Theory and Practice in EFL Teacher Education

Bridging the Gap

Edited by Dr. Julia Hüttner, Barbara Mehlmauer-Larcher, Susanne Reichl, Barbara Schiftner

Publication date:

22 December 2011

Publisher

Multilingual Matters

Dimensions:

210x148mm
6x8"

ISBN-13: 9781847695253

This volume addresses the complex issues surrounding language teacher education, especially in EFL, and the development of professionalism in this field. By applying such concepts as Shulman's "pedagogical content knowledge", the development of teachers' knowledge base is investigated in a variety of settings, thus underpinning the contextual nature of teacher learning. The vital role of critical reflection at all stages of teacher development is shown to be an integral part of language teachers' knowledge constructions in areas such as pedagogical grammar, assessment and testing. The contributions shed light also on the perception and development of teacher expertise. This volume sets out to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and in so doing shows that these constructs are far from monolithic. Rather, both theory and practice are created and developed dynamically in close interrelation.

Acknowledgements

Julia Hüttner, Barbara Mehlmauer-Larcher, Susanne Reichl and Barbara Schiftner: Introduction

Part 1 Conceptualising the Issue of Theory and Practice

Henry G. Widdowson: Closing the Gap, Changing the Subject

Amy B. M. Tsui: The Dialectics of Theory and Practice in Teacher Knowledge Development

Joachim Appel: Moments of Practice: Teachers’ Knowledge and Interaction in the Language Classroom

Part 2 Developing Language Teachers’ Knowledge Base

Armin Berger: Creating Language Assessment Literacy: A Model for Teacher Education

Penny Ur: Grammar Teaching: Theory, Practice and English Teacher Education

David Newby: Cognitive + Communicative Grammar in Teacher Education

Susanne Reichl: Towards a Stronger Intervention: The Role of Literature in Teacher Education

Part 3 Assisting Language Teachers’ Knowledge Construction

Sandra Hutterli and Michael C. Prusse: Supporting the Transfer of Innovation into Foreign Language Classrooms: Applied Projects in In-service Teacher Education

Julia Hüttner and Ute Smit: Developing Student Teachers’ ‘Pedagogical Content Knowledge’ in English for Specific Purposes: The ‘Vienna ESP Approach’

Barbara Mehlmauer-Larcher: The EPOSTL (European Portfolio for Student Teachers of Languages): A Tool to Promote Reflection and Learning in Pre-service Teacher Education

Part 4 Addressing Established Paradigms

Irena Vodopija-Krstanovic: NESTs vs. Non-NESTs: Rethinking English Language Teacher Identities

Eva Vetter: Multilingualism Pedagogy: Building Bridges between Languages

This book's coverage of both academic and applied aspects of how teacher learning can be facilitated in a variety of settings is very topical, comprehensive, well-integrated and insightful. It is also structured imaginatively and is engaging in tone. Definitely a 'must' for would-be and practising teacher educators and others interested in the subject!