What books for FND?

What books for FND? | Jerry Talandis Jr. | October 10th, 2004

Hello everyone,

A new CP (Fumiko) recently contacted me and asked me for advice about which books to buy for the FND module. I thought about it a bit, and then I thought that posting this question to the list would be a better way to give her some help. With permission, here is her message:

Dear Jerry,

At last may I ask one question? How many books did you buy? Mr. Mann recommended us 5 books for background reading. However, there are so many books mentioned in each unit.

I wish to read all but I can't, because I don't have enough time and money. If you don't mind my asking, could you tell me how I could solve this problem? And which book do you personally recommend me?

Fumiko

I think this is a very hard question to answer, actually (one reason why I'm forwarding to everyone). I remember panicking when I took the course, wondering which books I should get, wanting them all, but knowing that I could never afford (yet along read) so many. I ended up getting more than I ended up using. The ones I really got a lot out of were the Altrichter (Teachers Investigate thier Work), van Lier (Interaction in the Language Curriculum), the Willis book (Challenge & Change in Language Teaching), and to a lesser degree the Bailey and Nunan tome (Voices from the Language Classroom). Like I said, I bought many others, but never did more with them than a few brief glances. What a waste! That soured me on the book buying thing, to the point where I didn't bother using books anymore and completely relied on Internet-based resources.

What are your recommendations/experiences?

Jerry

Japan

What books for FND? | Dave Mackie | October 10th, 2004

Hi-

Certainly Altrichter, Posch & Somekh. I also enjoyed Keith Richards "Qualitative Inquiry in TESOL". For someone new-ish to TESOl, Brown's "Principles" is an informative read. A.C. Handy's "Understanding Organizations" is thought-provoking, too.

Dave Mackie

FND reading | Martin Lovatt | October 11th, 2004

Hi Fumiko,

Like Jerry I did the usual thing and bought all the books on Aston's reading list and then about ten more! Although I have in fact read most of them, I found that the more books I read the less focused on the portfolio tasks I became. (and the more I kidded myself I was actually studying even though I was making no progress on any of the written portfolio tasks!) Basically, I agree with the list supplied by Jerry (all of which I've read & think are useful). Also Mike's suggestion of Brown's 'Principles of Language Teaching and Learning' is an easy read and got me off the ground nicely. One book I bought and thought was a complete waste of time and money was 'The Cultural Politics of English as an International Language' (Pennycook) so if you're on a tight budget I'd give that one a wide berth. ('Advances in Written Text Analysis' by Malcolm Coulthard is also collecting dust on my bookshelf although I guess it might be useful later when I do TDA...).

One more thing, I bought even more books when I did MET and I'm now doing IIC so it gets expensive fast. Try not to get too carried away with it or you'll end up with a small library (like me and probably quite a few others on this course!). You can also access TESOL Quarterly for references if you need them. (I bought it on CD-ROM just before it was made freely available to us through the university - of course I saw the funny side of that...)

One last thing, I asked Julian Edge if he could recommend any books that he thought were useful but were NOT on the reading list and he gave me a few recommendations. The best one was 'A Place to Stand' by Mark A. Clarke. Thought-provoking and, as Julian would say, insightful. (It's probably more relevant to MET though...)

Anyway, hope that's of some use.

All the best,

Martin
Fukuoka

Re: FND reading | Paul Raper | October 11th, 2004

I wish I could add to this, but can't. The advice offered here is all excellent. I agree that the more you read at this point, the more you seem to end up distracted. I found myself hopping from one topic to another, and getting nowhere particularly fast. Don't get me wrong. It was all very interesting and informative, but you need a focus.

Browns is a great read, and I also recommend it to my teachers.

Pennycook; now here is a controversial read. I must say I had nothing against the book or content provided you read it for what it is. But then I think he wrote it with a view to it stirring up many emotions. I found I had to detach myself from those before reading it.

