FFL03
Language Development: use and function in a multilingual class

MQF Level: 7

ECTS Value: 1 ECTS

Duration: 2 Sessions

Contact Hours: 5

Self Study Hours: 12

Assessment Hours: 8

 

Module Description

During this module, participants will become familiar with multilingual development within the local educational context. They will become familiar with the theoretical underpinnings espoused in national educational documents to foster effective language learning. This module will also focus on the practical application of pedagogic strategies and their theoretical underpinnings.

By the end of this module, the learner will be able to:

Overall Objectives and Outcomes

Competences 
  1. focus on theories and latest research pertaining to language acquisition and multilingual development;
  2. reflect on language use within his/her classroom and how this can promote multilingual development in learners within the classroom;
  3. respond to the language needs of his/her students, and evaluate and adapt his/her teaching and language use accordingly;
  4. ensure students’ home language is acknowledged and celebrated in his/her classroom and within an Nwar setting or other similar literacy intervention programmes.
Knowledge
  1. develop an awareness of language education policies and their pedagogical application in practice;
  2. demonstrate an understanding of the theories of language acquisition and multilingual development;
  3. define the role of language mediation in his/her classroom and within an Nwar setting or other similar literacy intervention programmes;
  4. develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the language realities within his/her classroom, school, home and/or within an Nwar setting or other similar literacy intervention programme.
Skills
  1. assess their own language use (oral and written) within their classroom and its implications for children’s multilingual development;
  2. evaluate how educators can use language mediation and other pedagogic strategies in their classrooms;
  3. reflect on their students’ language needs through concrete strategies and provisions;
  4. design language skills which address students’ language needs;
  5. create a learning environment ensuring that language is not a barrier for students to access the curriculum.

Assessment Methods

This module will be assessed through: Lesson Plan and Assignment

Suggested Readings

Core Reading List
  1. Mifsud C.L., Vella L.A. (2018) To Mix Languages or Not? Preschool Bilingual Education in Malta. In: Schwartz M. (eds.) Preschool Bilingual Education. Multilingual Education, Vol 25. Springer, Cham
  2. Mifsud C.L., Vella L.A. (2018)Teacher agency and language mediation in two Maltese preschool bilingual classrooms, Language, Culture and Curriculum, DOI: 1080/07908318.2018.1504400
  3. Ministry of Education (2016). A language Policy for the Early Years in Malta and Gozo. Available online: https://education.gov.mt/en/Documents/A%20Language%20Policy%20for%20the%20Early%20Years.pdf
  4. Paris, A., & Farrugia, M. (2019). Embracing Multilingualism in Maltese Schools: From Bilingual to Multilingual Pedagogy. In Cahiers Internationaux de Sociolinguistique, 117-140.
  5. Vella, L. A., Mifsud, C.L. & Muscat, D. (2018). Language use in Early Childhood Education Years in Malta. A Report. National Literacy Agency, Ministry for Education and Employment, Malta
Supplementary Reading List
  1. Baker, C. (2011). Foundation of bilingual education and bilingualism(5th ed.). Bristol: Multilingual Matters.
  2. Camilleri Grima, A. (2013). A select review of bilingualism in education in Malta. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 16(5), 553–569.
  3. Creese, A., & Blackledge, A. (2010). Translanguaging in the bilingual classroom: A pedagogy for learning and teaching? The Modern Language Journal, 94(1), 103–115. 
  4. Sciriha, L. (2001) Trilingualism in Malta: Social and Educational Perspectives. In International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. Vol. 4, 2001, Issue 1, pp. 22 – 37
  5. The Council of Europe (2015). Language Education Policy Profile. Malta. The Language Policy Unit. Available online: http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/linguistic/Source/Profile-Malta_final2015_EN.pdf
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