The last sentece of the text “still, if you been running Windows without …” the word still could be replaced by … without altering its meaning.
Read Text 2 and answer question.
TEXT 2
Criticisms of Methods
Despite the potential gains from a study of methods, it is important to acknowledge that a number of writers in our field have criticized the concept of language teaching methods. Some say that methods are prescriptions for classroom behavior, and that teachers are encouraged by textbook publishers and academics to implement them whether or not the methods are appropriate for a particular context (Pennycook 1989). Others have noted that the search for the best method is ill-advised (Prabhu 1990; Bartolome 1994); that teachers do not think about methods when planning their lessons (Long 1991); that methodological labels tell us little about what really goes on in classrooms (Katz 1996); and that teachers experience a certain fatigue concerning the constant coming and going of fashions in methods (Rajagopalan 2007). Hinkel (2006) also notes that the need for situationally relevant language pedagogy has brought about the decline of methods.
These criticisms deserve consideration. It is possible that a particular method may be imposed on teachers by others. However, these others are likely to be disappointed if they hope that mandating a particular method will lead to standardization. For we know that teaching is more than following a recipe. Any method is going to be shaped by a teacher’s own understanding, beliefs, style, and level of experience. Teachers are not mere conveyor belts delivering language through inflexible prescribed and proscribed behaviors (Larsen-Freeman 1991); they are professionals who can, in the best of all worlds, make their own decisions-informed by their own experience, the findings from research, and the wisdom of practice accumulated by the profession (see, for example, Kumaravadivelu 1994).
Furthermore, a method is decontextualized. How a method is implemented in the classroom is not only going to be affected by who the teacher is, but also by who the students are, what they and the teacher expect as appropriate social roles, the institutional constraints and demands, and factors connected to the wider sociocultural context in which the instruction takes place.Even the ‘right’ method will not compensate for inadequate conditions of learning, or overcome sociopolitical inequities. Further, decisions that teachers make are often affected by exigencies in the classroom rather than by methodological considerations. Thus, saying that a particular method is practiced certainly does not give us the whole picture of what is happening in the classroom. Since a method is more abstract than a teaching activity, it is not surprising that teachers think in terms of activities rather than methodological choices when they plan their lessons.
What critics of language teaching methods have to offer us is important. Admittedly, at this point in the evolution of our field, there is little empirical support for a particular method, although there may be some empirical support in second language acquisition research for methodological principles (Long 2009). Further, what some of the methods critics have done is to raise our awareness about the importance of critical pedagogy.
LARSEN-FREEMAN, D.; ANDERSON, M. Techniques & Principles in Language Teaching. 2011. Oxford: OUP. Adaptado.
In “Despite the potential gains from a
study of methods, it is important to acknowledge
that a number of writers in our field have
criticized the concept of language teaching
methods.”, the word in bold may be replaced by
any of the followig alternatives, EXCEPT
Read Text 2 and answer question.
TEXT 2
Criticisms of Methods
Despite the potential gains from a study of methods, it is important to acknowledge that a number of writers in our field have criticized the concept of language teaching methods. Some say that methods are prescriptions for classroom behavior, and that teachers are encouraged by textbook publishers and academics to implement them whether or not the methods are appropriate for a particular context (Pennycook 1989). Others have noted that the search for the best method is ill-advised (Prabhu 1990; Bartolome 1994); that teachers do not think about methods when planning their lessons (Long 1991); that methodological labels tell us little about what really goes on in classrooms (Katz 1996); and that teachers experience a certain fatigue concerning the constant coming and going of fashions in methods (Rajagopalan 2007). Hinkel (2006) also notes that the need for situationally relevant language pedagogy has brought about the decline of methods.
These criticisms deserve consideration. It is possible that a particular method may be imposed on teachers by others. However, these others are likely to be disappointed if they hope that mandating a particular method will lead to standardization. For we know that teaching is more than following a recipe. Any method is going to be shaped by a teacher’s own understanding, beliefs, style, and level of experience. Teachers are not mere conveyor belts delivering language through inflexible prescribed and proscribed behaviors (Larsen-Freeman 1991); they are professionals who can, in the best of all worlds, make their own decisions-informed by their own experience, the findings from research, and the wisdom of practice accumulated by the profession (see, for example, Kumaravadivelu 1994).
