Australian Review of Applied Linguistics - Volume 42, Issue 3, 2019

Abstract

This paper investigates a possible relationship between the motivation and attitude of learners towards L2 in the socio-cultural context of Australia. We used an explanatory mixed-methods approach and conducted a survey with 31 international postgraduate TESOL students at a regional university in Australia. Then we conducted semi-structured interviews with six of the students. The survey results suggest a relationship between the way a learner viewed Australian English and their motivation towards L2. The motivational factors were Ideal L2 Self, Linguistic Self Confidence, Cultural Interest, Instrumentality (Promotion) and Ought-to L2 Self. While all contributed to varying degrees in motivating the learners towards L2 learning, only the first three interacted significantly with learners’ attitudes towards Australian English. Further, our interview data highlight that the attitude of the learners with regard to their favorite language variety was based more on Australian English’s Inner Circle status than its linguistic characteristics.

Abstract

Is oral feedback on thesis writing from supervisors and academic literacy advisors (ALA) based on writing criteria, such as the MASUS (Measuring the Academic Skills of University Students) criteria (Bonanno & Jones, 2007)? The study aimed to investigate the distribution of supervisory and ALA oral feedback in terms of the five MASUS Areas. These Areas of writing were used to analyze fortnightly meetings between two L2 English doctoral candidates and their supervisors (eight meetings) and an ALA (eight meetings). The findings showed that the feedback moves were distributed across the Areas and most moves were produced in multi-Area episodes. However, compared to the ALA, the supervisors covered the Areas less comprehensively, used fewer single-Area episodes, and combined sources with structure. The article concludes that oral feedback on thesis writing is criterion-based, and supervisors can inform their feedback and develop their students’ skills by employing tools such as MASUS.

Abstract

Despite decades of often ambitious policies in Australia, languages education is still characterized by intermittent commitment to the teaching of languages, with inequitable access particularly entrenched in rural and regional contexts. While research has focused on the practical and material constraints impacting on policy implementation, little research has investigated the role of the discursive terrain in shaping expectations and limitations around what seems achievable in schools, particularly, from the school principal perspective. Beginning with an overview of policy interventions and an analysis of contemporary challenges, we use Q methodology to identify and analyze viewpoints at work in similarly-positioned rural and regional schools. In doing so, we seek to determine what seems possible or impossible across settings; the role of principals in enabling and constraining pathways for the provision of school language programs, and the need for macro-level language policy to be informed by constraints specific to rural and regional contexts.

Abstract

Thirty years ago Australian researchers led the development of language and content integration in schools, advocating systematic teaching of language across the curriculum to meet the needs of English as an additional language (EAL) students. However, despite significant improvements in initial teacher education, targeted professional development and language-specific curriculum and assessment, this paper suggests that secondary teachers have gained only a superficial understanding of the language knowledge necessary to teach EAL students. Drawing on questionnaires, interviews, and observations, this case study of two secondary schools in Sydney reveals the majority of teachers report their perspectives and experiences of good teaching have equipped them with a repertoire of sufficient strategies to meet EAL needs, and they see little difference between teaching EAL and learners with low levels of literacy. This paper concludes a renewed focus on integrating language and content teaching and partnership models of professional learning and evaluation are needed.

This article reviews Novice writers and scholarly publication: Authors, mentors, gatekeepers978-3-319-95333-5

This article reviews Language and subjectivity