Debates in Modern Languages Education offers a comprehensive introduction and synthesis of the major themes and research evidence in language learning and teaching today, providing an up-to-date, authoritative review of traditional and contemporary issues in language teaching. With chapters by leading experts in the field, thematic sections explore and consider: the importance of a wide range of different knowledge bases and skills for effective teaching how to become expert practitioners approaches to teaching with reference to relevant theories, complex constructs, and empirical research the innovations and ideas that shape and will shape the discipline for the next decade. Each thought-provoking chapter is supported by reference to further reading and additional material to encourage deeper exploration which will help the reader to fully engage in the debates presented. This book is a valuable resource for any student or practising teacher engaged in initial teacher education, continuing professional development and Masters level study.

This book captures an urgent moment for language teaching, learning and research. At its core are a series of debates concerning gender stereotyping, the place of linguistics in modern languages, language activism, multilingualism and modern languages and digital humanities. Taken together, these debates explore the work that languages, and that those who learn and speak them, do in the world as well as the way we think 'through' and 'in' a language and are shaped by it. Language Debates acknowledges the history of language teaching and the current realities of language teaching and learning. It is bold in suggesting ways forward for reform and for policy, setting languages and language learning at the heart of a consciously transformative set of goals. This book is therefore essential reading for academics, language teachers, policy makers, students, activists and those passionate about progressing language learning and teaching. The editors and contributors make up a multilingual and multicultural team who work across languages, cultures and borders with a globally-informed approach to their work. Uniquely, the debates in this volume are based on events with participants in the Language Acts and Worldmaking Debates Series and/or workshops within the wider research project and take into account the ensuing discussions there. Each debate is accompanied by an interview which serves as a model on how to continue the conversation beyond the printed pages of the book. You can also discover ways to join the debate through links on the Language Acts and Worldmaking series website (www.jmlanguages.com/languageacts) which includes recorded debates, additional materials and more information about the series. Like all the volumes in the Language Acts and Worldmaking series, the overall aim is two-fold: to challenge widely-held views about language learning as a neutral instrument of globalisation and to innovate and transform language research, teaching and learning, together with Modern Languages as an academic discipline, by foregrounding its unique form of cognition and critical engagement. Specific aims are to: · propose new ways of bridging the gaps between those who teach and research languages and those who learn and use them in everyday contexts from the professional to the personal · put research into the hands of wider audiences · share a philosophy, policy and practice of language teaching and learning which turns research into action · provide the research, experience and data to enable informed debates on current issues and attitudes in language learning, teaching and research · share knowledge across and within all levels and experiences of language learning and teaching · showcase exciting new work that derives from different types of community activity and is of practical relevance to its audiences · disseminate new research in languages that engages with diverse communities of language practitioners.

Debates in Second Language Education provides an up-to-date account of the key debates and areas of controversy in the field of second language learning and teaching. Adopting a broad and comparative perspective and emphasising the importance of considering a variety of learning contexts, it encourages students and practising teachers to engage with contemporary issues and developments in learning and teaching. Chapters are designed to stimulate thinking and understanding in relation to theory and practice, and help language educators to make informed judgements by arguing from a position based on theoretical knowledge and understanding. Bringing together leading contributors in the field, the book discusses a wide range of issues relating to second language learning and teaching including: the relationship between age and success in language learning aptitude versus motivation as predictors of successful language learning linguistic diversity and plurilingualism the teaching of grammar and vocabulary the value of phonics learning pronunciation the second language only versus the multilingual debate With reflective points in every chapter, Debates in Second Language Education will be a valuable resource for any student or practising teacher, as well as for those engaged in initial teacher education, continuing professional development or Master's level study. It will also be of interest to second language acquisition researchers and those studying applied linguistics.

Written by researchers with real-life experience working with languages, Language Debates acknowledges the history and current realities of language teaching and learning. It boldly suggests ways forward for reform and policy, setting languages at the heart of a consciously transformative set of goals. The Debates encourage engagement with leading practitioners and researchers to stimulate readers' curiosity about how the languages we use affect how we think and feel about ourselves, other people, and the world around us. About the Language Acts and Worldmaking series: This series delves into the most relevant and important topics around language learning, teaching and policy, some of which have never been addressed in academic texts before, covering seven themes within seven different volumes with contributors from universities across the UK, US and rest of world.

