1st Edition

Genre in the Classroom Multiple Perspectives

Edited By Ann M. Johns Copyright 2002
    358 Pages
    by Routledge

    358 Pages
    by Routledge

    For the first time, the major theoretical and pedagogical approaches to genre and related issues of social construction are presented in a single volume, providing an overview of the state of the art for practitioners in applied linguistics, ESL/EFL pedagogies, rhetoric, and composition studies around the world. Unlike volumes that present one theoretical stance, this book attempts to give equal time to all theoretical and pedagogical camps. Included are chapters by authors from the Sydney School, the New Rhetoric, and English for Specific Purposes, as well as contributions from other practitioners who pose questions that cross theoretical lines.

    Genre in the Classroom:
    *includes all of the major theoretical views of genre that influence pedagogical practice;
    *takes an international approach, drawing from all parts of the world in which genre theory has been applied in the classroom--Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, the Middle East, the United States;
    *features contributors who are all both theorists and classroom practitioners, lending credibility and authenticity to the arguments;
    *combines theory and practice in every chapter, showing how particular theoretical views influence classroom practice;
    *grounds pedagogical practices in their own regional and theoretical histories;
    *openly discusses problems and questions that genre theory raises and presents some of the solutions suggested; and
    *offers a concluding chapter that argues for two macro-genres, and with responses to this argument by noted genre theorists from three theoretical camps.

    Contents: A.M. Johns, Preface. Introduction. Part I:The Sydney School. M. Macken-Horarik, "Something to Shoot For": A Systemic Functional Approach to Teaching Genre in Secondary School Science. S. Feez, Heritage and Innovation in Second Language Education. Part II:Related Approaches. B. Paltridge, Genre, Text Type, and the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Classroom. J. Flowerdew, Genre in the Classroom: A Linguistic Approach. Part III:English for Specific Purposes. J.M. Swales, S. Lindemann, Teaching the Literature Review to International Graduate Students. S. Hyon, Genre and ESL Reading: A Classroom Study. Part IV:Bridging Text and Context. T.T.T. Pang, Textual Analysis and Contextual Awareness Building: A Comparison of Two Approaches to Teaching Genre. B. Samraj, Texts and Contextual Layers: Academic Writing in Content Courses. Part V:The New Rhetoric. C. Adam, N. Artemeva, Writing Instruction in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Classes: Introducing Second Language Learners to the Academic Community. R.M. Coe, The New Rhetoric of Genre: Writing Political Briefs. Part VI:Pedagogical Quandaries. V. Guleff, Approaching Genre: Prewriting as Apprenticeship to Communities of Practice. T. Dudley-Evans, The Teaching of the Academic Essay: Is a Genre Approach Possible? A.M. Johns, Destabilizing and Enriching Novice Students' Genre Theories. Part VII:Conclusion and Responses. W. Grabe, Narrative and Expository Macro-Genres. J.R. Martin, A Universe of Meaning--How Many Practices? V.J. Bhatia, Applied Genre Analysis: Analytical Advances and Pedagogical Procedures. C. Berkenkotter, Response(s) to William Grabe's "Narrative and Expository Macro-Genres."

    Biography

    Ann M. Johns

    "This book is a valuable addition to understanding genre theory and applications in the classroom. It is a practitioner's book with the strength of experience and practicality forming the chapters. Most literacy teachers will find something of value in the book as will new teachers seeking to connect theory with practice. It is an admirably practical book connecting theory and practice."
    TESL-EJ

    "...not only ESL composition teachers but just about anyone involved in literacy instruction--will find a book of truly international scope, with a diversity of perspectives offering plenty of food for thought."
    TESOL QUARTERLY

    "John's volume is a major contribution to the literature for those already involved in the teaching or researching of academic literacy."
    English Language Teaching Journal

    "...this is definitely a volume that any SLA scholar interested in tense and aspect will want-indeed needs-to own. It would also be appropriate as a text for a graduate seminar on the acquisition of temporal morphology, as an introduction to a variety of issues and methodologies, and as a rich source of research for future studies. One additional strength of the volume as a whole is that every chapter contains a thorough review of the relevant literature. The reference list for the entire book is 43 pages long. This broad coverage suggests that the book would be an ideal starting place for dissertation-or thesis-level research."
    Studies in Second Language Acquisition

    "A most welcome volume....Represents a variety of empirical and theoretical traditions...and fills a number of gaps in the current genre literature. Also appealing are the panoramic, international perspectives provided by the chapter authors....Genre in the Classroom bridges several chasms in the broader field. In particular, it establishes meaningful links across national and disciplinary boundaries. In its attempts to inform practitioners and researchers, it will also connect those who theorize but do not teach with those whose work occurs mainly in the classroom....This volume will attract the attention of a wide audience."
    John Hedgcock
    Monterey Institute of International Studies