illuminative evaluationn
also process evaluation
an approach to evaluation that seeks to find out how different aspects of
a course work or how a course is being implemented and the teaching,
learning and processes that it creates. It seeks to provide a deeper understand-
ing of the processes of teaching and learning that occur in a programme
without necessarily seeking to change the course in any way as a result.
see evaluation
ILRn
an abbreviation for the Interagency Language Round Table
ILTAn
an abbreviation for International Language Testing Association
imageryn
mental pictures or impressions (“images”) created by, or accompanying,
words or sentences.
Words or sentences that produce strong picture-like images may be
easier to remember than those without visual imagery. For example, in the
following pair of sentences, (a) may be easier to remember than (b) because
it creates a stronger mental image.
a The gloves were made by a tailor.
b The gloves were made by a machine.
In second language learning, imagery may be used as a learning strategy.
For example, when reading a passage about agricultural machinery, a stu-
dent may think of a farm scene in which people are using different kinds of
machines. Later when trying to recall the passage he or she read, the student
may think of the image or picture and use this to trigger recollection of the
information in the text.
imaginative functionn
see developmental functions of language
imaginative recountn
see text types
imitationn
(in language learning) the copying of the speech of another person.
Traditional views of language learning placed a high emphasis on the role
of imitation and it has been considered basic to some methods of teaching
foreign languages (see audiolingual method, situational language
imitation