1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910784013203321

Autore

Newcombe Lynda Pritchard

Titolo

Social context and fluency in L2 learners [[electronic resource] ] : the case of Wales / / Lynda Pritchard Newcombe

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Clevedon, UK ; ; Buffalo, NY, : Multilingual Matters, c2007

ISBN

1-280-93507-3

9786610935079

1-85359-996-4

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (153 p.)

Collana

New perspectives on language and education

Disciplina

306.4409429

Soggetti

Language and languages - Study and teaching - Social aspects - Wales

Welsh language - Study and teaching - Social aspects

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Note generali

Description based upon print version of record.

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references (p. 119-133) and index.

Nota di contenuto

Front matter -- Contents -- Acknowledgements -- Glossary -- Foreword -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Adult Language Learners -- 3. The Learner’s Experience in the Community -- 4. Issues of Culture and Identity -- 5. Anxiety and Lack of Confidence -- 6. Time and Opportunity -- 7. Sustaining Motivation -- 8. Conclusions and Recommendations -- Appendix A: Instructions to Participants for Journal Writing -- References -- Index

Sommario/riassunto

Social context, an often-neglected dimension in L2 learning/use, can play a vital role in sustaining learners’ initial motivation. As researchers have begun to shift their focus from teaching to learners and learner variables, what happens to learners when they practise their new skills in the community, has become an important area of concern. Using data on Welsh learners’ experiences outside the classroom, the author argues that, in order to learn a second or foreign language successfully, learners require regular interaction in the target language in a setting in which they feel comfortable. The impact on learners of native speakers’ switch to a language of wider communication, their speed of speech, use of dialect and identity issues are explored as are the relevance of practical issues such as time and opportunity and affective factors such as anxiety.