Teaching Language in Context1 Class #7: Context Goals for Today Understand schema theory and its usefulness for understanding the importance of context Learn how advance organizers can provide context and what kinds of advance organizers there are Applications: computers and content-based instruction Know the definitions of context and its relevance to language teaching and learning

Teaching Language in Context2 Types of Background Knowledge in Understanding and Interpreting Texts z Linguistic information z Knowledge of the world z Knowledge of discourse structure

Teaching Language in Context3 Factors in the Reading Process (Yorio 1971) z Knowledge of the language (code) z Ability to predict or guess in order to make correct choices z Ability to remember the precious cues z Ability to make the necessary association between the different cues selected

Schema Theory Using Background Knowledge to Enhance the Language Comprehension Process

Teaching Language in Context5 Bottom-up Information Processing zAttention to details (words etc..) zData-driven zMoving from the parts to the whole concept

Teaching Language in Context6 Top-down Information Processing zStart with a higher-order schema zPredictions based on background knowledge zSearch input for information to fit into the “slots” zConceptually driven zMoving from the whole to the parts

Teaching Language in Context7 Advance Organizers z Visual organizers (pictures) z Titles, topic clues z Summaries, questions, captions, vocabulary lists

Teaching Language in Context8 Other Factors Influencing Processing: z Reader’s background knowledge and topic interest z Cultural background clues z Rhetorical structure and comprehension

Teaching Language in Context9 The Role of Computers in Providing Richer Contexts zMultisensory zUsers control both the conditions of viewing and what is viewed zMulti-dimensional and extensible (hyperlinks) zAccess to authentic texts zInteractive

Teaching Language in Context10 Immersion Programs and Content-based Instruction zEducational, cultural and linguistic enrichment zIn magnet schools to achieve ethnic balance zTo achieve two-way bilingualism in communities with large minority populations

Teaching Language in Context11 Homework: zRead Chapter 5 on Listening and Reading zAnswer question 4 on p. 225 and question 5 on p. 226