Learning Contracts in Second Language Acquisition

Author(s): Jolita Šliogerienė / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2006

The paper presents the problem of control in self-directed language learning. The necessity for the registers of learners’ progress is expressed both by teachers and students and the conclusion to frame learning process is drawn. On the basis of some widely spread methods fostering the development of self-directed language learning, that is problem-based learning, project method, case-based learning, several registers for students progress could be introduced in second language learning environment The article analyses learning contracts as one of the forms to structure the learning process and to register the progress students make.

Dialogo tipologija ir profesinio bendravimo užsienio kalba mokymas

Author(s): Gražina Šumskytė / Language(s): Lithuanian Issue: 2/2006

Der Artikel beschäftigt sich mit der Aufstellung der Typologie von fach- und berufsorientierten Dialogen. Sie hat zum Ziel dazu beizutragen, den studienbegleitenden Fremdsprachenunterricht erfolgreicher und zielgerichteter zu gestalten. Im Artikel werden die Fragen der Vermittlung des fach- und berufsorientierten Dialogs den Studenten der Fachrichtung Bibliothekswesen behandelt. Mit Hilfe einer Befragung der Spezialisten der größten litauischen und deutschen Bibliotheken wurden die typischen Situationen der interpersonalen Kommunikation bei der Bibliotheksbenutzung (in der Auskuftsstelle, an der Ausleihstelle und Ausleihberatung) ermittelt. Infolgedessen lassen sich zu Unterrichtszwecken folgende Dialogtypen empfehlen: informierender Dialog, Problemdialog, Streitgespräch. Bei der Aufbereitung der Unterrichtsmaterialien ist es von authentischen Dialogen, die sich in typischen Situationen der fachbezogenen Kommunikation abspielen, auszugehen.

Aktyvusis užsienio kalbų mokymo metodas

Author(s): Regina Juškienė,Aleksandras Velička / Language(s): Lithuanian Issue: 2/2006

The article discusses the active method of teaching foreign languages. It is considered to be the most effective means to teach foreign languages by increasing the efficiency of teaching foreign languages. The application of this method requires a good guide to the general concept of the human activity and deep analysis of its constituents. The preparation of the methodology for the active method of teaching foreign languages may benefit from the results of the analysis greatly. Since the number of hours for language teaching at non – philological higher school is limited, a selection of rational teaching subject must be carried out before the teaching process. Improved work is both theoretically and practically significant.

Profesinės vokiečių kalbos mokymas

Author(s): Irena Miculevičienė / Language(s): Lithuanian Issue: 2/2006

In diesem Artikel geht es um Deutschunterricht für eine bestimmte Zielgruppe. Berufsbezogener Fremdsprachenunterricht ist in der Regel Unterricht mit Jugendlichen, die in der beruflichen Bildung kaum fachliche Kenntnisse haben. Deshalb besteht die Vorbereitung der Lernenden auf die lexikalischen Anforderungen eines Berufes darin, ihnen Techniken zu vermitteln, mit deren Hilfe sie neuen Wortschatz selbständig verstehen, lernen und behalten können. Hier spricht man auch über die Textarbeit, die die text-didaktischen Mittel der stufenweisen Annäherung vom globalen zum detaillierten Verstehen nutzt.Besonderheiten fachsprachlicher Texte in Inhalt, Wortschatz und Grammatik werden darüber hinaus gezielt bewusst gemacht. Was die Grammatikarbeit betrifft, so müssen grammatische Strukturen erkannt und entschlüsselt, aber nicht in jedem Fall produziert werden. Wenn sie wiedergegeben werden, so muss man sie in eigenen Worten und mit einfacheren grammatischen Strukturen wiedergeben.

Aktyvusis ir pasyvusis gramatikos minimumas mokant užsienio kalbos

Author(s): Aleksandras Velička / Language(s): Lithuanian Issue: 2/2006

In this article the problem of active and passive minimum of grammar is analysed alongside with the questions relevant to this problem: the aspects of selection of grammar material, its presentation, teaching, consolidation and realization in communicational process. The author, while analysing students mistakes, states that the main criteria for selecting passive minimum of grammar must be the frequency of the subject and the possibilities of its usage in a definite text. The main factor for choosing active grammar minimum is communicative value of grammar. In the article it has been stated that different grammar exercises are needed for receptive and reproductive learning. The possibilities of grammar material presentation, consolidation and realization in a concrete situation are also touched on in the article.

