Lecture: Dr. Gail Forey (Senior Lecturer, University of Bath) "The Value of Meaning-focused Metalanguage for Teaching and Learning"

Time: 18:15 - 19:45

Place: WU, Building D2, Entrance D, 2nd floor, D2.2.228

Abstract: Within schools explicit knowledge and use of metalanguage, words or symbols used to talk about language, is often included in the English, or Foreign Language curricula, and yet frequently absent in other curriculum areas. Even within language and literacy programmes the extent to which metalanguage has been incorporated and embraced varies greatly for teachers and learners. In addition, the introduction and use of metalinguistic resources and terminology is contentious and raises many questions, e.g. why introduce metalanguage and terminology? When and what terminology should be introduced? Should metalanguage adopt commonsense or technical terms? In this paper, drawing on data from working with teachers and learners at schools in Hong Kong and the UK, I examine the benefits of introducing metalanguage for learning and teaching curriculum goals.