Description
Book SynopsisThis collection of essays and reflections starts from an analysis of the purposes of foreign language teaching and argues that this should include educational objectives which are ultimately similar to those of education for citizenship. It does so by a journey through reflections on what is possible and desirable in the classroom and how language teaching has a specific role in education systems which have long had, and often still have, the purpose of encouraging young people to identify with the nation-state. Foreign language education can break through this framework to introduce a critical internationalism. In a ‘globalised’ and ‘internationalised’ world, the importance of identification with people beyond the national borders is crucial. Combined with education for citizenship, foreign language education can offer an education for ‘intercultural citizenship’.
Trade ReviewI enjoyed reading this book. It promises to be a typically clear and compelling discussion of the institutional implications for adopting an intercultural approach to language teaching in European schools. It deserves to be read and debated widely.
-- Professor John Corbett, Department of English, University of Glasgow
It would be hard to deny the importance of Byram's excellent book. It is unique, because it views language teaching as a social and political activity and it gives new insights into the topic of foreign language education. The abundance of examples has a double merit in the book because, on the one hand, it helps in better understanding the topic and, on the other hand, it makes the book more interesting to read. Michael Byram's book is a worthwhile read and welcome addition to our body of knowledge on foreign language education. The book is of manageable size and scope and quite accessible to non-experts. At the same time, it is clearly worded, interesting, useful and opens new avenues for future research and study.
-- Tünde Bajzát, University of Miskolc, Hungary * Linguist List 20.1850 *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgements
Introduction
I FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDUCATION
Purposes
1 Foreign Language Education in Context
2 Purposes for Foreign Language Education
Possibilities
3 Is Language Learning Possible at School?
4 The Intercultural Speaker – Acting Interculturally or Being Bicultural
5 Intercultural Competence and Foreign Language Learning in the Primary School
6 Analysis and Advocacy: Researching the Cultural Dimensions of Foreign Language Education
Perspectives
7 Nationalism and Internationalism in Language Education
8 Language Learning in Europe
9 Foreign Language Teaching as Political Action
II INTERCULTURAL CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION
10 Language Education, Political Education and Intercultural Citizenship
11 Education for Intercultural Citizenship
12 Policies for Intercultural Citizenship Education
13 Curricula for Intercultural Citizenship Education
14 Assessment and/or Evaluation of Intercultural Competence and Intercultural Citizenship
Conclusion
References
Appendix
