Language Teaching in Blended Contexts - Softcover

Margaret Nicolson; Linda Murphy; Margaret Southgate

Softcover

ISBN 10: 190671620X ISBN 13: 9781906716202

Publisher: Dunedin Academic Press, 2011

Synopsis

This book is written for those teaching languages to adults in blended contexts in higher, further and adult education where a mix of delivery modes and tools may be in use. The edited volume offers a comprehensive overview of the key issues faced and of the developmental issues that may arise for teachers themselves and for those responsible for their professional development. The book examines the impact of different learning environments (online, face-to-face, telephone) on pedagogic practice and language learner support and recognises the particular socio-cultural, psycho-linguistic and cognitive issues that have to be taken into account when working with diverse adult language learners in blended settings. Research in the field underpins the chapters to better inform and develop good practice. The editors and contributors have all worked on the production and teaching presentations of Open University (OU) courses in French, German, Spanish, Welsh, Italian, Chinese and English. Many of them have also been responsible for the professional development of teaching teams working in varied blended models. The authors draw on pioneering and innovative work carried out in the fifteen years since the inception of language courses at the Open University, where blended models have been modified and become more complex over the years. The ideas they present are therefore well-formed, tested and have been approached reflectively. Language teachers, particularly those who teach adult learners at all levels, will find the book of immense value in enhancing their professional perspective, assisting the development of their own teaching practice and enabling them to make useful links between research and practice.

About this title

Review:

Language Teaching in Blended Contexts can be a great core text for understanding blended learning and teaching environments. However, the veneer of language teaching might cause it to undersell itself to mainstream educators as it has great value for investigating and developing more generic blended learning contexts as well. This book can be considered a great text for introducing the concept of blended learning with a specific emphasis on language teaching. --Distance Education

Language Teaching in Blended Contexts is a welcome contribution to language educators seeking to deploy technology for the benefit of adult learners with their complex backgrounds and varying motivations for language study. Written by educators at the Open University with first-hand experience in the topic, it provides research-supported, practical guidance on program design, instructional quality, student outcomes, and professional development in blended language contexts. The book is likely to be of special interest to adult educators in community college and continuing education programs seeking to create, expand, or improve the quality of their blended language learning offerings. It is also appropriate for those who might be well versed in online teaching, but are not specifically trained in language education. Particularly helpful for this broad audience is the inclusion of a glossary of frequently cited terms and concepts, as well as substantial information on language learning theory and pedagogy. --Language Learning & Technology

This book gives freely of the experience gained by its authors in designing and delivering innovative approaches to language teaching and learning. In respect of designing learning materials and strategies, the book is at times so informative that readers will frequently find answers to questions they had not realised they needed to ask. The book s currency and the numerous examples of good practice it provides will serve as useful points of reference for reflective practitioners and for those engaged in the training or professional development of language teachers. --Open Learning

About the Author:

The editors are all Senior Lecturers in the Open University's Faculty of Education and Language Studies, and Staff Tutors in Languages, Margaret Nicolson for the OU in Scotland, Linda Murphy for the OU in the South of England and Margaret Southgate for the OU in Wales.

About this edition

• Publisher: Dunedin Academic Press
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 190671620X
• ISBN 13: 9781906716202
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 256
• Editor: Margaret Nicolson, Linda Murphy, Margaret Southgate