ESL matching cloze deletion types and their relationship to vernacular language background

1980 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-144
Author(s):  
Richard B. Baldauf ◽  
Robert L.T. Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
First Language ◽  
Esl Students ◽  
Seventh Grade ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Vernacular Language ◽  
Cloze Procedure ◽  
Language Students

Abstract In recent years, research with both first and second language students has suggested that the standard nth word cloze -procedure could be improved as a measure of reading comprehension through the introduction of multiple-choice or matching cloze formats. In addition, research conducted mainly with first language students, has suggested that the every nth word deletion procedure should be restricted so as to delete only the lexical words in the passage. In this study, three different deletion systems, presented in a matching cloze format, were evaluated as measures of reading comprehension for seventh grade ESL students from Papua New Guinea. The possible interaction of the three deletion types with these students’ vernacular background was also investigated.

scholarly journals Do Test Formats in Reading Comprehension Affect Second-Language Students' Test Performance Differently?

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Zheng ◽  
Liying Cheng ◽  
Don A. Klinger
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
First Language ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Test Formats ◽  
Large Scale Testing ◽  
Language Students

Large-scale testing in English affects second-language students not only greatly but also differently than first-language learners. The research literature reports that confounding factors in such large-scale testing such as varying test formats may differentially affect the performance of students from diverse backgrounds. An investigation of test performance between ESL/ELD students and non- ESL/ELD students on the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) was performed to investigate whether test formats in reading comprehension affected the two groups differently. The results indicate that the overall pattern of difficulty levels on the three test formats were the same between ESL/ELD students and non-ESL/ELD students, except that ESL/ELD students performed substantially lower on each format and that more variability was found among ESL/ELD students. Further, discriminant analysis results indicated that only the multiplechoice questions obtained a significant discriminant coefficient in differentiating the two groups. The results suggest a lack of association between test formats and test performance.

Components of reading comprehension in adolescent first-language and second-language students from low-track schools

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 891-914 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Marx ◽  
Petra Stanat ◽  
Thorsten Roick ◽  
Robin Segerer ◽  
Peter Marx ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
First Language ◽  
Components Of Reading ◽  
Language Students

A Study on Students' Problems in ESL Writing Classes in the Arts College/ Kuwait University

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Mona Salem Rashed
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
First Language ◽  
Word Choice ◽  
Esl Students ◽  
Esl Writing ◽  
Kuwait University ◽  
Writing Classes ◽  
The Arts ◽  
The Difference ◽  
At Home

This paper discusses the influence of the first language (Arabic) on the second language (English) in the writing pieces of ESL students in Arts College/ Kuwait University. Going over some writing papers taken from the students' work in class, the reader would notice a 'different English'. The overall layout of the paper, the ideas presentation, the personal expression, the syntax and word choice, the punctuation and other elements make this new language on students' papers. From papers written in class and at home, I conducted an analysis to see the difference between the two languages techniques, and to find solutions for that. I also interviewed students and they assured that Arabic has a massive influence on them. They disclosed that they read the topic in English, and think/analyze in Arabic. Some participants mentioned that their limited competence of vocabulary in English hindered them from expressing well on paper. Another group mentioned that the idea of 'being explanatory' prevailed their thinking while writing. They said that they wanted to explain their ideas well and repeatedly so that the reader/teacher would understand their points. They also had troubles in organizing the sentences according to the English paragraph style.

scholarly journals Teaching Stress to ESL Students

IIUC Studies ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 123-132
Author(s):  
Gazi Shahadat Hossain ◽  
Sawsan Tarannum
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Stress Pattern ◽  
Esl Students ◽  
Raising Awareness ◽  
Language Students

In English conversation, people use their voice as a complex instrument. As they use sound systems of their languages, their pronunciation usually produces infinite variations of meaning. This variation made by stress on particular syllable or word creates confusion in the minds of the ESL (English as a Second Language) students in identifying the correct meaning of the word. So it is essential for ESL students to be familiar with English stress pattern. This essay will highlight the meaning and role of stress, the ways of raising awareness among the students and the techniques of teaching it in the classroom. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/iiucs.v6i0.12253 IIUC Studies Vol.6 2010: 123-132

scholarly journals SPOKEN AND WRITTEN REPRESENTATION OF NUMBER IN L2 CATALAN INDEFINITE DETERMINER PHRASES

2007 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 321-350
Author(s):  
Liliana Tolchinski ◽  
Naymé Salas ◽  
Joan Perera
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Literacy Instruction ◽  
First Language ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Similar Time ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Indefinite Article ◽  
L2 Learners ◽  
L1 Influence ◽  
The Relationship

The study explores the relationship that second language (L2) learners of Catalan establish between the spoken and the written representation of number inflection within an indefinite-article Determiner Phrase (DP); and it also addresses first language (L1) influence in this processo Five- to eight-year-olds, speakers of varieties of Chinese and Moroccan Arabic, with differing degrees of literacy instruction in their home countries —but similar time of residence in Catalonia— participated in the study. The children carried out individual semi-structured tasks designed to evaluate comprehension and production of changes in number inflections (un cotxe ‘a car’; uns cotxes ‘a-pl cars ’). Results showed that, irrespective of children’s language background, comprehension preceded production of singular and plural indefinite-article DPs; spoken representation was easier than written representation of number changes; and production of plural indefinite-article DPs was more difficult than its singular counterpart. Despite typological differences between the languages compared, both groups of L2 learners, even the Catalan control group, underwent similar processes.

