English in Schools Marrying Research and practice Anna Jeeves, Ásrún Jóhannsdóttir, Hafdís Ingvarsdóttir NBR Seminar Sharing the Treasure Trove 18 – 19 June 2010

English as a Lingua Franca ELF in Iceland is a three year research project funded by the Icelandic Research Fund (RANNÍS) Project leaders: Birna Arnbjörnsdóttir and Hafdís Ingvarsdóttir Main objective is to map out the use of English in Iceland – The teaching of English – Students and teachers view on learning and teaching English – The proficiency in English The project is divided into several components two of which will be presented here 19 April 2010 Hafdís Ingvarsdóttir2

Back to school 19 April 2010 Ásrún Jóhannsdóttir & Anna Jeeves

External Motivational Factors and Perceived Lexical Knowledge of 4 th Graders at the Beginning of Formal English Instruction. Ásrún Jóhannsdóttir, Ph.D student, University of Iceland Main objectives – To examine the lexical proficiency of 4th grade student in Iceland at the onset of instruction. – To identify the factors that motivate students to learn English at this early age. – To examine the amount and type of English 4th grade students in Iceland are exposed to prior to beginning English studies at school. 19 April 2010 Ásrún Jóhannsdóttir4

Theory – The role of motivation in language learning – Age and second/foreign language learning – Vocabulary acquisition Main frame – influences Parental influence, Peer influence, Educational environment, Media environment, Needs/Goals Methodology – th grade students in Iceland – around the country Questionnaire Vocabulary tests Semi-structured interviews 19 April 2010 Ásrún Jóhannsdóttir5

Preliminary analysis Preliminary results suggest that 4 th grade students in Iceland see their future selves as general users of foreign languages, particularly English, irrespective of the level of English exposure, motivation and lexical knowledge. English exposure varies at this age, and it seems to be that the boys at this age either have more access or their interests result in more exposure to English than the girls. Everyone knows English everywhere við verðum að læra ensku vel því það er svo brjálæðislega mikið af henni alls staðar – We need to learn English properly because there is insanely much of it everywhere 19 April 2010 Ásrún Jóhannsdóttir6

English at Secondary School: Student Voices Anna Jeeves, Ph.D. student, University of Iceland Main research question What characterises perceptions of practical and personal relevance of secondary school English studies in Iceland? 719 June 2010 Anna Jeeves

Objectives and research methods To explore the perceived relevance of English studies to young Icelanders lives – perception of future L2 self – retrospective view of school studies To listen to what students say, by interviewing – students aged at secondary schools – students and young people aged in further education or in employment 819 June 2010 Anna Jeeves

First analysis Enjoyment and self-esteeem –...we just had to write a short story, we made it up ourselves...That was good fun. –...after six months it was just a piece of cake Gaining new knowledge – article on medicine...because Im going to study medicine – literature...which I wouldnt have read otherwise Deepening knowledge –...more ways to say the same thing, a feeling or whatever I want to get across 919 June 2010 Anna Jeeves

Food for Thought David Crystal (2003): Roughly one out of every four users of English is a native speaker of the English Language English is in the air? Is it? What kind of English and how does this affect our teaching? Should ELF influence our teaching in schools? How? 19 April 2010 Hafdís Ingvarsdóttir10