content-based language instruction.

Content-based language instruction has gained widespread acceptance as an effective approach in a range of educational settings for adults and children. It is premised on the belief that language and content are inextricably linked and that learning is enhanced through an integrated approach. Yet the nature of the relationship between content and language, and how integration can be achieved in the content-based language classroom, continue to be points of divergence for both researchers and practitioners. One approach to this question draws on research in form-focused instruction (FFI), which describes various instructional options that draw learners’ attention to form in primarily meaning and content-based classrooms. While widely accepted that FFI has a positive impact on language learning outcomes in a variety of contexts, FFI research in content-based language programs for adults has been limited. This study investigated the effect and effectiveness of FFI in a content-based language program designed to prepare adult newcomers to Canada for employment in a specific workplace sector. Two groups of adult learners participated in the study. One group of 16 adults received content-based instruction integrated with FFI while the other group of 20 adults received the same content-based instruction with a focus on meaning only. A quasi-experimental, pre-test/post-test/delayed post-test design was adopted for this comparative study in order to measure language and content outcomes. Language measures included an error correction task, a cloze task, and oral production tasks. Content outcomes were measured via content tests. In addition, a retrospective awareness protocol was designed to assess learners’ awareness of language and content in their instruction and to explore the relationship between this awareness and language development. ANOVA and ANCOVA results indicated that there was no advantage for the participants receiving form-focused instruction on language outcomes but a significant benefit on the content knowledge tests. Analysis of the retrospective report data indicated that the participants were able to identify the focus of the instruction they received. However, no relationship between awareness of language and language development was found. These findings are discussed in light of previous research and in terms of their implications for content-based language instruction.

Research demonstrating the beneficial effects of corrective feedback (CF) for second language (L2) learning (e,g., Li, 2010) has almost invariably resulted from studies in which CF was provided immediately. Yet teachers are often encouraged to delay CF to avoid interrupting learners (Harmer, 2001). This study investigates how differences in the timing of CF on oral production affect L2 learning and learners’ reactions to CF. Theoretically, Immediate CF may facilitate L2 development by allowing learners to immediately compare their errors to accurate models (i.e., recasting, e.g., Doughty, 2001). The effectiveness of Immediate CF has also been linked to skill acquisition theory because some CF (i.e., prompting) is hypothesized to help learners proceduralize their L2 knowledge (Ranta & Lyster, 2007). This thesis introduces additional theoretical explanations to explain the effectiveness of both Immediate and Delayed CF. For example, reactivation and reconsolidation theory (Nader & Einarsson, 2010) holds that long-term mental representations are susceptible to change when they are recalled. Thus, both Immediate and Delayed CF may help learners alter their incorrect mental representations of language features if that CF reminds learners of those incorrect representations and provides them with accurate models. In a laboratory-based study, 90 intermediate-level adult ESL learners were randomly assigned to Immediate, Delayed, and No CF conditions. Learners took three pre-tests to measure their knowledge of the English passive construction: an aural grammaticality judgment test (AGJT), an oral production test (OPT), and a written error correction test (ECT). Next, they received some brief instruction on the passive. Learners then completed three communicative tasks in which the CF conditions were provided. These tasks were followed by immediate and delayed post-tests. Learners’ reactions to CF were elicited with a questionnaire. Mixed-design one-way ANOVAs revealed statistically significant improvement for all conditions over time on all measures, but no statistically significant differences between conditions. The questionnaires revealed that learners prefer Immediate CF, but that Immediate CF may constrain CF noticeability and learners’ independence, while Delayed CF may cause anxiety or embarrassment. In summary, altering the timing of CF did not differentially affect L2 development, but it did elicit different reactions from learners.

