Genres, science and Web 2.0: intersemiotic relationships in the digital space

Abstract Summary

Abstract :

In order to support second language learners (for example newly arrived students in regular lessons), there is a need for consistent language education across all subject areas (Gogolin & Lange 2011). For this, teachers need (1) knowledge about language requirements in their subjects. At the same time, it is fundamental that they (2) feel responsible for language education in the subject area and (3) appreciate existing multilingualism in school (Hammer et al. 2016, who consider these three dimensions as teachers' beliefs). Given these three dimensions, it is obvious that typical questions such as "Do I have to teach language instead of contents?" or "Do I have to speak all languages?" are obsolete. But how is it possible to convince subject teachers or to change their beliefs? First of all, a consistent language support should be subject-based and interconnected between subjects. Embedding genres into subject teaching can be helpful as a lever for connecting subject and language learning because genres require a variety of subject-based written and oral language structures, such as formal text features and syntax in the composition of texts for school subjects (Dean 2014). Genres are therefore an important tool for students’ recurring communication tasks (Becker-Mrotzek & Böttcher 2006) in language of schooling as well as in heritage languages. The epistemic function of language(s) can be developed through a systematical instruction of cognitive discourse functions (e.g. asking, describing, explaning) and genre-based scaffolding. A coordination between language teaching and subject lessons (language of schooling) including heritage language teaching promotes overall biliteracy (Gogolin & Lange 2011; Schleppegrell 2006). In this talk, I will present how language education can be designed using principles of genre pedagogy (Van Dijk & Hajer 2012). Selected research results underpin the responsibility of subject teachers to connect subject and language learning in subject areas.

Pre-recorded video :