Fostering (pro)active language learning through MOO

ReCALL ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
LESLEY SHIELD ◽  
LAWRENCE B. DAVIES ◽  
MARKUS J. WEININGER
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Object Oriented ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Geographically Distributed ◽  
Learning Behaviours ◽  
Distributed Language

The Internet allows the language learner myriad opportunities to consult authentic sources and to practise using the target language with native speakers and other learners both synchronously and asynchronously. The current paper describes the design, development and implementation of language learning activities using text-based virtual reality or MOO (Multi-User Domain Object Oriented) in conjunction with the World Wide Web. The underlying purpose was to promote active, autonomous learning behaviours by enabling geographically distributed language learners to work with native- and non-native speakers of the target language on an engaging and motivating task with a concrete and meaningful outcome.

Communication networks of Japanese language learners in their home country

2004 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 153-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naomi Kurata
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Communication Networks ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Home Country ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Japanese Language ◽  
Language Play ◽  
The Relationship

This paper deals with communication networks of four upper-intermediate level Japanese language learners with in-country experience who are studying at an Australian university, and it also examines the relationship between the learners’ networks and language learning. Utilizing Boissevain’s criteria for network analysis, I compared the characteristics of the informants’ current networks with those that existed prior to their in-country experiences. In addition, this study applied the framework of communicative competence developed by Hymes and Neustupny to analyse the informants’ language learning that occurred within their networks. The study found that a number of characteristics of the informants’ networks, such as their multiplex social roles and the variety of backgrounds of their Japanese network interactants, were probably related to the raising of the learners’ non-linguistic as well as linguistic awareness. It therefore appears that learners’ out-of-class communication networks with native speakers of the target language play an important role in terms of language learning.

Twitter as a Language Learning Tool

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Fernando Rosell-Aguilar
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Learning Tool ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Learning Development

Studies into the use of Twitter for language learning have mostly been small-scale evaluations undertaken by teachers researching the effectiveness of their own initiatives to use it with their students. To date, there has not been a large quantitative study of how language learners use Twitter autonomously. This paper reports on a large-scale study (n=370) of language learners who use Twitter. It provides a participant profile, their practices, and beliefs about how helpful Twitter is as a tool for language learning. The results provide the first profile of the autonomous user of Twitter as a language learning tool, show very positive attitudes towards the use of Twitter, and provide evidence that learners learn new vocabulary and culturally-relevant information about the areas where the target language is spoken. Many learners engage in production of target language output and make the most of the opportunities Twitter presents to be exposed to target language input and interaction with native speakers, making Twitter a useful tool for their autonomous language learning development.

scholarly journals Imitation as a Skill in Language Learning: The Aid to Achieving Fluency of the Target Language

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faramarz Samifanni
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Language Immersion ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
New Community

This study aims to describe how imitation can aid in language learning and in achieving fluency in the target language. A deductive-axiomatic research design using thematic analysis based on data mining and personal experiences of the researcher revealed that a positive and conducive environment is a key factor in successful language immersion and imitation. Additionally, adapting with a positive, new community reinforces imitation skills. Furthermore, imitation must be properly employed to guarantee the success of language learning and communication. Language learners have to know the skill in producing the correct sound that is comprehensible by the native speakers to avoid miscommunication. Nevertheless, it is emphasized that role-playing, being an application of imitation must be taught enjoyably to encourage positive output in language learning. A child first learned how to utter a word before he/she could read and write. It seems that this basic logic in language learning is disregarded within the second language learning curricula.

Designing speaking interaction in LMOOCs: An eTandem approach

ReCALL ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Christine Appel ◽  
Joan-Tomàs Pujolà
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Design Learning ◽  
L2 Speaking ◽  
Learning Principles ◽  
Task Types

Abstract Promoting speaking interaction remains a challenge for language massive open online courses (LMOOCs), both from a pedagogical and technological standpoint. This paper describes the design process of the tandemMOOC, which exploits the massive, open and online features of MOOCs in order to offer language learners online speaking interaction practice with native speakers of their target language. The course is based on eTandem language learning principles and equips learners with the necessary competences to be able to cope with online second language (L2) speaking opportunities. Following a design-based research approach, this paper presents an analysis and discussion of seven components of the design: learning environment, facilitation dynamics, dyad configuration, task types, task topics, feedback provision, and gamification components. The analysis of the implementation of these elements results in a set of key features for the integration of L2 speaking interaction activities in LMOOCs.

scholarly journals Tools for Empowering Young Learners: Language Learner Autonomy

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Che Wan Ida Rahimah bt. Che Wan Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Informal Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Young Learners ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Networking Tools

This paper critically reviews the potential of social networking tools in the context of informal learning of language for young learners. It provides a synthesis of the research literature in the field that relevant to communities of educators and a series of illustrative examples of how these tools are being used in autonomous language learning. It draws out that the learners are currently turning to the social networking tools for their own, independent language learning. Alongside this, these tools have the potential to greatly enhance the opportunities available for language learners to make meaningful use of their target language in real‐time contexts and to develop their productive language skills. For that reason, the use of these tools is a more dynamic approach to language learning, so that the learners gain autonomy and be responsible for their own language learning.

