African international doctoral students in New Zealand: Englishes,doctoral writing and intercultural supervision

While the experiences of international doctoral students, especially those from Asian countries, have been well researched, fewer studies have explored the experiences of African students in Southern countries like Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand. This article reports on doctoral writing and student and supervisor perspectives on English languages in a small study of supervisors and African students in New Zealand. It challenges deficit constructions of African students and illustrates how the growing internationalisation of higher education is adding to the complexities of doctoral writing, raising questions as to how students and supervisors recognise and navigate differences in Englishes and doctoral writing. It makes a number of recommendations about how supervisors might work effectively with African and other doctoral students.     

Language policy and science: Could some African countries learn from some Asian countries?

This article deals with the fact that most children in Africa are taught in a language neither they nor their teachers master, resulting in poor education outcomes. While there are also donor interests and donor competition involved in retaining ex-colonial languages, as well as an African elite that may profit from this system, one of the main reasons why teaching in ex-colonial languages persists lies in the fact that a large proportion of the general public still believes that the best way to learn a foreign language is to have it as a language of instruction. By contrast, research studies conducted in Africa, as well as examples from Asian countries such as Sri Lanka and Malaysia, have shown that children actually learn mathematics and science much better in local and familiar languages. Though the recent World Bank Education Strategy policy paper is entitled Learning for All, it does not specify which language learning should take place in. A claim one often hears in countries of so-called Anglophone Africa is that English is the language of science and technology, and that teaching these subjects through English (instead of teaching English as a subject in its own right as a foreign language) is best. The monolingual island of Zanzibar is in fact about to reintroduce English as the language of instruction in maths and science from grade 5 onwards in primary school. The author of this paper suggests that when it comes to language policy, some African and some Asian countries could learn from each other.     

Promising Programs for Elementary and Middle Schools: Evidence of Effectiveness and Replicability

This is a time of great opportunity, but also of great danger in the education of students placed at risk for school failure. Students may be placed at risk for many reasons, among which are low socioeconomic status (SES), minority status, and limited English proficiency, if they attend schools that are not prepared to build on their strengths. Although individual low-income and minority students may excel, and individual schools may have great success with high-poverty students, on average such students perform significantly worse in school than do advantaged students in well-funded schools (Knapp & Woolverton, 1995; National Center for Education Statistics, 1993, 1994). In particular, African American and Latino students have, as a group, performed significantly lower than other groups. Although the gap between these groups and White students on the National Assessment of Educational Process (NAEP) and other tests has gradually diminished since the early 1970s, the gap remains substantial, and in the most recent NAEP assessments the White-minority gap actually increased slightly for the first time since the NAEP has been given (National Center for Education Statistics, 1994).     

THE LANGUAGE QUESTION IN NAMIBIAN SCHOOLS

International Review of Education - Namibia, a country in southwest Africa with only 1.5 million inhabitants, officially has thirteen languages as languages of instruction in the first grades of...     

Multilingualism in South Africa with Particular Reference to the Role of African Languages in Education

In this paper it is argued that language policy can play a central role in enabling citizens of a country to participate in the political, educational, social and economic life of that country. Or it can deny them that right. In discussions on the role of African languages, there is a tendency to confine the discussion to language in education. I argue that unless we locate the discussion in a broader context, we are not going to make much progress in extending the use of African languages beyond the home domain. The paper therefore consists of three sections. The first section looks broadly at the domains where language has an impact. The second section briefly outlines a process underway in South Africa to develop a framework for a national language policy, whilst the final section looks at the implications of this for education. Here I look at language in Education Policy in Practice. I give examples from a piece of primary research that I have conducted with Xhosa -speaking Grade 4 and Grade 7 learners who have been given pictures to describe first in Xhosa and then in English. The examples show the rich vocabulary children have when they express themselves in Xhosa and the poor vocabulary they have when they express themselves in English.     

陕西教育学院普专学生英语学习状况调查研究

对陕西教育学院普专学生的英语学习状况进行分析,并以此为依据,对今后的英语教学提出几点建议。     

The inset strategies model: an effective inset model for unqualified and underqualified primary teachers in Namibia

The problem of significant numbers of unqualified and underqualified primary teachers is critical in some African countries. As INSET (In-service Education and Training) is the only training these teachers receive, effective INSET practice is of concern to INSET planners seeking to address this problem. This article explores effective INSET strategies: the criteria for effectiveness being implementation of the training in the classroom. It presents an effective cyclical INSET model, entitled the INSET Strategies Model, which was used to guide a three-year (1995–1997) INSET programme for 145 unqualified and underqualified primary teachers in Namibia. The programme sought to develop teachers' basic teaching, English Language Teaching (ELT) and learner-centred skills, in order to support their efforts to implement reforms related to ELT introduced in Namibia in the early 1990s. The article discusses the stages of the model, each of which corresponds to an INSET strategy: needs assessment, organisation, determination of content, training process, follow-up and evaluation. The underlying change framework of the model, particularly the extent to which it takes micro-implementation factors into account, is offered as one explanation for its success. These factors are the objective and subjective realities within which teachers work.     

