While the intrinsic value of reading extensively for L2 learners has rarely been questioned, practicalities of implementation and the existence of gains beyond lexical enrichment have generated discussion. This article outlines and explores the benefits which Literature Circles (LCs) offer to English language learning and attempts to identify…

When teachers hear the word "cohesion", they usually think of grammatical cohesion--an aspect of cohesion reasonably well covered in student books and teacher materials. However, occupying an area that straddles both lexis "proper" and cohesion lies "lexical cohesion". In what follows, it is argued that the teaching and learning of certain aspects…

Current sociocultural perspectives on language learning call on teachers to reinvent themselves in ways which facilitate student learning rather than transmit knowledge. For teachers, this means adopting new roles, and acquiring a new repertoire of teacher talk. This paper aims to further the work on facilitator talk begun by Clifton (2006) and…

This paper reports the findings of three qualitative studies which were carried out in university level EFL classes in Germany. The three groups used various combinations of communication technologies such as email, web-based message boards, and video conferencing in order to engage in online exchanges with different partner classes in Ireland and…

Probes reasons why many teachers remain uncommitted to computer-assisted language learning (CALL) and proposes some remedies. In particular, it is argued that CALL should not be too closely associated with self-access or autonomy, and that teachers are needed to drive the CALL process. (Author/VWL)

Describes theoretical concerns about providing written teacher feedback on mid-drafts of compositions in English-as-Foreign-Language process writing. (Author/VWL)

Contrasts linguistic imperialism and linguistic hybridity and comments on a previous article that suggests the role of English in endangering regional languages and cultures no longer holds true. The role of the English-a-as-Foreign-Language teacher is discussed. (Author/VWL)

Responds to comments by Canagarajah, which were written in response to an article that suggested that the role of English in endangering regional languages and cultures no longer holds true. (Author/VWL)

Examines the dynamic common to the English-as-a-Second-Language classroom in which the teacher takes from the student the burden of the next step in solving a problem, identifies four reasons this is inappropriate, looks at why teachers do it, and offers techniques for handling such situations. (MSE)

Examines how six Hong Kong secondary school students of English as a Second Language viewed the roles of teacher and student in evaluating student compositions, and explores the extent to which broader educational context and its belief system shaped these perceptions. Questions viability of notions of collaborative construction of knowledge in…

A series of twelve books on language teaching, written over a period of ten years, is reviewed. The series' intent is to promote the practice of informed teaching to empower student teachers to act as autonomous agents and to make considered pedagogic choices, based on sound theoretical knowledge, according to their particular teaching/learning…

Language teachers are faced with a paradox: if they do not exert autonomy or respond flexibly to the teaching context, they can not produce significant results, and the language teaching field is criticized as inept and ill-informed; if they do exercise autonomy and flexibility to ensure learning, the field is criticized for lack of unity and…

Looks at the ways grammar and vocabulary are interconnected and suggests some implications for language teaching. Suggests that language teachers focus on word patterns to encourage four aspects of language learning: understanding, accuracy, fluency, and flexibility. (four references) (Author/CK)

Notes that in teacher education a movement exists to ensure that teaching methods are relevant to trainees' teaching contexts. Examines the effects that this context-sensitive approach will have on the teacher-educator's role and on attempts to ensure that teacher education programs encourage longer-term productive change. (28 references)…

Examines an in-service training session developed for use in the state sector in Thailand that aims to help teachers come to terms with some of the problems inherent in large classes. The article is based on the author's previous experience in Thailand and his continuing involvement there in teacher development. (11 references) (Author/CK)