Text-Based Language Teaching and the Analysis of Tasks Presented in English Course Books for Students of Information Technology and Computing

Author(s): Auksė Marmienė,Valerija Marina / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2006

The paper describes the essential features of a connected text helping to raise learners’ awareness of its structure and organization and improve their skills of reading comprehension. Classroom applications of various approaches to handling texts and text-based activities are also discussed and their main advantages and disadvantages are outlined.Tasks based on text transformation and reconstruction found in the course books of English for students of computing and information technology are analysed and their types are determined. The efficiency of the tasks is determined by considering the experience of the authors gained in using text-based assignments provided in these course books with the students of the above specialities. Some problems encountered in classroom application of the considered text-based tasks are also outlined.

Problem-Based Learning in the Academic Setting: Language Teaching Issues

Author(s): Aušra Janulienė,Ligija Kaminskienė / Language(s): English Issue: 2/2006

The paper deals with case study as the key method for problem-based learning. The authors present the case study types, transferable competencies and skills that are achieved through case studies and introduce language-related issues in interdisciplinary teaching. The difficulties that a language teacher may face are grouped in the learning sequence and some practical teaching/learning tips are suggested.

Kompiuterio ir interneto naudojimo galimybės mokant vokiečių kalbos

Author(s): Zofija Stanevičienė / Language(s): Lithuanian Issue: 2/2006

Der vorliegende Artikel befasst sich mit den Einsatzmöglichkeiten des Computers im DaF-Unterricht. Heutzutage benutzen die Lehrenden und Lernenden die neuen Technologien als Arbeitsmittel für Informationsrecherche und Unterrichtsvorbereitung sowie für die Präsentation ihrer Arbeitsergebnisse. Mit Hilfe von Autorenprogrammen können die Lehrenden selbst neue interesante Übungen vorbereiten und zu aktiven Produzenten der Arbeitsmaterialien werden. Zahlreiche Lernprogramme fördern selbst¬ständiges Lernen und verhelfen beim Üben und Wiederholen von Lexik, Grammatik und Phonetik. Das Internet ermöglicht per E-Mail authentische Kommunikation zwischen Klassen-, Gruppen und einzelnen Personon. In neuen Lehrwerken gibt es Lektionen zum Thema „Neue Medien.“ Die neuen Medien sind zu einem aktuellen Gesprächsthema im Deutschunterricht geworden. Computer und Internet ergänzen den traditionellen Fremdsprachenunterricht mit neuen Arbeitsformen, fördern das interkulturelle Lernen und schaffen mehr Raum die Lernerautonomie.

Enseñanza del español y competencia en traducción

Author(s): Jelena Rajić / Language(s): Spanish Issue: 1/2010

This article deals with some of the main objectives of the translation subject taught in the Iberian Studies Department from the Faculty of Philology in Belgrade. In the first section translation is considered in its different dimensions and it is highlighted the main character of two concepts: equivalence and competition. The first is defined from a formal criterion, discursive and textual; the second one is a set of competencies comprising several subcompetencies. As for the objectives proposed in the process of ELE acquisition, given the complexity of translating activity, an emphasis is put on a fundamentally multidisciplinary approach.

Reflexiones en torno al uso de los materiales auténticos en la enseñanza de lenguas extranjeras

Author(s): Maja Andrijević / Language(s): Spanish Issue: 1/2010

This article attempts to analize and indicate the importance of authentic materials in the teaching of foreign languages, as their use, in addition to motivating and increasing students’ interest, also promotes interaction and practice of different skills and allows direct contact with the real and contextualised language the way it is being used outside the classroom. By working with authentic materials, students are to be exposed to an authentic speech, common and up to date, and besides, they will discover diff erent cultural aspects of the countries in which the language under discussion is being used. Thus, understanding not only the target language they are studying but also the complex and peculiar world surrounding them, students will be able to acquire a complete communicative and intercultural competence.

В Германия се работи Атлас на ромските диалекти в Европа

Author(s): Birgit Igla / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 16/2001

Школата във Варна е уникална

Author(s): Angelina Ivanova / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 16/2001

Стартира обучение по майчин език в Сливен и Котел

Author(s): Savcho Savchev / Language(s): Bulgarian Issue: 16/2001

Prednosti CALL metode (kompjuterski potpomognuto učenje jezika) u ranom uzrastu

Author(s): Amina Hadžibegić-Bicciato / Language(s): Bosnian Issue: 03/2010

In this paper I deal with the broadness and significance of the change and the need to conform to it since it has occured during the globalisation era and brought the people in better and faster contacting among themselves using the electronic media, which then resulted in necessity to teach and enhance both linguistic and IT skills and competence of all: mastering the present global language of communication, English, as well as information and communication technologies since these are inclusive and intertwinned. The aim of this paper is to prove that by using the CALL method (Computer Assisted Language Learning) with young learners such as the primary school years children we can achieve the worldwide set principles of education prosperity and consequently gaining greater working mobility and competence of the future generations. The CALL method incorporates different techniques and tools, such as: word-processing, CD-ROMs, authoring packages and the Internet.

