Inspiring Innovations in Language Teaching (Modern Language in Practice, 3) - Softcover

Hamilton, Judith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1853592838 ISBN 13: 9781853592836

Publisher: Multilingual Matters, 1995

Synopsis

The author considers in lively detail four examples of innovations in foreign language teaching within a Scottish context: languages in the primary school, the Lothian curriculum renewal project, perspectives of an innovative school department and a training institution's partnership approach to initial teacher training. Beside each Scottish example are set complementary pieces involving developments in other parts of the world: Australia's National Language Policy, the Bangalore project from India, New Zealand's public service reforms and an American institutional approach to innovation. Combined, they help to illuminate some key issues which the book explores. Part 1 is concerned with the need of innovation for legitimacy and the conflict between central control and local initiative. The subject of Part 2 is the potential of a campaigning model to foster curriculum renewal; driven by issues, not ideologies, with participants, not recipients, leaders, not managers, campaigns involve teachers in their own development in a unique manner. Part 3 considers how organisational structures can enhance teachers' capacities for innovation, while Part 4 examines ways of releasing and sustaining teachers' creativity.

About this title

About the Author

Judith Hamilton has enjoyed, as she puts it, 'a highly privileged career' in language teaching and teacher training. She taught in language classrooms in Scotland and was research and development officer on Lothian Region's GLAFLL (Graded Levels of Achievement in Foreign Language Learning) Project and conducted research in the USA and Canada. Later she gained experience of implementing and researching integrated programmes for the teaching of modern languages in the primary school. She then moved to Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, where, in partnership with colleagues from Lothian Region, she set up an innovative programme of pre-service training. A change of direction took her to the Cook Islands in the South Pacific, and from there to Tanzania, where she has had the opportunity of extending her understanding of educational matters in the developing world.

Edition details

• Publisher: Multilingual Matters
• Publication date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1853592838
• ISBN 13: 9781853592836
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304