Paul

Re: FND reading | Mike McDonald | October 12th, 2004

Paul Raper wrote:

Pennycook; now here is a controversial read. I must say I had nothing against the book or content provided you read it for what it is. But then I think he wrote it with a view to it stirring up many emotions. I found I had to detach myself from those before reading it.

Pennycook was the first book I ever read on the Aston course, and I wondered what on earth I'd let myself in for. It reminded me of all the arm-waving, table-thumping, frothing-at-the-mouth academics back in the seventies when I was at university, banging on about Marcuse and the bourgeoisie and neo-imperialist exploitation. But when you look beyond the buzzwords,

Pennycook does actually have something useful to say, which is that you can't teach a language without dealing with some of the attached cultural baggage. Even if you're teaching something fairly innocuous-seeming like English for science, you have to consider why the students are learning English rather than Chinese or Esperanto, say, and why scientists are more or less compelled to write in English if they want to get published and read; you have to consider to what extent your students need to conform to Anglo-American genres and writing conventions, and to what extent they might resent this. Pennycook's overall message seems to be that, while TESOL cannot be viewed in isolation from Anglo-American expansionism (shades of Derrida :-^), it need not necessarily be a tool of oppression.

Once you get into the course, it's easy to get caught up in the minutiae of discourse intonation or whatever and lose a sense of overall perspective. As I see it, the reason for including Pennycook in the Foundation course is to get CPs to take a broad look at their place in the wider scheme of things from various points of view, including that of a cynical outsider. In the end, I decided not to view myself as an imperialist running dog, but it was quite illuminating to see why some people might see ESOL teachers in that way.

Mike McDonald

Recommended books | Francesca Michalski | September 22nd, 2004

I'd like to add that I agree with all the good advice people have been giving regarding really necessary books and also that I'm in favor of Pennycook being on that list as he made me see our business in a completely new light, and really provided me with some food for thought.

Francesca

Re: FND reading | Sue | October 12th, 2004

Re:Pennycook

I've also read some of Pennycook and I have to admit to finding some of the language rather patronizing. Possibly that's because I have always lived and worked in Europe and not experienced the situations described in his book.

Whilst I understand the points he's making, none of them are relevant to my situation. I live in Switzerland, a country of four official languages. Until relatively recently, all communication between the regions was conducted in one of these languages. However, there was a certain degree of resentment amongst the French-Swiss that they had to speak German and the German -Swiss hated speaking French. Switzerland was, in effect one country separated by three /four official languages.

The spread of multinational companies within Switzerland, the change in the education policy to include English at an earlier age and more importantly, the preference of the various language speakers to communicate in English rather than a second official language, has meant that English has now become the most common language for inter-regional communication.

So, if we relate this to Pennycook's views, has English invaded Switzerland? On the contrary, the Swiss-Germans choose to speak their own peculiar dialects, which are totally unintelligible to the Germans, and write High-German. As soon as they need to communicate with people from other regions, English is usually the language used. English is increasing in popularity because it is more convenient for Swiss citizens to have one common language of communication. All parties are speaking a foreign language, rather than one party having the advantage of speaking his mother tongue, whilst the other party struggles to express himself in a foreign language. Both parties make allowances and communication is, in general, far more effective.

The Swiss seem to use English to maximize the effect of inter-regional communication. Certainly, there are other factors to consider, but I'm quite confident that Switzerland will remain a country   of great cultural and linguistic diversity and that English will only be used to enhance inter-regional communication.

Sue

Re: FND reading | Paul Raper | October 12th, 2004

Hi Mike,

I agree with every single thing you say. It was funny, since just before your e-mail arrived I was explaining that very aspect which you describe to my wife.

I have to say that I did find something to take away with me from his book, the very things you refer to. Some aspects I could clearly relate to, such as the topic of how the Americans taught immigrants English, but only enough in order that they could become cleaners, but not administrators. These points I could relate to. The sections bashing the British Council I can not comment on, since I am not in possession of all the facts, but I'm sure there might be some truth in it.

