Teaching English in multilingual Israel: Who teaches whom and how. A review of recent research 2014–2020

Abstract

This article presents research on teaching English in Israel, a vibrant multilingual country, in the period between 2014 and 2020. After a brief introduction to the current approach to English language teaching around the world, it outlines the studies investigating: (a) learners of English, (b) English teachers, and (c) methods that are used in the country for teaching English. We explore how various student populations, Arabs, Bedouins, Circassians, Druze, Charedi (ultra-orthodox Jews), Jews, and foreign students, are taught English as well as their attitudes to this language. Then, we discuss research investigating different categories of English teachers in Israel, including teachers in Arab and Jewish sectors, the teachers labeled as ‘native speakers’, and also teacher trainers and teacher-training principles. We look at secondary and high school students, including those in special education, as well as those who take English courses in tertiary educational institutions. Finally, we are interested in whether innovative teaching methods compete with the conventional ones and which groups of learners have access to the former. Throughout the article, we aim to show to what extent practitioners and researchers are aware of the present-day realities of the interconnectedness of ‘teacher, student, and method’ elements and the impact of multilingualism on English teaching in Israel. This Country in Focus report also considers the current holistic perspective on English language teaching. This language should not be taught in isolation but work in concert with other contact languages.

How to Teach English to Children Early on

“…The key to teaching children English is comprehending the fundamentals of language acquisition and utilizing them in a way that keeps kids interested in learning. Children live in a world of pretend play and mimicry (Hashemi & Azizinezhad, 2011;Aronin & Yelenevskaya, 2022). There are seven techniques to teach English to kids from a young age, including using it in everyday interactions, speaking it frequently, learning it in a pleasant way, using technical media, reading English storybooks, don't get caught up in grammar, and using media posters on the wall.…”

Parents’ Involvement in Young Children’s English Language Education Post Pandemic

“…As is known, young children live in a world of pretend play and mimicry and therefore the key to teaching children English is comprehending the fundamentals of language acquisition and utilizing them in a way that keeps kids interested in learning (Hashemi & Azizinezhad, 2011;Aronin & Yelenevskaya, 2022). The findings of this study are also similar to that of Aronin and Yelenevskaya (2022); Hashemi and Azizinezhad (2011); Hidayana and Yakubu (2022) as well as Wati (2016) where several techniques were found similar to teach English to young children, including using relevant and resourceful age-appropriate school-based materials, online printed materials, learning it in an interactive way through technology, and using technical media for reading, speaking and listening.…”

Research on foreign language learning, teaching, and assessment in Sweden 2012–2021

“…Although officially a foreign language, English in Sweden has in practice many traits that make it more similar to a second language (L2), considering how, when, and where it is used (Hult, 2012; Hyltenstam, 2004; Hyltenstam & Österberg, 2010) and its status is continuously negotiated (Hult, 2012). Moreover, as discussed by Aronin and Yelenevskaya (2022), the terms English as a foreign language (EFL) and English as a second language (ESL) are dynamic and can co-exist as performance varieties at the individual as well as the societal level. In fact, we have in this review attempted to use the terms L2 and FL (foreign language) with some parsimony, aware of the fuzzy boundaries between them.…”