语言迁移与英语和法语的条件句比较研究

乔姆斯基提出的普遍语法理论使语言迁移成为可能。英语和法语有着很深的历史渊源,对英语和法语进行对比分析,比较两种语言的异同,有助于有良好英语知识的学习者开始法语学习。从条件句,特别是非真实奈件句的比较研究可以看出,英语和法语之间有很多的语言相似性。因此,我们应该充分发挥学生已掌握英语的优势,因势利导,发挥语言正迁移作用,促进学生法语习得。     

Making educational policy under influence of external assistance and national politics — a comparative analysis of the education sector policy documents of Ethiopia,Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia

The article analyses the context and content of current national education sector policy documents from four African countries (Ethiopia, 1994; Mozambique, 1995; Namibia, 1993; Zambia, 1996). These documents are examined in relation to the educational policy agenda presented in World Bank publications and in the documents of the Jomtien Education for All conference. In all four cases a considerable degree of agreement is found between the national documents and the donor agenda, particularly in the countries undergoing structural adjustment programmes. The analysis also suggests that this influence is moderated by multi-party politics, and by remnants of previous socialist ideology.     

Negotiating words and worlds: an autoethnography of linguistic identity development

This article presents an autoethnographic account of the author’s linguistic development as a speaker of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) and Standard American English (SAE). Historically, formal settings such as academic spaces have undervalued the use of AAVE; thus, creating tension for speakers of the language. In this study, the author reflects on her linguistic identity, and as a new doctoral student begins to interrogate her language beliefs and practices. This research is grounded in critical race theoretical perspectives and analyzes power, race, and language use for African Americans who speak AAVE and SAE. The author employs autoethnography methods to develop a narrative account of her experiences and reflect on the psychological and physical effects of code-switching and code-meshing as a student and teacher. This work can inform pedagogical approaches that support the teaching and learning needs of culturally and linguistically diverse students in urban classrooms.     

Why do English Universities really Franchise Degrees to Overseas Providers?

Franchising degrees to overseas providers, normally for‐profit private companies, has become big business for English universities. The latest data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency reveal that there are now more international students registered for the awards of English higher education institutions that are studying wholly offshore than are on campus. There is an extensive economic literature exploring the role of franchising (or licensing) in the internationalisation of multinational companies. There are, however, few studies that have attempted to understand the reasons why so many English universities have moved beyond exporting (educating foreign students on campus) to franchising their degrees to overseas partners. This study uses an exploratory research methodology to get ‘inside the black box’. It investigates the motivations of decision‐makers entering and maintaining franchising operations at four English universities, revealing that financial considerations are less dominant than widely believed within the sector and are overshadowed by other, non‐commercial considerations.     

Promoting Early Literacy and Student Investment in the African Storybook

ABSTRACT

Research has found that reading achievement is strongly associated with opportunities for children to engage actively with print. This article addresses research on a digital initiative called the African Storybook, which provides a website with over 1,000 openly licensed children’s picture storybooks in more than 150 African languages, as well as the official languages of English, French, and Portuguese (africanstorybook.org). The article draws on a 2014 study conducted in Uganda that sought to examine the extent to which teachers and children were invested in the African Storybook stories. Of central interest in this article is the extent to which teachers sought to encourage young children to engage actively with the African Storybook stories. The findings suggest that use of the stories promoted greater ownership of meaning for the young readers, as well as shifts of identity for both students and teachers.     

Snapshots of student-teachers' experiences of DVDs in a learner support programme in a developing ODL context

Abstract

The School of Continuing Teacher Education (SCTE) in South Africa delivers an Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE) Learner Support Programme to Open Distance Learning (ODL) students in Namibia, a developing sub-Saharan African country. This paper examines the experiences of student-teachers using DVDs included in the tutorial package. Fifteen participants from rural and remote areas of Namibia took part in a semi-structured focus group and individual interviews. A first phase analysis identified a set of codes and categories that guided the researchers to two themes to using DVDs: frustration and attitude. Student-teachers' frustration and attitude towards DVDs are linked to sufficient appropriate information, also available as a paper-based tutorial package. Although electronic learning material can assist in achieving curriculum goals and enrich students' learning experiences, students' expectations are paramount in the design and development of instructional DVDs.     

