The Future of Foreign Language Education in the United States

by Osborn, Terry A.

• ISBN13: 9780897897198
• ISBN10: 0897897196
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-01-30
• Publisher: Praeger Pub Text

Summary

At the dawning of the 21st century, foreign language education in the United States is experiencing a period marked by exciting possibilities. Theorists and practitioners embrace a move from a perceived position of teaching only the elite to a nationally initiated cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural orientation embodied in the latest standards. Given the presence of non-English languages in all parts of the United States, a growing number of scholars are beginning to examine the sociological context in which this educational endeavor is carried out, noting that the figure of professional practice is inextricably linked to issues of cultural and academic context. Theory-informed practice in the coming years, therefore, will include the challenge of examining a broad range of topics related to curricular and instructional principles and procedures. The text is intended to provide a collection of perspectives related to issues of pluralism and reform as they will influence theory-informed practice of foreign language education in the coming century. Drawing from a variety of contributors from both inside and outside of foreign/second language education, this text brings the voices of scholars together focused on issues of contemporary consequence. The chapters center around a focusing theme in the form of the following question: How does the changing social and academic context of language education in the United States impact the future of our discipline?

Author Biography

TERRY A. OSBORN is Assistant Professor of Educational Linguistics and Second Language Education, Neag School of Education, University of Connecticut.

Table of Contents

Tables and Figures	ix
Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	xiii
Terry A. Osborn
``Our Patriotic Duty'': Insights from Professional History, 1890-1920	1	(30)
Deborah M. Herman
The Entangled Future of Foreign Language Learning	31	(14)
Stephen W. Kercel
S. Alenka Brown-VanHoozer
W. R. VanHoozer
``Knowing'' and ``Learning'' a Foreign Language: Epistemological Reflections on Classroom Practice	45	(18)
Timothy Reagan
Responding to Literature in the Foreign Language Classroom: Aesthetic Dimensions of Fluency	63	(14)
Philip M. Anderson
Terry A. Osborn
Challenging the Monovocal Narrative: Interdisciplinary Units in the Foreign Language Classroom	77	(16)
David Gerwin
Terry A. Osborn
Enabling Teachers Through Type Theory: Nurturing the Pluralistic Persona	93	(16)
A. J. Vogely
Professional Renewal: The Role of Teacher Education in Multicultural America	109	(16)
Terry A. Osborn
Jacqueline Davis
Toward a Political Economy of the Less Commonly Taught Languages in American Public Schools	125	(14)
Timothy Reagan
Reversing Language Loss in a Multilingual Setting: A Native Language Enhancement Program and Its Impact	139	(28)
Claire Sylvan
Migdalia Romero
Authentic ``Migratory'' Experiences for Language Learners: Macrocontextualization as Critical Pedagogy	167	(12)
Xae Alicia Reyes
Index	179	(10)
About the Contributors	189