PROFILING LANGUAGE ASSISTANTS IN THE EUROPEAN CONTEXT: FEATURES, ROLES, AND FUNCTIONS IN THE 21ST CENTURY

Abstract

In the European context, language assistants (LAs) have been key actors in foreign language classes for over a century. Language assistants, nowadays considered a valuable resource for learners, work in similar contexts throughout the continent (schools, universities, language schools) and, theoretically, should perform the same roles in all host countries. In practice, however, the main features and expected roles might differ. The aim of this study is twofold: first, to compare functions of language assistants in four European countries (France, Italy, Spain, and Austria). To this end, guides published by the host countries and addressed to LAs were taken as a reference. Second, to highlight the features which better identify and define language assistants in Europe. For this analysis, a comparative cross- national study following the Grounded Theory approach with MAXQDA software was used. Findings indicate that language assistants are usually young people coming from different educational backgrounds who have received basic information about the host country as well as pedagogical and methodological issues. They are mainly considered as language and culture ambassadors who work in association with a mentor teacher or supervisor who leads the class. The study is hoped to contribute to the creation of a European profile in the 21^st century useful for current and future language assistants and their supervisors, and also to policy makers in need to update guides addressed to this valuable asset.