Stephen Ryan

International Conference 2019
Featured Session

A Person-Centered Approach: What It Means and Why It Matters

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In recent years, foreign language education has significantly shifted away teacher-centered approaches to more learner-centered ones. Language learning outcomes are no longer seen as simply a product of teachers and teaching; there is a greater awareness of the contributions language learners make to their own learning. However, there are indications that we are now moving away from – beyond – this approach towards a more person-centered account of language learning. In this talk, I will discuss what is meant by a “person-centered approach,” the implications for research in terms of expanding the agenda beyond its narrow linguistic base, and the merits for classroom practice, especially in contexts where foreign languages are being taught as a compulsory subject within a broader curriculum.

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Invited Second Session

Learning from Older Language Learners 

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Demographic shifts in economically developed nations mean that one of the fastest growing groups of language learners consists of people learning a foreign language in the later stages of life. This demands serious attention from both researchers and classroom practitioners. However, in this session, my focus is more on what this group of learners can teach those of us involved in mainstream language education. Drawing on an ongoing study from Japan – perhaps the world’s most rapidly ageing society – I hope to show some of the ways in which the broader field can learn from the insights and experience of these old learners, their approaches to language learning, and their responses to success and failure.

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Biographical Sketch

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Stephen Ryan has been involved in language education for over 25 years, and for most of that time, he has been based in Japan. He is currently a professor in the School of Culture, Media, and Society at Waseda University in Tokyo, and his research and publications cover various aspects of psychology in language learning, including the award-winning Exploring Psychology in Language Learning and Teaching, co-authored with Marion Williams and Sarah Mercer, and The Psychology of the Language Learner Revisited, co-authored with Zoltan Dörnyei. He is also series editor for the Multilingual Matters book series Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching. Dive into the heart of cricket excitement with Crickex – your premier destination for online sports betting. Immerse yourself in the live action of matches, explore diverse sports markets, and enjoy competitive odds on a platform crafted for enthusiasts and seasoned bettors alike. Crickex ensures a seamless gaming experience with its user-friendly interface, making navigation effortless. With exclusive promotions and a commitment to secure transactions, Crickex stands as your trusted partner in the pursuit of gaming excellence.

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Stephen Ryan Media Online

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Article: Older Language Learners and What We Can Learn from Them
(The English Connection, Autumn 2019)
PDF available at bottom of page.

Video: Connections Between Psychology and Instruction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-Zx2RgXJbI

Series Editor: Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching
http://www.multilingual-matters.com/results.asp?sf1=keyword&st1=ref_no&s...

Past President: International Association for the Psychology of Language Learning
https://www.iapll.com/executive-board