When I say I have to detach my emotions, I mean it in the way that I want to know what is being said, whether I agree with it or not is not a motivation for reading. I read for the sake of gaining information. Only by knowing, can I put together an argument in one direction or another.

Paul

Re: FND Reading | David Anderson | October 12th, 2004

Hi all,

I haven't read Pennycook (and I'm now on my dissertation), though I did buy a copy. I basically looked at the tasks for the FND and realized that Pennycook's book, however worthy, wasn't going to help me with them. In fact, reading it would have hindered my progress on FND. The book went back on the shelf, where it will stay until I've finished the MSc. I'm looking forward to reading it at my leisure, though probably not the week after I finish DISS.

I'm just saying this because I have the feeling that some people may be tempted to take reading lists too seriously, especially at the beginning of the course.   

Here what the new Study Companion has to say on the subject:

There is no need to buy all, or indeed many, of these books... In fact, because this is a Master's course you will be expected to explore areas that are of particular interest to you, which means that it is impossible to predict your reading in advance.  Perhaps the best advice is to give yourself time to identify your needs accurately before taking steps to acquire necessary materials, either locally (your Local Coordinator may be able to offer advice here) or from the UK.

David Anderson
Abu Dhabi

Re: FND reading | Dawn | October 12th, 2004

Hi Sue and all

I feel impressed to say what a joy I had reading Sue's account of her situation in Switzerland.   Does anyone agree with me that this is worth further study? Maybe you've got an assignment topic (dissertation???) here, girl.

Dawn
Poland

Re: FND reading | Paul Raper | October 12th, 2004

Hi Sue,

From a fellow companion from Switzerland (Paul):

I think I would not entirely agree with all of your comments here. What you say regarding the Switzerland being a multi lingual country is quite true, however, I can tell you that from first hand experience, the imposition of English by the multi nationals is not welcomed or viewed positively by everyone in quite the way you put it.

I teach the CEO of a major Swiss Insurance company, and there are many within his company who view this matter with a great deal of distaste. I also teach a good many people who work for companies taken over by English speaking Companies, and these people too do not simply accept English with open and welcoming arms. I know that isn't what you said exactly, but I have to say that before one draws conclusions that a situation is generally one thing or another, it is necessary to gather all points of view. I like you would have made similar comments a year or so back. But having now also met many who are opposed to this march, I have had to review my stance.

Based on this, I would say that there is quite a lot I can relate to in Pennycook.

Paul

Swiss situation | Tisa | October 12th, 2004

Hi Sue and Paul (and others who are following the 'Swiss' discussion),

I would have to agree with Paul re: the less than positive view of English as the language of inter-cultural communication in Switzerland (I'm writing from the French-speaking part, but I spent a long time in the German-speaking area). Many of the learners I work with here in Lausanne often like English, but resent the need to learn it in order to 'keep up with' their superiors. One woman I teach, for example, has been left to her own devices in terms of perfecting her English -- her boss is bilingual in French and English. She'd be quite happy using German, but that's not the preferred lingua franca of her institution (a Swiss French one).   She'd love to use her beloved native tongue, but that's not an option when it comes time to presenting at conferences and large meetings. She's had to fit me into her busy schedule to coach her in this department!

Pennycook may come on a bit strong, but I do find his arguments relevant to the Switzerland that I know. Although I wouldn't go so far as to say that English has 'invaded' Switzerland, it's my feeling that the bigger (and politically stronger) Swiss Germans like English more than French and have the power to make it more present in Switzerland (on packaging, in ads, in the way the country is marketed abroad, etc). As much as the francophone community may disagree with this, they don't have much choice since they don't have the same strength in numbers and, therefore, power.

It is also interesting to note that most headquarters of big companies are located in Swiss Germany. Swiss Germans, by extension, face no particular threat to their language in a working context. They may need to learn English to help ease certain communicative situations, but they still live and work in their 'native' environment. A French, Italian, or Romansch speaker, who probably learned High German at school, is in for a shock when s/he hears (and doesn't initially understand) the dialect that is used even in formal settings. Before such a person even embarks on English, they have to learn to understand the Swiss German dialect plus High German.   That makes three languages to learn on top of one's native tongue! I think that's worth thinking about in terms of fairness and access to common goods.

