The Role Play Component In Language Learning As Integrated In Learning Oral Skills In French As A Foreign Language In Kenyan Secondary Schools

Doctoral Thesis / Dissertation from the year 2013 in the subject Didactics for the subject French - Pedagogy, Literature Studies, ( Atlantic International University ), course: Role play and language learning, language: English, abstract: This thesis focuses on role play and the development of oral skills in French as a foreign language in Kenya. Ideally as I have observed in this write-up, role play is a low input high output process. The development of speaking skills in French are well enhanced using role-play as a strategy-cum-technique to facilitate the French oral skills to Kenyan learners who have opted to study French as a foreign language. The conceptual Framework which I have opted to use in this particular academic write-up is Stephen Kraschen’s Monitor Model and the Grounded theory. I have made a deliberate and elaborate focus on Kraschen’s comprehension input theory. For one to speak s(he) has to get some snippets or basic aspects of the language being learnt. My research findings have established that the urge to speak a language being introduced for the first time to the learner, the eagerness and motivation is always there right at the immediate and initial encounter with the language. With the well trained instructor or teacher the oral skills will develop well in tandem with the reading, listening and writing skills. The grounded theory which I have grafted together with Kraschen’s Monitor Model on language acquisition is well buttressed in social research. Role play is social research on a linguistic perspective. The numerous authorities I have quoted in this academic presentation attest that role play and language learning is an ongoing study and my research findings and display of data is a contribution towards how oral skills in language learning are acquired by using role play as a technique. The restricted focus in my case is on French as a foreign language within the Kenyan context. My findings and recommendations corroborate with the other researchers who have done extensive research on language learning and acquisition. The speaking skill is pre-dominantly the most appreciated skill among the four classical language skills. Language educationists, linguists and other social researchers who focus their biased research on language and its varied dynamics in our varied human societies, have observed that the oral skills should be nurtured and developed side by side with the other language skills. French as a foreign language in Kenya is no exception. [...]

Role play and foreign language learning helps the learners to develop speaking skills within defined social contexts. Languages are always spoken within certain defined spacio-social context. The learning of French as a foreign language in Kenya takes cognizance that oral skills are important to facilitate competent communication in any given language. The Kenyan reality of learning oral French skills within a learning set-up in Kenyan secondary schools is well presented in this text. The salient challenges are also highlighted since language learning is normally not a smooth sail for the learner and for the teacher who plays a pivotal facilitation role in guiding the learner to imbibe the vital communicative skills in the language that is being taught. On the whole role play is not just a language learning activity; it is an activity that provides impetus which propels human development in ist entire gamut of activities. A conspicuous hint on the importance of role play in our daily lives is also presented in this text with some examples well presented and cited in this write-up. Stephen Kraschen’s Montior Model on language acquisition and the Grounded Theory which helps to interprete social research findings have been used to analyze the data which was derived from the inquiry done in the Kenyan secondary schools. The classical importance of role play and simulation in the learning process has been well underscored in this particular text.

"This book reports the findings of an extensive research project on the acquisition of the native norms of spoken French variation by French immersion students who have learnt their second language primarily in an educational context. The project focused on a range of phonetic, lexical and grammatical sociolinguistic variants documented in studies of contemporary first language varieties of spoken French, and assessed the extent to which the students master the linguistic and extra-linguistic factors which govern variant choice. The book also discusses pedagogical strategies to improve the students' mastery of spoken French variation. The book represents an important contribution to an under-researched aspect of advanced Second Language Acquisition in an institutional setting."--BOOK JACKET.

Introduction to Instructed Second Language Acquisition is the first book to present a cohesive view of the different theoretical and pedagogical perspectives that comprise instructed second language acquisition (ISLA), defined as any type of learning that occurs as a result of the manipulating the process and conditions of second language acquisition. The book begins by considering the effectiveness of ISLA and the differences between ISLA and naturalistic L2 learning. It then goes on to discuss the theoretical, empirical, and pedagogical aspects of such key issues in ISLA as grammar learning; interaction in the classroom; focus on form, function and meaning; vocabulary learning; pronunciation learning; pragmatics learning; learning contexts; and individual differences. This timely and important volume is ideally suited for the graduate level ISLA course, and provides valuable insights for any SLA scholar interested in the processes involved in second language learning in classroom settings.

Within the field of second language acquisition, interest in the acquisition of French as a second language has a long-standing tradition, especially in the European context. The aim of this book is to offer a synthesis of current research within this area. It contains contributions from different researchers in the field, including studies on the acquisition of grammar, formulaic language, lexis and pragmatic devices, and covering interlanguage development from beginner level up to very advanced, presumably near-native levels of proficiency. The learners in the studies reported in the volume represent different L1 backgrounds and age groups. The chapters shed light on current issues in research on second language acquisition from different theoretical perspectives, and contribute to a better understanding of L2 French and SLA in general. The volume should be of interest for students, teachers and researchers of L2 French and SLA. Originally published in Language, Interaction and Acquisition 3:1 (2012)