Narratives of Learning and Teaching EFL

A collection of research reports on lived experiences of the English language focusing on the subjective meanings and emotions involved in EFL contexts of learning and teaching. The contributors make use of fresh theoretical frameworks and innovative methods of data collection and analysis, including verbal and visual narratives.

Table of Contents:
List of Tables and Figures Acknowledgements Notes on Contributors PART I: INTRODUCTION Narrativizing Learning and Teaching EFL: The Beginnings; P.Kalaja, V.Menezes & A.M.F.Barcelos PART II: WRITTEN NARRATIVES The Seeds of Agency in Language Learning Histories; T.Murphey & C.Carpenter Learning English: Students' Beliefs and Experiences in Brazil; A.M.F.Barcelos Self-Observation and Reconceptualization Through Narratives and Reflective Practice; D.P.Dutra & H.Mello Brazilian EFL Teachers' Experiences in Public and Private Schools: Different Contexts with Similar Challenges; L.Miccoli PART III: SELF-NARRATIVES Turning the Kaleidoscope EFL Research as Auto/Biography; L.Karlsson 'To Speak English Is Tedious': Student Resistance in Japanese University Classrooms; K.Sakui & N.Cowie PART IV: ORAL NARRATIVES Passion and Persistence: Learning English in Akita; S.Cotterall Communities of Practice: Stories of Japanese EFL Learners; G.Murray EFL Narratives and English-Mediated Identities: Two Ships Passing In The Night?; D.Block Frequent Flyer: A Narrative of Overseas Study in English; A.Chik & P.Benson PART V: MULTIMODAL NARRATIVES Using Photographs to Access Stories of Learning English; T.Nikula & A.Pitkänen-Huhta Self-Portraits of EFL Learners: Finnish Students Draw and Tell; P.Kalaja, R.Alanen & H.Dufva Multimedia Language Learning Histories; V.Menezes PART VI: CONCLUSION Narrativizing Learning and Teaching EFL: Concluding Remarks; V.Menezes, A.M.F.Barcelos & P.Kalaja References Index

About the Author :
RIIKKA ALANEN is Adjunct Professor in Applied Linguistics at the Centre for Applied Language Studies and Lecturer in Language Pedagogy in the Department of Teacher Education of the University of Jyväskylä, Finland PHIL BENSON is Associate Professor in the English Department at the Hong Kong Institute of Education DAVID BLOCK is Reader in Education in the Faculty of Culture and Pedagogy at the Institute of Education, University of London CHRISTOPHER CARPENTER teaches at Dokkyo University, Japan ALICE CHIK is at Department of English and Communication, City University of Hong Kong SARA COTTERALL is Associate Professor at Akita International University in Japan NEIL COWIE teaches English in the Foreign Language Education Centre at Okayama University, Japan HANNELE DUFVA is Full Professor of Language Education in the Department of Languages at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland DEISE P. DUTRA is Associate Professor at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil LEENA KARLSSON is Lecturer in English at the University of Helsinki Language Centre, Finland HELIANA MELLO is Associate Professor of English and Linguistics at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil LAURA MICCOLI is Associate Professor of English and Applied Linguistics at the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil TIM MURPHEY teaches at Kanda University of International Studies, Japan GAROLD MURRAY is Professor at Akita International University, Japan TARJA NIKULA is Research Fellow ofthe Academy of Finland in the Department of Languages at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland ANNE PITKÄNEN-HUHTA is Senior Lecturer in English in the Department of Languages at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland KEIKO SAKUI is Associate Professor at Kobe Shoin Women's University, Japan

Review :
'This is a very enjoyable and highly original book. Narratives from EFL learners and users from Brazil, Finland, Japan, Spain and Hong Kong provide kaleidoscopic images of unique individual experiences. Yet, from this multiplicity of views a more general picture emerges of learners/users as actors and witnesses of their learning process.' - Jean-Marc Dewaele, University of London