Blurred Boundaries The Future of English Language Learning

Blurred Boundaries: The Future of English Language Learning and Teaching Dr. Randi Harlev December 2006

Future Trends: The Inevitable Pendulum Swing Paradigm shifts in English teaching Ø Globalization Ø English in the world Ø English in the US Ø English language teaching and learning Ø l l in the world in the US English language: future trends Ø English language teaching and learning: future trends Ø

Pendulum Swings

Paradigm Shifts; Pendulum Swings Ø Mechanistic Model l l Science Complexity can be reduced Measurability Whole = sum of parts Parts adapt to model Ø Organismic Model l l Change = qualitative, not summative Change is sudden Whole > sum of parts Model adapts to parts

Pendulum Swings: Learning Theories and Language Learning Theories Transmission Behaviorism Developmental & Cognitive Theories Skills-Based; Structural Grammar. Translation Audiolingualism Notional. Functional Standards-Based Curricula Social Cognition Communicative Language Teaching Constructivism Natural Approach, Task-Based Learning

What characterizes these paradigms? Mechanistic Organismic Focus Language Learner Reading Bottom-up: phonics, parts to whole Syllabus Type A Top-down: whole language, whole to parts Language Accuracy over fluency Fluency over accuracy (White) Type B

What do they mean for the future? L 1? CEF? EFL? EYL? CLIL? ELF? ESL? L 2? EIL? EAP? ELL? CBI? ELT? ESP?

What is happening in the world? Ø Move towards globalization; people are on the move. Ø Identity is more complex; people take on multiple identities. Ø More and more people speak multiple languages, affecting both identity and culture. Ø Culture is permeable and dynamic, less nationbound. Individuals reflect cultural “bricolage”.

What aspects of life have both affected and effected these changes? Ø Demographic changes Ø Economy Ø Technology Ø Society Ø Languages

What is happening to English? Ø “There is nothing likely to stop its (English) global spread. ” David Crystal Ø “The current wave of English may lose momentum. ” David Graddol Ø What’s happening may lead to fragmentation into a “family of languages. ” Tom Mc. Arthur

…English throughout the world Ø Ø Blurring of boundaries between native and non-native speakers l Close to 2 billion English language learners l NNS = 3 x NS l Greater tolerance for NNS Globalization of English l ELF = English as a lingua franca l Fewer international students Ø Decrease in predominance of English on the Internet Ø Greater need for multilingualism (English + regional languages)

From Definition by Geography to Definition by Proficiency Inner Circle = Native Speakers Outer Circle = Second Language Speakers Expanding Circle = Foreign Language Speakers (Kachru 1985) Inner Circle = “Functional Nativeness” Outer Circle = High Proficiency Speakers Expanding Circle = Low Proficiency Speakers (Graddol 2006)

Rise in World Demand for English Graddol, D. (2006) English Next

…English in the US Ø Over 1 million immigrants per year have arrived in the US so far this decade. Ø One in five school-aged children are children of immigrants. Ø NCLB mandates AYP for states and districts. Ø The debate over the status of English in the US is on.

School-Age Children of Immigrants Capps, et al. (2005). The New Demography of America’s Schools: Immigration and the No Child Left Behind Act.

What’s happening in Washington? Odden, A. et al. (2006). An Evidence-based Approach to School Finance Adequacy in Washington

Increases in Numbers: LEP Children Odden, A. et al. (2006). An Evidence-based Approach to School Finance Adequacy in Washington

What’s happening in language teaching and learning? Ø Focus on standards-based models: “can-do” objectives l l TESOL Common European Framework (CEF) Ø Greater emphasis on foreign languages l l Europe – multilingualism US – heritage languages, immersion programs, bilingual education

…and in English Teaching? Ø Europe (not UK alone!): l l English literacy as a core skill – must be taught Emphasis on EYL = English for Young Learners CLIL = Content and Language Integrated Learning Technology = CALL and beyond Ø United States: l l l Content-based instruction SES Technology = CALL and beyond Ø Rest of World l l Copycat phenomenon – following either Europe or US, often with five to ten year lag Adaptations to cultural needs

CLIL in Europe Eurydice. (2006). Content and Language Integrated Learning at School in Europe.

Content-Based Language Instruction in the US Content-driven Language-driven Met, M. Retrieved from: http: //www. carla. umn. edu: 16080/cobaltt/modules/

Technology: New Tools to Enrich Teaching Tech-based distance learning courses Ø Tech-embedded blended learning courses Ø Technological Advances Ø l l l Ø Mobile technologies Speech recognition Blogs, wikis, podcasts Voiceover IP Automatic essay graders Online communities of learners and teachers

Future Trends: Teacher Training and Development Ø Move from “specialist” to “generalist” l l Ø Broader base in education Ability to teach wider range of age groups Higher comfort level with technology l l Access to technology Ongoing professional development courses Teaching of English descriptively rather than prescriptively Ø Eclecticism – awareness of changing paradigms; a rich toolbox of ELT techniques Ø

What’s on the Horizon? Paradigm shift: the pendulum will swing towards a more organismic paradigm Ø Use of standards allowing for differences, while still providing sufficient information to stakeholders. Ø Decreased focus on general, group standards; greater focus on the individual Ø Move from legislation of teaching to focus on learning Ø Move from centralistic control to local control

How Can We Prepare? Ø Be eclectic. Ø Read, read. Ø Attend professional development sessions. Ø Go with the flow – in another ten years, the pendulum will swing back!

References Capps, et al. (2005). The New Demography of America’s Schools: Immigration and the No Child Left Behind Act. Crystal, D. (2006). English worldwide. In R. Hogg and D. Denison (eds), A History of the English Language Crystal, D. (2006). Toward a Philosophy of Language Management. Eurydice. (2005). Foreign Language Learning: A European Priority. Eurydice. (2006). Content and Language Integrated Learning at School in Europe. Graddol, D. (2006). English Next. Harlev, R. (2005). Content-based Learning: Challenged Learners, Challenged Teachers, Language Magazine. Odden, A. et al. (2006). An Evidence-based Approach to School Finance Adequacy in Washington. Short, D. J. and Fitzsimmons, S. (2007). Double the Work: Challenges and Solutions to Acquiring Language and Academic Literacy for Adolescent English Language Learners. Smith, K. (2005). Assessment of Teaching in the Era of Standards: What is Left of Teacher Autonomy? Underhill, A. (2004). Trends in English Language Teaching Today. A complete list of references will be provided upon request.

“All languages are works in progress. But English’s globalization, unprecedented in the history of language, will revolutionize it in ways we can only begin to imagine. David Crystal, Newsweek, March 7, 2005, International Edition Thank you! Dr. Randi Harlev randi@eltconsult. com