Schedule: 2009-09-11 (15:45 - 16:30)
Parallel Session 5 (Room A-32)

Title: Backbone - Corpora for Content & Language Integrated Learning
Authors: Kurt Kohn, Petra Hoffstaedter, Johannes Widmann
Abstract: Backbone is a European LLP(Languages)project involving 8 partners from 7 European countries: France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Turkey and UK.

The project addresses language learning needs with regard to pedagogically neglected languages including lesser taught languages, regional & socio-cultural varieties of more frequently taught languages, and non-native speaker varieties of lingua franca languages. It proposes a pedagogically motivated corpus approach that enables teachers to collect and pedagogically exploit spoken discourse resources. Based on the communicative principles of learner and teacher autonomy, authenticated learning and collaboration, the Backbone approach combines corpus resources for linguistically and thematically specialized CLIL purposes with e-learning-enhanced language practice and communicative interaction in blended language learning courses.

Backbone develops pedagogically motivated tools for corpus management, annotation, enrichment and search. 7 language subcorpora of video-recorded interviews, presentations and conversations are compiled and enriched with learning materials: Polish and Turkish, regional & socio-cultural varieties of German, French, Spanish and English as well as European non-native speaker varieties of English used for lingua franca purposes. Pedagogic piloting is carried out in CLIL settings in secondary, higher and vocational education.

In our presentation, we will specifically focus on thematic and technical issues of video-recording interviews, the pedagogical principles and decisions underlying annotation, as well as the development of corpus-based learning materials and blended learning instructions as pedagogically related enrichment resources.
Keywords: pedagogic corpora, CLIL, authenticity, blended language learning. moodle

Main topic: Corpora

Biodata: Kurt Kohn is Chair of Applied English Linguistics at the University of Tübingen and member of the advisory board of InJAL. His research interests include theoretical and empirical issues of second/foreign language learning and teaching, technology-enhanced language learning and teaching, pedagogic corpora, CLIL, ELF, processes and strategies of translation. Petra Hoffstaedter is an author of language learning resources. Her special expertise is blended language learning based on Moodle. She has been involved in European language learning & teaching projects with a focus on the development of multimedia and web-based materials for German, French and English. Johannes Widmann is a junior lecturer/researcher in Applied English Linguistics. His interests are in computer-aided language learning (CALL), using LMSs such as Moodle to support blended learning scenarios, and corpus-based materials production. He has worked as a freelance language teacher for English and French for many years.
Type of presentation Paper presentation

Paper category Research & Development

Target educational sector Secondary education

Language of delivery English

EU-funded project Yes

Schedule:	2009-09-11 (15:45 - 16:30) Parallel Session 5 (Room A-32)
Title:	Backbone - Corpora for Content & Language Integrated Learning
Authors:	Kurt Kohn, Petra Hoffstaedter, Johannes Widmann
Abstract:	Backbone is a European LLP(Languages)project involving 8 partners from 7 European countries: France, Germany, Ireland, Poland, Spain, Turkey and UK. The project addresses language learning needs with regard to pedagogically neglected languages including lesser taught languages, regional & socio-cultural varieties of more frequently taught languages, and non-native speaker varieties of lingua franca languages. It proposes a pedagogically motivated corpus approach that enables teachers to collect and pedagogically exploit spoken discourse resources. Based on the communicative principles of learner and teacher autonomy, authenticated learning and collaboration, the Backbone approach combines corpus resources for linguistically and thematically specialized CLIL purposes with e-learning-enhanced language practice and communicative interaction in blended language learning courses. Backbone develops pedagogically motivated tools for corpus management, annotation, enrichment and search. 7 language subcorpora of video-recorded interviews, presentations and conversations are compiled and enriched with learning materials: Polish and Turkish, regional & socio-cultural varieties of German, French, Spanish and English as well as European non-native speaker varieties of English used for lingua franca purposes. Pedagogic piloting is carried out in CLIL settings in secondary, higher and vocational education. In our presentation, we will specifically focus on thematic and technical issues of video-recording interviews, the pedagogical principles and decisions underlying annotation, as well as the development of corpus-based learning materials and blended learning instructions as pedagogically related enrichment resources.
Keywords:	pedagogic corpora, CLIL, authenticity, blended language learning. moodle
Main topic:	Corpora
Biodata:	Kurt Kohn is Chair of Applied English Linguistics at the University of Tübingen and member of the advisory board of InJAL. His research interests include theoretical and empirical issues of second/foreign language learning and teaching, technology-enhanced language learning and teaching, pedagogic corpora, CLIL, ELF, processes and strategies of translation. Petra Hoffstaedter is an author of language learning resources. Her special expertise is blended language learning based on Moodle. She has been involved in European language learning & teaching projects with a focus on the development of multimedia and web-based materials for German, French and English. Johannes Widmann is a junior lecturer/researcher in Applied English Linguistics. His interests are in computer-aided language learning (CALL), using LMSs such as Moodle to support blended learning scenarios, and corpus-based materials production. He has worked as a freelance language teacher for English and French for many years.
Type of presentation	Paper presentation
Paper category	Research & Development
Target educational sector	Secondary education
Language of delivery	English
EU-funded project	Yes