Description
Teachers in any subject area must have a basic understanding of how language is learned and used in educational contexts because language impacts teaching and learning across all subjects. This book is written specifically for those teachers and teacher traineeslearning to teach who want to know more about language learning and use in educational contexts and, especially, those who care about the social implications of language in education. Chapters address crucial questions that teachers must address: How is language structured? How is language learned at home and in school, by first, second and bilingual language learners? How is language used in classrooms to shape learning? How does language vary in different regions and due to social characteristics of users? How can language be used to make meaning in different modes (oral/written) and contexts? How do language policies intersect with education policies, and how do these impact teachers? The chapters are full of examples of language use in educational contexts to help readers understand language in action. The examples not only highlight key points, they also provide opportunities for readers to deepen their understanding by experiencing analysis of language. Each chapter closes with a discussion of relevance to educational settings and questions which can be used for in-class discussion or personal reflection. Suggestions for further readings and online viewing are included, and a comprehensive companion website is available
Provides foundational knowledge on the roles of languages in education, focussing especially on the social dimension.
About the Author
Rita Elaine Silver is Associate Professor at the National Institute of Education, Singapore. Soe Marlar Lwin is Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Education, Singapore.
Reviews
The book contains numerous commendable features, among which is the inclusion of a wide range of essential topics, all covered in a substantive manner, yet one that is easily accessible to the non-specialist ... The overall appeal of this book is also enhanced by the many thought- provoking questions and suggested additional references, including online sources found at chapter endings ... In sum, this is an excellent collection of readings. -- Martin R. Gitterman * Linguist List *
Rita Silver and Sor Marlar Lwin have produced an invaluable resource for learning, reflection and enrichment about the infinitely complex and fascinating dimensions of language in education. Progressing by stages from the ubiquitous presence of language in education, through to structure, meaning and variation within languages, to children's cognitive and social processes of acquisition, and then to social varieties, communication contexts and policy realities, they traverse the full lifecycle of language in education. This is a convincing and ordered contribution to the field of language in education for teachers, parents and students. -- Joseph Lo Bianco, Professor of Language and Literacy Education, University of Melbourne, Australia
This inspiring, informative and unpretentious book provides an excellent introduction to the field. Topical and highly readable, the international team of contributors has produced a text which will appeal to a broad range of readers interested in finding out more about how language is used, taught and learned in educational settings. -- Viv Edwards, Professor of Language in Education, Reading University, UK
This edited collection brings together a number of chapters and suggested resources that will prove helpful to students and practising teachers alike.It reflects the linguistic and social aspects of language, its form and use, for educational settings, comprehensively and yet in an extremely accessible way. -- Rhonda Oliver, Professor of Education, Curtin University, Australia
This is a well-written, scholarly and informative book, which brings together key issues related to language and education, viewing language in all its social dimensions. It will be of value to students across many courses and levels of study, both undergraduate and postgraduate. It will have particular value for teachers wishing to improve their understandings of language and its role in teaching and learning. -- Jean Conteh, Senior Lecturer in Primary Education, Leeds University, UK
We use language to define our world, while at the same time the social world in which we live defines our language. The structure of language and the variation we find within it depend both on the social world as well as the ways in which we create an identity for ourselves and the ways in which we build relations with others. Understanding how language both constrains our thoughts and actions and how we use language to overcome those constraints are important lessons for all educators. In each of the nine chapters in this book, the authors ask a specific question about how and why language helps or hinders, and they provide sensible answers that do not assume technical knowledge of linguistics. In so doing, the authors have made the lessons of language accessible to a wide range of readers. -- Richard F. Young, Professor in English Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
This book serves as both an introductory text to those who are wanting to familiarize themselves with the important role of language in education and at the same time it provides an important contribution to a greater understanding of perspectives on language structure, language variation and language function. Often when students begin to study education subjects with a view to being a classroom teacher it takes a long time for them to appreciate the role of language in teaching - this book brings into immediate focus the importance of language in education. -- Robyn Cox, Associate Professor of Literacy Education, Australian Catholic University, Australia
The reviewed book provides an excellent introduction to the relationship between language and education, enhanced by its emphasis on the social aspects of language, beyond the purely grammatical. It also stands out for its excellent selection of topics and clarity in dealing with them. [...] This book can be a great instrument for present and future educators in the field of linguistics. -- Dr. Victor Manuel Longa Martinez * Aula de Encuentro, (Bloomsbury Translation) *
Book Information
ISBN 9781441151810
Author Rita Elaine Silver
Format Paperback
Page Count 216
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic USA
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Weight(grams) 344g
Provides foundational knowledge on the roles of languages in education, focussing especially on the social dimension.
