Language Awareness research: where we are now

• Autores: Agneta Svalberg M.-L.
• Localización: Language awareness, ISSN 0965-8416, Vol. 25, Nº. 1-2, 2016 (Ejemplar dedicado a: Special Issue: Language Awareness: Achievements and Challenges: Selected papers from the 12th International Conference of the Association for Language Awareness, Hedmark University College, Hamar, July 2014), págs. 4-16
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • This paper outlines the context in which Language Awareness (LA) research is currently situated and where it might be going. The starting point is Eric Hawkins's vision (40 years ago) of LA as a bridge between school subjects and, in wider society, between people of different backgrounds and languages. Although considerable progress has been made in language education, this vision remains very relevant in today's society, characterised by large population movements and economic instability. In the UK, there is a mismatch between the multilingualism of communities with roots outside the UK and the shortage of foreign language skills sought by employers. Globally, English as a foreign language dominates, especially in higher education. Against this background, The paper reflects on LA research in the last four years; the topic areas which are most commonly addressed, the languages targeted, and the context in which research is taking place. It is noted that a complex dynamic systems world view is evident in much of current LA research, and discuss some of the implications.