scholarly journals Foreword

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-6
Author(s):  
GOLOB Nina

With this volume, Acta linguistica is entering its 5th year. We would like to announce, with our great pleasure, that the journal has undergone some changes  and will from now be published twice a year, with its summer and winter volume. This summer volume includes researches with a common topic of practicing a language, whether in educational, and religious institutions, or in the languages primary surroundings. In this spirit, the volume is divided into two parts, with the first devoted to the methodology of language teaching, focusing mainly on Chinese and Japanese language and presently still under-researched dyslexia role in language studies, and the second focusing on under-documented languages and their gap between language policies and the actual state of language use.The first paper by Katja Simončič, entitled Evaluating Approaches to Teaching and Learning Chinese Vocabulary from the Learning Theories Perspective: An Experimental Case Study, discusses two basic approaches to teaching Chinese vocabulary, and evaluates them based on the results of experimental study on Slovene students of Chinese.The next two papers deal with the different lexica in Japanese language. Nataliia Vitalievna Kutafeva's research, entitled Japanese Onomatopoeic Expressions with Quantitative Meaning analyzes the lexical mode of expression of quantitative meanings and their semantics with the help of onomatopoeic (giongo) and mimetic (gitaigo) words, and based on it proposes the new arrangement of semantic groups.Kiyomi Fujii’s research, entitled Blogging Identity: How L2 Learners Express Themselves, discusses identity expression in blogs by Japanese language learners on the intermediate and advanced level.The paper by Nagisa Moritoki Škof, Japanese Language Education and Dyslexia: On the Necessity of Dyslexia Research, shows an insight to dyslexia and through an outline of the present state of accepting and treating leaning disabilities in the Japanese education system stresses the  importance of incounting dyslexia in language education in general.Manel Herat in his paper Functions of English vs. Other Languages in Sri Lankan Buddhist Rituals in the UK, analyzes the language shifts from the Sinhala and Pali languages to English at Buddhist festivals and sermons in UK. Next paper by Ali Ammar and his colleagues, Language Policy and Medium of Instruction Issue in Pakistan, briefly re-explores the situation of languages in the country and studies the latest language policy of Pakistan and its implications for local languages.The last research paper in this volume Bhadarwahi: A Typological Sketch was written by Amitabh Vikram Dwivedi and is an attempt to describe phonological and morphosyntactic features of the under-documented Bhadarwahi language belonging to Indo-Aryan language family.Finally, in the context of describing under-documented languages, the influence of the existing language policy is also noticed by Erwin Soriano FERNANDEZ and his book review on Pangasinan, entitled Panuntunán na Ortograpiya éd salitan PANGASINAN 2012. Manila: Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino.

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-38
Author(s):  
Katja SIMONČIČ

With Chinese language gaining more and more popularity among Slovenian students and with the growing numbers of learners of Chinese as a foreign language in Slovenia and elsewhere it is crucial to find an approach that will lead to high quality and long-term knowledge of Chinese and that will motivate learners to continue learning.We can speak of two basic approaches to teaching Chinese vocabulary: the approach that first introduces pronunciation and the approach that simultaneously introduces pronunciation and character. The key question that arises is which of the two approaches leads to high quality and long-term knowledge? To answer the question an experimental case study was carried out at Ljubljana’s Faculty of Arts in the academic year 2011/2012. The case study showed that the approach that simultaneously introduces pronunciation and character and is based on the key principles of constructivist learning theory had beneficial effects on the students in terms of motivation and quality of knowledge of Chinese vocabulary.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-89
Author(s):  
Divna TRIČKOVIĆ

The purpose of this paper is to address the state of the education system in Serbia in relation to Japanese language studies, with a particular focus on primary and secondary educational institutions. To start off, I will introduce the institutions where the Japanese language is being taught in Serbia, before turning my attention to the teaching programs (i.e. course guidelines as an accredited national guideline). Following that, I will present our Japanese language textbook writing projects. Finally, I will shed light on the problems we have faced and propose a number of potential solutions.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanellopoulou ◽  
Kermanidis ◽  
Giannakoulopoulos

The use of multimedia has often been suggested as a teaching tool in foreign language teaching and learning. In foreign language education, exciting new multimedia applications have appeared over the last years, especially for young learners, but many of these do not seem to produce the desired effect in language development. This article looks into the theories of dual-coding (DCT) and multimedia learning (CTML) as the theoretical basis for the development of more effective digital tools with the use of films and subtitling. Bilingual dual-coding is also presented as a means of indirect access from one language to another and the different types of subtitling are explored regarding their effectiveness, especially in the field of short-term and long-term vocabulary recall and development. Finally, the article looks into some new alternative audiovisual tools that actively engage learners with films and subtitling, tailored towards vocabulary learning.


