Overview

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.

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9781853599941

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Reviews

This book gives valuable insights into some of the problems faced by language learners throughout the world, that teachers should carefully take note of. Moreover, much of what the protagonists of the book have to say is strikingly familiar to those thousand upon thousand non-Catalan-speakers striving to do the same in the Catalan context. Their frank and sincere thoughts are a call to neighbours, friends, colleagues who are fortunate enough to have the language: Don't hide it away, please share it with us! Miquel Strubell, MA, Msc, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, Catalonia. A stimulating and thought-provoking look at the real, practical problems facing adults, as they learn a language and try to become part of this new community. The focus is on Welsh, but the issues raised are relevant everywhere. Dr Gwen Awbery, Co-ordinating Lecturer for Welsh, Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning, Cardiff University

This socio-educational study provides a fascinating glimpse into the psychology (and anxiety) of language acquisition and issues of personal and national identity.Pamela Petro, Planet, the Welsh InternationalistThis book gives valuable insights into some of the problems faced by language learners throughout the world, thatteachers should carefully take note of. Moreover, much of what the protagonists of the book have to say is strikinglyfamiliar to those thousand upon thousand non-Catalan-speakers striving to do the same in the Catalan context.Their frank and sincere thoughts are a call to neighbours, friends, colleagues who are fortunate enough to have thelanguage: Don't hide it away, please share it with us!Miquel Strubell,Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Barcelona, CataloniaA stimulating and thought-provoking look at the real, practical problems facing adults, as they learn a languageand try to become part of this new community.Dr Gwen Awbery, Cardiff Centre for Lifelong Learning, Cardiff University

Author Information

Dr Lynda Pritchard Newcombe is from South Wales and lives in Cardiff. She learned Welsh, her ancestral language as an adult and has extensive experience of teaching Welsh and German to adults. She has been involved in various research projects on L2 learning/use and bilingualism, most of which have been qualitative in nature; she has, however, collaborated in some quantitative studies with her husband, Professor Robert G. Newcombe. She also works as a freelance writer.

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