English Language Teaching (ELT) in the 21st century: principles and perspectives

MELINA PORTO

Chicago

Congreso; 57 Annual Convention International Reading Association; 2012

International Reading Association

Aclaración: El sistema obliga a elegir tipo de publicación (libro, revista) pero en este caso se trata de una publicación online. The aim of this session is to reflect upon what it means to teach English in the new millennium. I argue that the current conceptualization of English as a global or international language requires a view of ELT education through an intercultural perspective. I describe what intercultural education involves when it becomes part of the foreign/second language curriculum. More specifically, this involves attention to identity considerations in L2 education as well as the centrality of discourse and critical pedagogic perspectives through multicultural literature. I also highlight the importance of reflection leading to language and intercultural development. I conclude by describing the content of an L2 literacy development program based on an intercultural conception of ELT. I illustrate with a curricular document developed in Argentina in Latin America. Finally, I touch upon the conception of error and evaluation underlying the process-based pedagogies involved in intercultural education.