Proposed Colloquium

Colloquium: 

The contribution of SFL to language learning/teaching in non-native contexts

Organizers:  Alireza Jalilifar (Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz) & 

                            Christian Matthiessen (Universidad Complutense de Madrid )

In keeping with the aims of the conference, this colloquium aims to discuss the impact of Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL) on English Language Teaching (ELT) in non-native English contexts. The decision is motivated by an intrinsic interest in the status of ELT and teacher education programs in Iran and in other similar educational contexts where SFL, despite its enormous educational power, has not received due attention. Recognizing the importance of pioneering a change, the goal of the colloquium is to embark on initiating a new pedagogical program for English language learning. The linguistics-applied view and the pedagogical genre-based model of SFL have together shaped pedagogical curricula, instructional materials, and teacher education programs in many parts of the world including Australia, China, Japan, and Indonesia among others. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate to state that, compared to the number of English language learners worldwide, SFL-based studies on language teaching materials for second/foreign language learning and teacher education programs are tremendously scarce. This situation is exacerbated when we realize that this research area has not been the subject of extensive empirical investigation from the SFL perspective. In fact, much of what has been done up to the present time deals with discipline-specific curriculum learning in the (non)native English language contexts. We therefore encourage contributions to this colloquium that have direct suggestions or implications for English language education in second/foreign language contexts in particular.

To submit for this colloquium, please specify it in the submission form