scholarly journals BUILDING RAPPORT WITH YOUNG EFL LEARNERS AND ITS IMPACT ON THEIR ACHIEVEMENT IN AN EFL LEARNING CONTEXT

2017 ◽  
pp. 277-292
Author(s):  
Lejla Žunić-Rizvić ◽  
Vildana Dubravac
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Student Teacher ◽  
Motivational Strategies ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Teacher Rapport ◽  
Building Rapport

This paper aims to stress the importance of building rapport with young EFL (English as a foreign language) learners and to investigate the connection between student-teacher rapport and students’ achievement in an EFL classroom. It also treats some methods and approaches that should be used when teaching young language learners with respect to their needs and characteristics. In addition, this paper describes the importance of motivation for language acquisition and explores some motivational strategies for young language learners. The paper also aims at inspiring EFL teachers to focus on dimensions of language teaching which are associated with pedagogical aspects of teaching and are focused on creating positive student-teacher relations. The positive classroom atmosphere in which students feel safe and comfortable is considered essential for their success in language learning.

scholarly journals English as a Foreign Language Learners’ Anxiety and Interlocutors’ Status and Familiarity: An Idiodynamic Perspective

2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 489-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Elahi Shirvan ◽  
Nahid Talebzadeh
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Dynamic System Theory ◽  
Stimulated Recall ◽  
The Status ◽  
University Course

Abstract Foreign language learning anxiety has been the target of many studies in the field of applied linguistics, but, with the dynamics turn in the field, attempts have been recently made to uncover the dynamics of anxiety English as a foreign language (EFL) learners go through, especially within the moments of their conversational interactions. Within these interactions, dynamics of anxiety might emerge in different patterns under the influence of the status of the participants’ interlocutors and their familiarity with them. This study explores the dynamics of EFL learners’ anxiety while interacting with different interlocutors from an idiodynamic perspective. The participants of this case study were two female freshman students, taking a speaking and listening university course, who were interviewed by four interlocutors with different status and level of familiarity. Following an idiodynamic method, they self-rated their anxiety fluctuations under the influence of each interlocutor throughout each conversation followed by stimulated recall interviews regarding the explanations of the changes in their anxiety during the conversations. The results showed both change and stability in the participants’ anxiety under the influence of the interlocutors’ familiarity with the participants and their status as well their verbal and nonverbal feedback. The explanation of these changes based on the main properties of complex dynamic system theory is discussed.

Metacognitive Knowledge and Language Learning in a Web-Based Distance Learning Context

2019 ◽  
pp. 311-334
Author(s):  
Naiyi Xie Fincham ◽  
Guofang Li
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Metacognitive Knowledge ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Language Programs ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Online Distance

This chapter reported on the construction and development of the metacognitive knowledge (MCK) about web-based distance language learning of two adult English as a foreign language (EFL) learners in China. Drawing upon theories and research in metacognition, self-regulated second/foreign language learning, and distance language learning, the authors investigated adult Chinese EFL learners' knowledge about themselves as online distance language learners, the nature and demands of online distance English learning, and how to best approach their learning in this program. They identified changes in these learners' MCK over the 16 week semester and discussed how a number of contextual factors, including the pre-determined learning structure, teacher-led instructional sessions, and peer interaction opportunities, were significant in shaping and influencing learners' adjustments and revisions of their MCK about online distance language learning. Findings from this study have important implications for the design and implementation of web-based distance language programs for adult learners.

A Computer Corpus-Based Study of Chinese EFL Learners’ Use of Adverbial Connectors and Its Implications for Building a Language-Based Learning Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Fei Deng ◽  
Timothy V. Rasinski
Keyword(s):  
Learning Environment ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
General Tendency ◽  
L1 Transfer ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
English Major ◽  
Native Speakers Of English

This research adopts the methodology of corpus-based analysis and contrastive interlanguage analysis (CIA), using three corpora as the data source to analyze the adverbial connectors used by Chinese EFL (English as a foreign language) learners (i.e., university students in Guangzhou, China) in their written English. Major findings show that Chinese EFL learners have displayed a general tendency to overuse English adverbial connectors in terms of total tokens when compared with native speakers of English, and Chinese EFL learners deviate notably from the native speakers of English in the use of some individual English adverbial connectors. The research explores that Chinese EFL learners’ use of English adverbial connectors might be influenced by L1 transfer, writing handbooks’ and teachers’ instruction, learners’ lack of audience awareness, and lack of stylistic awareness. The research has some implications for language learning: a large collection of learner corpora, a target language's native speakers corpus, a learner's mother language corpus, and corpus software AntConc can complement textbooks in language learners’ deep learning process, constituting a language-based learning environment for human languages with reduced perplexity and increased accuracy.

