The first application of concept-based language instruction for literacy development

This book provides a detailed and comprehensive design of a new second language literacy pedagogy and the results of implementing this pedagogy in different contexts in order to demonstrate that it is possible to address some long-standing second language (L2) curriculum and literacy development challenges. The author clearly explains the theory behind Vygotskian Sociocultural Theory of Mind and Systemic Functional Linguistics and how they can inform literacy pedagogy in the form of Concept-Based Language Instruction and a Division-of-Labor Pedagogy. By presenting detailed qualitative and quantitative analyses and results of multiple forms of data, the author demonstrates the effectiveness of the pedagogy. In conjunction with background on the intricate and interdependent nature of the concepts needed for second language literacy development, and in contrast with a cognitivist approach to reading pedagogy and research, the author provides all the details necessary for teachers and researchers to appreciate both the theory and how it can be applied to their practice.

"This book is unique in so many ways. It examines both the processes and products of literacy development from a Vygotskian SCT perspective. Instructionally, concept-based learning and a division of labor pedagogy are used. Changes in teacher and peer mediation as well as student verbalizations are shown to lead to the internalization of key literacy concepts. This is a must-read for anyone interested in a Vygotskian perspective of second language literacy development." - Merrill Swain, OISE, University of Toronto, Canada

"A groundbreaking book that sheds light on L2 literacy pedagogy and offers valuable insights into L2 reading research from a Vygotskian perspective. This work will inspire future investigations into praxis-based teaching and research in L2 development. A must-read for all researcher-teachers." - Eduardo Negueruela-Azarola, University of Navarra, Spain

"Urbanski’s work convincingly demonstrates the relevance of sociocultural theory for second language development, including reading ability. An especially attractive aspect of her approach is ‘division of labor pedagogy’, which takes advantage of the power of the collective for the development of the individual. I encourage all reading educators to engage with this work. There is much to learn from it." - James P. Lantolf, Greer Professor Emeritus, The Pennsylvania State University, USA

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There is a widely recognised disparity in foreign language programmes between courses that focus on language learning and those aimed at interpreting and analysing literary texts in the target language (Alderson, 1984; Bernhardt, 2010). This book offers a valuable resource to address this challenge by providing readers with a comprehensive overview of the L2 development process. It introduces an innovative instructional approach that combines C-BLI and DOLP pedagogy to bridge the gap between language acquisition and literary analysis.