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4 pages, 273 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

The Making of MOBILLE a Year Later

by Sonia Rocca

Languages 2020, 5(2), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages5020017 - 27 Apr 2020

Viewed by 1978

Abstract

Over a year has passed since the 2019 MOBILLE International Conference took place at the Lycée Français de New York [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue MOBILLE 2019)

Research

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13 pages, 1137 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Coptic Language Learning and Social Media

by D. Nicole Deschene

Languages 2019, 4(3), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages4030073 - 11 Sep 2019

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 10735

Abstract

This study explored the potential of using the Internet, including existing social media platforms, for Coptic language learning. Through global exposure, endangered language maintenance and revitalization efforts may benefit from having a presence on social media. The researcher created Coptic language learning material, [...] Read more.

This study explored the potential of using the Internet, including existing social media platforms, for Coptic language learning. Through global exposure, endangered language maintenance and revitalization efforts may benefit from having a presence on social media. The researcher created Coptic language learning material, social media accounts on multiple platforms, and a website. Data were collected through a survey with questions focused on social media users’ background and experience with the Coptic language learning material. In addition to the survey, analytics from the social media and website platforms were documented. The results indicated that social media provided a global audience and the Coptic language learning material blended into survey respondents’ daily lives with positive acceptance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue MOBILLE 2019)

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13 pages, 1792 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Virtual Reality in the Teaching of FLE in a Brazilian Public School

by Felipe Augusto Nobrega and Cibele Cecílio de Faria Rozenfeld

Languages 2019, 4(2), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages4020036 - 9 Jun 2019

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4582

Abstract

Considering the emergence of digital information and communication technologies in the contemporary educational context, this work aims to explore the possibilities offered by Virtual Reality (VR) headsets in the school environment, and also to verify how they can contribute to foreign language teaching [...] Read more.

Considering the emergence of digital information and communication technologies in the contemporary educational context, this work aims to explore the possibilities offered by Virtual Reality (VR) headsets in the school environment, and also to verify how they can contribute to foreign language teaching and learning. The motivation of this work is a result of a pedagogical practice experience carried out by the researcher during French classes in a Brazilian foreign language teaching project in public schools. This pedagogical practice later became the subject of their master’s research, which is currently being conducted in the same educational context in two French language classes. The main objective consists of verifying to what extent VR can contribute to foreign language teaching/learning, focusing on the four linguistic competences and motivation. The methodology of this work has a qualitative nature with some quantitative results, and is characterized as Action Research, as the researcher participated in the activities. These activities consisted of using Google Cardboard, a VR headset, to present interactive 360° videos and tours of real places. The preliminary results show that activities with VR can promote a high level of motivation and engagement, also contributing to the development of the four linguistic competences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue MOBILLE 2019)

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14 pages, 1931 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Maintaining Quality Online: Piloting an Online Language Course for Immigrants in Finland

by Miia Karttunen and Sirpa Juusola

Languages 2019, 4(2), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages4020025 - 22 Apr 2019

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5079

Abstract

Finland’s educational system has aroused the interest of educational researchers worldwide. Teaching and learning with information and communication technologies (ICT) is one of the major methodologies in the present Finnish educational discourse. Feedback and assessment are questions of course design in online learning. [...] Read more.

Finland’s educational system has aroused the interest of educational researchers worldwide. Teaching and learning with information and communication technologies (ICT) is one of the major methodologies in the present Finnish educational discourse. Feedback and assessment are questions of course design in online learning. This paper discusses and illustrates how to plan an online course for a higher education preparatory program in Finland by using digital methods with a focus on maintaining quality in the processes of feedback and evaluation. This paper also introduces and reflects recently published quality criteria that are recommended to be used in the design of online courses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue MOBILLE 2019)

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13 pages, 555 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Expert–Novice Negotiation within Learning Opportunities in Online Intercultural Interactions

by Amira Benabdelkader

Languages 2019, 4(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages4010014 - 21 Feb 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3970

Abstract

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) and e-communication tools have introduced new pedagogical tools and activities that contribute to the development of language learners’ academic, multilingual, and intercultural skills and competences. Moreover, CMC has reinforced communication and collaboration between individuals and educational institutions through projects of [...] Read more.

Computer-mediated communication (CMC) and e-communication tools have introduced new pedagogical tools and activities that contribute to the development of language learners’ academic, multilingual, and intercultural skills and competences. Moreover, CMC has reinforced communication and collaboration between individuals and educational institutions through projects of intercultural language exchanges (ILE). Most of these exchanges idealise ‘nativeness’, and assert the L1 speaker as an expert ‘by default’. These models of ILE believe that the incorporation of a L1S is key to the creation of learning opportunities. This paper contests this belief. The one-to-one online video conversations took place on Skype between language learners of English and/or French over a period of four months. The dyads comprise the following speakers’ constellations: a L1S of French with a L1S of English, and a L1S of English with an Algerian (L2/LF of French and English). To assure equity in the use of languages, I scheduled two sessions every week, one in English and the second in French. This paper investigates the expert/novice dichotomy and how it is negotiated in the learning opportunities they have created. It also casts light on the speakers’ communicative strategies and linguaculture(s) included in overcoming intercultural misunderstanding and miscommunication when using or not using their L1, French and/or English. These intercultural interactions have uncovered that the novice–expert roles alternate between the speakers despite the language of communication and their L1s. The interactants used several strategies and channels, namely pragmatic strategies such as repetition, nonverbal cues to ask for clarification and signal intercultural misunderstandings, translanguaging and their multilingual repertoires in order to construct meaning, achieve their communicative goals or in case of the lack of linguistic resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue MOBILLE 2019)

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18 pages, 340 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adolescent ELLs Improve Their Academic English while Learning about the UN Online

by Miriam Eisenstein Ebsworth, Chencen Cai and Lauren McCoy

Languages 2019, 4(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages4010009 - 13 Feb 2019

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5154

Abstract

This action research project aimed at evaluating and revising Actionthroughwords (ATW), an online course on language learning through content for high school English language learners. Our multifaceted purpose is to help English language learners in an English language arts class to enhance their [...] Read more.

