Language In Context

This book covers the relevance of theories on language analysis to TESOL, showing students how to understand and evaluate TESOL methodology, curriculum, and materials in terms of theories including conversation structure, ideology and power.

Natural languages all contain constructions the interpretation of which depends upon the situation in which they are used. In Language and Context, Jason Stanley presents a series of essays which develop a theory of how the situation in which we speak interacts with the words we use to help produce what we say. The reason we can so smoothly operate with sentences that can be used to express very different items of information, Stanley argues, is that there are linguistically mandated constraints on the effects of the situation on what we say. These linguistically mandated constraints are most evident in the cases of sentences containing explicit pronouns, such as 'She is a mathematician', where interpretation of the information expressed is guided by the use of the pronoun 'she'. But even when such explicit pronouns are lacking, our sentences provide similar cues to allow our interlocutors to determine the information expressed. We are, in the main, confident that our interlocutors will smoothly grasp what we say, because the grammar and meaning of our sentences encodes these constraints. In defending this theory, Stanley pays close attention to specific cases of context-sensitive constructions, such as quantified noun phrases, comparative adjectives, and conditionals. Philosophers and cognitive scientist have appealed to the dependence of what is intuitively said by a sentence on the situation in which it is uttered to argue against the possibility of a systematic theory of meaning for natural language. The theory developed in this book is a vigorous defence of the possibility of a systematic theory of meaning for natural language against these influential tendencies.

TEACHING LANGUAGE IN CONTEXT, THIRD EDITION is the essential methods text for anyone teaching or learning to teach a foreign language. TEACHING LANGUAGE IN CONTEXT combines an updated, comprehensive, readable review of the literature, a thorough bibliography, and sample activities and approaches that effectively model the methodology.

The papers in this volume represent varied views on the role of context in language learning.

This book is a guide to understanding and applying the essential, heretofore elusive, notion of context in language study and pedagogy. Éva Illés offers a new, critical, systematic theoretical framework, then applies that framework to practical interactions and issues in communicative language teaching rooted in English as a Lingua Franca. By linking theory and practice for research and teaching around the world, this book brings a new awareness of how context can be conceptualised and related to language pedagogy to advanced students, teachers, teacher educators and researchers of language teaching, applied linguistics and pragmatics.

Senegal : "We English teachers, we speak English." -- Vietnam : "English is a privilege for me" -- Egypt : "Why is he comparing her to a summer's day?" -- Argentina : "Learning the language will never end." -- Turkey : "I'm better than these guys." -- Ukraine : "I know how my people think." -- Estonia : "Teachers speak better." -- Final thoughts.

Strengthen your teaching skills to help children develop their essential literacy abilities.Language is at the heart of what we do, how we live and the ways we learn. Teaching Language in Context explores how an explicit understanding of how language works can help you make informed choices in your teaching. Written by leading Australian experts in a functional approach to literacy, it equips you with the knowledge to refine your own literacy capacities and develop the skills and strategies you need to support your students in meeting the challenges of learning to critically read and compose texts.The third edition includes essential updates and revisions focused on recent developments in research and teaching. New content explores the use of language for responding, poetry in teaching language, and the use of imagery to explain different forms of multi-modal texts across various curriculum areas. With the inclusion of 'Think about it' and 'Have a go!' activities to help you reflect on your learning and familiarise yourself with language features, Teaching Language in Context will strengthen your language skills for the evolving learning space.NEW TO THIS EDITIONA new chapter exploring poetry in teaching language, an area that can typically be quite challenging to teach.All chapters have been extensively revised and updated with new examples and comprehensive content covering recent developments and relevant theory.The text is focused on practical use of theory, providing suggestions for lesson plans and how you can make the most of your teaching.Designed as an invaluable resource for you to use throughout your study and in your professional life.