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Books by Viv Edwards
Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 1995
... We particularly acknowledge the contribution of Ruth Blacksell and Urmi Chana who organized a... more ... We particularly acknowledge the contribution of Ruth Blacksell and Urmi Chana who organized and carried out the lieldwork in the ... texts: Woman with thepushchairby Steve Kaufman (1993), The magic ink by Anna Robinson (1986), The first rainsby Peter Bonnici (1984), Lights ...
Rap and Homer? It may seem incongruous to link the verbal gymnastics of black America and the epi... more Rap and Homer? It may seem incongruous to link the verbal gymnastics of black America and the epic poetry of ancient Greece. yet there is nothing frivolous in pairing the two, for both represent skilled exponents of richly developed oral cultures. The techniques of their craft, their relations with their audience and their place within the community are common bonds of more significance than the distances which separate them. This book, the collaboration of a classicist and a sociolinguist, ranges across six continents and 3000 years, taking in the oral world of Homer, the orators of Madagascar and Samoa, the story-tellers of Africa and the Caribbean and the rappers of America and Britain today. In their panoramic account, the authors explore particularly the characteristics and techniques of the oral performer and the active role of the audience in the performance. The interchanges of performer and audience include praise and blame, boasts and self-blame, abuse and counter-abuse. The authors look too at the structure and connections of oral performances, marked by repetition and elaborations, proverbs, lists and riddles. The work is aimed at undergraduates and specialists in sociolinguistics, English folklore, black studies and classics.
Multilingual classrooms where two or three - or over ten - languages are spoken are now common th... more Multilingual classrooms where two or three - or over ten - languages are spoken are now common throughout the English-speaking world, and most teachers will at some time find themselves working with learners of English as an additional language. Traditionally, the emphasis in schools has been exclusively on English but recently teachers have begun to understand the importance of a solid foundation in the first language for development in a second. They are also recognising that all members of the class - including monolingual English speakers - can benefit from the expertise of bilingual children as part of the language study requirements of the National Curriculum. "The power of Babel" describes initiatives for promoting linguistic and cultural diversity in the classroom. It brings together practical teaching suggestions, case studies of good practice and information resources, which have all been tried and tested by primary teachers attending in service courses on 'meeting the needs of bilingual learners' at the University of Reading. All the ideas developed here have proved effective in enhancing children's learning.
Multilingual classrooms where two or three - or over ten - languages are spoken are now common th... more Multilingual classrooms where two or three - or over ten - languages are spoken are now common throughout the English-speaking world, and most teachers will at some time find themselves working with learners of English as an additional language. Traditionally, the emphasis in schools has been exclusively on English but recently teachers have begun to understand the importance of a solid foundation in the first language for development in a second. They are also recognising that all members of the class - including monolingual English speakers - can benefit from the expertise of bilingual children as part of the language study requirements of the National Curriculum. "The power of Babel" describes initiatives for promoting linguistic and cultural diversity in the classroom. It brings together practical teaching suggestions, case studies of good practice and information resources, which have all been tried and tested by primary teachers attending in service courses on 'meeting the needs of bilingual learners' at the University of Reading. All the ideas developed here have proved effective in enhancing children's learning.
This textbook brings together research on literacy and multilingualism from a variety of settings... more This textbook brings together research on literacy and multilingualism from a variety of settings: the learning of English in migrant destinations, immersion and bilingual education, and the maintenance of heritage languages. Designed to be accessible to students from a wide range of disciplines, the book explores multilingualism as a global phenomenon at both the individual and societal level, and literacy learning in a wide variety of contexts, and uses both these discussions to explore the theoretical and policy issues which are behind current educational practice, and points to possible ways forward. Students are introduced to examples of innovative and best practice from a range of international contexts, and discussion points and suggested activities encourage them to build on their own experiences as language learners. This is an ideal introductory text for students on courses where a critical understanding on language in education is necessary, as well as being a useful summary of the field and its future directions for researchers, practitioners and policy makers.
Multilingualism in the English-Speaking World: Pedigree of Nations explores the consequences of E... more Multilingualism in the English-Speaking World: Pedigree of Nations explores the consequences of English as a global language and multilingualism as a social phenomenon. Written accessibly, it explores the extent of diversity in ‘inner circle’ English speaking countries (the UK, the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand) and examines language in the home, school, and the wider community.
* Considers the perspectives of English as a global language as well as multilingualism as a social phenomenon.
