This study aims to identify a few perception-action relations or affordances enacted in an asymmetrical (tutor-tutee) videoconferencing environment for L2 learning. Following Engeström's (2014) Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) and an ecological Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) perspective, the study focusses on the interactions…

This paper explores the PISA [Programme for International Student Assessment] achievement of twenty countries in light of some of their demographic differences. SES [student socioeconomic status], nuclear family, gender, home language, and native status were predictive of achievement for every country. Demographics accounted for as little as 8…

This paper provides a summary of the proceedings of a public lecture and a seminar conducted by William F. Mackey, on "Options for Language Promotion by Means of the Education System" and "Implications of Bilingualism," including the question and answer sessions. Part one, summarizing the lecture, discusses the role of the…

Both Ireland and Canada are officially bilingual countries. There are similarities between the two countries and differences with regard to numbers of speakers and purposes for which speakers use Irish or French. Yet, a comparison of language policy in the two countries is possible, one which would focus on demographic, economic, social, cultural,…

This paper discusses some of the methodological issues facing language trainers who are required to identify the second language needs of adult learners within a specific vocational context, namely business sales negotiations. It also proposes a research model that responds to the difficulties of matching learner perceptions of language and…