This paper explores the demanding and complex nature of English language teaching with young learners. The paper begins with the challenges of the young learner classroom, then goes on to argue that ...the low estimation of teaching languages in primary education can seriously impact the confidence and efficacy of primary-school teachers. The popular myth that English for young learners is a simple matter requiring neither advanced language skills nor a deep knowledge of educational affordances and pedagogy is interrogated. While it is acknowledged amongst informed teacher educators that language education theory is well served by a synthesis of applied linguistics, education psychology and pedagogical perspectives, the discipline of children's literature is mostly ignored. In this paper, the role of children's literature in teacher education is highlighted and the relevance of high-quality language input is foregrounded. Further, the availability of focused pre-service and in-service teacher education, as well as teacher educators with the necessary expertise, is discussed. Finally, the teacher's role in providing linguistic accommodation to the young learners with storytelling and creative teacher talk is explored. A case is made that the role of the teacher is pivotal, and the opportunities the teacher could share with the children, if sufficiently well prepared, include the collateral-learning educational goals of English for young learners, such as the pleasure of story, multiple literacies and intercultural learning.
The editorial for issue 12.1 attempts to explain the positioning of Children’s Literature in English Language Education with its interconnecting location between research interests, related to but ...distinct from other well-established research areas and key journals.
Bringing together leading scholars and teacher educators from across the world, from Europe and the USA to Asia, this book presents the latest research and new perspectives into the uses of ...children's literature in second language teaching for children and young adults. Children's Literature in Second Language Education covers such topics as extensive reading, creative writing in the language classroom, the use of picturebooks and graphic novels in second language teaching and the potential of children's literature in promoting intercultural education. The focus throughout the book is on creative approaches to language teaching, from early years through to young adult learners, making this book an essential read for those studying or embarking on second language teaching at all levels.
The reflections in the editorial are on the role of creativity in language learning, debating how creative uses of language tend to be somewhat neglected in the classroom.
Bland puts forward in her paper a strategy with detailed guidelines for introducing creative writing in teacher education. She reflects on bolstering student teachers’ self-confidence in guiding ...their language learners to recognize how compelling and persuasive texts achieve impact.
The editorial examines how in-depth learning involves not only a deepening of learning, but also a widening of learning – embracing connections between school subjects, and connections to students’ ...out-of-school lives. For in-depth learning, experiences need to be shared in a participatory manner.
Reflekterande kommentar Bland, Janice
Forskning om undervisning och lärande,
06/2022, Letnik:
10, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Forskning om undervisning och lärande har bjudit in Janice Bland, professor i English Education vid Nord universitetet i Norge och professor II vid OsloMet universietet, att reflektera över ...temanumret Litteraturdidaktiska perspektiv på barn- och ungdomslitteratur. Hennes forskning ligger primärt inom Engelsk språk- och litteraturdidaktik med fokus på barn- och ungdomslitteratur. Hon har publicerat flera böcker på detta ämne och är chefredaktör för Children’s Literature in English Language Education (CLELEjournal).
Reflekterande kommentar Janice Bland
Forskning om undervisning och lärande,
06/2022, Letnik:
10, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Forskning om undervisning och lärande har bjudit in Janice Bland, professor i English Education vid Nord universitetet i Norge och professor II vid OsloMet universietet, att reflektera över ...temanumret Litteraturdidaktiska perspektiv på barn- och ungdomslitteratur. Hennes forskning ligger primärt inom Engelsk språk- och litteraturdidaktik med fokus på barn- och ungdomslitteratur. Hon har publicerat flera böcker på detta ämne och är chefredaktör för Children’s Literature in English Language Education (CLELEjournal).