This action research project aimed at evaluating and revising Actionthroughwords (ATW), an online course on language learning through content for high school English language learners. Our multifaceted purpose is to help English language learners in an English language arts class to enhance their academic English language and literacy, while learning online about the work of the UN for health and peace worldwide. A teacher and nineteen students in a public high school bilingual program acted as learner-consultants, with a shift of learners’ roles to one of authority and engagement. Using a mixed design, data came from questionnaires, classroom observation, and interviews with the teacher and eight of her students. All participants responded affirmatively to the ATW site and expressed appreciation not only for the content but also for focused activities to enhance vocabulary development and grammatical awareness. Results showed students’ view of the UN was somewhat positive to begin with and became more positive over time. Participants recommended revision of ATW to make content more accessible through scaffolding and first language support and to offer additional games and videos appropriate for teenagers’ interests and modes of learning. Differentiated instructional materials and strategies integrated with the school curriculum were also suggested for future implementation of the course. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue MOBILLE 2019)

12 pages, 6336 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developing Professional Communication: The Construction of a Multimodal Understanding of Job Interviews

by Wing Yee Jenifer Ho

Languages 2019, 4(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages4010005 - 17 Jan 2019

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4244

Abstract

This article explores how online videos with a pedagogical focus can possibly make an impact on our current language teaching and learning practices. The affordance of videos to create multimodal content that can be shared with the public allows content creators to use [...] Read more.

This article explores how online videos with a pedagogical focus can possibly make an impact on our current language teaching and learning practices. The affordance of videos to create multimodal content that can be shared with the public allows content creators to use a wide range of resources, such as spoken and written language, gestures, screen layout, etc., to create learning environments that can promote an awareness of a multimodal perspective to the understanding of a particular kind of professional communication context, such as job interviews, as illustrated in this article. By analyzing a series of videos on job interviews using multimodal semiotic analysis, I argue that these videos, which I call pedagogical vlogs, are helpful not only in terms of teaching the language skills required for job interviews, but also to help create a multimodal understanding of job interviews through the strategic orchestration of multiple semiotic modes. The popularity of pedagogical vlogs, as well as their affordance to provide lesson content created by the public, offer new possibilities for language teaching and learning, but it has yet only received scant attention from applied linguistics and language education researchers. This article aims to start a dialog on the pedagogical implications of this new form of learning so as to uncover the potentials offered by pedagogical vlogs in education. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue MOBILLE 2019)

Other

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7 pages, 1249 KiB

Open AccessEssay

Ethics-Based Computer Science in Bilingual and Multicultural Schools

by Adena Dershowitz

Languages 2019, 4(4), 87; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages4040087 - 5 Nov 2019

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3724

Abstract

For decades, schools have adapted to a technologically-dependent world—developing courses, faculty positions and curricula to begin explicitly teaching with and about technology. Recognizing the need for deepening education in this area, the Lycée Français de New York, a bilingual and multicultural school, developed [...] Read more.

For decades, schools have adapted to a technologically-dependent world—developing courses, faculty positions and curricula to begin explicitly teaching with and about technology. Recognizing the need for deepening education in this area, the Lycée Français de New York, a bilingual and multicultural school, developed the digital learning department to lead the school’s thinking and practice around technology and computer science education. Over time, the department shifted its focus from first only the use of computer applications, to an emphasis on computer programming, to a more recent era which includes technology ethics as an equally important area of study. In serving a bilingual school, the Lycée’s digital learning team adapted teaching methods for a bilingual student body. The multiculturalism of the school presents the opportunity for fertile ethics discussions, since cultural values often impact values regarding technology use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue MOBILLE 2019)

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13 pages, 1080 KiB

Open AccessEssay

Ecocomposition in the ESL Classroom: The Campus Space Compare and Contrast Assignment

by Jonathan Lehtonen

Languages 2019, 4(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages4020028 - 22 May 2019

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3896

Abstract

This essay showcases a place-based compare–contrast assignment originally designed for first-year ESL composition courses at a U.S. university. This ecocomposition assignment prompts students to research and compare the technological design and visual rhetoric embodied in two spaces or buildings in their learning community. [...] Read more.

This essay showcases a place-based compare–contrast assignment originally designed for first-year ESL composition courses at a U.S. university. This ecocomposition assignment prompts students to research and compare the technological design and visual rhetoric embodied in two spaces or buildings in their learning community. Based on my experience using this assignment for three consecutive semesters in 2017–2018, this essay discusses the grounding of the campus space compare–contrast assignment in theories of content-based instruction and place-based ecocomposition, and argues for its suitability in intermediate and advanced language learning contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue MOBILLE 2019)

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