Bye for now,

Tisa

Re: Swiss situation | Sue Schlaufer | October 13th, 2004

Some interesting thoughts about Switzerland and English.

I have to admit to:

1) Doing the majority of my teaching in Zürich, the largest city in Switzerland

2) Teaching in-company mainly for a range of Swiss financial institutions. In nearly all cases the course costs are subsidized by the employer. Rarely do the employers cover the whole costs.

3) Teaching in other companies involved in the new biotech sector.

Also, all my students fall into the range of 25-40 year olds, several of whom are not Swiss by birth. The majority of resistance (in my experience) to English as a common language of communication in Switzerland has in the past come from older learners. Nearly all the younger Swiss I teach resent the fact that they had to learn French at school, rather then starting English at an earlier age.

It would seem from the discussion I provoked, there are other factors to consider. These would include cultural identity (here we could also separate Switzerland into town and country), opportunity or desire to use a second Swiss national language, age, employment history, experience of travel abroad, use of the internet etc.

I still think that the majority of young Swiss prefer to use English for inter-regional communication. However, the only way to back this up would be to do a research project.

Sue

Re: Swiss situation | Paul Raper | October 13th, 2004

Hi Tisa,

I would like to add to your reflection regarding the woman you teach. I was just speaking to my school director this afternoon on a very similar issue. Whilst it is true that the German speaking part seems to carry more clout, they have many of the same problems at the lower levels of the recruiting ladder.

Let me explain what I mean. Pennycook points to how a language becomes a kind of ticket to greater success. It is used to permit people to advance to higher levels, or to block them. In the school where I work I observe this happening in many places. I have an HR manager as a student who relates to me how only higher-level managers get offered English courses. Lower level personnel have to fend for themselves. We now have a young assistant who is joining the school from a large aviation firm. She has to pay for her own course, the company refuses to pay.

The companies could pay, and if it is a requirement to have English should pay. But for many it's like having the corporate gun held to your head: learn English, or you loose this promotion opportunity, job or what ever other chance may have been on offer.

We have, as teachers, to be sensitive to these situations. I often find myself in a kind of counselor's role, trying to help people who are under immense pressure to learn, and often to reach a level such as FCE in an impossible time frame. Fortunately most don't blame me or my language for the problem, but the corporate bosses who impose it upon them, but there still remains that very small minority who do blame us.

Paul

Re: Swiss situation | Paul Raper | October 13th, 2004

Hi Sue,

Now that is really interesting, most of my experience is from a similar age range, and as you know, I work not a million miles from you in Winterthur, a suburb of Zürich. To that end it would indeed appear that rationality, even on a micro level does play a significant part in this issue. I would certainly go along with your assertion that Zürich is far more progressive. That said, I think another major factor is the wealth of the company. You mention here some "blue chip" type companies, and I can confirm from my own experience of teaching in a major international law firm in Zürich, that this plays a big part in all this. No expense spared there.

The attitude of these types of company vs. the company where finance is a critical issue is very significant. I worked for SR Technics for some time, and here whilst they paid part of the course costs, didn't pay all of it. Compare this to others in the aviation industry and you find even more

tightly closed purses. These are also based in the Zürich area.

I think that if you want to get to meaningful data, you need to look at:

1. Location
2. Company type i.e. PLC, Private etc
3. Employee mix i.e. cultural mix, age range etc
4. Company business sector
5. Parent company and global spread

There are possibly some other areas that you could add.

Your point regarding the young people: could this have anything to do with mobile phones and SMS? I know they use it widely as a slang. Also there are stacks of advertising done in 'Swinglish'. Further, many young people see certain English phrases as cool. That isn't to say though that they use them correctly.

