Showing papers in "World Englishes in 1982"
70 citations
TL;DR: The authors showed that grammar use makes a very modest contribution to grammatical accuracy in second-language acquisition, and that good grammar users can apply conscious rules when they have time to think about and use them, as in writing.
Abstract: Perhaps the most important discovery researchers in second-language acquisition have made in recent years is something that most people knew already: acquiring a second language is not simply a matter of ‘knowing the rules’. Real second-language competence is subconscious knowledge, similar to knowledge of a first language. Competent second-language users, like competent users of the native language, do not think grammatical rules when they are producing or understanding the second language, and in many cases never consciously ‘learned’ the rules they use so well. (Grammar rules do help in certain limited situations: good ‘grammar’ users can apply conscious rules when they have time to think about and use them, as in writing, but even here our research indicates that grammar use makes a very modest contribution to grammatical accuracy. For most people, using ‘grammar’ in real conversation only leads to trouble. Constantly referring to rules gives one a very hesitant style of speaking that is not pleasant to listen to, and some of us have the bad habit of constructing our sentences via grammar rules while the other person is talking, which means that we are not listening!)
66 citations
TL;DR: The need for a new model, relevant to and attainable by the present Nigerian learner of English, for use in the schools as well as by society at large is highlighted in this paper.
Abstract: Recent changes in social, political and educational direction within Nigeria have given rise to the need to define and describe a standard variety of Nigerian spoken English (NSE) for use as a teaching model. Old models, which existed in the form of large numbers of native English-speaking teachers, are no longer present in the country. The functions of the English language have changed and urban drift has led to the development of new varieties of spoken English. There is now a need for a new model, relevant to and attainable by the present Nigerian learner of English, for use in the schools as well as by society at large. A variety of English taken from within the local environment can meet this need.
41 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors of texbooks published since the beginning of 1978 are invited to submit 1000 word articles discussing the principles underlying their work and accompanied by two pages from the book in question.
Abstract: Writers of texbooks published since the beginning of 1978 are invited to submit 1000 word articles discussing the principles underlying their work and accompanied by two pages from the book in question. The articles should be problem-based, not advertisements, and the extracts should be in a form suitable for reproduction without redrawing. Writers will be responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions.
11 citations
9 citations
TL;DR: It is estimated that between 500 and 600 million people living on all continents use English as their primary or secondary language as discussed by the authors, and more and more countries are making English their lingua franca to communicate with the rest of the world.
Abstract: Today English is the principal means of communication among people of different nations. It is estimated (Bowen, 1976) that between 500 and 600 million people living on all continents use English as their primary or secondary language. More and more countries are making English their lingua franca to communicate with the rest of the world—not just the native English-speaking world. English is being used not only as a second or foreign language but also as an international language (Richards, 1978).
7 citations
4 citations
TL;DR: The need and the answer as discussed by the authors The need and answer of the answer to the question "how it is that their commerce with the ancients appears to produce, in those who constantly practise it, a steadying and composing effect upon their judgement".
Abstract: The need and the answer‘I know not how it is’, said Matthew Arnold ‘but their commerce with the ancients appears to me to produce, in those who constantly practise it, a steadying and composing effect upon their judgement …’ Arnold went on to say that such people are, ‘more truly than others, under the empire of facts’.
3 citations
3 citations
TL;DR: The problem with measuring fluency is essentially a matter of controlling the variation in subjective judgements which may be made on different occasions regarding what is "fluent speech".
Abstract: Assessment of the spoken English abilities of both native and non-native speakers typically concentrates on features such as fluency, range of vocabulary, and grammatical accuracy. It is not difficult to find fault with such an approach. While the ability to produce vocabulary items and grammatical structures can be assessed objectively, it does not necessarily lead to effective spoken communication outside the classroom or the test situation. The problem with measuring fluency is essentially a matter of controlling the variation in subjective judgements which may be made on different occasions regarding what is ‘fluent speech’. Despite these drawbacks, there will no doubt continue to be a requirement that fluency and grammatical accuracy in using the spoken language be assessed.
3 citations
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TL;DR: Graded readers have been around for some time but very often, unfortunately, they have been the poor relation in the family of English teaching aids, fitted into the lesson "faute de mieux" as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Graded readers have been around for some time but very often, unfortunately, they have been the poor relation in the family of English teaching aids, fitted into the lesson ‘faute de mieux’. At their worst, they are regarded as poor substitutes for real literature and at their best as gap fillers. Much of this criticism has often been the result of the content and presentation of the readers themselves, since many consist of stories and subjects which are particularly unmotivating in an age of purpose-specific English. But a significant reason is also undoubtedly teachers' ignorance of what readers are and how they can be used very effectively. In short, graded readers have perhaps not been given a fair deal, so let us start from the beginning to establish just what they are and how they can be usefully exploited.
TL;DR: In the early days of the development of aviation, no requirement existed for communication between the aircraft and a ground station, and the information required by a pilot was mainly visual.
Abstract: In the early days of the development of aviation, no requirement existed for communication between the aircraft and a ground station. Flying was carried out within sight of the ground or water, and the information required by a pilot was mainly visual. For example, navigation was carried out by the observation of well-known landmarks and the direction of landing at an aerodrome was judged either from observation of a windsock or of a white letter T displayed in a Signals square. The approach to land was also by visual communication. A green lamp signal was an All Clear, and a red lamp signal advised the pilot to make another visual circuit before attempting to land. In extremis, when a red lamp signal had not been observed, the firing of a red Verey light usually achieved the objective.
TL;DR: English is the most obviously viable candidate as a world language and English is likely to become more rather than less important in the role of international communication as discussed by the authors. But English is not the most popular language in the world.
Abstract: Why is English the most obviously viable candidate as a world language? Or is it? Does this opening sentence beg the question of the real position of English in the world today? What are the criteria by which one might state that English is the language of international communication, and is likely to become more rather than less important in that role?
TL;DR: The authors pointed out that too great a dependence on other academic disciplines leads to ‘swings of the pendulum' and leaves the classroom teacher confused and often rather sceptical about any kind of theoretical principles.
Abstract: Foreign-language teaching methodology has been constantly swayed by trends and developments in allied disciplines, especially the various branches of linguistics. Such influence is inevitable, since a methodology must be based on a certain view of language and of language acquisition. However, as Rivers (1976) pointed out, too great a dependence on other academic disciplines leads to ‘swings of the pendulum’ and leaves the classroom teacher confused and often rather sceptical about any kind of theoretical principles.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors of textbooks published since the beginning of 1978 are invited to submit 1000 word articles discussing the principles underlying their work and accompanied by two pages from the book in question.
Abstract: Writers of textbooks published since the beginning of 1978 are invited to submit 1000 word articles discussing the principles underlying their work and accompanied by two pages from the book in question. The articles should be problem-based, not advertisements, and the extracts should be in a form suitable for reproduction without redrawing. Writers will be responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions.
In the October 1981 issue of World Language English (Author's Platform), Ian Dunlop suggests that ‘guessing the meaning of words form the context’ (p. 50) is not the answer to students' reading problems. He then proceeds to give examples of how to teach reading in the classroom. I would like to suggest that guessing the meanings of words from the context is an essential part of learning a language and in particular is a necessary part of learning to read. I also think that the types of reading activity proposed by Dunlop on page 52 support my suggestion.