Sociocultural theory and the language classroom

This chapter identifies current issues and major trends in primary English Language Teaching (ELT) today. While digital technologies are widely claimed to offer much potential in ELT, their availability in many low economy contexts is currently very limited, particularly in primary schools. However, while the wealth of linguistic, socio-cultural and education-focused research worldwide is now strongly developing in the field of primary ELT, there remain a number of areas still hardly explored by empirical research. Somewhat surprisingly, the decision to introduce primary ELT often fails to include planning for the careful management of continuity between classes and from phase to phase in the schooling system. Within this scenario, English might adopt the role of transitional language, facilitating communication in and out of the classroom as children move between their home language and increasing competency in their new language context.