Language in Education - (Bloomsbury Advances in Semiotics) by Rita Elaine Silver & Soe Marlar Lwin (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Teachers in any subject area must have a basic understanding of how language is learned and used in educational contexts because language impacts teaching and learning across all subjects. This book is written specifically for those teachers and teacher traineeslearning to teach who want to know more about language learning and use in educational contexts and, especially, those who care about the social implications of language in education.

Chapters address crucial questions that teachers must address:
How is language structured?
How is language learned at home and in school, by first, second and bilingual language learners?
How is language used in classrooms to shape learning?
How does language vary in different regions and due to social characteristics of users?
How can language be used to make meaning in different modes (oral/written) and contexts?
How do language policies intersect with education policies, and how do these impact teachers?

The chapters are full of examples of language use in educational contexts to help readers understand language in action. The examples not only highlight key points, they also provide opportunities for readers to deepen their understanding by experiencing analysis of language. Each chapter closes with a discussion of relevance to educational settings and questions which can be used for in-class discussion or personal reflection. Suggestions for further readings and online viewing are included, and a comprehensive companion website is available

Review Quotes

Rita Silver and Sor Marlar Lwin have produced an invaluable resource for learning, reflection and enrichment about the infinitely complex and fascinating dimensions of language in education. Progressing by stages from the ubiquitous presence of language in education, through to structure, meaning and variation within languages, to children's cognitive and social processes of acquisition, and then to social varieties, communication contexts and policy realities, they traverse the full lifecycle of language in education. This is a convincing and ordered contribution to the field of language in education for teachers, parents and students.
Aula de Encuentro, (Bloomsbury Translation)

The book contains numerous commendable features, among which is the inclusion of a wide range of essential topics, all covered in a substantive manner, yet one that is easily accessible to the non-specialist ... The overall appeal of this book is also enhanced by the many thought--provoking questions and suggested additional references, including online sources found at chapter endings ... In sum, this is an excellent collection of readings.
Linguist List

This inspiring, informative and unpretentious book provides an excellent introduction to the field. Topical and highly readable, the international team of contributors has produced a text which will appeal to a broad range of readers interested in finding out more about how language is used, taught and learned in educational settings.

About the Author

Rita Elaine Silver is Associate Professor at the National Institute of Education, Singapore.

Soe Marlar Lwin is Assistant Professor at the National Institute of Education, Singapore.