`This is an important book. A very important book. It is important because it both challenges traditional understandings of language teaching and learning in universities, and rejects new understandings which only devalue the potential power of language learning.... This is not, however, merely a critique. The authors offer a compelling alternative, and do so in a language and style which mirror the alternative proposed.... The authors illustrate their ideas through snapshots of classroom practices which help to build up a picture of what is meant. Such illustrations are invaluable′ - Teaching in Higher Education ′Every so often a book comes along filled with so much wisdom, critical insight, and sheer humanity that it takes one′s breath away. Modern Languages is such a book. Reclaiming language as both a site of struggle and a crucial sphere of politics, Alison Phipps and Mike Gonzalez make it clear that matters of language lie at the heart of any viable pedagogy in which democracy matters. But not a language(s) drained of critical possibilities, passion, power, or imagination, but language as the context and medium in which meaning is produced, affective investments made, and experiences are given legitimacy. Any educator, parent, student, or citizen of the world who cares about democracy, pedagogy, and the crucial role of modern languages creating the conditions for agency, politics, and, yes, hope should read this book′ - Professor Henry Giroux, Waterbury Chair, Penn State University, USA ′I expect it will become a much-thumbed handbook for teachers in search of inspiration, and I am sure it will be a catalyst to further debate and exploration. But I suspect it may also become a turning point for thinking about modern languages. This book exudes life and hope. It shows a future where languages can thrive because they are an integral and indispensable part of what it means to be human. It is an exhilarating prospect to help to bring that future closer′ - Professor Michael Kelly, Director, Subject Centre for Languages, Linguistics and Area Studies, University of Southampton ′Modern Languages is argumentative in the best sense: it is intellectually ambitious and is making a bold and brave argument of its own. The story is exciting, and offers a radical way of reconceiving teaching and learning in languages. It is written with evident passion and conviction and it seeks to reach out to an audience. The authors come across as committed and even as brilliant teachers. This is a book for its age but yet may have a long shelf-life. It has made me think about modern languages and language teaching and learning in quite new ways′ - Professor Ronald Barnett, Institute of Education, University of London ′This book pushes the traditional field of Modern Languages into new challenges and it crosses intradisciplinary borders between different languages and cultures. It is intrinsically about languaging and about being intercultural. The authors argue that languages are "a social justice issue", give voice to language users in general and to language students in particular and engage into powerful, erudite, reflexive and critical insights. This book portrays language and culture education as a passionate, intelligent and committed undertaking. In sum, it is essential and stimulating reading for those Language and Culture educators, teaching in Modern Language Departments from universities all over the world, who dare′ - Dr Manuela Guilherme, Researcher, Center for Social Studies, Universidade de Coimbra This accessible book aims to challenge and stimulate all those engaged with teaching modern languages in higher education. It is not a `how to′ book; rather it engages with the complex, often paradoxical position of modern languages today, and offers arguments for, and illustrations of the ways in which teachers of modern languages can position themselves critically in that rapidly changing context. It works with the concepts of languaging and being intercultural, which arise from a rigorous examination of research findings, a challenging critique of current models of work within the discipline and a reflection on existing teaching practices. Beginning with an examination of the ′crisis′ in modern languages in the U.K. and North America, the authors draw on data and descriptions of learning experiences in the field and position themselves critically within the debates. Key problems for teachers and learners are identified and elaborated through examples of critical incidents which point to generic as well as specific issues and solutions in teaching languages in higher education. The Teaching & Learning in the Humanities series, edited by Ellie Chambers and Jan Parker, is for beginning and experienced lecturers. It deals with all aspects of teaching individual arts and humanities subjects in higher education. Experienced teachers offer authoritative suggestions on how to become critically reflective about discipline-specific practices.

This book sets out the agenda for the future of modern language teaching in schools. It aims to look beyond the dominant methods of second language teaching to a new approach emphasising the integration of language learning within the wider curriculum. Through research and case studies from the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Finland, the book shows how teachers and policy makers are increasingly moving towards a system where second languages are taught through other curriculum subjects, rather than alongside them. Key areas covered are: * recent trends and issues in the teaching and learning of modern foreign languages * the rationale for integrating languages across the curriculum * how cross-curricular language teaching is developing across Europe * practical materials and useful ideas for teachers and policy makers This timely book will interest all foreign language teachers, particularly those on in-service or higher level degree courses. It will also be useful reading for student teachers and educators, and policy makers, internationally.

This volume explores the relationship between language and culture while considering its implications for the teaching of modern foreign languages in higher education. Drawing on a comparative empirical study conducted at universities both in the UK and US, this text problematises the impacts of a separation of language and content in German degree programmes. Illustrating the need for a curriculum which fosters the development of intercultural competence and criticality, Parks reconceptualises established models of criticality (Barnett) and intercultural communicative competence (Byram). The chapters in this volume discuss a range of important topics including; language graduates with deep translingual and transcultural competence, observed differences and similarities between British and American universities and faculty and student voices: developing intercultural competence and criticality. Aimed at scholars with research interests in intercultural communication, language education and applied linguistics, this volume provides a thorough discussion for the ways in which modern language programmes in higher education can be improved. Additionally, those carrying out research in the fields of language teaching and language policy in higher education will find Developing Critical Cultural Awareness in Modern Languages to be of great relevance.