大专生英语阅读策略选择的调查分析

阅读策略是英语阅读学习的一个重要影响因素,阅读策略直接影响学生阅读能力,已引起英语教学研究领域专家学者的广泛关注。通过对江西教育学院、江西现代职业技术学院、蓝天学院等大专院校英语专业310名大专生阅读策略问卷调查和阅读试卷测试,采用描述统计和单因素方差分析,探讨阅读策略使用情况以及阅读策略与阅读成绩者之间的关系,旨在从阅读策略方面找到提高英语阅读教学效果的有效途径,为英语阅读教学提供建议和依据。     

African American females in academe: Power and self-development

This paper focuses on five types of power and seven self-development strategies that can have an impact on the performance and productivity of African American female faculty members.Theresa Bey is a faculty associate at the University of Georgia, College of Education, Program for School Improvement. She has taught instructional supervision and leadership in staff development, and is a 1995 Senior Fulbright Scholar appointment in Cyprus. She received her B.A. in Business Education from Montclair State College; her M.A. in School-Community Relations from Glassboro State College; and, her Ph.D. (1979) in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Her primary areas of interest include teacher education, mentoring, supervisory support, and international education.     

Review of Single Subject Research Examining the Effectiveness of Interventions for At‐Risk English Learners

We review published single subject design (SSD) studies that examine the effects of interventions for English learners at‐risk or with learning disabilities. Results of our literature search yielded 10 studies, five in reading, one in reading and behavior, and four in mathematics that met our inclusion criteria. Seven studies targeted Spanish‐speaking English learners, and three studies included students who spoke other languages than English and/or English only students. Two studies in mathematics included native language instruction. Six studies included English learners in second grade and above, and one study included high school students. We were able to calculate effect sizes (Hedges g) for eight of the 10 studies. Findings indicated a significant effect of the intervention for 12 of the 18 dependent variables measured. SSD methodology has the potential to help researchers and practitioners better understand what interventions work for English learners, and under what circumstances.     

African American Educators’ Perspectives on the Advanced Placement Opportunity Gap

This study examines perspectives of educators on the advanced placement opportunity gap for African American students. Using interviews with 11 educators from 10 high schools, we explored their perceptions regarding the impact of a local academic achievement program on the enrollment of African American students in honors and advanced placement courses. Results of the analysis suggest that there is a perceived and real gap in the participation of African American students in AP courses. Findings also revealed that educators were concerned about the lack of access for African American students to AP courses. Further, issues of belonging and operational citizenship within the school environment were raised. Recommendations for pedagogical techniques are presented as well as suggestions for future research. Jocelyn D. Taliaferro is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at North Carolina State University. Dr. Taliaferro earned her BA degree in Psychology with minors in African American Studies and English from University of Delaware and her MSW from Howard University in Washington, D.C. She returned to University of Delaware to earn her PhD in Urban Affairs and Public Policy. Dr. Taliaferro’s teaching and research interests include African American student achievement, social policy, community development, and family support. Jessica T. DeCuir-Gunby is an Assistant Professor of Educational Psychology in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at North Carolina State University, CB#7801, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA. Dr. DeCuir-Gunby earned her BS degree with a double major in Psychology and Spanish from Louisiana State University. She earned both her MA and PhD degrees in Educational Psychology at the University of Georgia. Dr. DeCuir-Gunby’s research and theoretical interests include race and racial identity development in education, Critical Race Theory, mixed methods research, and emotions.     

英汉双语教学的忧思

目前我们国家正在推行高等院校英汉双语教学，值得商榷和反思。在高等院校推行英汉双语教学缺乏必要性和可行性，不仅于法无据且有悖于法，对我国的高等教育事业不仅无益而且有害。它挤占了学生的学习时间，妨碍学生对科学知识的掌握，影响学生能力的培养，容易使崇洋媚外的思想潜生暗长，助长了当前国内正在泛滥的英语霸权。英汉双语教学不宜推行。     

印度基础教育阶段少数民族的教学语言政策研究

印度的民族和语言众多,各种专门委员会和《国家教育政策》对教学语言都有相应的建议和规定,但是《国家教育政策》在各地的落实情况也有很大的差异。由于绝大多数的印度少数民族（表列部族）语言没有文字,所以少数民族学生很难接受到用本民族语言进行的学校教育,印度政府在这方面还有大量艰苦的工作要做。     

“3S中心”模式在高职高专英语教学中的应用

《关于高职高专教育英语课程教学基本要求》中明确了高职高专英语教学"全面贯彻‘实用为主,够用为度’的教学指导方针,以培养应用能力,特别是实用能力为教改主攻方向;突出打好语言基础与培养语言应用能力并重、语言基本技能训练与培养从事涉外交际能力并重的教学原则",探讨了以"3S"为中心开展高职高专英语教学。对于改变当前高职高专英语教学仍以"教师传授知识为主,课堂教学中实用性、交际化不足"的现状有着积极的推动作用。