Language program directors speak out: Challenges and opportunities in enhancing L2 pedagogy

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Dec. 12, 2024, 1:35 a.m.

bitstream:

['https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstreams/96de3c92-40e0-4932-8cbd-b0c41964c5f2/download']

bitstream_txt:

['https://scholarspace.manoa.hawaii.edu/bitstreams/dde307d3-163e-4a2b-b87d-08c9f5d998de/download']

collection:

Volume 05 - Issue 1

contributor.author:

Gorham, Julia

date.accessioned:

2024-12-05T18:13:17Z

date.available:

2024-12-05T18:13:17Z

date.issued:

2024-12-04

description.abstract:

Intercultural competence and social justice are increasingly becoming priorities in university-level second language (L2) teaching in the United States. However, previous research demonstrates that, in many departments, deep-rooted instructional practices remain at odds with these objectives. This qualitative study, based on semi-structured interviews, explored the experiences of nine language program directors (LPDs), responsible for shaping and overseeing undergraduate instruction, who worked at nine different four-year colleges and universities in the United States during 2021-2022. It aimed to identify (a) the primary teaching methods used in their departments and (b) self-reported obstacles encountered in effecting pedagogical change. Findings revealed a heavy reliance on communicative approaches, frequently accompanied by goals to prioritize social justice and intercultural competence, which were hindered for some participants by institutional, departmental/programmatic, resource, knowledge/skill, and attitudinal barriers. Recommendations are provided for minimizing such obstacles, promoting democratic sharing of pedagogical knowledge within departments/programs, and enabling evidence-based pedagogical change.

endingpage:

32

format.extent:

17

identifier.citation:

Gorham, J. (2024). Language program directors speak out: Obstacles and opportunities in improving L2 pedagogy. Second Language Research & Practice, 5(1), 15–32. https://hdl.handle.net/10125/69885

identifier.issn:

2694-6610

identifier.uri:

https://hdl.handle.net/10125/69885

llt.topic:

Language Program Directors’ Perspectives

number:

1

publicationname:

Second Language Research & Practice

publisher:

University of Hawaii National Foreign Language Resource Center (co-sponsored by American Association of University of Supervisors and Coordinators; Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition; Center for Educational Resources in Culture, Language, and Literacy; Second Language Teaching and Resource Center)

site_url:

/item/425

startingpage:

15

subject:

Second/Foreign Language Pedagogy Language Program Direction Social Justice Education Intercultural Competence

title:

Language program directors speak out: Challenges and opportunities in enhancing L2 pedagogy

type:

Article

type.dcmi:

Text

volume:

5