The Foreign Language Assistant Programme: An Analysis of the Effects on Language Skills, Intercultural Competence and Contacts and Personality Development - Softcover

Kreutner, Edith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 3639008170 ISBN 13: 9783639008173

Publisher: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, 2008

Synopsis

In our globalised world, modern language teaching is in the centre of attention. Foreign language assistants are part of many language education systems but little information on their work and the benefits of their presence in the language classroom is available. The present book provides a theoretical as well as an empirical presentation of the foreign language assistant programme and its benefits on the example of Austrian assistants and schools.It highlights the history of the programmes, their special features, nomination criteria, and selection and training procedures before turning to the intriguing topics of the effects of a stay abroad on language gain, intercultural competence and personality development. The findings of the theoretical part are then compared with the results of a thitherto unique survey that asked 330 assistants about their experiences and what effects the assistantship had on their language skills, intercultural competence and personality. The impact of assistants on Austrian students is then analysed using interviews with Austrian language teachers. This book is an important source for teachers, parents,future assistants and linguists alike.

About this title

About the Author

studied English and German at the University of Innsbruck, Austria.With a strong interest in the field of foreign language teaching, her experience as a teaching assistant in Midlothian, Scotland and as a Fulbright assistant in New Orleans, Louisiana provided her with up-to-date and first-hand insights.

Edition details

• Publisher: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 3639008170
• ISBN 13: 9783639008173
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 160