Les adultes allophones peu ou pas scolarisés (AAPPS) rencontrent des défis pour effectuer des tâches essentielles dans la société québécoise en raison de leurs compétences langagières limitées. Leur intégration socioculturelle et professionnelle s’avère donc difficile et soulève des enjeux socioéconomiques tant pour les AAPPS que pour la société en pénurie de main-d’œuvre. En apprenant le français dans le contexte formel de scolarité, les AAPPS font face à d’autres défis d’acculturation aux conventions scolaires, notamment aux évaluations formelles des apprentissages. En étudiant les particularités des AAPPS, Abbott et al. (2021), de même que Gonzalves (2020) ont mis en question l’évaluation de ce public parce qu’elle est faite de l’angle des personnes scolarisées sans considérer la perspective des AAPPS. Quant à Altherr Flores (2020), elle a critiqué la tendance à supposer que les AAPPS comprenaient l’évaluation alors qu’ils ignoraient les attentes des évaluateurs et leur rôle comme évalué selon Simpson (2006). Ces préoccupations soulèvent des enjeux éthiques d’équité, de diversité et de différenciation pédagogique pour une évaluation adéquate, d’où l’intérêt au sens de l’expérience évaluative aux yeux des AAPPS en cours formelle de francisation. Pour ce faire, l’approche phénoménologique de Giorgi (1997) permet d’étudier l’expérience des phénomènes vécus telle que comprise par les acteurs sociaux. L’analyse de six entretiens individuels semi-dirigés menés en arabe maghrébin, auprès de six participantes issues du Maghreb, permet de comprendre l’expérience évaluative des AAPPS comme un processus dynamique et continu d’exploration, d’acculturation et de maturation. L’exploration met en relief les premières expériences évaluatives caractérisées par la confrontation à la nouveauté, la surprise, le stress et le choc de l’échec. En acculturation, les AAPPS approprient l’évaluation et développent des stratégies pour réussir et pour gérer le stress qui diminue, mais demeure présent. Et en maturation, elles et ils réfléchissent sur leur évaluation, échec et réussite en lien avec leur besoin et habileté à l’extérieur de la classe. Ces résultats contribuent à éclairer les angles morts de l’expérience évaluative des AAPPS et présentent un appui pour les conceptrices et concepteurs des évaluations visant ce public. / Allophone adults with little or no schooling (AAPPS) face challenges in performing essential tasks in Quebec because of their limited language skills. Their socio-cultural and professional integration is therefore difficult and raises socio-economic issues both for the AAPPS and for the society facing a labour shortage. Learning French in the context of formal schooling, AAPPS face challenges related to acculturation to school conventions, particularly those of formal learning assessment. Based on the particularities of AAPPS, Abbott et al. (2021) as well as Gonzalves (2020) have questioned the assessment of this audience because it is made from the angle of educated people without considering the perspective of AAPPS. As for Altherr Flores (2020), she criticized the tendency to assume that AAPPS understood the assessment while ignoring the fact that AAPPS might misunderstand the expectations of the evaluators and their role as evaluated according to Simpson (2006). These concerns raise ethical issues of equity, diversity, and pedagogical differentiation for an adequate assessment, hence the interest in the meaning that the AAPPS give to their assessment experience in the formal francization course. The phenomenological approach of Giorgi (1997) makes it possible to study the experience of lived phenomena as understood by social actors. The analysis of the six semi-directed individual interviews conducted with six participants from the Maghreb in Maghrebi Arabic, allows us to understand the evaluative experience of the AAPPS as a dynamic and continuous process of exploration, acculturation, and maturation. Exploration concerns the first evaluative experiences characterized by the confrontation with novelty, surprise, stress, and the shock of failure. In the acculturation phase, AAPPS appropriate assessment and develop strategies to succeed and manage stress that diminishes but remains present. And in maturation, they reflect on their assessment, failure, and success in relation to their needs and abilities outside the classroom. These results shed light on blind spots of the AAPPS assessment experience and provide support for designers of assessment aimed at this audience.