MALL and CALL Audiotaped Oral Dialogue Journal From Iranian EFL Learners' and Teachers' Perspectives

2018 ◽  
pp. 345-365
Author(s):  
Elahe Moladoust
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Dialogue Journals ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Identity Reconstruction ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Oral Interaction ◽  
Teachers Perspectives ◽  
Qualitative Part

This chapter investigates an effective example of tasks for mobile language learning attempting to mitigate the problem of lack of meaningful oral interaction in face-to-face settings. It examines audiotaped oral dialogue journals (ATODJs) as a MALL and CALL task from the EFL teachers' and learners' perspectives. The data gathered was 202 entries of ATODJs, using Bluetooth or email, from 15 female Iranian intermediate EFL learners. The teachers' and learners' evaluations of the whole program comprised of the qualitative part of the research. The results, a result of content analysis, revealed the merits, demerits, and challenges faced by the teacher and learners: ATODJs aided the learners to produce output, were effective for tasks concerning interaction and negotiation, involved meaningful interaction, involved the learners to a great extent, were fluency tasks, and assisted language learners' identity reconstruction. EFL teachers and materials developers are highly recommended to incorporate ATODJs into the language learning curriculum.

scholarly journals EFL Learners’ Perspectives on the use of Smartphones in Higher Education Settings in Slovakia

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rastislav Metruk
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Smart Devices ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Mobile Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Positive Attitudes

MALL (Mobile assisted language learning) affords new opportunities for EFL (English as a foreign language) learners and teachers. Research on MALL is still in its infancy in Slovakia, and this paper attempts to fill in this gap by examining students’ perception and attitudes towards the use of smartphones for the purposes of learning and practicing English. The target population of this study constituted of the Slovak university EFL learners whose major was Teacher Training of English Language and Literature (n = 77) at a Slovak university. The research method employed to achieve the objectives of this study was a 5‑point Likert scale questionnaire, comprising of two sets of statements: general and out‑of‑the‑classroom statements with a total of 29 items. The research results for both sets of statements imply that the participants display moderately positive attitudes towards smartphones in the context of EFL learning. However, the findings also reveal some issues surrounding the perception and potential use of smartphones such as the inability to plan students’ language learning appropriately and effectively, general underuse of smartphone apps, or problems related to practicing speaking skills. The results further suggest the immediate need to develop and enhance the awareness of smartphones and their potential in the process of teaching and learning English so that the EFL learners can utilize considerable opportunities these smart devices offer. Finally, the limitations of this study are recognized, and it is emphasized that conducting further research in this area is urgently needed.

scholarly journals Chinese-as-a-Foreign-Language Learners’ Use of Self-Regulated Learning in Flipped/Blended Learning Environments – A Descriptive Study

2019 ◽  
pp. 181-204
Author(s):  
Shenglan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Descriptive Study ◽  
Flipped Learning ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Self Regulated Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Regulated Learning

Self-regulated learning (SRL) is especially important in blended/flipped learning environments. This study explored and described the use of SRL in a specific language learning context. It investigated what problems Chinese-as-a-foreign-language learners (CFL) had with their Chinese language learning, whether and how they solved the problems, what SRL strategies they adopted, and what support they needed to gain the maximum benefits from the blended/flipped learning environment. Nineteen CFL learners who were in their second semester studying Chinese in a blended/flipped environment participated in the descriptive study. Self-reported data were collected using WeChat in an individualized exchange format, which was designed to help with data richness, completeness, and accuracy. The results show that students had different problems in learning, and they would benefit if they had the opportunity to learn and incorporate SRL strategies. The areas in which they needed the most help were knowing how to set a goal, how to create a plan to achieve the goal, and how to use different strategies to manage their learning and manage their time. Implications for teaching are also discussed in this study.

