Project Title: Language Learning in Museums: an exploration of identity and social inclusion
Supervisors:
Brian Martin and Dr Rosemary Douglas
Research topic:
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is becoming increasingly common in museums throughout the UK and the USA as a means to provide linguistic and educational access to museums, their collections and resources for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. In the UK, these initiatives are often at the crux of museums' inclusion strategy and born out of visitor surveys which have identified underrepresented visitors to museums. While there is increasing interest in ESOL in museums, there has not yet been significant empirical research that has explored language learning within these specific informal learning environments. My doctoral research focuses on understanding language learning within museums and the opportunities learning through objects affords adult ESOL learners.
Teaching experience:
MEd TESOL tutor: Facilitated learning in workshops on 3 modules on the Masters in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Courses tutored include TESOL and Learner, which focused on theories of second language acquisition and their relationship to pedagogy; TESOL for Young Learners, which focused on developmental theories and their pedagogical implications for young learners'; Study Skills, which focused on developing masters level research skills.
Education 1 tutor: Facilitated seminars and workshops for undergraduate freshmen studying on the BEd in primary education, physical education, community education and design and technology education.
Publications & presentations:
Clarke, S. (2008) Language Learning in Museums: an exploration of identity and social inclusion. Paper presented at Worlds of TESOL: Building Communities of Practice, Inquiry, and Creativity, 42nd Annual TESOL Convention, New York, NY, 3 April 2008.
Forthcoming presentations:
Clarke, S. (2008) Museums for language learning? The transformational learning experiences of adult immigrants learning English in museums in Scotland. Paper presented at Educational Journeys and Changing Lives, European Society for Research on the Education of Adults Access, Learning Careers and Identities Network Conference, Seville, Spain, 12 December 2008.
Clarke, S. (2009) Approaches to Using Museums for Adult ESOL. Poster presented at Uncharted Mountains Forging New Pathways, 43rd Annual TESOL Convention, Denver, CO, 28 March 2009.
Grants & awards:
Funds for Women Graduates, Doctoral Grant
University of Edinburgh, Moray House School of Education, Conference Travel Grant
European Society for Research on the Education of Adults, Doctoral Student Conference Bursary
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