Knowledge about Language in English Language Courses for Future Language Professionals

Abstract

This article reports on a study focusing on KAL (knowledge about language) in language courses in English Studies, the training of future language teachers and other professionals. Language is key in the professional competence of future graduates, who need to know the language and know about the language. Apart from promoting students’ proficiency, language courses also transmit certain views of language that will become part of the knowledge of future language professionals. Using ethnography and discourse analysis, this study looks at the development of a language course over a semester, through classroom observation and interviews with lecturers and students.