Chatting by the Coffee Machine. A Qualitative Study of Informal Language Learning in the Workplace connected to the EFL-Classroom

Abstract

One challenge the Swedish upper secondary EFL-classroom faces today is students suggesting they learn English better outside of school than inside. The reason often given for this is that English is viewed as boring and inauthentic. This study investigates perceptions and experiences on informal language learning of former EFL-students now working in international environments. These insights are then reflected by the participants in contrast to their formal English education. Utilizing interviews, the results highlight participants’ felt formal education failed to prepare them for using English in real-life contexts. The source of the issue is suggested by the participants to relate to a lack of authentic and communicative practices in the classroom. This correlates with a growing body of research on the area. Based on these reflections, in connection with previous research on benefits of informal language situations and theoretical framework by Byram (1997) and Vygotskij, cited in Säljö (2020), the study proposes a classroom activity that bridges the gap between informal and formal language learning. Furthermore, a pedagogical model on how to integrate communicative competence individually and gradually is presented. The study concludes that blending informal inspired communicative classroom practices with formal instructions could be beneficial for stimulating confidence, motivation, purpose and relevance.