ELINET Webinar series Multilingual Literacies Across Learning Contexts

Given the high priority and relevance of the webinar theme in current times, and that there is a limited number of places available, please don’t delay if you want to have the opportunity of participating. Certificates of attendance will be available upon request.
More information is available on the registration form. Register for one or more sessions in the series using this form

See and download the flyer here.

 

Schedule

Seminar 1

“Reading to Learn, Learning to Write, genre pedagogy in multilingual school contexts”
Presenter: Aoife Ahern
Date: Thursday 29th May
Time: 18:00 – 19:00 CET

Abstract:
This talk will explain recent extensions, for second / additional language
learning contexts, of Rose & Martin’s (2012) approach to literacy education,
Reading to Learn. The approach is based on a carefully designed, scaffolded
teaching and learning cycle. Applying a set of strategies for reading and writing
across the genres that are required in different school curriculum areas,
teachers orally mediate students’ access to both the relevant knowledge,
language and visual resources from reading, and guide them to apply these to
composing their own texts. The approach is directly linked, therefore, to the
development of disciplinary literacies and to the needs of the large number of
students who currently study in Content and Language Integrated Learning
(CLIL) programmes. The talk will start with a brief introduction to Reading to
Learn in L2s, and an overview of the teachers’ role in selecting texts and
planning to apply the strategies. Next we will discuss its potential to uphold the
central place of literacies in the school curriculum, one of the EU key
competences, while ensuring students acquire both the content and languages
of the school curriculum.

Seminar 2

“Cross-language transfer and building on the existing skills of multilingual learners”
Presenter: Aydin Durgunoglu
Date: Wednesday June 4th
Time: 18:00- 19:00 CET

Abstract:
This webinar will explore how children’s language skills interact as they learn to read and write in two or more languages. The key idea is that cross-linguistic transfer can be viewed as a metalinguistic and metacognitive skill. Cross-linguistic transfer occurs under two specific conditions: (a) When there is a strong foundation in the first language (L1). Such a foundation is influenced by factors including formal education, individual aptitude, and a supportive sociocultural environment. (b) When resources in the new language(s) are limited or insufficient, thus making the L1 a valuable and relevant linguistic asset. These dynamics have important implications for designing educational programs that leverage L1 as a foundation for literacy development in the new language(s).

Seminar 3

Inclusive Settings for Learning English in Adult Education
Presenter: Uta Woiwod
Date: Tuesday June 10
Time: 18:00 – 19:00 CET

Abstract
Compared to corresponding discussions in inclusive primary- and secondary-school settings, teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) to adult persons with learning difficulties has as yet received little attention both academically and in practice. This webinar presents an inclusive EFL course held at a centre of adult education in Germany (Volkshochschule). The course concept, tailored to a small group of participants, was primarily activity-oriented and based upon considerations from cognitive linguistics. Classes were focused on English words and phrases commonly used in German in everyday contexts or at work (‘anglicisms’), as, for the group, these formed major obstacles in understanding and contributing to conversation. The talk is meant to show that academic evaluation will be needed to develop approaches of didactic differentiation as well as teaching materials in order to establish sustainable inclusive EFL scenarios in adult education.

We kindly ask you to share this information with any academics, teachers, teacher educators and others interested in educating students for multilingual literacies. We hope to see you at the events!

Best regards,
The ELINET Webinar Task Group