* Written in an accessible style that draws on contemporary real life examples.
* Examines the everyday realities of people living in 'inner circle' English-speaking countries, such as the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
* Discusses the theoretical issues that underpin current debates, drawing on research literature on societal multilingualism, language maintenance and shift, language policy, language and power, and language and identity.
Papers by Viv Edwards
Journal of Intercultural Communication, Jul 9, 2018
This paper explores the impact of study abroad on the self-identity of Chinese doctoral students ... more This paper explores the impact of study abroad on the self-identity of Chinese doctoral students in the UK, with an emphasis on students' agency and identity through the lens of Giddens' (1991) reflexive project of the self'. Qualitative data comprising student perceptions and experiences of personal changes and development during their study abroad were collected through focus groups and semi-structured interviews involving 11 participants. Three interrelated themes emerged from thematic analysis: how the students constructed narratives which helped them to actively negotiate new sociocultural and academic fields; their growth in independence; and the perceived changes that took place in values and worldview. The findings demonstrate that study abroad provides students with an opportunity for self-transformation and identity expansion.
Routledge eBooks, Nov 30, 2021
If distance education and face-to-face teaching were once clearly distinct modes of university te... more If distance education and face-to-face teaching were once clearly distinct modes of university teaching, that is hardly the case today with online and self-directed components integral to most university language courses. The difference is thus one of degree, not one of kind, and the difficulties faced by distance learners – whether isolation, motivation, opportunity for language practice, or integration of feedback – are in effect a magnification of problems faced by all learners.
Encyclopedia of Language and Education, 1997
Gentle probing of even those societies which are officially monolingual invariably exposes a surp... more Gentle probing of even those societies which are officially monolingual invariably exposes a surprising level of linguistic diversity. The increasing interdependence of nations which has marked the second half of the twentieth century, however, has ensured that unprecedented numbers of city schools in Europe and the English speaking world are serving multicultural, multilingual populations. Historic and demographic trends determine the educational response to diversity. For instance, in North America, large concentrations of speakers of French, Spanish and Chinese have led to the development of programs whose aim is to produce children bilingual and biliterate in both English and the language of the home (see volume 5). In contrast, where school populations are more diverse, the sole medium of instruction is likelv to be the (official or unofficial) national language.
Journal of Language, Identity & Education, 2007
Race Ethnicity and Education, 2017
The present study explores a topic which has been under-studied to date, namely the identity form... more The present study explores a topic which has been under-studied to date, namely the identity formation of Chinese PhD students in relation to study abroad. Underpinned by Giddens' (1991) "reflexive project of the self", which privileges agency and reflexivity, and using a narrative inquiry approach, it presents four students 'stories' collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions in the form of a trajectory of development from past to future. In building a picture of the ways in which students' self-identity is shaped by and shapes their experience of study abroad, the stories illustrate individual agency, motivation, selfdetermination and reflexivity. In doing so, they challenge the essentialised view of Chinese students as a homogeneous and sometimes problematic group and point to implications for action by the host institutions.
International Journal of Multilingualism, 2017
Attention to trilingual education programmes in China has tended to focus on basic education; the... more Attention to trilingual education programmes in China has tended to focus on basic education; there had been little attention to date on the higher education sector. This paper will attempt to bridge this gap by exploring a Yi-English-Chinese trilingual education programme through case studies of three Yi students, using the 'River of Life' constructivist techniquewhere participants map turns on a river to represent critical incidents in their life historiesto promote reflection. The findings focus on life events, such as family relocation and change of schools, which steered students to the trilingual Yi-English-Chinese programme; the different ways in which students position themselves in relation to the three languages; and the implications of mixed ability classes, limited teaching resources and the absence of appropriate pedagogies. While the delivery of the programme presents serious challenges and the learning outcomes are often disappointing, the pragmatic gains associated with the programme are substantial in terms of students' access to employment in their home region and opportunities for further study.
Clevedon: Multilingual Matters, 1995
... We particularly acknowledge the contribution of Ruth Blacksell and Urmi Chana who organized a... more ... We particularly acknowledge the contribution of Ruth Blacksell and Urmi Chana who organized and carried out the lieldwork in the ... texts: Woman with thepushchairby Steve Kaufman (1993), The magic ink by Anna Robinson (1986), The first rainsby Peter Bonnici (1984), Lights ...
