English as a Lingua Franca, Bilingualism and Multilingualism: How Do These Areas of Studies Relate?

O Inglês como Língua Franca (ILF) é uma área de pesquisa que se expandiu rapidamente e de diferentes maneiras. Começou a se concentrar principalmente na forma, quando ainda seguia os princípios do World English. No entanto, agora o ILF é entendido como uma prática multilíngue. Essa nova reconceituação do ILF o posicionou dentro da estrutura multilíngue, mas qual(is) conceito(s) teórico(s) conecta(m) os estudos em ILF, bilinguismo e multilinguismo? Para poder responder a essa pergunta, foi realizada uma revisão da literatura sobre bilinguismo e/ou multilinguismo associada à ILF usando o Google Scholar que resultou em seis artigos. Os resultados des artigo mostram que o ILF3 considera o inglês como uma opção de idioma de contato entre todos os outros idiomas disponíveis no repertório multilíngue de seu falante, o que significa que o inglês é entendido no ILF como uma opção, não mais como a única opção de língua em práticas multilíngues.English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) is an area of research that has expanded fast and in different ways. It started focusing mainly on form, when still following the principles of Word English research. However, now ELF is understood as a multilingual practice. This new reconceptualization of English as a Lingua Franca positioned ELF within the multilingual framework, but Which theoretical concept(s) connect ELF, Bilingualism and Multilingualism studies? To be able to answer this question, a review of literature on bilingualism, and/or multilingualism associated with ELF was carried out using Google Scholar. The search based on this criterion resulted in six articles and the findings show that ELF, in its third phase, considers English as an option of contact language among all other languages available in multilinguals? repertoire, which means that, English in ELF is one option not the opinion in multilingual practices

DivCon: un modelo para desarrollar la conciencia de la diversidad lingüística y cultural a temprana edad

The article focuses on developing the awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity at the pre-school level. We first present the DivCon model (Diversity in Context) which promotes systematic exposure to linguistic and cultural diversity and is based on a framework which integrates six basic aspects: the journey metaphor, exposure to linguistic diversity, exposure to cultural diversity, progression from concrete to symbolic level, effective second language teaching approaches and children participation. In the second part of the paper we present the results of a qualitative study conducted in three kindergarten groups (n=40) to evaluate the model in the Slovenian context. The main aim of the study was to analyse pre-school children’s responses to the different dimensions in the model and the ways they perceive different languages and cultures. The results indicate that the participants responded positively to the activities carried out in order to evaluate the proposed model and showed that they are aware of linguistic and cultural diversity in a variety of ways. We argue that the model offers effective strategies for developing linguistic awareness and positive attitudes towards linguistic and cultural diversity at an early age. El artículo se centra en el desarrollo de la conciencia de la diversidad lingüística y cultural en preescolar. En primer lugar, presentamos el modelo DivCon (Diversidad en Contexto), que propicia la exposición sistemática a la diversidad lingüística y cultural y se basa en un marco integrador de seis aspectos: la metáfora del viaje, la exposición a la diversidad lingüística, la exposición a la diversidad cultural, la progresión de lo concreto a lo simbólico, los enfoques eficaces para la enseñanza de segundas lenguas y la participación de los niños . En la segunda parte presentamos los resultados de un estudio cualitativo llevado a cabo con tres grupos preescolar (n=40) para evaluar el modelo en el contexto esloveno. Dicho estudio tenía como finalidad analizar las respuestas de los niños a las diferentes dimensiones del modelo y la manera en que ellos perciben las diferentes lenguas y culturas. Los resultados indican que los participantes tuvieron una respuesta positiva a las actividades realizadas para evaluar el modelo propuesto y mostraron que son conscientes en varios modos de la diversidad lingüística y cultural. Consideramos que el modelo ofrece estrategias eficaces para desarrollar la conciencia lingüística y actitudes positivas hacia la diversidad lingüística y cultural

Aspectos sociales y culturales que influyen en el desarrollo de la competencia trilingüe

En esta investigación se analizan los aspectos sociales y culturales que influyen en el desarrollo de la competencia trilingüe en el contexto del español en Australia, entendiéndose por competencia trilingüe aquella que contiene los aspectos lingüísticos y componentes pragmáticos de las tres lenguas. Consideramos que este estudio resulta interesante también para situaciones similares en otros contextos geográficos. Para el desarrollo de la investigación se realizó un estudio cualitativo a través de entrevistas, con una muestra de once casos de familias donde uno de los cónyuges es español y los niños están expuestos a tres lenguas, dos lenguas maternas diferentes al inglés. Entre los principales resultados se pone de manifiesto que la percepción sobre el mantenimiento del español en este contexto se basa en la búsqueda de la comunidad como apoyo al desarrollo lingüístico y cultural. Entre las principales motivaciones para mantener las lenguas heredadas se encuentra el sentido de la utilidad, preservar la identidad cultural. También perciben que el aprendizaje de sus lenguas maternas no dificulta el aprendizaje de la lengua de la comunidad

Motivaciones de estudiantes de educación superior para participar en programas bilingües

