Interviews.
September
2006.
Robertson,
Paul.
CEO
Asian EFL Journal
Linguistics Journal
Asian ESP Journal
TESOL-Law
Journal
Dr.
Paul Robertson
CEO
Asian
EFL Journal www.asian-efl-journal.com
Linguistics
Journal www.linguistics-journal.com
Asian
ESP Journal www.asian-esp-journal.com
TESOL-Law
Journal www.tesol-law.com
Dongseo
University
Korea
(2)
What positive developments have you seen over the recent past in SLA
teachings and theory?
Clearly the greater dissemination of free articles
via the Internet has meant literally thousands of teachers, educators and SLA
students now have access to the latest in research and theory. Hitherto the cost
of publications was out of reach for many.
(3)
Which modern linguist do you think is the most important for language teachers
to study?
I believe both Professor Rod Ellis and Professor David Nunan
have done an immense amount in advancing SLA research. Their publications are
at the forefront of language learning. In the past Stephen Krashen opened the
door to SLA - now a wealth of experts are stepping up; Professor Rebecca Oxford,
Dr. Phan Le Ha, Dr. Roger Nunn to name but a few.
(4)
What is your stance/views on the statement, "The local culture plays a
significant part in the SLA process."
Some argue that you can separate
culture from language learning. I do not agree with this theory. I believe that
one must teach inside of the culture that one is working in, thus one must learn
about that culture.
(5) Do you think
any Approach (Communicative, Task based Learning, etc.,) has significant benefits
for SLA in Asia?
It is clear that the Communicative Approach was never
either explained or understood by the vast majority who teach English in the Asian
region. Statistics show that 70% of Korean English teachers knew little about
this approach. It is too early to tell about the Task Based approach, but given
the lack of training programs one finds in Asia, then Task Based Teaching may
be no more than a title.
(6) Universal
grammar, Critical period hypothesis are two of the major theories from the recent
past in SLA history. What do you see the future debate including?
The debates
will be many and varied. Old debates will be reworked, new paradigms will be presented.
This is a field of immense growth - what we know today can be replaced tomorrow
by new evolving theories.
(7) There is
an evolving view that EIL (English as an International Language) will replace
EFL/ESL/TESOL teachings and that language educators will have to reevaluate their
thinking as to SLA theories and teachings. How do you see the future of EIL?
EIL,
or IEL, International English Language, is about to 'arrive.' There are more non
native speakers of English teaching English than native speakers. There is a view
gaining momentum that native teachers of English need to be trained by non native
teachers in EIL/IEL. I feel the next few years will see more energy and discussion
placed on this area than EFL. I see EIL as replacing the other acronyms in practice
and theory.
(8)
"What is the future of teaching in EFL?"
Major changes need
to occur. At the moment any and all changes are ad hoc and uncoordinated. There
is a need for a Code of Ethics in this profession; there is a need to standardize
training courses and accredit those that are worthy; there is a need to police
the abuses that occur through poor Internet content; there are simply too many
conferences that are reinventing the wheel year after year - thus limited resources
are being channeled into the wrong areas. Too many countries have no or no acceptable
policy or laws on who can teach English in that country, thus great disservice
to language learners is occurring through the use of non qualified native teachers.
(9)
What is the future for the Asian EFL Journal?
I see the following 4
years as a crucial period within which the field of Language study and Language
acquisition will make advances and breakthroughs that will shape the following
decades of English language learning across the globe. Thus I have the following
plans and visions for the Asian EFL
Journal:-
{9.1}
Be at the forefront of SLA publications on research and discoveries
{9.2}
Establish a hard copy monthly magazine for the Asian region
{9.3}
Increase our on-line free publications to over 5,000+ English web pages
(9.4)
Addition of Chinese, Japanese & Korean languages expands to 20,000 web pages
{9.5}
Increase sales of specialized SLA material in SLA
{9.6}
Seek strategic Educational alliances and partnerships across the globe
{9.7}
Establishment of scholarships for students to study English
{9.8}
Establishment of an annual U.S. $20,000.00 R&D fund
{9.9}
Appointment of Patrons to the Asian EFL Journal
{9.10}
Establishment of Global Licensing system to run TESOL courses across the globe
{9.11}
Run biannual EIL Conferences in key cities across Asia.
{9.12}
Open on-line store for sales of privately published SLA books
{9.13}
EIL Conference in North Korea being planned
{9.14}
Be at the front of leading edge web technology for on-line publishing
Contact
Paul
Robertson