scholarly journals Foreign-Language Phonetic Development Leads to First-Language Phonetic Drift: Plosive Consonants in Native Portuguese Speakers Learning English as a Foreign Language in Brazil

Languages ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 112
Author(s):  
Denise M. Osborne ◽  
Miquel Simonet
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Native Language ◽  
First Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
A Minor

Fifty-six Portuguese speakers born and raised in Brazil produced Portuguese words beginning in one of four plosives, /p b k ɡ/. Twenty-eight of them were monolinguals (controls), and the rest were learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). The learners were also asked to produce English words beginning with one of four plosives, /p b k ɡ/. We measured the plosives’ voice onset times (VOT) to address the following research questions: Do foreign-language learners, whose exposure to native English oral input is necessarily limited, form new sound categories specific to their additional language? Does engaging in the learning of a foreign language affect the phonetics of one’s native language? The EFL learners were found to differ from the controls in their production of Portuguese voiced (but not voiceless) plosives—prevoicing was longer in learner speech. The learners displayed different VOT targets for voiced (but not voiceless) consonants as a function of the language they were speaking—prevoicing was longer in Portuguese. In EFL learners’ productions, English sounds appear to be fundamentally modeled on phonologically similar native sounds, but some phonetic development (or reorganization) is found. Phonetic development induced by foreign-language learning may lead to a minor reconfiguration of the phonetics of native language sounds. EFL learners may find it challenging to learn the pronunciation patterns of English, likely due to the reduced access to native oral input.

scholarly journals Motivational Orientations of Learning Japanese as A Foreign Language Among Undergraduates In A Public University In Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 255
Author(s):  
Kuldip Kaur Maktiar Singh ◽  
David Loh Er Fu ◽  
Irene Leong Yoke Chu ◽  
Phang Yook Ngor ◽  
Chan Yann Seng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Public University ◽  
Survey Questionnaire ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Motivation Level

Abstract: Motivation is a key factor in learning a foreign language.  This study investigated the instrumental, integrative and attitudinal motivation level of students learning Japanese as a FL in a public university in Malaysia.  A survey questionnaire based on Gardner’s (1985) AMTB (Attitude/Motivation Test Battery) and Dornyei’s (1994) Attitudinal Motivation was given to 171 undergraduates.  Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used to analyse the data.  The results of the study indicated that the foreign language learners were generally highly motivated to learn Japanese as a foreign language. Moreover, their integrative and attitudinal motivational levels were similarly high and slightly higher than their instrumental motivation.  There were also statistically significant differences among the three subscales of attitudinal motivation viz. teacher-specific, course-specific and group-specific. They were more oriented towards teacher-specific and course-specific attitudinal motivation than group-specific attitudinal motivation.  The implications for EFL teachers and curriculum developers are that it would improve foreign language learning courses in future by designing suitable lessons and preparing appropriate materials and activities. Keywords: Attitude, Foreign language learning, Instrumental orientation, Integrative orientations, Motivation

On the Consideration of Environmental Factors and Social Milieu Effective in Iranian EFL Learners

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Gholam Reza Parvizi ◽  
Jafar Mashayekh ◽  
Yasser Saremi
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Efl Context ◽  
Foreign Language Learners

It has been known that teaching and learning a language in an ESL context is by far easier than teaching and learning it in an EFL context and that learning a language must take place in a social context. Foreign language milieus are those in which students do not have enough opportunities for communication in the target language beyond their classroom settings whereas in second language contexts, the target language is readily available out there (Brown, 2001). Given the important role that language learning resources could potentially play in EFL contexts, in the present study an attempt is made to shed light on the environmental factors and resources which Iranian language learners rely on and to explore the possible resources which exist around them and of which not all of them are necessarily aware. To this end, a group of students studying in Iran Language Institute in Shiraz was chosen. The data of the study were gathered through a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The findings suggested that they rely on very few resources outside the classroom setting. In addition, it was revealed that in an EFL context, such as Iran, there is a range of resources which foreign language learners could rely on and which could present them with opportunities in all four language skills. 

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