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SUMMARY:Innovation and Reform in Language Teaching: Legacies from the Past
  - Dr Richard Smith\, University of Warwick
DTSTART:20090608T160000Z
DTEND:20090608T170000Z
UID:TALK18141@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Ewa Illakowicz
DESCRIPTION:_Although change in language teaching theory can appear relent
 less\, lasting reform for better practice appears very difficult to achiev
 e\, in particular in cases where the ‘better’ ideas in question are im
 ported ones. Within the field of ELT / TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers
  of Other Languages)\, the last fifteen or so years have seen a helpful cr
 itical turn\, involving heightened awareness of needs to develop contextua
 lly appropriate methodology or ‘post-method pedagogy’. However\, in th
 is talk I argue that\, for a long-lasting improvement to occur\, what is r
 equired is enhanced historical and not just sociological or political awar
 eness. Specifically\, I highlight the value of understanding the benefits 
 and limitations of a continuous European tradition of progressive theory g
 oing back to the late nineteenth century Reform Movement. Equally\, an awa
 reness of local pedagogical traditions\, including traditions of resistanc
 e to innovation and reform in different local contexts is needed\, while t
 here may need to be a new focus on identifying positive values within such
  traditions. I illustrate all these points with reference to original rese
 arch into the roots and early development of ELT\, and in relation to post
 -war reform efforts involving the export from the UK of situational\, and\
 , subsequently\, communicative language teaching._
LOCATION:Room GS5\, New Faculty Building\, Faculty of Education\, 184\, Hi
 lls Road
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