Biting the bullet: getting the best out of speaking practice in languages tutorials

Adams, H. L. and Nicolson, M. A. (2010). Biting the bullet: getting the best out of speaking practice in languages tutorials. Classroom Discourse, 1(2) pp. 104–120.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19463014.2010.513897

Abstract

This article discusses socio-cultural and psycholinguistic issues regarding adult student integration in language tutorials in open and blended contexts when practising the skill of speaking and adds to previous research published by the authors. It examines issues linked to diversity, anxiety, critical moments and integration in regard to pedagogic approaches and argues that the latter should not be enforced at the expense of individual need. It takes account of Vygotsky's notion of the zone of proximal development, Van Lier's work on agency and Kumaravadivelu's post-method condition. Bhaba's third space remains a key concept in terms of understanding successful processes. Whilst accepting that a classroom utopia is not achievable, the authors nonetheless argue that more attention be paid to particularity within situated learning groups and that teacher development needs to take account of this.

Viewing alternatives

Metrics

Item Actions

Export

You can export this page using these formats Digital Object Identifier - DOI