About the Author
Rita Elaine Silver is Associate Professor at the National Institute of Education, Singapore. Soe Marlar Lwin is Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Education, Singapore.
Reviews
The book contains numerous commendable features, among which is the inclusion of a wide range of essential topics, all covered in a substantive manner, yet one that is easily accessible to the non-specialist ... The overall appeal of this book is also enhanced by the many thought- provoking questions and suggested additional references, including online sources found at chapter endings ... In sum, this is an excellent collection of readings. -- Martin R. Gitterman * Linguist List *
Rita Silver and Sor Marlar Lwin have produced an invaluable resource for learning, reflection and enrichment about the infinitely complex and fascinating dimensions of language in education. Progressing by stages from the ubiquitous presence of language in education, through to structure, meaning and variation within languages, to children's cognitive and social processes of acquisition, and then to social varieties, communication contexts and policy realities, they traverse the full lifecycle of language in education. This is a convincing and ordered contribution to the field of language in education for teachers, parents and students. -- Joseph Lo Bianco, Professor of Language and Literacy Education, University of Melbourne, Australia
This inspiring, informative and unpretentious book provides an excellent introduction to the field. Topical and highly readable, the international team of contributors has produced a text which will appeal to a broad range of readers interested in finding out more about how language is used, taught and learned in educational settings. -- Viv Edwards, Professor of Language in Education, Reading University, UK
This edited collection brings together a number of chapters and suggested resources that will prove helpful to students and practising teachers alike.It reflects the linguistic and social aspects of language, its form and use, for educational settings, comprehensively and yet in an extremely accessible way. -- Rhonda Oliver, Professor of Education, Curtin University, Australia
This is a well-written, scholarly and informative book, which brings together key issues related to language and education, viewing language in all its social dimensions. It will be of value to students across many courses and levels of study, both undergraduate and postgraduate. It will have particular value for teachers wishing to improve their understandings of language and its role in teaching and learning. -- Jean Conteh, Senior Lecturer in Primary Education, Leeds University, UK
We use language to define our world, while at the same time the social world in which we live defines our language. The structure of language and the variation we find within it depend both on the social world as well as the ways in which we create an identity for ourselves and the ways in which we build relations with others. Understanding how language both constrains our thoughts and actions and how we use language to overcome those constraints are important lessons for all educators. In each of the nine chapters in this book, the authors ask a specific question about how and why language helps or hinders, and they provide sensible answers that do not assume technical knowledge of linguistics. In so doing, the authors have made the lessons of language accessible to a wide range of readers. -- Richard F. Young, Professor in English Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA
This book serves as both an introductory text to those who are wanting to familiarize themselves with the important role of language in education and at the same time it provides an important contribution to a greater understanding of perspectives on language structure, language variation and language function. Often when students begin to study education subjects with a view to being a classroom teacher it takes a long time for them to appreciate the role of language in teaching - this book brings into immediate focus the importance of language in education. -- Robyn Cox, Associate Professor of Literacy Education, Australian Catholic University, Australia
The reviewed book provides an excellent introduction to the relationship between language and education, enhanced by its emphasis on the social aspects of language, beyond the purely grammatical. It also stands out for its excellent selection of topics and clarity in dealing with them. [...] This book can be a great instrument for present and future educators in the field of linguistics. -- Dr. Victor Manuel Longa Martinez * Aula de Encuentro, (Bloomsbury Translation) *
Book Information
ISBN 9781441151810
Author Rita Elaine Silver
Format Paperback
Page Count 216
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic USA
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Weight(grams) 344g
