Viv Edwards – författare

Multilingualism in the English-Speaking World is the winner of the BAAL Book Prize 2005.

Multilingualism in the English-Speaking World: Pedigree of Nations explores the consequences of English as a global language and multilingualism as a social phenomenon. Written accessibly, it explores the extent of diversity in ''inner circle'' English speaking countries (the UK, the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand) and examines language in the home, school, and the wider community.

Originally published in 1991. The central aim of this book is to make English in the National Curriculum accessible and relevant to all pupils. In attempting to meet this aim, the authors set out to bring together a theoretical basis for the main English profile components and practical suggestions for good practice for all schools.

In the first section oracy, reading and writing are examined and in the second section three case studies describe a range of projects which have taken place in different schools.

Originally published in 1991. The central aim of this book is to make English in the National Curriculum accessible and relevant to all pupils. In attempting to meet this aim, the authors set out to bring together a theoretical basis for the main English profile components and practical suggestions for good practice for all schools.

In the first section oracy, reading and writing are examined and in the second section three case studies describe a range of projects which have taken place in different schools.

First published in 1979.

The performance of West Indian children in British schools has been the subject of enquiries by both a parliamentary select committee and the Department of Education. It is widely believed that an important factor in the relative failure of West Indian children is the language they use, West Indian Creole, and while teachers and others who work with them are aware that their language is often very different from British English, they seldom understand the nature of the differences, or their implications. The aim of this book is to provide the non-specialist with an account of the language of West Indian children and to examine how linguistic ‘interference’ can affect their level of reading, writing and understanding, even when they have been born in Britain. It also considers the worrying possibility that negative attitudes towards them and their language may have an adverse effect on their motivation to learn standard English.

Viv Edwards places great stress on the fact that, although Creole is different from British English, it is in no way deficient as a language. She emphasizes the importance of familiarity with the structure of Creole, since it is only in this way that the teachers can discriminate between real mistakes and Creole ‘interference’. Attention is drawn to the relationship between language attitudes and social stereotypes and the danger that these might be translated into reality. Different strategies available to the teacher are examined, drawing on American experience in this field, and various initiatives taken by British teachers are described, thus making the study a work of practical value to teachers and others.

First published in 1979.

The performance of West Indian children in British schools has been the subject of enquiries by both a parliamentary select committee and the Department of Education. It is widely believed that an important factor in the relative failure of West Indian children is the language they use, West Indian Creole, and while teachers and others who work with them are aware that their language is often very different from British English, they seldom understand the nature of the differences, or their implications. The aim of this book is to provide the non-specialist with an account of the language of West Indian children and to examine how linguistic ‘interference’ can affect their level of reading, writing and understanding, even when they have been born in Britain. It also considers the worrying possibility that negative attitudes towards them and their language may have an adverse effect on their motivation to learn standard English.

Viv Edwards places great stress on the fact that, although Creole is different from British English, it is in no way deficient as a language. She emphasizes the importance of familiarity with the structure of Creole, since it is only in this way that the teachers can discriminate between real mistakes and Creole ‘interference’. Attention is drawn to the relationship between language attitudes and social stereotypes and the danger that these might be translated into reality. Different strategies available to the teacher are examined, drawing on American experience in this field, and various initiatives taken by British teachers are described, thus making the study a work of practical value to teachers and others.

Originally published in 1988, this book discusses the gradual move from the separation of home and school to an increasing acceptance of the central role of parents as partners in their children''s education. The book looks at the progress made towards real partnership with parents. An eminently practical account of the advantages of working with parents and the ways in which this can be achieved, it will be of special value to student teachers and practicing teachers, and to parents interested and involved in their children''s education.

The authors review national trends and developments since the issue was first seriously raised by the Plowden Report in 1967. Then focusing on one urban primary school (Redlands Primary School, Reading), they describe the changes which have taken place over a seven-year period, from the perspective of teachers, parents, and children. The book includes a personal account by Angela Redfern (formerly Deputy Head at Redlands) of what it has been like to be a teacher during this period of change, and telling comments from both parents and children on all aspects of involvement in school.

Partnership with parents emerges as a course of action which reaps benefits for all concerned, and the authors stress that the developments taking place in schools like Redland are important for all schools, irrespective of their social class or ethnic composition.

Originally published in 1988, this book discusses the gradual move from the separation of home and school to an increasing acceptance of the central role of parents as partners in their children''s education. The book looks at the progress made towards real partnership with parents. An eminently practical account of the advantages of working with parents and the ways in which this can be achieved, it will be of special value to student teachers and practicing teachers, and to parents interested and involved in their children''s education.

The authors review national trends and developments since the issue was first seriously raised by the Plowden Report in 1967. Then focusing on one urban primary school (Redlands Primary School, Reading), they describe the changes which have taken place over a seven-year period, from the perspective of teachers, parents, and children. The book includes a personal account by Angela Redfern (formerly Deputy Head at Redlands) of what it has been like to be a teacher during this period of change, and telling comments from both parents and children on all aspects of involvement in school.

Partnership with parents emerges as a course of action which reaps benefits for all concerned, and the authors stress that the developments taking place in schools like Redland are important for all schools, irrespective of their social class or ethnic composition.

Literacy is the second volume of the Encyclopedia of Language and Education, the first attempt to overview an area which has emerged as a coherent and exciting field of study in the last two decades. While forming part of a series of eight volumes, Literacy also stands on its own, drawing on some 25 state-of-the-art reviews of current concerns in the study of literacy prepared by leading writers and researchers.

The book is organised in four main sections: Reading, Writing, The Social Context of Literacy and Literacy Teaching in Selected Regions. The approach is multidisciplinary, drawing on insights from fields as diverse as anthropology and computer science, sociolinguistics and psychology. The international flavour of the volume is reflected not only in the choice of contributors from eleven different countries but also in the emphasis throughout on the impact of globalization on our understanding of literacy.

This textbook brings together research on literacy and multilingualism from a variety of settings: the learning of English in migrant destinations, immersion and bilingual education, and the maintenance of heritage languages. Designed to be accessible to students from a wide range of disciplines, the book explores multilingualism as a global phenomenon at both the individual and societal level, and literacy learning in a wide variety of contexts. It uses both these discussions to explore the theoretical and policy issues which are behind current educational practice, and points to possible ways forward. Students are introduced to examples of innovative and best practice from a range of international contexts, and discussion points and suggested activities encourage them to build on their own experiences as language learners. This is an ideal introductory text for students on courses where a critical understanding of language in education is necessary, as well as being a useful summary of the field and its future directions for researchers, practitioners and policy makers.

This textbook brings together research on literacy and multilingualism from a variety of settings: the learning of English in migrant destinations, immersion and bilingual education, and the maintenance of heritage languages. Designed to be accessible to students from a wide range of disciplines, the book explores multilingualism as a global phenomenon at both the individual and societal level, and literacy learning in a wide variety of contexts. It uses both these discussions to explore the theoretical and policy issues which are behind current educational practice, and points to possible ways forward. Students are introduced to examples of innovative and best practice from a range of international contexts, and discussion points and suggested activities encourage them to build on their own experiences as language learners. This is an ideal introductory text for students on courses where a critical understanding of language in education is necessary, as well as being a useful summary of the field and its future directions for researchers, practitioners and policy makers.