INTERFERENCE BETWEEN CROATIAN AND ENGLISH: A PILOT STUDY ON THE ACQUISITION OF ENGLISH NEGATION

Author(s): Matea Karadža,Izabela Dankić / Language(s): English Issue: 7/2011

The purpose of this pilot study was to examine whether any negative transfer or interference between Croatian and English can be observed by analyzing the usage of negatives. The subjects are 57 students (fifteen to seventeen year old). They were asked to complete three tasks (acceptability preference, acceptability judgment and elicited translation). The results suggest that there is negative interference between Croatian and English. We also point out that students should be made aware of cross-linguisticdifferences between the use of negatives in Croatian and English. Their instruction should be modified to eliminate certain difficulties in the English language resulting from cross-linguistic interference as observed in this study.

CONSIDERATIONS UPON ANGLICISMS IN THE FIELD OF ROMANIAN ECONOMIC LANGUAGE

Author(s): Camelia Firică / Language(s): English Issue: 16/2011

The new historical context, with all its implications at the political, economic, social, technological, cultural levels has definitely marked language, which began to reflect by its increased dynamism, particularly in its lexical compartment, the current Romanian reality and transformations. The paper tackles the issue of Anglicism in Romanian economic language and emphasises matters concerning the causes and justifications that determined their use to such a great extent during the past decades.

EDITORIAL

Author(s): Jarek Krajka / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2012

Editorial

THE IMPACT OF WATCHING SUBTITLED ANIMATED CARTOONS ON INCIDENTAL VOCABULARY LEARNING OF ELT STUDENTS

Author(s): Ali Karakaş,Arif Sariçoban / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2012

This study aimed to find out whether watching subtitled cartoons influences incidental vocabulary learning. The study was conducted with 42 first grade English Language Teaching (ELT) department students at the University of Mehmet Akif Ersoy, Burdur. To collect data from the subjects, a 5-point vocabulary knowledge scale was used and 18 target words were integrated into the scale. The pre-test and post-test group design was selected for the administration. After subjects had been randomly assigned into two groups (one subtitle group and the other no-subtitle group), they were given the same pre- and post-tests. The findings of study did not support the assumption that the subtitle group would outperform the no-subtitle group, since there were no significant differences between two groups according to t-test results. However, there was significant improvement in both of the groups from pre-test to post-test scores. This progress was attributed to the presentation of target words in cartoons. In this way, the target words were contextualized and it became easy for participants to elicit the meanings of the words.

THE DYNAMICS OF BLOG PEER FEEDBACK IN ESL CLASSROOM

Author(s): Dilani Gedera / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2012

Over the past decade aspects pertinent to the area of feedback have been extensively explored by researchers. While some of the studies show positive effects of peer review, others discuss its problematic areas. In spite of the controversies the new ways of integrating peer feedback in ESL classrooms are being explored. Researchers show an interest in looking into the possibilities of integrating Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in providing feedback to students. This paper discusses students’ experience of receiving and providing peer feedback using blogs that was integrated into a Life Sciences classroom in a private university in Malaysia in the year 2010. While carrying out the research, qualitative research methods were employed. Data were mainly gathered through interviews, peer feedback questionnaire and students’ writings posted to their blogs. Students used their blogs as an online portfolio, where they shared their experiences and posted writing assignments based on lessons and discussions. The findings and discussion of this paper may assist practitioners in implementing blog peer feedback process and designing suitable activities for use in ESL classrooms.

EAPQUEST AS A MODIFIED VERSION OF WEBQUEST IN THE CONTEXT OF UNIVERSITY TEACHING

Author(s): Kamila Burzyńska / Language(s): English Issue: 4/2012

The Internet provides a powerful digital learning environment for language acquisition and noticing. Thus implementation of challenging tasks to be solved by exploring the Web may sound appealing. The primary idea of the WebQuest project emphasizes data collection. The idea of the TalenQuest, however, goes beyond this traditional concept so as to draw on the richness of both ELT materials and authentic resources in terms of the target language. Consequently, TalenQuest activities may constitute effective SLA activities. Doing a webbased second language research should therefore result in enhancing one’s language areas and developing language skills. Taking all the possible advantages which may derive from taking part in a TalenQuest project into account, the implementation of this activity format in university contexts seems justified. There is a need, nevertheless, to customize the idea of TalenQuest for academic language learning specifically. Such an activity format, the EAPQuest, may have educational and motivational value especially when learners are confronted with tasks they find challenging. Writing an academic essay definitely matches the description. The aim of the article is therefore to present the concept of the EAPQuest as a motivating tool to train web-related language skills. Furthermore, an EAPQuest is sketched so as to illustrate a sample procedure. This may serve as a stimulus for designing materials and applying similar procedures into one’s own learning environment.