Advanced and intermediate EFL learners’ perceptions and practices of autonomous learning

2017 ◽  
Vol 168 (1) ◽  
pp. 70-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sakineh Jafari ◽  
Saeed Ketabi ◽  
Mansoor Tavakoli
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Educational Experiences ◽  
Autonomous Learning ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Educational Materials ◽  
Advanced Learners ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Intermediate Learners ◽  
Learning Language

Abstract This study examined Persian intermediate and advanced EFL learners’ perceptions regarding (a) their own and their teachers’ responsibility in learning language autonomously; (b) their decision making ability in learning language autonomously; and (c) their autonomous learning activities inside and outside the classroom. To this end, a questionnaire designed by Chan, Spratt, and Humphrey (2002) was distributed among 67 intermediate and 65 advanced EFL learners. Statistical analysis of students’ answers showed that overall, advanced learners tended to assume more responsibility for their own learning, to perceive themselves to be highly capable of autonomous learning, and to practice more autonomous learning activities compared to the intermediate learners. In addition, data collected through the interviews with some of the participants suggested that learners’ perceptions were greatly affected by their previous educational experiences. Since intermediate learners were not largely engaged in making decisions related to educational materials and activities used in their classrooms, they considered themselves as less responsible for and consequently less capable of choosing learning materials and activities. The findings of the study, along with the pedagogical implications, are discussed.

scholarly journals THE INVESTIGATION OF INDONESIAN EFL LEARNERS’ ERRORS ACROSS THREE PROFICIENCY LEVELS

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Saudin Saudin
Keyword(s):  
Error Analysis ◽  
Word Order ◽  
Advanced Learners ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Proficiency Levels ◽  
Singular Form ◽  
Intermediate Learners ◽  
Auxiliary Verb ◽  
Different Levels

The study analyzed the errors made by students across three different levels of proficiency (Advanced, Intermediate and Elementary) in their writing pieces. Three students were selected purposively to represent their respective level. So, nine pieces of writing altogether were to be investigated in this study. The errors committed by the purposive samples were first grouped into fifteen linguistic classifications such as verb form, preposition, mechanics and so forth, then subsumed under two broader categories: negative interlingual and intralingual transfer. The investigation revealed that the learners made more errors of intralingual transfer than those of negative interlingual one. However, in terms of errors based on the linguistic classifications, this study showed surprising findings. Advanced learners, though committing the least errors, performed worst by making errors in the most linguistic classifications (seven altogether): plural-singular form, omission of constituent, verb form, article, vocabulary, pronoun and comparative. Intermediate learners came next by committing errors in less number of linguistic areas (five), namely mechanics, preposition, derivative, auxiliary verb and clause formation. Elementary learners came last by giving poor performances on the least number of just three linguistic areas: tense, word order and genetives. Across levels, however, three areas (consecutively mechanics, plural/singular form and omission of constituent) appeared to be where errors were most commonly committed. With findings as such, the study is expected to impart theoretical contributions to SLA, especially to studies on error analysis. The findings hopefully can also inspire teachers to teach students of these three proficiency levels in ways that meet their needs more. Keywords: purposive samples, linguistic classifications, negative interlingual tranfer, intralingual transfer, SLA.

scholarly journals EFL Learners’ Autonomous Listening Practice Outside of the Class

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 328-346
Author(s):  
Fang-Ying Yanf ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Autonomous Learning ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Specific Context ◽  
Language Program ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Metacognitive Processes ◽  
Shed Light ◽  
Over Time

This study utilizes the design of an informal, semi-structured self-directed English listening program beyond the classroom in a university in Taiwan. The purpose was to examine Mandarin-speaking EFL learners’ autonomous learning processes and their perceptions toward the program. Twenty-two participants voluntarily signed up for the ten-week program, in which TED videos were used as the listening materials. Except for the orientation during the first week, all learning activities took place outside of the classroom at each learner’s pace. Data included 446 listening logs, end-of-program questionnaires, and interviews. The findings reveal that during the autonomous learning process the participants adopted various strategies at the stages of setting goals, selecting materials, developing learning methods, and evaluating learning outcomes. The strategies and self-regulation skills were shaped by both personal and contextual factors. Active metacognitive processes were also observed. Although learners’ participation decreased over time, they valued the opportunity to exercise control over their learning by having greater flexibility than that of taking a course. This study extends our understanding of learner autonomy in a specific context, which could shed light on the future designs of the self-directed language program.

scholarly journals Examining the Learnability of English Relative Clauses: Evidence from Kuwaiti EFL Learners

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah M. Alotaibi
Keyword(s):  
Relative Clauses ◽  
English Proficiency ◽  
Relative Pronoun ◽  
Advanced Learners ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Resumptive Pronouns ◽  
Indirect Object ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Intermediate Learners ◽  
Types Of Error

