The world in which we live in: Beatles, blends and blogs
The language of popular music is a great source of data for ELT, especially because of its motivating force among young people - and the not so young, for older people remember the pop songs of their youth with accuracy and nostalgia. Pop songs are also one of the most ubiquitous manifestations of English as a global language, so it is not surprising to see them often used in ELT classrooms.
But there has been relatively little analysis of the kind of English that they contain. As we are in Liverpool, this talk uses the songs of the Beatles to illustrate some interesting features of phonology, syntax, and lexis, and finds trends that go well beyond pop lyrics. Blogs, in particular, display interesting similarities in usage which can be significantly different from other modes of written expression.
发言人:David Crystal
ELT tomorrow
ELT tomorrow is today! What we think, what we do, and what we are inspired to change all have an impact on the future of the field. From language planning to curricula design, from methodology to assessment, from teacher development to learner characteristics, everything will be transformed to address the future needs of the field.
In this plenary, Liu draws on the most recent data from his research via document analysis, surveys, and interviews to highlight salient patterns and themes that have evolved over the past few decades in the ELT field. Liu shares his analysis of the data, interpretation of its meaning, and speculation about the future trends with regard to research foci, teacher expectations, and emerging learning styles as English continues to play the role of a world language. Liu’s conclusion, featuring the six abilities a competent English teacher should have for the next decade, will leave audience members reflecting on their own practice and anticipating the new direction of ELT.
发言人:刘骏
The ELT weather forecast: perceptions on effectiveness and teacher motivation
Welcome to the ELT weather channel …
What’s the weather like in ELT today? What atmospheric patterns can we observe in our perceptions on effectiveness in different areas in our energy field: in methodology, research, curriculum, assessment, technology, learner development, teacher training and development, management, and professional networking? What low and high pressures exist in our professional contexts?
What about teacher motivation? We know our well-being matters, that it affects all aspects of our lives, and that our health, energy, happiness and inner peace are prerequisites for greater effectiveness in our professional work. So how are we doing on the motivational front in our work places?
Based on a qualitative research study on our own perceptions of effectiveness and motivation in a variety of ELT contexts across the world, we will explore a range of factors that appear to influence how we perceive effectiveness in different areas and discuss patterns that seem to emerge with respect to our understanding and expectations of teacher motivation.
Join us in the ELT Weather Report and in our exploration on what the forecast seems to call for in the near future.
Stay tuned for the full report! Now back to the newsroom!
发言人:Deniz Kurtoglu Eken
Language dealing
A few years ago I did some research on the cultural identity of expatriate teachers of English around the world, and one respondent declared that if English were a drug, expatriate teachers would be the dealers. Dr. Bill Johnston of Indiana University has written about the moral dimension of English language teaching, and in particular once drew provocative parallels between EFL teachers and medieval knights errant.
In this talk I am going to explore these metaphors and argue that the phenomenon of expatriate English teachers could be considered a historical, cultural movement. I will then consider a new drug: Mandarin as a Foreign Language, and consider the effects that Chinese expatriate teachers might have as language dealers.
发言人:Susan Barduhn
On a lighter note
Come and be entertained by Roger McGough, ‘a trickster you can trust’, who is one of Britain’s best-loved poets for both adults and children. Roger reads poems old and new and just sprung from the poetry box and talks about his writing life, the city of Liverpool and the state of hope in which he lives year-round.
