Cross-language mediation in foreign language teaching and testing / Maria Stathopoulou.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Stathopoulou, Maria, author.

Series:

New perspectives on language and education ; 43.

New perspectives on language and education

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Interlanguage (Language learning).

Interlanguage (Language learning)--Ability testing.

Language and languages--Study and teaching.

Language and languages.

Language and languages--Ability testing.

Languages in contact.

Code switching (Linguistics).

Ability--Testing.

Physical Description:

xiv, 305 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm.

Place of Publication:

Bristol ; Buffalo : Multilingual Matters, [2015]

Summary:

This book contributes to the growing field of foreign language teaching and testing by shedding light on mediation between languages. Stathopoulou offers an empirically-grounded definition of mediation as a form of translanguaging and offers tools and methods for further research in multilingual testing. The book explores what cross-language mediation entails, what processes and strategies are involved, and the challenges often faced by mediators. As well as stressing the importance of administering tests which favour cross-language mediation practices, the author encourages the implementation of language programmes which promote the mingling-of-languages idea and target the development of language learners' effective translanguaging practices. Researchers studying translanguaging, multilingualism, multilingual testing and the use of mother tongue in the foreign language classroom will all find this book of interest. Book jacket.

Contents:

1 Introduction 1

Focus of the Book 1

What is Interlingual Mediation and who is an Interlingual Mediator? 2

What Does the Ability to Mediate Involve? 4

The Research 7

The Context 10

Overview of the Chapters 12

2 The Notion of Mediation: An Interdisciplinary Overview 15

Introduction 15

The Origins of the Term 'Mediation' 15

The Meaning of 'Mediation' in Different Disciplines 16

Mediation in Foreign Language Education 28

Conclusion 34

3 Theorising Mediation 37

Introduction 37

The Practice of Mediation in Today's Multicultural Milieus 38

Mediation as Translanguaging Practice 40

Mediation as Social Practice 50

Mediation as a Dialogic and Interactive Activity 52

Concluding Remarks 57

4 Mediation Tasks 61

Introduction 61

What is a Mediation Task? 61

KPG Written Mediation Task Features Across Proficiency Levels: A Systematic Linguistic Description 65

Conclusions 86

5 Mediation Strategies 88

Introduction 88

The Term 'Strategy': Definitions and Theoretical Considerations 89

The Inventory of Mediation Strategies 93

Towards Exploring Mediation Strategies 115

Conclusion 130

6 Mediation Strategy Use and Task Type 133

Introduction 133

Mediation Strategy Use and Task Requirements 134

Type A Mediation Strategies across Tasks 138

Type B Mediation Strategies across Tasks 144

Concluding Remarks 145

7 Mediation Strategy Use and Proficiency Level 147

Introduction 147

The Proficiency Level Variable: Quantitative Data Analysis 147

The Proficiency Level Variable: Qualitative Data Analysis 153

Conclusions 204

8 Conclusions and Suggestions for Future Research 207

Introduction 207

Research Outcomes, Procedures and Overall Conclusions: A Synopsis 208

Suggestions for Exploiting Research Outcomes: Towards Developing Levelled Mediation Descriptors 212

Suggestions for Further Research 214

9 Teaching and Testing Mediation: A Means for Promoting

Multilingualism 220

Introduction 220

The Changing Landscape in Foreign Language Education 221

Incorporating Mediation in School Programmes and Exam Suites 224

A Final Note 233.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 258-301) and index.

ISBN:

9781783094110

1783094117

OCLC:

909318984

Publisher Number:

9781783094110