Furthermore, a method is decontextualized. How a method is implemented in the classroom is not only going to be affected by who the teacher is, but also by who the students are, what they and the teacher expect as appropriate social roles, the institutional constraints and demands, and factors connected to the wider sociocultural context in which the instruction takes place.Even the ‘right’ method will not compensate for inadequate conditions of learning, or overcome sociopolitical inequities. Further, decisions that teachers make are often affected by exigencies in the classroom rather than by methodological considerations. Thus, saying that a particular method is practiced certainly does not give us the whole picture of what is happening in the classroom. Since a method is more abstract than a teaching activity, it is not surprising that teachers think in terms of activities rather than methodological choices when they plan their lessons.
What critics of language teaching methods have to offer us is important. Admittedly, at this point in the evolution of our field, there is little empirical support for a particular method, although there may be some empirical support in second language acquisition research for methodological principles (Long 2009). Further, what some of the methods critics have done is to raise our awareness about the importance of critical pedagogy.
LARSEN-FREEMAN, D.; ANDERSON, M. Techniques & Principles in Language Teaching. 2011. Oxford: OUP. Adaptado.
Consider the fragment “Since a method is
more abstract than a teaching activity, it is not
surprising that teachers think in terms of
activities [...]”. The connective in bold expresses
the same meaning as in
The Epic of Gilgamesh, from ancient Mesopotamia, is often cited as the first great literary composition, although some shorter compositions have survived [….].
The conjunction “although”, in the sentence, establishes an idea of:
TEXT 2
How COVID-19 will pave the way for better and more accessible education in Brazil
Blog by Isabela Melara Cavassin
Winner, 4th annual World Bank/Financial Times blog competition
JUNE 21, 2021
It is safe to say that the COVID-19 pandemic has left a mark in every aspect of our lives. Taking the economy for example, the destruction trail left by the virus is made clear when 38 million US citizens apply for unemployment benefits (compared to the 5.8 million that applied pre-covid), or when the stock market goes through a roller coaster motion every other hour.
While the financial turmoil is widely discussed by politicians and experts, other consequences of the pandemic receive little to no attention from the authorities. For instance, the emotional toll brought by the sudden change in educational formats. Leaving both teachers and students in an academic limbo, the transitioning to the online system was turbulent. As the COVID-19 cases rose, so did the number of dropout students due to financial complications, demotivation, or lack of future perspective.
Unfortunately, few institutions put effort into making online school an enjoyable and valid format of learning. However, there were those that did pave the way for quality education solutions.
A good example is the inverted classroom method, which got popular in Brazilian High Schools and kept students from dropping out, ensuring them independence to learn on their own way. In this method, the teacher shares reliable sources and leads the class so they can study by themselves. After the students have read the material, an online meeting is held, the subject is discussed, and eventual doubts are solved.
The inverted classroom encourages healthy studying habits, stimulates the establishment of a routine, and makes learning a much more personalized and rewarding experience. The teacher assumes a tutor role, rather than an authority.
The public schools that successfully implemented this innovative online teaching method were recognized by the Brazilian National Council of Secretaries of Education. In December 2020, 5 schools were awarded with the School Management Award, including one in a rural area. The first place was awarded with a 30 thousand Brazilian Reais prize to purchase equipment.
As a public-school student, I have seen my teachers struggle with switching from one method to another, fighting to assure proper equipment to those who did not have it. It is refreshing to know the effort will not go to waste. The newly adopted stimulating method (and the ones that are to be)will continue to improve learning and its accessibility, by combining technology and passion for education
Available at: https://blogs.worldbank.org/voices/how-covid-19-will-pave-way-better-and-more-accessible-education-brazil.
“Due to”, in: “…so did the number of dropout students due to financial complications” can be
replaced by:
Read Text 2 and answer question.
TEXT 2
Criticisms of Methods
Despite the potential gains from a study of methods, it is important to acknowledge that a number of writers in our field have criticized the concept of language teaching methods. Some say that methods are prescriptions for classroom behavior, and that teachers are encouraged by textbook publishers and academics to implement them whether or not the methods are appropriate for a particular context (Pennycook 1989). Others have noted that the search for the best method is ill-advised (Prabhu 1990; Bartolome 1994); that teachers do not think about methods when planning their lessons (Long 1991); that methodological labels tell us little about what really goes on in classrooms (Katz 1996); and that teachers experience a certain fatigue concerning the constant coming and going of fashions in methods (Rajagopalan 2007). Hinkel (2006) also notes that the need for situationally relevant language pedagogy has brought about the decline of methods.
