Policy And Politics In Global Primary English

Janet Enever explores the complex forces that shape national and local language education policymaking for the early introduction of English as a foreign language at primary and pre-primary levels worldwide. This is the first book of its kind demonstrating the extent to which English is now perceived as a prerequisite for participation in the global economy, reflecting the rapid development of early start English now exploding across Asia, Latin America, and other fast-growing economies. “This is a timely and important book. Professor Enever demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of primary English policy and practice in a range of countries and, from a sound theoretical framework, draws together evidence to show how policies are all too often guided by short-term political considerations rather than sound educational practice. Whilst critiquing inappropriate practice, she also analyses the conditions which have the potential to lead to quality – and equitable – English language programmes at the primary level.” David Hayes, Department of Applied Linguistics, Brock University, Canada

This volume analyses the policymaking, expectations, implementation, progress, and outcomes of early language learning in various education policy contexts worldwide. The contributors to the volume are international researchers specialising in language policy and early language learning and their contributions aim to advance scholarship on early language learning policies and inform policymaking at the global level. The languages considered include learning English as a second language in primary schools in Japan, Mexico, Serbia, Argentina, and Tanzania; Spanish language education in the US and Australia; Arabic as a second language in Israel and Bangladesh; Chinese in South America and Oceania; and finally, early German teaching and learning in France and the UK.

This book critically analyses early school foreign language teaching policy and practice, foregrounding the influence of the socioeducational and cultural context on how policies are implemented and assessing the factors which either promote or constrain their effectiveness. It focuses on four Asian contexts – Malaysia, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand – while providing a discussion of policy and practice in Canada and Finland as a comparison. Concentrating on the state school sector, it criticises the worldwide trend for a focus on English as the principal or only foreign language taught in primary schools, founded on a rationale that widespread proficiency in English is important for future national success in a globalised economy. It maintains that the economic rationale is not only largely unfounded and irrelevant to the language learning experiences of young children but also that the focus on English exacerbates system inequalities rather than contributing to their reduction. The book argues for a broader perspective on language learning in primary schools, one that values multilingualism and knowledge of regional and indigenous languages alongside a more diverse range of foreign languages. This book will appeal to educational policymakers, researchers and students interested in early foreign language learning in state educational systems worldwide.

Educating children and leading them towards the path of bilingualism is a valuable and challenging task for any educator. Effective language teaching can contribute to young learners’ cognitive growth, develop their problem-solving skills, enhance their comprehension abilities, and provide children with the satisfaction of succeeding in the challenge of learning a foreign language. All these issues must be taken under consideration when researching children and their teachers. The current literature indicates that further material is needed to provide professionals with different classroom situations and enhance the art of teaching children. Teaching Practices and Equitable Learning in Children's Language Education focuses on various perspectives of efficient practices, approaches, and ideas for professional development in the field of young language learners. The chapters in this book link the theoretical understanding and practical experience of teaching children languages by concentrating on teaching practices, material design, classroom management, reading, speaking, writing, and more. This book is designed for inservice and preservice teachers, administrators, teacher educators, practitioners, stakeholders, researchers, academicians, and students interested in the field of early language learning and applied linguistics at large.

