On the changing role of English language education: promoting respect for difference in the language classroom

This article argues for a more systematic and integrated approach to the cultural dimension within English language education in a globalized world, with the concept of culture taking on an affectively related and process‐oriented meaning. To this end, it suggests an approach for the development of the ability to decenter from cultural norms and behavior that previously have been taken for granted, within a social constructivist framework of learning. The study from which the article is drawn was conducted through action research in an EFL (English as a foreign language) classroom during the three final years of basic education within the Swedish‐medium educational system in Finland.

Artikeln förespråkar ett mer systematiskt och integrerat förhållningssätt till den kulturella dimensionen i engelskklassrummet i dagens globaliserade värld, där kulturbegreppet ges en affektiv och processorienterad innebörd. För detta ändamål föreslås hur förmågan att distansera sig från kulturella normer och beteenden som tidigare tagits för givna kunde utvecklas inom ramen för en socio‐konstruktivistisk syn på lärande. Till grund för artikeln ligger ett treårigt aktionsforskningsprojekt i ett engelskklassrum från åk 7 till 9 i den svenskspråkiga grundskolan i Finland.     

Drugs and Technology in Pregnancy and Child-birth—Review of Literature

Literature on the use of drugs and technology in pregnancy and in child-birth is reviewed, giving the general trend of findings in the case of studies and surveys. Very little of the literature is unreservedly positive and much of it emphasizes the need for caution and the risks that exist in both the use of drugs and the use of most forms of technology applicable to investigations and procedures during pregnancy and child-birth. There is clearly an imperative need for research in this area, before expensive equipment is purchased for every centre which may be used for obstetric cases. There is also a need to educate women in this area to ensure that they can make informed decisions about what they will accept in treatment and what they will not accept.