
On Teaching Foreign Languages
Linking Theory to Practice
Marcela Ruiz-Funes(Author)
Praeger Publishers Inc
Published on 30. October 2002
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-0-89789-785-3 (ISBN)
Description
The author reports on a qualitative, action-research project on theories and practices in foreign language education. The goal of the study was to relate the knowledge of foreign language teaching, learning, and acquisition gained through research to the beliefs and experiences of expert foreign language teachers. The four participating teachers represent real teachers who distinguish themselves from their peers for their excellence in teaching foreign languages and their success in serving as clinical teachers. Four theoretical issues are discussed in detail: the proficiency movement; the role of input; teaching language in context; and class participation, motivation, and discipline. These aspects were selected because (1) they pose major challenges to foreign language interns and (2) they play an essential role in the learning-acquisition process of second language students.
The major contribution of this study is the integration of the theoretical and practical dimensions. The practical aspect is presented by the expert foreign language teachers who describe in their own words how and explain why they implement a given foreign language theory in their classrooms. This integration provides foreign language teachers with a realistic view of foreign language education and establishes a dialogue between the university and the school communities. A significant number of excerpts from discussion-interview sessions conducted with the teachers are included.
The major contribution of this study is the integration of the theoretical and practical dimensions. The practical aspect is presented by the expert foreign language teachers who describe in their own words how and explain why they implement a given foreign language theory in their classrooms. This integration provides foreign language teachers with a realistic view of foreign language education and establishes a dialogue between the university and the school communities. A significant number of excerpts from discussion-interview sessions conducted with the teachers are included.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
458 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-89789-785-3 (9780897897853)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
10/2002
1st Edition
Praeger Publishers Inc
€65.99
Available for download
Person
MARCELA T. RUIZ-FUNES is Associate Professor, Foreign Languages and Literatures, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
Content
Preface Foreign Language Teacher Education: Reflecting on Current Practices Collaborating Through Action Research Proficiency Is the Organizing Principle Why Use the Target Language in Class? Making Language Learning Meaningful Motivation and Discipline in the Language Classroom Putting It into Practice A Dialogue Established: What Comes Next? Bibliography Appendices