The role of L1 and L2 reading comprehension in solving mathematical word problems

2005 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emine Erktin ◽  
Ayse Akyel
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Private School ◽  
Word Problems ◽  
First Language ◽  
L2 Reading ◽  
Mathematical Word Problems ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
L1 And L2

Abstract Mathematics educators are concerned about students’ lack of ability to translate mathematical word problems into computable forms. Researchers argue that linguistic problems lie at the root of students’ difficulties with mathematical word problems. The issue becomes more complicated for bilingual students. It is argued that if students study mathematics in a second language they cannot be as successful as when they study in their first language. This study investigates the relationship between reading comprehension and performance on mathematics word problems in L1 and L2 for students learning English as a second language in a delayed partial immersion program. Data were collected from 250 Turkish students from Grade 8 of a private school in Istanbul through reading comprehension tests in L1 and L2 and an algebra word problems test prepared in L1 and L2. The results indicate a positive relationship between reading comprehension and mathematics performance. They also show that the students who participated in this study were not disadvantaged when they studied mathematics in English.

Assessing Reading

1998 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 208-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyle Perkins
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
First Language ◽  
Language Assessment ◽  
Second Language Reading ◽  
Top Down ◽  
Per Se ◽  
Second Language Reading Comprehension ◽  
Areas Of Interest ◽  
Comprehension Tests

The fields of reading comprehension per se and second language reading comprehension are vast indeed, and an attempt to survey them will, of necessity, be attenuated in a chapter of this size. As a consequence, I will limit my discussion to six areas: 1) general comments concerning areas of interest in reading research and assessment, 2) the adaptation of a suitable first-language reading comprehension model for second-language assessment, 3) the reliance on a top-down model of reading comprehension, 4) the validity of multiple-choice reading comprehension tests, 5) research on behavioral anchoring, and 6) the testing of reading comprehension in a CAT (Computer Adaptive Testing) context.

scholarly journals Listeners’ Linguistic Experience Affects the Degree of Perceived Nativeness of First Language Pronunciation

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Kornder ◽  
Ineke Mennen
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Native Speaker ◽  
First Language ◽  
Spontaneous Speech ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Linguistic Experience ◽  
English Bilingual

The aim of this study was to explore if and to what extent Austrian-English late sequential bilinguals who have been living in a second language (L2) environment for several decades are perceived to sound native in their first language (L1) when being compared to monolingual Austrian German (AG) control speakers. Furthermore, this investigation aimed to identify if listeners differ in their judgments of nativeness of L1 pronunciation depending on their own language background. For this purpose, two groups of native Austrian German listeners (N = 30 each), who differed regarding their linguistic background (Austrian German monolingual and Austrian German-English bilingual listeners) were asked to rate spontaneous speech samples produced by Austrian English bilingual and Austrian German monolingual speakers. Results showed that the bilingual L1 speech was perceived to sound overall less native compared to monolingual control speech. It was further observed that the two listener groups significantly differed in their perception of nativeness: Bilingual listeners were overall less likely to judge bilingual L1 pronunciation to sound non-native compared to monolingual listeners. To date, this is the first study to show that listener experience influences their perception of nativeness of L1 pronunciation and, thus, adds a new dimension to the notion of the native speaker.

scholarly journals Impact of mother tongue on construction of notes and first-year academic performance

2016 ◽  
Vol Volume 112 (Number 11/12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalini Dukhan ◽  
Ann Cameron ◽  
Elisabeth Brenner ◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
Second Language ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
First Language ◽  
First Year ◽  
Language Students ◽  
The University

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify whether there are any differences in the quality of the notes constructed in English between students for whom English is a first language and those for whom it is a second language. Subsequently we assessed whether this difference, if any, affected their grades. Unsurprisingly, the first-language students produced better structured and more detailed notes; they also performed better academically than their second-language peers. However, when students were provided with training that focused on using writing as a means to promote critical thinking, there was an improvement in the personalisation of their notes. The improvement in grades was significant for second-language students. Thus the university has a pivotal role to play in preparing students for academic success by providing them with supportive measures to aid their transition into first year.

L2 proficiency predicts inhibitory ability in L1-dominant speakers

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 984-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nga-Yan Hui ◽  
Mingyu Yuan ◽  
Manson Cheuk-Man Fong ◽  
William Shi-yuan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Stroop Task ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
First Language ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
Second Language Proficiency ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Bilingual Advantage

Aims and Objectives: Bilinguals reportedly perform better in tasks that require the suppression of interference because of the constant practice in linguistic inhibition. However, previous literature was largely based on comparisons of pure monolinguals and balanced bilinguals. Those in between the two extremes were rarely examined. This project aimed at studying whether the population who primarily speak in a first language with a different level of second language proficiency also enjoy bilingual advantage. Methodology: Twelve monolingual and 38 bilingual Hong Kong older adults were recruited to perform the Stroop task and the second language (English) proficiency tests. The subjects were all frequent first language (Cantonese) speakers with various levels of second language proficiency. Data and Analysis: Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to identify the relationship between inhibition ability (Stroop score) and demographic and language background variables (including proficiency in and frequency of exposure to their second language). Findings: Both correlation and multiple regression analysis showed that the subjects with higher proficiency in a second language performed significantly better in the Stroop task. The results suggested that higher second language proficiency leads to higher difficulty in suppressing it, thus the training of inhibition is more effective. Originality: This study expanded the literature on bilingual advantage from a dichotomous comparison between monolingual and bilingual to the more continuous spectrum of bilinguals with different levels of second language proficiency. This study aimed at showing a fuller picture of bilingualism in the world. Significance/Implications: This study proposed that with high proficiency in a second language, frequent first language speakers could also enjoy cognitive advantages brought by bilingualism. Our study provides further evidence for the bilingual advantage hypothesis.

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