All entries for January 2024

Nature and history of educational linguistics: Discussion of a recent article by Jason Anderson

Writing about web page https://doi.org/10.1515/eduling-2023-0009

By Xi Li

On the afternoon of January 24, 2024, the weekly meeting of the HoLLT Research Circle in the Warwick ELT Archive featured Dr. Jason Anderson presenting his recently published research article (available via the link below), titled ‘Reimagining educational linguistics: A post-competence perspective’.

Jason critically delved into the historical foundations of educational linguistics, contending that its inception within a Chomskyan ‘competence model’ has contributed to a noticeable gap between applied linguists and language teachers. His article advocates a transformative framework that acknowledges literacy and pluralist orientations, underscores the importance of flexibility, and puts forth a diverse research agenda, aiming to enhance the relevance of educational linguistics in global educational contexts.

Following Jason’s compelling presentation, members engaged in a dynamic discussion, exploring topics such as the historical evolution of educational linguistics, the historical trajectory of competence in applied linguistics, and the ensuing impact on language teaching methodologies.

Jason Anderson’s article is available from Educational Linguistics, open access through the following doi link:

Anderson, J. (2023). ‘Reimagining educational linguistics: A post-competence perspective’. Educational Linguistics. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1515/eduling-2023-0009

Xi Li : 29 Jan 2024 18:48 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem

English textbooks published in China

By Xi Li

In December 2023, Warwick ELT Archive received a generous gift of eight English textbooks published in China in the 1980s from a friend of the ELT Archive, Simon Smith, including six textbooks for junior high school pupils (初级中学课本 英语 English Textbook for junior high school) and two textbooks for senior high school pupils (全日制十年制学校高中英语课本 Senior High School Textbook-English), which were published by People’s Education Press and used nationwide. We are very appreciative of this contribution, which supports a current Warwick ELT Archive initiative to systematically collect, and catalogue English textbooks used in China from 1949 to the early 2000s.

This endeavor focuses on establishing a comprehensive China English textbook collection, a supportive resource for delving into the history of English language education in China. Once complete, this corpus will provide splendid primary source material for PhD and MA students in the Department of Applied Linguistics with a keen interest in researching the history of English language education. As we continue our efforts, the textbooks we acquire will be added to the Warwick ELT Archive catalogue.

This collaborative undertaking is spearheaded by a dynamic group of young researchers deeply passionate about the historical development of English language education in China. Within this HELE-China group at Warwick, we are actively engaged in research, exploring topics such as comparisons between English and Chinese language teaching and research in China prior to the 20th century, as well as research into the development of textbooks. Using the textbooks we collect, we aspire to develop diverse research avenues and methodologies for further exploration.

Xi Li : 12 Jan 2024 00:45 |  Comments (0) |  Close comments |  Report a problem