<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

Instructors of Italian are tasked with teaching not only the language, but also the culture. However, critical matters such as sexual identity are frequently not addressed in the Italian-language classroom. Current Italian-language pedagogy solely focuses on language-acquisition proficiency via heteronormative discourses, ignoring the more-diverse reality of Italian culture. This article aims to showcase how using a queer pedagogy based on queer theory can affect learners’ language acquisition and understanding of Italian culture. I used memoing and personal experiences as an Italian instructor to analyse the related literature. I propose that current pedagogy and curricula silence the lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgenderquestioning/queer-intersex-asexual (LGBTQIA+) community, causing exclusion, anxiety and sometimes harassment from others. Open discussion through queer pedagogy would create critical conversations, allowing for the inclusion of all learners and topics. Italian instructors should promote these conversations, question the standard Italian-language pedagogy and use materials that are inclusive of LGBTQIA+ members.
</abstract>

The Shift to a Queer Pedagogy in the Italian-Language Classroom

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Based on recent research (Alderson, 2005; Khalifa and Weir, 2009), this study focuses on three areas of reading comprehension necessary for a successful academic career: general L2 EFL reading skills, more specific academic reading skills and critical thinking and reading. The study presents an analysis of quantitative research conducted in 2020, based on a sample of Slovak undergraduate students reading an academic text in English as L2 in EFL CLIL-formatted classes in humanities.
The respondents’ general reading skills were analysed in the context of their critical reading skills and academic preparedness. When tested for general reading skills, respondents were asked to identify implicit and explicit information and the gist of the text. Academic abilities were tested via the ability to identify the attributes of an academic text, such as the system of references, rational and logical language and causeeffect type of argumentation, which indicated the author and genre of the text. In order to evaluate participants’ critical skills with a focus on the social aspects of the text, respondents were asked to identify the importance of the text for themselves and for their community and life. The participants’ mean scores and differences in their performances on each task type were compared using descriptive statistics, and multiple analysis of variance. The results suggest that the general reading skills of university undergraduates in Slovakia are adequate, however, more difficulty was encountered with implicit, rather than explicit, tasks. Students also need to improve their critical reading skills and reading for academic purposes. The research outcomes highlight the need to hone the education of future linguists to the new needs of a more text-based society.
</abstract>

The need for integration of reading, critical thinking and academic reading skills: a quantitative analysis of Slovak undergraduates’ reading performance

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Artificial Intelligence (AI), as a multidisciplinary field, combines computer science, robotics and cognitive science, with increasingly growing applications in many diverse areas, such as engineering, business, medicine, weather forecasting, industry, translation, natural language, linguistics, etc. In Europe, interest in AI has been rising in the last decade. One of the greatest hurdles for researchers in automated processing of technical documentation is large amounts of specific terminology. The aim of this research is to analyse the semi-automatically extracted artificial intelligence-related terminology and the most common phrases related to artificial intelligence in English and Lithuanian in terms of their structure, multidisciplinarity and connotation. For selection and analysis of terms, two programmes were chosen in this study, namely <italic>SynchroTerm</italic> and <italic>SketchEngine</italic>. The paper presents the outcomes of an AI terminological project carried out with <italic>SynchroTerm</italic> and provides an analysis of a special corpus compiled in the field of artificial intelligence using the <italic>SketchEngine</italic> platform. The analysis of semi-automatic term extraction use and corpus-based techniques for artificial intelligence-related terminology revealed that AI as a specialized domain contains multidisciplinary terminology, and is complex and dynamic. The empiric data shows that the context is essential for the evaluation of the concept under analysis and reveals the different connotation of the term.
</abstract>

Corpus-based analysis of semi-automatically extracted artificial intelligence-related terminology

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The research, related to innovation has been in a focus of academics for a long time. In the current study, the authors present the positive benefits of applying an innovative teaching method, based on primary research, applying a questionnaire-based survey. They targeted to examine how a business simulation software modifies the labour market efficiency of university students. The respondents consider themselves to be least competitive in terms of self-confidence and an initiative ability. Both skills can be developed as a result of the application of the business simulation software.
</abstract>

The positive benefits of the practical application of the simulation software

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In 2020 the world encountered a new virus. Nobody could predict it but it happened. The boundaries between countries were closed, people were obliged to stay at home, schools and universities were shut and the education was transferred online. We have to admit that not all educational institutions were ready to switch to the online format of teaching in such a short period. However, in conditions when there are no possibilities for face-to-face teaching educators are forced to find the most efficient ways of teaching English. In this paper, the authors aim to investigate online resources able to compensate for the lack of face-to-face communication. While doing research critical analysis of existing literature and generalisation of teaching experience were used. The findings revealed that even in distant learning particular resources can recompense for the absence of offline learning.
</abstract>

Distant learning as a way to meet challenges: teaching English for medical students

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The study is focussed on perception of teaching practices by pre-service teachers in preschool and primary education university programmes. Further, the study analysed the reality shock that occurred in these students during teaching practice. The sample consisted of 41 students in preschool education programmes, while 54 students followed the primary-level education programme. The data collection methods were student portfolios and student diaries from teaching practice. In the portfolios it was possible to analyse the activities, opinions, attitudes and products of student practice. Diaries reported students’ feelings and everyday experience in the schools. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. Two significant findings were obtained, i.e., supervising teachers’ frequent unprofessional behaviour towards student teachers, and the somatic and emotional exhaustion of students.
</abstract>

Teaching degree students´ experience of teaching practice

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 11 (2023): Issue 3 (December 2023)

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Journal of Language and Cultural Education

 Journal of Language and Cultural Education (JoLaCE) is a double-blind peer-reviewed international journal promoting international scholarly exchange among researchers, academics, and professionals. It carries only original, previously unpublished full-length research and survey articles that reflect the latest research and developments in both theoretical and practical aspects of language, literary and cultural education. Review studies, research-in-progress reports, short research notes, commentaries, and in-field publications reviews are invited to be published as well.  Rejection Rate   53,2%   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 