These criticisms deserve consideration. It is possible that a particular method may be imposed on teachers by others. However, these others are likely to be disappointed if they hope that mandating a particular method will lead to standardization. For we know that teaching is more than following a recipe. Any method is going to be shaped by a teacher’s own understanding, beliefs, style, and level of experience. Teachers are not mere conveyor belts delivering language through inflexible prescribed and proscribed behaviors (Larsen-Freeman 1991); they are professionals who can, in the best of all worlds, make their own decisions-informed by their own experience, the findings from research, and the wisdom of practice accumulated by the profession (see, for example, Kumaravadivelu 1994).
Furthermore, a method is decontextualized. How a method is implemented in the classroom is not only going to be affected by who the teacher is, but also by who the students are, what they and the teacher expect as appropriate social roles, the institutional constraints and demands, and factors connected to the wider sociocultural context in which the instruction takes place.Even the ‘right’ method will not compensate for inadequate conditions of learning, or overcome sociopolitical inequities. Further, decisions that teachers make are often affected by exigencies in the classroom rather than by methodological considerations. Thus, saying that a particular method is practiced certainly does not give us the whole picture of what is happening in the classroom. Since a method is more abstract than a teaching activity, it is not surprising that teachers think in terms of activities rather than methodological choices when they plan their lessons.
What critics of language teaching methods have to offer us is important. Admittedly, at this point in the evolution of our field, there is little empirical support for a particular method, although there may be some empirical support in second language acquisition research for methodological principles (Long 2009). Further, what some of the methods critics have done is to raise our awareness about the importance of critical pedagogy.
LARSEN-FREEMAN, D.; ANDERSON, M. Techniques & Principles in Language Teaching. 2011. Oxford: OUP. Adaptado.
“Further, decisions that teachers make
are often affected by exigencies in the
classroom rather than by methodological
considerations.” The expression in bold
indicates
Read Text 1 and answer question.
TEXT 1
English Language Teaching in Brazil:
A Gap in Policy, Problems in Practice
Only three percent of Brazilians are estimated to speak English despite the status of this language as a mandatory subject in grades 10 to 12 of basic education and preferred foreign language in grades 5 to 9. The widespread concept in the Brazilian society that speaking English is beneficial to individuals because it provides access to the globalised world does not seem to be enough to promote the actual learning of the language by the majority of the population, and it is argued here that this fact has to do with a gap in the foreign language teaching policy documents: the 2015 National Education Guidelines and Framework Law (LDB 2015), the Brazilian National Curriculum Parameters for Primary Education (PCN-EF), and the Brazilian National Curriculum Parameters for Secondary Education (PCN-EM). These documents do not prescribe the necessary conditions for English Language Teaching (ELT) to take place effectively, but, instead, provide suggestions for teachers on how to adapt to the status quo, which means focusing on reading to the detriment of the other aspects of the English language due to a number of factors ranging from a lack of resources to a large number of students per class.
Both PCN-EF (Brazil, 1998) and PCN-EM (Brazil, 2000) present progressive ideas about how a foreign language should be taught in the basic education classroom. Such ideas include a social interactionist view of language, which aligns with contemporary research in second language teaching and means a shift from the traditional grammar-translation method largely employed in Brazilian schools in previous decades. The Parameters also recommend interdisciplinary work, the implementation of cross-curricular themes, formative assessment in addition to summative, a value of students’ prior knowledge and position as critical subjects, and, thus, an approach to teaching as negotiation that aims to educate students for the full exercise of citizenship, which includes the notions of respect for difference and diversity that can be promoted by the teaching and learning of foreign languages.
However, the Parameters fail in pointing out the necessary conditions for this teaching and learning process to occur. For example, they acknowledge that reading and writing should be focused on to the detriment of listening and speaking due to the difficulties faced by the teacher in basic education (Brazil, 1998): large classrooms, lack of appropriate resources including class and preparation time for the teacher and opportunities for the students to be exposed to the language outside the classroom, and, in many situations, teachers’ lack of knowledge of the subject matter. Instead, what they should do is to actively propose that a smaller number of students sit in English classes – as it was allowed by LDB 1996 and continues to be so by LDB 2015, that more class and preparation time be granted the teacher, that schools have English resources that students can access to familiarise themselves with the language, and that better teacher education be implemented.
BATISTA, Fernanda. English Language Teaching in Brazil: A Gap in Policy, Problems in Practice. 2020. Disponível em: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1262339.pdf. Acesso em 30/12/2023 Adaptado.
“Both PCN-EF (Brazil, 1998) and
PCN-EM (Brazil, 2000) present progressive
ideas about how a foreign language should be
taught in the basic education classroom.” The
alternative that presents an expression with
similar meaning to both... and is