Curriculum genres and task structure as frameworks to analyse teachers’ use of L1 in CBI classrooms

Yuen Yi LO, Mei Yi Angel LIN

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlespeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Content-based education programmes, in which a second/foreign language (L2) is used as the medium of instruction when teaching non-language content subjects, aim at both content and L2 learning. With such dual goal in mind, and with the rapid expansion of the programmes to contexts where students might have only basic L2 proficiency, there have been consistent calls for reconsidering the roles of first language (L1) in the teaching and learning process. The functions of L1 in content-based classrooms have been well documented, but it is necessary to have a more systematic approach to planning and using L1. This paper seeks to address this gap by applying the notions of ‘curriculum genres’ and ‘task structure’ when analysing patterns of teachers’ use of L1 and L2 in a collection of content subject lessons observed in English-medium secondary schools in Hong Kong. With illustrative episodes presented in this paper, we would argue that ‘curriculum genres’ and ‘task structure’ can serve as useful tools for both researchers and teachers to analyse and critically reflect on patterns of pedagogic practices and language use in content-based classrooms. These will have significant implications for future research on using L1 and illuminate effective pedagogy in content-based education. Copyright © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)78-90
JournalInternational Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism
Volume22
Issue number1
Early online dateSept 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Citation

Lo, Y. Y., & Lin, A. M. Y. (2019). Curriculum genres and task structure as frameworks to analyse teachers’ use of L1 in CBI classrooms. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism, 22(1), 78-90. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2018.1509940

Keywords

  • Content-based education
  • Content and language integrated learning (CLIL)
  • Use of L1
  • Curriculum genres
  • Task structures

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