Foreign language teachers＇ codeswitching （CS） between Foreign Language （FL） and Mother Tongue （MT） in class has been under discussion for years. Out of the pedagogical concern, many teaching practitioners condu...Foreign language teachers＇ codeswitching （CS） between Foreign Language （FL） and Mother Tongue （MT） in class has been under discussion for years. Out of the pedagogical concern, many teaching practitioners conducted various studies in different contexts aiming at describing, quantifying, and interpreting teachers＇ CS between FL and MT in class. However, up till now little attention is paid to students＇ perceptions and understandings of teachers＇ CS, which may help improve educators＇ understanding of the phenomenon in FL classrooms. This paper presents the result of two focus group interviews with groups of Chinese university students at their third and fourth year of college. Following a formal interview outline, issues on students＇ recall, understanding and evaluation of teachers＇ CS are addressed in the interview. Based on the analysis of the interviews, a better understanding on foreign language teachers＇ CS is gained, and students＇ perceptions on teachers＇ purposes and reasons for CS are drawn. A framework for investigating foreign language teachers＇ CS in Chinese universities is proposed with two hypotheses generated.展开更多
Case study research investigated the launching of an innovative Live Journal, as part of a professional social network, during international conference held in Israel on the subject of teacher training. Research liter...Case study research investigated the launching of an innovative Live Journal, as part of a professional social network, during international conference held in Israel on the subject of teacher training. Research literature notes various publications used to record research and academic materials, but talks less about tools accompanying academic conferences. As far as could be ascertained no online ＂live journal＂ has served the needs of a professional conference. To understand the process and contribution of the Live Journal, qualitative study was chosen, using categorical analysis to interpret materials uploaded by participants on the journal. Additionally, in-depth interviews exposed participants＇ voices and interpretations. The research aimed to identify factors encouraging or hindering the initiative＇s success, patterns of participation, participants＇ characteristics, writing styles and incumbent difficulties and aimed to present a model for optimal operation of the Live Journal. Findings indicate essential components for the journal＇s success include： participants, technology and marketing, noting the importance of each component and their correlation with other components. The journal＇s potential to assist construction of a professional community, and act as an impetus for professional development and familiarity with other professionals in the field indicates the importance of the journal and constitutes the key for success.展开更多
Ancient civilizations adopted an early education system that included religion as an integral part of its focus. For this reason, priests, monks, and other people of faith, were trusted with the important task of educ...Ancient civilizations adopted an early education system that included religion as an integral part of its focus. For this reason, priests, monks, and other people of faith, were trusted with the important task of educating their community and instructing them in the values, beliefs, and norms of their society. As time passed, public education continued to evolve to keep up with the societal demands to the point that education and religion were not longer connected. Simultaneously, professionals in the education field have also changed and educators are no longer required to be people of faith. However, considering that the mission of education has remained the same, it would be unrealistic to consider teachers as unspiritual individuals regardless of their religious beliefs and affiliations. This paper explores the idea that educators are innate spiritual individuals who strive to perpetuate the norms, values and virtues of their society. In addition, this article presents the concept of teacher spiritualism as a contemporary reality of our teachers and our educational system.展开更多
文摘Foreign language teachers＇ codeswitching （CS） between Foreign Language （FL） and Mother Tongue （MT） in class has been under discussion for years. Out of the pedagogical concern, many teaching practitioners conducted various studies in different contexts aiming at describing, quantifying, and interpreting teachers＇ CS between FL and MT in class. However, up till now little attention is paid to students＇ perceptions and understandings of teachers＇ CS, which may help improve educators＇ understanding of the phenomenon in FL classrooms. This paper presents the result of two focus group interviews with groups of Chinese university students at their third and fourth year of college. Following a formal interview outline, issues on students＇ recall, understanding and evaluation of teachers＇ CS are addressed in the interview. Based on the analysis of the interviews, a better understanding on foreign language teachers＇ CS is gained, and students＇ perceptions on teachers＇ purposes and reasons for CS are drawn. A framework for investigating foreign language teachers＇ CS in Chinese universities is proposed with two hypotheses generated.
文摘Case study research investigated the launching of an innovative Live Journal, as part of a professional social network, during international conference held in Israel on the subject of teacher training. Research literature notes various publications used to record research and academic materials, but talks less about tools accompanying academic conferences. As far as could be ascertained no online ＂live journal＂ has served the needs of a professional conference. To understand the process and contribution of the Live Journal, qualitative study was chosen, using categorical analysis to interpret materials uploaded by participants on the journal. Additionally, in-depth interviews exposed participants＇ voices and interpretations. The research aimed to identify factors encouraging or hindering the initiative＇s success, patterns of participation, participants＇ characteristics, writing styles and incumbent difficulties and aimed to present a model for optimal operation of the Live Journal. Findings indicate essential components for the journal＇s success include： participants, technology and marketing, noting the importance of each component and their correlation with other components. The journal＇s potential to assist construction of a professional community, and act as an impetus for professional development and familiarity with other professionals in the field indicates the importance of the journal and constitutes the key for success.
文摘Ancient civilizations adopted an early education system that included religion as an integral part of its focus. For this reason, priests, monks, and other people of faith, were trusted with the important task of educating their community and instructing them in the values, beliefs, and norms of their society. As time passed, public education continued to evolve to keep up with the societal demands to the point that education and religion were not longer connected. Simultaneously, professionals in the education field have also changed and educators are no longer required to be people of faith. However, considering that the mission of education has remained the same, it would be unrealistic to consider teachers as unspiritual individuals regardless of their religious beliefs and affiliations. This paper explores the idea that educators are innate spiritual individuals who strive to perpetuate the norms, values and virtues of their society. In addition, this article presents the concept of teacher spiritualism as a contemporary reality of our teachers and our educational system.