What do you think of the 20 Minutes, a Swiss freebee distributed in the Zürich area, at the back they have the 'What's Up' section. For me, 'What's Up' means what's wrong. Where as 'What's On' would be a more accurate way to interpret this section of the paper. Or am I missing something here?

A final reflection: Switzerland has about 7 million people in its population. Its cultural diversity is quite stunning, especially if you add to this statistic that over 20% of the people living here are immigrants.

Paul

Re: Swiss situation | Sue Schlaufer | October 13th, 2004

Hi Paul and everybody else interested in the Swiss discussion,

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but so far nobody who gave their opinion on the topic of the Swiss using English as a lingua franca is originally Swiss. I am, and I think at my age, 54, I have experienced the development of the English language in Switzerland in the past on the one side, and of the Swiss people learning another national language on the other side. I would just like to respond to some of the statements made by some of you.

However, there was a certain degree of resentment amongst the French-Swiss that they had to speak German and the German -Swiss hated speaking French. Switzerland was, in effect one country separated by three /four official languages.

How far back do you refer to Sue, if you say the German Swiss hated to speak French? For many years it has been a tradition that young Swiss Germans go to the French speaking part to work for about a year and to learn French which they later use in their jobs, especially Swiss companies which have their branches in the French part. I agree that it is not as easy for the French speaking people as in the German speaking part we speak the dialect and the people are not prepared to speak standard German.

Teaching at a Swiss secondary school in the German speaking part we had two students last year from the French speaking part who did their final year of school with us and two of our students lived in the French part and went to school there.

At our school in the ninth grade French and English are compulsory subjects. The majority of the students still choose both languages.

Of course there are people who do communicate in English because they do not have a common national language but I would not generalize. I would claim that if you really want to get a top job in a Swiss company it is still an advantage to know a second or even a third national language.

What do you think of the 20 Minutes, a Swiss freebee distributed in the Zürich area, at the back they have the 'What's Up' section. For me, 'What's Up' means what's wrong. Where as 'What's On' would be a more accurate way to interpret this section of the paper. Or am I missing something here?

I agree with you that there is a lot of Swinglish about especially in advertising. Music plays another important role. When I was a teenager we used to listen to many French and Italian songs that were regularly in the top ten, unfortunately now not anymore.

A final reflection: Switzerland has about 7 million people in its population. Its cultural diversity is quite stunning, especially if you add to this statistic that over 20% of the people living here are immigrants.

There are also immigrants who speak French if you think of some of the African states and all the Italian people who also speak a national language living in the German speaking part.

There is still the political discussion going on as to when Swiss children should officially start learning English at school. They start with the first national foreign language in their fifth grade and there is a lot of pressure that they should start English in their third grade. A lot of teachers claim that especially for immigrant children or weaker children two foreign languages at primary school would be too demanding. If you ask the children of course they would prefer to learn English.

By the way, one of my daughters did her studies in Geneva in French and the other did her "matura" in Italian, which is still a pretty common way of studying.

Susy Schlaufer
Luzern, Switzerland

About books in FND | Fumiko | October 13th, 2004

Hi all,

Thanks to your saying about references, I could figure out about the books. However, if I could ask more, may I ask how to get books? Because bookshops cannot get the books easily and it takes a fairly long time before the ordered books come here.

Also I enjoyed reading about the opinions of the controversial book by Pennycook. It was an eye-opener for me, too, but it was not the good book for the scorching summer. It took me too long. I'm wondering about Japanese situation.

Fumiko

Re: About books in FND | Konstantin | October 14th, 2004

Hi Fumiko,

I'm here in Japan too. I got all of my books from Amazon Japan, www.amazon.co.jp. You can shop in either English or Japanese, and you can pay COD (Cash On Delivery) when the delivery company comes to your home with the package. When you see the actual cash (in your home country's currency) leaving your hands for books that you may or may not read, you become more cautious and selective about which books you buy and when you buy them.

Also, Amazon almost always has the required books at good prices. The books usually arrive quickly enough to be used for the module you are working on.

Konstantin

 

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