Conference: The MATSDA/University of Liverpool 2 day conference, themed “Enjoying to learn: the best way to acquire a language?” 13th and 14th July 2013, University of Liverpool

Topic: Is enjoyment central to language learning? A snapshot of M.A. student materials developers’ perspectives

Abstract: 

Is enjoyment central to language acquisition? We know a lot about what the “big names” in
ELT think about this, but what about new materials developers, those who are just starting
out and in whose hands – potentially –the future of ELT learning material lies? This study
focuses on a group of M.A. ELT students at Leeds Metropolitan University who have
completed a module in materials development as part of their course, producing a variety of
materials to submit for assessment. It asks these students what role “enjoying to learn” plays
in their materials and why. Additionally, it addresses them as language learners, enquiring
what role enjoyment played in their language learning and their views on this. A sample of
their materials, together with a discussion of their opinions, will provide a snapshot of the
lesser-known side of materials development and perhaps a glimpse of possible future
directions in this field.

Recording: Here. (Not of the actual presentation – due to technical fail – but of a rehearsal)

Write up: Here.

References used in presentation: 

Bolitho et al. (2003) Ten questions about Language Awareness in ELTJ vol. 57/3 Oxford University Press. Oxford.

Dörnyei, Z. (2005). The psychology of the language learner: Individual differences in second language acquisition. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.

Dornyei (2013) Plenary at Warwick International PG Conference of Applied Linguistics

Dellar, H. (2013) Twenty things in twenty years, part 7: Input is more important than output. Blog post, address: http://hughdellar.wordpress.com/2013/06/09/twenty-things-in-twenty-years-part-seven-input-is-more-important-than-output/

Gadd, N. (1998) Towards less humanistic English teaching. in ELTJ vol 52/3 Oxford University Press. Oxford.

Gilmore, A. (2007) Authentic materials and authenticity in foreign language learning. In Language Teaching vol. 40. Cambridge University Press. Cambridge.

Lightbown P and Spada N  (2006) How languages are learned Oxford University Press. Oxford.

Richards, J. (2006) Materials development and research – making the connection in RELC vol. 37/1 SAGE publications

Schmidt, R. (1990) The role of consciousness in language learning in Applied Linguistics vol. 11/2 Oxford University Press. Oxford.

Scrivener, J.; Underhill, A.  The issues Blog post, link: http://demandhighelt.wordpress.com/2012/03/02/the-issues/

Swan, M. Language Teaching is Teaching Language. Hornby Lecture given at IATEFL Conference 1996.

Tomlinson (2010) Principles of effective materials development in Harwood N. (ed.) English Language Teaching Materials: Theory and Practice. Cambridge University Press.

Tomlinson (2012): Materials Development for Language Learning and Teaching in Language Teaching vol. 45/2 Cambridge University Press. Cambridge.