2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Van Huy ◽  
M. Obaidul Hamid

Purpose – This paper aims to shed light on the process of adopting and accommodating a global language education framework, namely the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) for languages, in the context of Vietnam. Design/methodology/approach – The data to develop the argument of the paper are obtained from a doctoral research project that aims to understand the reception, interpretations and responses of key stakeholders in the process of enacting the CEFR in a Vietnam public university. The study was designed as a qualitative case study with data being collected using policy document analysis, classroom observation and in-depth interviews with 21 purposively sampled participants, including school administrators, English language teachers and students over a period of six months. Findings – The paper argues that the adoption of the CEFR, as it currently stands, can be seen at best as a “quick-fix” (Steiner-Khamsi, 2004, p. 58) solution to the complex and time-consuming problem of improving the quality of English language education in Vietnam, which fails to address some critical issues in the practice of teaching and learning the language in the country. Originality/value – The study speaks to the body of literature on the CEFR as a contemporary global language policy borrowing phenomenon in developing countries. It contributes to a better understanding of how a global language policy is adopted and appropriated at the grass-root level.


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ai Sumirah Setiawati ◽  
Wagiran Wagiran ◽  
Subyantoro Subyantoro

The objective of the study is to evaluate the learning implementation of the Nihongo Noryoku Shiken N5 course as a new course offered in the 2020 curriculum at the Japanese Language Education Study Program in UNNES. A goal-oriented evaluation model by Tyler was employed in the evaluation process to measure how far the learning goals that have been determined at the beginning of the lecture are achieved. This evaluative research relied on a quantitative descriptive approach; its steps comprised (1) data collection, (2) data processing and analysis, and (3) recommendation formulation. According to the evaluation results, the learning goals of Nihongo Noryoku Shiken N5 had been met, although it was not that significant. Several conditions cause such issues. (1) In the class, some students had good Japanese language skills; they claimed that the lesson was too easy, so their progress was not significant. (2) The evaluation instruments were not valid. (3) Other conditions, e.g., the implementation of online learning and tests, hindered classroom activities and monitoring. Improving the teaching and learning materials and evaluation instruments is recommended. Furthermore, some additions to the curriculum need to be considered, such as adding the credits for the grammar or Bunpo course.


2021 ◽  
Vol 03 (06) ◽  
pp. 315-322
Author(s):  
Souhila BENZERROUG ◽  
Samah BENZERROUG

The present research paper highlights the importance of plurilingual competence to language education in pre-service teacher training at the Teacher Training College of Bouzareah-Algeria-. The study is designed to gain insight into the development of pluringual competence in the pre-service program that is addressed to the students of the departments of French and English. It aims at enhancing the teaching and learning of foreign languages in order to meet the universal requirements related to interculturality and plurilingualism.To achieve the above mentioned aims, the researchers interviewed ENSB teacher trainers to investigate their perceptions towards the teaching of that competence. A qualitative method was then employed by using a semi-structured interview with university teachers of Didactics and Language Studies in order to identify the extent of interest that is assigned to the development of plurilingual competence in the teaching practices as well as the syllabus content‎.


1998 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy H. Hornberger

ABSTRACTIndigenous languages are under siege, not only in the US but around the world – in danger of disappearing because they are not being transmitted to the next generation. Immigrants and their languages worldwide are similarly subjected to seemingly irresistible social, political, and economic pressures. This article discusses a number of such cases, including Shawandawa from the Brazilian Amazon, Quechua in the South American Andes, the East Indian communities of South Africa, Khmer in Philadelphia, Welsh, Maori, Turkish in the UK, and Native Californian languages. At a time when phrases like “endangered languages” and “linguicism” are invoked to describe the plight of the world's vanishing linguistic resources in their encounter with the phenomenal growth of world languages such as English, the cases reviewed here provide consistent and compelling evidence that language policy and language education serve as vehicles for promoting the vitality, versatility, and stability of these languages, and ultimately promote the rights of their speakers to participate in the global community on and IN their own terms. (Endangered languages, immigrant languages, indigenous languages, language revitalization, linguicism)


Author(s):  
Saieed Moslemi Nezhad Arani

The prominence of technology has always been booming since computers generated new lanes for human to make use of high-tech for many different purposes. Utilizing computers for learning goals, among many, is one of the main concerns followed by educational issues in teaching and learning, especially, of a new language. Computer-assisted language learning (CALL) is known as a branch of language studies which focuses on teaching and learning of a new language through applications of computers in language learning contexts. Many books, articles, reviews, and etc. being published regularly consider one or some issues related to the CALL. To this, researchers have tried to introduce or evaluate particular application of CALL in the mentioned field. Cameron (1988, p. 15) reasons that “The fact that there are so many different types of CALL programs in existence illustrates the futility of attempting to define a single set of program principles or structures to fit all situations.” Other subordinate technologies interconnected to the computerized exemplar have arrived the inclined in practice. For example, information communication technology (ICT) “has been integrated within the overall design of the methodology used in the language learning process is a key factor.” (Zhang, 2012, p. 8). Other similar well-intentioned works can be referred to as (Holland & Fisher, 2008; Donaldson & Haggstrom, 2006; Thomas, Reinders, & Warschauer, 2013) which consider discussions of series of actions taken as regards the CALL subject. Beatty’s “teaching and research in computer-assisted language learning” (2010) is considered as one of the most comprehensive books on defining and reorganizing concept of CALL into the language education. The following is a review based on Beatty’s book which is also highly recommended as for reading by the reviewer.


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