Rap and Homer? It may seem incongruous to link the verbal gymnastics of black America and the epi... more Rap and Homer? It may seem incongruous to link the verbal gymnastics of black America and the epic poetry of ancient Greece. yet there is nothing frivolous in pairing the two, for both represent skilled exponents of richly developed oral cultures. The techniques of their craft, their relations with their audience and their place within the community are common bonds of more significance than the distances which separate them. This book, the collaboration of a classicist and a sociolinguist, ranges across six continents and 3000 years, taking in the oral world of Homer, the orators of Madagascar and Samoa, the story-tellers of Africa and the Caribbean and the rappers of America and Britain today. In their panoramic account, the authors explore particularly the characteristics and techniques of the oral performer and the active role of the audience in the performance. The interchanges of performer and audience include praise and blame, boasts and self-blame, abuse and counter-abuse. The authors look too at the structure and connections of oral performances, marked by repetition and elaborations, proverbs, lists and riddles. The work is aimed at undergraduates and specialists in sociolinguistics, English folklore, black studies and classics.
Multilingual classrooms where two or three - or over ten - languages are spoken are now common th... more Multilingual classrooms where two or three - or over ten - languages are spoken are now common throughout the English-speaking world, and most teachers will at some time find themselves working with learners of English as an additional language. Traditionally, the emphasis in schools has been exclusively on English but recently teachers have begun to understand the importance of a solid foundation in the first language for development in a second. They are also recognising that all members of the class - including monolingual English speakers - can benefit from the expertise of bilingual children as part of the language study requirements of the National Curriculum. "The power of Babel" describes initiatives for promoting linguistic and cultural diversity in the classroom. It brings together practical teaching suggestions, case studies of good practice and information resources, which have all been tried and tested by primary teachers attending in service courses on 'meeting the needs of bilingual learners' at the University of Reading. All the ideas developed here have proved effective in enhancing children's learning.
Multilingual classrooms where two or three - or over ten - languages are spoken are now common th... more Multilingual classrooms where two or three - or over ten - languages are spoken are now common throughout the English-speaking world, and most teachers will at some time find themselves working with learners of English as an additional language. Traditionally, the emphasis in schools has been exclusively on English but recently teachers have begun to understand the importance of a solid foundation in the first language for development in a second. They are also recognising that all members of the class - including monolingual English speakers - can benefit from the expertise of bilingual children as part of the language study requirements of the National Curriculum. "The power of Babel" describes initiatives for promoting linguistic and cultural diversity in the classroom. It brings together practical teaching suggestions, case studies of good practice and information resources, which have all been tried and tested by primary teachers attending in service courses on 'meeting the needs of bilingual learners' at the University of Reading. All the ideas developed here have proved effective in enhancing children's learning.
This textbook brings together research on literacy and multilingualism from a variety of settings... more This textbook brings together research on literacy and multilingualism from a variety of settings: the learning of English in migrant destinations, immersion and bilingual education, and the maintenance of heritage languages. Designed to be accessible to students from a wide range of disciplines, the book explores multilingualism as a global phenomenon at both the individual and societal level, and literacy learning in a wide variety of contexts, and uses both these discussions to explore the theoretical and policy issues which are behind current educational practice, and points to possible ways forward. Students are introduced to examples of innovative and best practice from a range of international contexts, and discussion points and suggested activities encourage them to build on their own experiences as language learners. This is an ideal introductory text for students on courses where a critical understanding on language in education is necessary, as well as being a useful summary of the field and its future directions for researchers, practitioners and policy makers.
Multilingualism in the English-Speaking World: Pedigree of Nations explores the consequences of E... more Multilingualism in the English-Speaking World: Pedigree of Nations explores the consequences of English as a global language and multilingualism as a social phenomenon. Written accessibly, it explores the extent of diversity in ‘inner circle’ English speaking countries (the UK, the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand) and examines language in the home, school, and the wider community.
* Considers the perspectives of English as a global language as well as multilingualism as a social phenomenon.
* Written in an accessible style that draws on contemporary real life examples.
* Examines the everyday realities of people living in 'inner circle' English-speaking countries, such as the UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
* Discusses the theoretical issues that underpin current debates, drawing on research literature on societal multilingualism, language maintenance and shift, language policy, language and power, and language and identity.
