Work

Exploring teachers' ontologies of E nglish: Monolithic conceptions of grammar in a group of C hinese teachers

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: This study presents a conceptual framework for exploring teachers' ontologies ofEnglish and investigates how a group ofChinese university teachers ofEnglish conceive of, and orient to, the language. Interview data suggest that participants orient to both a monolithic view as well as the ‘plurilithic’ reality. The data reveal that monolithic ontologies are associated primarily with classroom contexts, whereas plurilithic ontologies are activated when usage is in focus. Particularly significant is teachers' monolithic conception of grammar, compared to plurilithic conceptions of lexis and pronunciation. We propose that usage‐based approaches to grammar might offer teachers a way to reconcile their apparently contradictory ontologies and help them challenge the deficit view of learning inherent in the monolithic approach.

Source: International Journal of Applied Linguistics

DOI: 10.1111/ijal.12107

Authors: Christopher J Hall, Rachel Wicaksono, Shu Liu, Yuan Qian, Xiaoqing Xu

Institutions: York St John University, Suzhou University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: EFL/ESL Teaching and Learning

Subfield: Language and Linguistics

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W1782351981

FWCI: 9.093

Cites: 60

Cited by: 38

Related to: 10