Grundschulenglisch kompetent unterrichten Qualitativ hochwertiger Englischunterricht in der Grundschule hängt vor allem von der professionellen Kompetenz der Lehrkräfte ab. Der vorliegende Band in englischer Sprache behandelt in 13 Kapiteln grundlegende Themen und Konzepte für deren Entwicklung in Aus- und Fortbildung sowie im Selbststudium. Der Praxisband geht auf die besonderen Bedingungen der Bundesrepublik Deutschland ein und berücksichtigt die internationalen Forschungen zum Fremdsprachenunterricht in der Grundschule. Er ist dabei dem aufgabenorientierten Lehren und Lernen verpflichtet. Ausgehend von der Heterogenität heutiger Grundschulkinder und der Komplexität des fremdsprachlichen Klassenzimmers veranschaulichen die Kapitel den Zusammenhang von didaktischer Theorie und Unterrichtspraxis. Die Themen umfassen u. a. aufgabenorientiertes Lehren und Lernen, Classroom Management, Integration der Fertigkeiten, Focus on Form, Arbeit mit literarischen Texten, kulturelles Lernen, Einsatz von Medien und Materialien, fächerübergreifendes Lernen und den Übergang in die Sekundarstufe. Hinweise zur vertiefenden Lektüre und zahlreiche Unterrichtsbeispiele ergänzen die Kapitel. Der Band richtet sich an Studierende, an Referendarinnen und Referendare und an Lehrkräfte in der Grundschule, die sich für einen Englischunterricht einsetzen, der die Lebenswelten der Lernenden ernst nimmt und der die Lernenden bei der Entwicklung ihrer Englischkompetenzen unterstützt. Er eignet sich zur Grundlage von Seminaren und zum Selbststudium. ___________________ The present volume provides a comprehensive introduction to the teaching of English at primary school. Following a task-based and learner-oriented approach, the volume focuses on the German teaching context while taking relevant international research into account. Starting from the diverse lived experience of today ́s primary school children and the complexity of the foreign language classroom, the 13 chapters illustrate how theory and classroom practice relate to each other. Topics include learning through tasks, classroom management, the integration of skills, focus on form, working with literature, cultural learning, the use of media and teaching materials, integrating subject matter and the transition to secondary school. The chapters present a variety of classroom examples and suggestions for further reading. The volume is aimed at students, trainee teachers and primary school teachers. It is a helpful resource for both pre-service and in-service teacher education.

This edited book uses the concept of diversity in child foreign language education as a major organizing principle. Since a foreign language, most typically English, is taught globally to an increasing number of children, the variability in the process and varied learning outcomes are inescapable phenomena. This book has been constructed on the premise that heterogeneity, first, concerns young language learners, who due to the disparity in the pace of development need appropriately tailored educational solutions, and, second, it refers to a diversity of contexts in which learning takes place. The contexts can be defined on a macroscale (e.g. different countries), mesoscale (e.g. different institutions), and microscale (e.g. specific learner groups). The book consists of four thematic strands. In Part One the learner-internal causes of heterogeneity of young language learners are clarified. Part Two presents a sample of classroom studies in which learner variables, such as gender, learner preferences, and special needs are taken into account. Part Three looks at teaching materials and how they meet learners’ needs. Finally, Part Four highlights diversity issues that teachers should be prepared to face.

Global Politics: A Toolkit for Learners is an innovative and exciting new learner-centered approach to the study of international relations. Leveraging decades of in-class teaching and learning experiences, authors Roni Kay M. O’Dell and Sasha Breger Bush have developed evidence-based teaching and learning practices which support a scaffolded, skills-oriented approach. Each chapter introduces historical documents from key political events, important concepts and the techniques learners need to independently and actively engage with primary sources. Readers are encouraged to develop a personal connection with global issues, to consider matters of justice, freedom and equality, and to think critically about possibilities for social transformation in the global arena.

This handbook presents a global overview of current research in education and education policy reforms during the last decade. It provides an accessible, practical and comparative source of current research that examines the intersecting and diverse discourses of this important issue. It first examines globalisation, education and policy research and reforms in higher education, including coverage of main trends in education and policy reforms globally, as well as specific policy issues such as gender, equity, minorities and human rights. Next, the handbook offers a comparative perspective that evaluates the ambivalent and problematic relationship between globalisation, the state and education reforms globally. It features coverage on curricula issues and education reforms in schools around the world, the curriculum in the global culture, as well as globalisation and education futures, with respect to social justice and human rights. The handbook contributes to a better and a more holistic understanding of the education reforms and research nexus—offering possible strategies for the effective and pragmatic policy planning and implementation at the local, regional and national levels. It will serve as a vital sourcebook of ideas for researchers, practitioners and policy makers in education.