Debates in ESOL Teaching and Learning Cultures, communities and classrooms (New Approaches to Adult Language, Literacy and Numeracy)

This unique book provides a lively introduction to the theory and research surrounding the adult learning of English for Speakers of Other Languages. Offering a digest and discussion of current debates, the book examines a wide geographical and social spread of issues, such as: * how to understand the universal characteristics of learning an additional language * what makes a 'good' language learner * multilingualism and assumptions about monolingualism * learning the written language * the effect of recent Government immigration policy on language learning processes. As a majority of adults learning ESOL are from communities of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers, understanding the diversity of social and personal history of learners is a critical dimension of this book. It also recognises the social pressures and tensions on the learners away from the classroom and discusses various types of classroom and language teaching methodologies. Full of practical activities and case studies, this book is essential reading for any basic skills teacher undertaking a course of professional development, from GNVQ through to post-graduate level. Full Of Practical Activities And Case Studies, This Book Will Be Essential Reading For Any Basic Skills Teacher Undertaking A Course Of Professional Development, From Gnvq Through To Postgraduate Level.--jacket. Learning An Additional Language : Looking For Universal Characteristics -- The Good Language Learner : Changing Definitions? -- From Mono- To Multilingualism : Language Use Across Settings And Identities -- Learning The Written Language : Cultures, Communities And Classrooms -- Learning The Spoken Language : From Ideal To Asymmetrical Interaction. Kathy Pitt. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [161]-164) And Index. Includes Web Resources. A lively introduction to the theory and research surrounding the adult learning of ESOL, this unique book examines the social and personal histories of, and pressures on the learners and discusses types of classroom and teaching methodologies