This paper addresses the views on motivation of students who participated in higher education bilingual programmes in a Spanish state university for two academic years and were asked to inform on the experiences that they found more motivating and the changes they would introduce to feel more enthused to participate in a similar programme in the future. Qualitative data were gathered through a questionnaire administered to 310 students that included two open questions related to motivating factors. The responses were coded in relation to 6 fields that emerged consistently and were converted into percentages. The obtained results show evidence that students display signals of motivation that are related to aspects of the L2 motivational self-system. The relevance of this study lies on the voice of the students participating in an EMI context in HE as well as on the new paths shown on the benefits of self-confidence and self-efficacy, the need to focus on professional opportunities and communities of practice, and a consideration of critical views on current practice and overwhelming use of English.Este estudio investiga las opiniones sobre motivación de estudiantes que han participado en programas bilingües de educación superior en una universidad pública española durante dos cursos académicos a los que se les pidió que informaran sobre las experiencias que encontraron más motivadoras y los cambios que incorporarían para participar en programas similares en el futuro. Se recogieron datos cualitativos a través de un cuestionario al que contestaron 310 estudiantes y que incluía dos preguntas abiertas relativas a factores motivacionales. Se codificaron las respuestas en relación con seis campos que surgieron de forma consistente y se calcularon los porcentajes. Los resultados obtenidos evidencian que los estudiantes muestran señales de motivación que se relacionan con aspectos del sistema motivacional del yo en L2. La relevancia de este estudio radica en la voz de los estudiantes participantes en un contexto EMI en educación superior, así como en las nuevas líneas planteadas sobre los beneficios de la autoconfianza y autoeficacia, la necesidad de centrarse en oportunidades profesionales y comunidades de práctica y la consideración de una mirada crítica hacia la práctica actual y uso dominante del inglés

Promising Pedagogical Practices for Emergent Bilinguals in Kindergarten: Towards a Mathematics Discourse Community

In the current U.S. context, it is relevant to disseminate research that portrays in detail how bilingual teachers create challenging and safe mathematics learning environments for emergent bilinguals. It is critical to identify pedagogical approaches that foster emergent bilinguals’ participation in mathematics conversations and discourse practices where language is considered a pedagogical resource. This is possible when teachers understand that young Latino/a students come to school with a wide range of cognitive and linguistic tools, which they can use to help them make sense of problems posed in the classroom. Using case study methodology, we define and provide a detailed portrayal of a bilingual kindergarten teacher´s mathematics pedagogical practices. Specifically we discuss: (a) the use of authentic mathematics stories, (b) the integration of multimodal representation of problem solving, and (c) collective thinking and representation of problem solving solutions. In addition, we analyze how the teacher fosters practices that use language as a learning resource. Finally, we argue that these practices promote a mathematics discourse community and that pedagogy of confidence, care, and understanding is at the core of this teacher’s instructional approach

CONTENT AND LANGUAGE INTEGRATED LEARNING (CLIL): A QUALITATIVE STUDY IN COMPULSORY SECONDARY EDUCATION IN MADRID (SPAIN)

This study investigates the approach of Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in Secondary schools of the region of Madrid, Spain. The fundamental goal is to evaluate the way in which CLIL programs develop and function in the Comunidad de Madrid according to the key players involved in their grassroots, bottom-up implementation. Thus, this research intends to provide both theoretical and empirical evidence for planning and implementing an increasingly demanded bilingual education, especially within the monolingual regions of Spain. Specifically, it focuses on Compulsory Secondary Education (CSE). In turn, quality control in CLIL programs will be examined, using empirically-grounded data to identify measures which may resolve weaknesses and reinforce strengths and opportunities.Este estudio investiga el enfoque del aprendizaje integrado de contenidos y lenguas extranjeras (AICLE) en centros de Secundaria de Madrid, España. El objetivo fundamental es evaluar la forma en la cual los programas AICLE se desarrollan y funcionan en Madrid de acuerdo con los actores clave que participan en su implementación (profesores, alumnos, y padres). Esta investigación también tiene como objetivo proporcionar datos para apoyar la creciente demanda del bilingüismo, especialmente en las regiones monolingües de España. Por lo tanto, proporciona evidencia teórica y empírica para planificar e implementar la educación bilingüe. La muestra es de 754 estudiantes, 77 profesores y 77 padres, pertenecientes a 18 centros: seis públicos, seis privados, y seis concertados, tanto de zonas urbanas como rurales de la Comunidad de Madrid. Los datos recogidos se presentan después de ser analizados cualitativamente, seguidos de los resultados de la implementación del programa AICLE en los grupos participantes. Además, las conclusiones ofrecen algunas limitaciones de este estudio e implicaciones pedagógicas, así como algunas sugerencias para futuras mejoras y líneas de investigación.Tesis Univ. Jaén. Departamento de Filología Española. Leída el 25 de enero de 2019

Student mobility and internationalisation in higher education: perspectives from practitioners

Internationalisation is high on the agenda of higher education institutions across the world. Previous research on national and local policies surrounding this phenomenon has identified different discourses of internationalisation which may have an effect on practices such as student mobility. In order to understand better the role of student mobility in practice, the article analyses responses to an inquiry about internationalisation to a group of academic staff involved in intercultural education from universities around the world. Informants, all members of the research network Cultnet, working at 28 different universities in 15 countries, describe internationalisation within their practice, and their understanding of the role which student mobility plays in relation to this. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews over a period of six months. The findings locate student mobility within discourses of internationalisation. They also raise questions in relation to the need for an intercultural dialogue approach in internationalisation. We argue that institutions and their staff should be aware of the discursive field of internationalisation in Higher Education, take a critical stance and analyse their own role in student mobility. How mobility fits within the field of intercultural education for incoming, outgoing and ‘home’ students should be highlighted and clarified in internationalisation agendas