Language Learner Strategies Contexts, Issues and Applications in Second Language Learning and Teaching

by Grenfell, Michael James; Harris, Vee

• ISBN13: 9781474264136
• ISBN10: 1474264131
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2017-09-07
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic

Summary

Language Learner Strategies combines principles with research and classroom practice, providing a new view of language learning to inform policy and teaching methodology. Divided into three parts, the book draws links between language learning theory in the established research literature, the authors' own empirical studies and the implications for curriculum policy and teacher education.

Focusing primarily on listening, reading and memorisation strategies in the 12 – 15 year age range learning modern foreign languages such as French, German, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, the book addresses issues that to date have not been fully explored. A special focus is given to the sociocultural aspects of learner strategies and their link with psychological contexts in which they are used. The authors explore the cognitive turn in language learner strategy research and the practical teaching approaches it helps to develop.

Author Biography

Michael James Grenfell has held Chairs at the University of Southampton and Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, as well as being Head of School and Director of Research. He is the author of several books including: Modern Languages Across the Curriculum (2002), Bourdieu, Language and Linguistics (2011); Language, Ethnography and Education (2012); and Bourdieu: Key Concepts (2012).

Vee Harris has recently retired from her post as Senior Lecturer at Goldsmiths College, University of London, UK, where she ran the PGCE Modern Languages course. She has written extensively about learner strategies based on her own classroom research with practising teachers.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Part I: Principles and Practice
1. The Case for Language Learner Strategies
2. What Research Tells Us
Part II: Strategies in Practice
Section A: Progress in Modern Languages: What Difference does Strategy Based Instruction make?
3. The Role of Socio-Cultural Factors and Strategy Based Instruction
4. The Role of Affective Factors and Strategy Based Instruction
Section B: Beyond the Monolingual Learner of European Languages
5. Learning a Third Language: What Learner Strategies do Bilingual Students bring?
6. Strategies used to Memorise Mandarin Chinese Characters
Part III: Applications in Practice
7. Strategy Based Instruction
8. Shaping Learning: Curricula and Syllabuses
9. Language Learner Strategies and Teacher Education
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index