Second Language Distance Learning and Teaching: Theoretical Perspectives and Didactic Ergonomics

As communication resource technologies improve and adjust to the needs of the individual, the prevalence of distance learning increases, continuing the development of educational advancements. Second-Language Distance Learning and Teaching: Theoretical Perspectives and Didactic Ergonomics explores the construct of distance second language learning, its defined parameters, theoretical models, and model method validation. This reference work offers educators and practitioners a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective, while introducing the principles for understanding, designing, and running learning environments.

About the Author :
Jean-Claude Bertin is a full professor of English language learning and teaching at the University of Le Havre, France. He is a member of the CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research) unit IDEES-CIRTAI, where he coordinates research in the field of CALL and Distance Learning. He has published a large number of articles and reports in this field, in national as well as international journals, authored the book (Des Outils pour des Langues – multimedia et apprentissage, 2001), as well as a contribution to ICT and Language Learning – a European Perspective (Chambers, A. & Davies, G. Eds, 2001). He has presented numerous papers in a variety of international conferences, among which several CALICO symposia in the United States.He is now President of the French research association GERAS (Groupe d’Etude et de Recherche en Anglais de Spécialité), Director of Asp journal (Geras, France), and has been reviewer for several scientific journals, among which Computer-Assisted Language Learning (Taylor & Francis), Revue canadienne de linguistique appliquée (Ottawa, Canada), and ReCALL (Cambridge University Press). Patrick Gravé is a psycho-sociologist and an Senior Lecturer in educational sciences in the University of Le Havre (France). He is a member of the CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research) unit IDEES-CIRTAI, where he does research on Open and Distance Learning. He has taken part in a variety of research reports in the field and published numerous articles in the field. He has attended and presented papers in international conferences, among which CALICO in the United States. He has authored et co-authored three books, among which Formateurs et identités (2002), focusing on the roles and identities of the various professional training actors.He has been in charge for several years of a university course for managing staff and teacher trainers, and taken an active part in the development of a hybrid distance learning environment (universities of Rouen, Montpellier and Poitiers, France (Distance Learning Center). He formerly acted as independent consultant in learning environments for professional training in France and Morocco. Jean-Paul Narcy-Combes is a full professor of English language learning and teaching at Sorbonne nouvelle – Paris 3 University and deputy-director of DILTEC (didactique des langues, des textes et des cultures), a joint research laboratory of Sorbonne nouvelle University and Pierre et Marie Curie (Paris 6) University. He has authored or co-authored six books including Apprendre une langue étrangère (1990), or Didactique des langues et TIC, vers une recherche-action responsable (2005) as well as a number of articles in France and other European countries (Britain, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy and Spain). He has presented papers in international conferences and has been a keynote speaker in some, including LSP ‘99 in Brixen/Bressanone, Italy, or CATaC (cultural attitudes to technology and communication) 2008 in Nîmes, France. He has taken part in European projects (Lingua) and was the scientific co-ordinator of a project (1992-2000) that included some 50 high schools and 150 language teachers in the French Region of Picardie and was jointly financed by the French state and the Region. He has been a consultant with the French Ministry for Education, in particular in projects related to evaluation and certification.