29 Sep 2023
Hermeneutics, which dates back to the Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle, is broadly referred to as the art and science of understanding texts. By carefully examining the instructional environment and the range of meanings in which the instructional plans are designed to affect the interactants' seen reality, the hermeneutic method when applied to the educational setting, enables the excavation of the dynamics of teaching and learning.
Scholars of second languages interested in the psychology of language learning and teaching have recently used specific cutting-edge methods to investigate various psychological elements of second language acquisition and education. This strategy can offer deeper insights into the underlying causes of creating these psychological characteristics, although the application of the methodology is still in its infancy.
Exemplary research projects
Ramezanzadeh and Rezaei's study concentrated on English language instructors in higher education and how they fostered the authenticity of their students. This study investigated authenticity as a voice rather than an intrinsic characteristic of materials created by native speakers, following Barnett's authenticity theory, which served as the perceptual theoretical framework. The findings of this study went beyond the line that separates native speakers of second languages from non-native speakers. The results also demonstrated that in addition to ontological, practical, and epistemological spaces, an environment welcoming inclusion and diversity is necessary to develop perceived authenticity in English language learners. Furthermore, the study's participants demonstrated how critical knowledge garnered through discourses with disadvantaged and majority perspectives may help teachers cultivate authenticity in their pupils.
Conclusion
To better understand the underlying mechanisms of how students think and feel in class while participating in language learning, hermeneutic can delve into cognitive and affective factors and inner speech. This can help second language teachers and researchers who want to identify and effectively meet the psychological needs of their language learners.