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Summaries in Afrikaans and English / In die studie is daar gepoog om aan te toon waarom die ondervindingsmod~l vir taalleer die aangewese model vir effektiewe tweedetaalleer is. Die kommunikatiewe onderrigbenaderingswyse, onderhandeling in die klaskamer en die belangrikheid van die prosessillabus in tweedetaalverwerwing is bespreek. Die taalonderwyser se rot as fasiliteerder van leer in kommunikatiewe FAfrikaanstaalonderrig in die interaktiewe klaskamer met klem op leerdergesentreerde onderrig is uiteengesit. Daar is verder aangetoon dat daar ten opsigte van die rot van die onderwyser 'n paradigmatiese verskuiwing moet plaasvind, veral noudat beginsels van uitkomsgebaseerde onderrig wat deel van kurrikulum 2005 vorm, in 1998/1999 in aile Suid-Afrikaanse skole ingestel is. Die onderwyser is nou 'n fasiliteerder van kennis, nie 'n oordraer daarvan nie. Belangrike aspekte van leer wat leerders se tweedetaalleer be'invloed, is bespreek, byvoorbeeld klaskamerkommunikasie, fasilitering, suggestopedia, faktore wat begrip van leerstof be'invloed, onderwyser - en leerdergedragswyses, positiewe /eeratmosfeer, behandeling van leerderfoute, Jeerderpersepsies, kommunikatiewe strategiee en evalueringsmetodes. 'n Verskeidenheid taallesse wat op T2-Afrikaans en die T2-taalklaskamer betrekking het, en wat verskillende onderrigteoriee, uitkomsgebaseerde onderrig en die ses taalvaardighede integreer, word in hoofstuk 5 ge'illustreer. / In this study it is shown why the discovery model of language learning is the appropriate model for effective language learning. The communicative teaching approach, classroom-negotiation and the importance of the process syllabus in second language acquisition is discussed. The language teacher's role as facilitator of learning, in communicative L2 - Afrikaans language teaching in the interactive classroom with a learner-centered focus is explained. It is further shown that the role of the teacher must undergo a paradigm shift especially now that principles of outcomes based education which forms part of curriculum 2005 has been introduced into all schools in South Africa in 1998/1999. The teacher is now a facilitator of knowledge and not a transmitter thereof. Important aspects of learning that influence learners' second language learning are discussed, for example classroom communication, facilitation, suggestopedia, factors that influence the understanding of subject matter, teacher and learner behaviours, positive learning atmosphere, treatment of Ieamer errors, learner perceptions, communicative strategies and methods of evaluation. A variety of language lessons which integrate various teaching theories, outcomes based education and the six language learning skills which are related to L 2-Afrikaans and the L 2-classroom are illustrated in Chapter 5. / Afrikaans and Theory of Literature / M.A. (Afrikaans)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / In die studie is daar gepoog om aan te toon waarom die ondervindingsmod~l vir taalleer die aangewese model vir effektiewe tweedetaalleer is. Die kommunikatiewe onderrigbenaderingswyse, onderhandeling in die klaskamer en die belangrikheid van die prosessillabus in tweedetaalverwerwing is bespreek. Die taalonderwyser se rot as fasiliteerder van leer in kommunikatiewe FAfrikaanstaalonderrig in die interaktiewe klaskamer met klem op leerdergesentreerde onderrig is uiteengesit. Daar is verder aangetoon dat daar ten opsigte van die rot van die onderwyser 'n paradigmatiese verskuiwing moet plaasvind, veral noudat beginsels van uitkomsgebaseerde onderrig wat deel van kurrikulum 2005 vorm, in 1998/1999 in aile Suid-Afrikaanse skole ingestel is. Die onderwyser is nou 'n fasiliteerder van kennis, nie 'n oordraer daarvan nie. Belangrike aspekte van leer wat leerders se tweedetaalleer be'invloed, is bespreek, byvoorbeeld klaskamerkommunikasie, fasilitering, suggestopedia, faktore wat begrip van leerstof be'invloed, onderwyser - en leerdergedragswyses, positiewe /eeratmosfeer, behandeling van leerderfoute, Jeerderpersepsies, kommunikatiewe strategiee en evalueringsmetodes. 'n Verskeidenheid taallesse wat op T2-Afrikaans en die T2-taalklaskamer betrekking het, en wat verskillende onderrigteoriee, uitkomsgebaseerde onderrig en die ses taalvaardighede integreer, word in hoofstuk 5 ge'illustreer. / In this study it is shown why the discovery model of language learning is the appropriate model for effective language learning. The communicative teaching approach, classroom-negotiation and the importance of the process syllabus in second language acquisition is discussed. The language teacher's role as facilitator of learning, in communicative L2 - Afrikaans language teaching in the interactive classroom with a learner-centered focus is explained. It is further shown that the role of the teacher must undergo a paradigm shift especially now that principles of outcomes based education which forms part of curriculum 2005 has been introduced into all schools in South Africa in 1998/1999. The teacher is now a facilitator of knowledge and not a transmitter thereof. Important aspects of learning that influence learners' second language learning are discussed, for example classroom communication, facilitation, suggestopedia, factors that influence the understanding of subject matter, teacher and learner behaviours, positive learning atmosphere, treatment of Ieamer errors, learner perceptions, communicative strategies and methods of evaluation. A variety of language lessons which integrate various teaching theories, outcomes based education and the six language learning skills which are related to L 2-Afrikaans and the L 2-classroom are illustrated in Chapter 5. / Afrikaans and Theory of Literature / M.A. (Afrikaans)