Journal of Intercultural Communication, Jul 9, 2018
This paper explores the impact of study abroad on the self-identity of Chinese doctoral students ... more This paper explores the impact of study abroad on the self-identity of Chinese doctoral students in the UK, with an emphasis on students' agency and identity through the lens of Giddens' (1991) reflexive project of the self'. Qualitative data comprising student perceptions and experiences of personal changes and development during their study abroad were collected through focus groups and semi-structured interviews involving 11 participants. Three interrelated themes emerged from thematic analysis: how the students constructed narratives which helped them to actively negotiate new sociocultural and academic fields; their growth in independence; and the perceived changes that took place in values and worldview. The findings demonstrate that study abroad provides students with an opportunity for self-transformation and identity expansion.
Routledge eBooks, Nov 30, 2021
If distance education and face-to-face teaching were once clearly distinct modes of university te... more If distance education and face-to-face teaching were once clearly distinct modes of university teaching, that is hardly the case today with online and self-directed components integral to most university language courses. The difference is thus one of degree, not one of kind, and the difficulties faced by distance learners – whether isolation, motivation, opportunity for language practice, or integration of feedback – are in effect a magnification of problems faced by all learners.
Encyclopedia of Language and Education, 1997
Gentle probing of even those societies which are officially monolingual invariably exposes a surp... more Gentle probing of even those societies which are officially monolingual invariably exposes a surprising level of linguistic diversity. The increasing interdependence of nations which has marked the second half of the twentieth century, however, has ensured that unprecedented numbers of city schools in Europe and the English speaking world are serving multicultural, multilingual populations. Historic and demographic trends determine the educational response to diversity. For instance, in North America, large concentrations of speakers of French, Spanish and Chinese have led to the development of programs whose aim is to produce children bilingual and biliterate in both English and the language of the home (see volume 5). In contrast, where school populations are more diverse, the sole medium of instruction is likelv to be the (official or unofficial) national language.
Journal of Language, Identity & Education, 2007
Race Ethnicity and Education, 2017
The present study explores a topic which has been under-studied to date, namely the identity form... more The present study explores a topic which has been under-studied to date, namely the identity formation of Chinese PhD students in relation to study abroad. Underpinned by Giddens' (1991) "reflexive project of the self", which privileges agency and reflexivity, and using a narrative inquiry approach, it presents four students 'stories' collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions in the form of a trajectory of development from past to future. In building a picture of the ways in which students' self-identity is shaped by and shapes their experience of study abroad, the stories illustrate individual agency, motivation, selfdetermination and reflexivity. In doing so, they challenge the essentialised view of Chinese students as a homogeneous and sometimes problematic group and point to implications for action by the host institutions.
International Journal of Multilingualism, 2017
Attention to trilingual education programmes in China has tended to focus on basic education; the... more Attention to trilingual education programmes in China has tended to focus on basic education; there had been little attention to date on the higher education sector. This paper will attempt to bridge this gap by exploring a Yi-English-Chinese trilingual education programme through case studies of three Yi students, using the 'River of Life' constructivist techniquewhere participants map turns on a river to represent critical incidents in their life historiesto promote reflection. The findings focus on life events, such as family relocation and change of schools, which steered students to the trilingual Yi-English-Chinese programme; the different ways in which students position themselves in relation to the three languages; and the implications of mixed ability classes, limited teaching resources and the absence of appropriate pedagogies. While the delivery of the programme presents serious challenges and the learning outcomes are often disappointing, the pragmatic gains associated with the programme are substantial in terms of students' access to employment in their home region and opportunities for further study.
This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization onginating it. 0 Mi... more This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization onginating it. 0 Minor changes have been made to Improve reproduction quality.
English across Cultures. Cultures across English, 1989
Language and Education, 1991
... Questionshave similarly been identified in the literature as an important feature of classroo... more ... Questionshave similarly been identified in the literature as an important feature of classroom interaction, particularly in relation to whether they ... TEACHER-PUPIL TALK ... As predicted, gender also has a significant effect on the pattern of interactions in the classrooms we observed. ...
International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 1995
... Nous commençons par discuter les pratiques d'alphabétisation des chrétiens intégrist... more ... Nous commençons par discuter les pratiques d'alphabétisation des chrétiens intégristes blancs aux Etats-Unis, et des immigrants du sous-continent indien et de Hong Kong au Royaume Uni. ... Dans les deux cas, la vision du monde façonne les attitudes par rapport à l'écrit. ...
Early Child Development and Care, 1983