The Involvement of Native Speakers in Teaching and Learning Japanese Language at UiTM

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 14
Author(s):  
Choong Pow Yean ◽  
Sarinah Bt Sharif ◽  
Normah Bt Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
Japanese Culture ◽  
Japanese Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Lexical Density

The Nihongo Partner Program or “Japanese Language Partner” is a program that sends native speakers to support the teaching and learning of Japanese overseas. The program is fully sponsored by The Japan Foundation. The aim of this program is to create an environment that motivates the students to learn Japanese. This study is based on a survey of the Nihongo Partner Program conducted on students and language lecturers at UiTM, Shah Alam. This study aims to investigate if there is a necessity for native speakers to be involved in the teaching and learning of Japanese among foreign language learners. Analysis of the results showed that both students and lecturers are in dire need of the Nihongo Partner Program to navigate the learning of the Japanese language through a variety of language learning activities. The involvement of native speaker increases students’ confidence and motivation to converse in Japanese. The program also provides opportunities for students to increase their Japanese language proficiency and lexical density. In addition, with the opportunity to interact with the native speakers, students and lecturers will have a better understanding of Japanese culture as they are able to observe and ask the native speakers. Involvement of native speakers is essential in teaching and learning of Japanese in UiTM.

scholarly journals Chinese Learners of Portuguese and Spanish Majors in Macau: A Comparative Case-Study of Motivation Aspects

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 54
Author(s):  
Oksana Kharlay ◽  
Martin Bagheri ◽  
Jeremy D. Philips
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Learning Motivation ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
Language Community ◽  
Language Learning Motivation ◽  
Chinese Learners ◽  
Integrative Motivation

This study investigated multiple learning motivation aspects of Chinese university students in Macau majoring in Spanish and Portuguese. A mixed methods research was employed by using questionnaires and interviews. 181 learners (96 Portuguese and 85 Spanish majors) were surveyed about ten language-learning motivation dimensions by using a questionnaire. A subset of participants from questionnaires were later given follow-up interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data indicated that the students in these majors had strong intrinsic motivation but limited integrative motivation towards the target language community. Other motivational pull-factors were the heritage connection between the language and the place of study and interest in the pop-culture associated related to the target language. Students reported a decline in motivation during the middle years of study, however, Spanish students’ interest resurged by the end of year three. There was also a gender imbalance, suggesting that career-related aspects of motivations were stronger among males. The results also revealed that language learners had an ideal-self that was multilingual and cosmopolitan but did not aspire to integrate into a specific target-language community.

scholarly journals A Study of Language Anxiety among English Language Learners in Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Badia Muntazer Hakim
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Self Awareness

Classroom anxiety is a recurrent phenomenon for language learners. There are various factors that cause language anxiety, the most common of which include learners’ excessive self-consciousness and self-awareness concerning their oral reproduction and performance and their peculiar, and quite often misplaced and mistaken, views and beliefs regarding different approaches. Other potential reasons for this problem could include the fear, and the consequent deterrence occasioned thereof, of encountering difficulties in language learning, specifically learners’ individual problems regarding the culture of the target language and the varying social statuses of speakers. The most important fear is, perhaps, the deterrent fear of causing damage to one’s self-identity. Therefore, while needing to paying special attention to language learners’ anxiety reactions, language teachers have a crucial role in helping their students achieve the expected performance goals in the target language. Another factor that could potentially lead to language anxiety is simply the poor command of the target language. This problem could be attributed to linguistic barriers and obstacles language learners encounter in learning and using the target language. In the current study, using a qualitative, semi-structured interview and the focus-group discussion technique, the researcher aims to investigate the factors that contribute to language anxiety among Arab language learners. It focuses on learners both within the classroom setting and without, i.e. in the social context, and recommends a number of approaches to manage and overcome this problem.

scholarly journals Blogging Identity: How L2 Learners Express Themselves

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-70
Author(s):  
Kiyomi FUJII
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Language Choice ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Self Presentation ◽  
Advanced Level ◽  
Self Image ◽  
L1 And L2 ◽  
Identity Expression

This study discusses language learning and identity, particularly pertaining to intermediate-advanced-level Japanese-language learners, focusing on their target language and identity expression through their interactions with peers and Japanese college students. When learners of Japanese express their identities while interacting with others in their target language, they feel a gap between the self-image they want to present, and the image they are capable of presenting in Japanese (Siegal, 1994, 1995, 1996). Along with adjusting their L1 and L2 usage depending on their interlocutor (Kurata 2007), learners also use different sentence-ending styles depending on the role they want to assume (Cook 2008). By conducting a case study, the present inquiry attempts to address how learners of Japanese express their identities through blog conversations, focusing on their language choice and expressions. Results suggest that participants use the formal endings for self-presentation and projection of their student and classmate identity. However, when expressing emotion some students preferred informal endings, or sentence-final particles.

scholarly journals VOCABULARY ACQUISITION AMONG ESL LEARNERS: A LOOK AT STRATEGIES AND BARRIERS

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor Hanim Rahmat ◽  
Eliyas S. Mohandas
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Target Language ◽  
C Language ◽  
Vocabulary Strategies ◽  
Learning Barriers ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies ◽  
Higher Institution ◽  
Esl Learners

Having good vocabulary can help language learners go a long way towards mastering their target language. Language learners need to know both grammatical aspects as well as the meaning of words in order to communicate effectively. This study investigates the vocabulary learning strategies and also language learning barriers of undergraduates in a higher institution of learning. The instrument used for this study is a survey. The survey has three main sections; (a) personal details, (b) vocabulary strategies, and (c) language learning barriers. Data collected is analysed using SPSS and presented in the form of mean scores. Findings revealed that learners use vocabulary strategies such as metacognitive, guessing, dictionary, note-taking and rehearsal strategies. Findings also revealed that language barriers such as effective, environment and motivation can hinder learners’ learning of vocabulary of the target language. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0767/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

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