<p>This study aims to test the extent to which 120 Kuwaiti EFL learners are aware of the structure of relative clauses in English through measuring their ability to produce this structure. It also checks whether the English proficiency level of the participants plays a role in their answers on the test. For this purpose, a sentence combination task was used to measure the participants’ ability to produce correct relative clauses in English. This test was selected in order to examine the types of error made by the participants pertinent to relative clauses in English. The results reveal that Kuwaiti EFL learners may not be fully aware of the formation rules of relative clauses in English (total mean=60.4%). The t-test shows that the English proficiency level affected the participants' answers on the test. Specifically, there were statistically significant differences between the answers of the advanced (76.3%) and intermediate learners (44.4%). The number of errors made by the advanced learners was less than that made by the intermediate learners. Regarding the types of error made by the participants, the most noticeable ones were: deletion of the relative pronoun, wrong relative pronoun, repetitive use of resumptive pronouns, passivisation of the relative clause and problems with the indirect object and genitive relative clauses. The researcher analysed the participants' erroneous answers and provided potential reasons to account for them. Finally, the study concludes with some pedagogical implications and recommendations for further research.</p>

scholarly journals On the Acquisition of the Prenominal Adjective Order by Kuwaiti EFL Learners

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Maye A. Alotaibi ◽  
Abdullah M. Alotaibi
Keyword(s):  
Negative Transfer ◽  
English Proficiency ◽  
First Language ◽  
Advanced Learners ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
English Grammar ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Intermediate Learners ◽  
Types Of Error

This study aims to test the extent to which 80 Kuwaiti EFL learners are aware of prenominal adjective ordering system in English, particularly how it affects Kuwaiti EFL learners’ grasp on English grammar. In addition, it checks whether the English proficiency level of the participants plays a role in their answers on the test. Therefore, a prenominal adjective ordering test was used to measure the participants’ ability to produce the correct order of prenominal adjectives in English. This research instrument was chosen on the basis of the researchers’ belief that this type of test leads to uncovering the causes beyond the correct/wrong answers provided by the participants on the test. Following data analysis, the results reveal that Kuwaiti EFL learners may not be fully aware of the prenominal adjective ordering system in English (total mean=48.75%). The t-test shows that the English proficiency level of the participants plays a crucial role in the production of prenominal adjectives in English. In particular, there is a statistically significant difference between the answers of the advanced (65%) and intermediate learners (32.5%). The number of correct answers provided by the advanced learners is higher than that provided by the intermediate learners. Regarding the types of error made by the participants, it has been argued that the most noticeable ones are due to first language (L1) negative transfer. Finally, the study concludes with some pedagogical implications and recommendations for further research.

scholarly journals A Corpus-Based Study on the Use of the Logical Connector ‘Thus’ in the Academic Writing of Turkish EFL Learners

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Serpil Ucar ◽  
Ceyhun Yukselir
Keyword(s):  
Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
American English ◽  
Advanced Learners ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Log Likelihood ◽  
Log Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Effect Relation ◽  
Academic Genre

This research was conducted to investigate how frequently Turkish advanced learners of English use the logical connector ‘thus’ in their academic prose and to investigate whether it was overused, underused or misused semantically in comparison to English native speakers. The data were collected from three corpora; Corpus of Contemporary American English and 20 scientific articles of native speakers as control corpora, and 20 scientific articles of Turkish advanced EFL learners. The raw frequencies, frequencies per million words, frequencies per text and log-likelihood ratio were measured so as to compare varieties across the three corpora. The findings revealed that Turkish learners of English showed underuse in the use of the connector ‘thus’ in their academic prose compared to native speakers. Additionally, they did not demonstrate misuse in the use of the connector ‘thus’. Nevertheless, non-native learners of English tended to use this connector in a resultative role (cause-effect relation) more frequently whereas native speakers used it in appositional and summative roles more as well as its resultative role. Furthermore, the most frequent occurrences of ‘thus’ have been in academic genre.

Ties that Bind?

1998 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
WILL H. MOORE ◽  
DAVID R. DAVIS
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
General Model ◽  
International Conflict ◽  
Conflict Behavior ◽  
Structural Constraints ◽  
Structural Factors ◽  
International Interactions ◽  
The Impact

In this article, the authors develop and empirically evaluate a general model of the linkages between domestic and international conflict behavior. Much of the literature on domestic international interactions has focused on the structural constraints of the international and domestic systems on leaders' foreign policy decisions. Rather than focusing on structural constraints, the present authors model the influence of the behavior of domestic and international rivals on leader decision making. The impact of rivals' behavior on conflict across the domestic-international nexus has been neglected relative to the role of structural factors. This study helps redress that imbalance. The authors test their model with a statistical analysis of Zaire during the period 1975 to 1992 and find substantial support for the model.

scholarly journals A Study of Relationship Between Depth of Vocabulary Knowledge and Semantic Set in Iranian EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Used in Writing

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. p77
Author(s):  
Parisa Barkhodari
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Word Association ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Intermediate Level ◽  
Appropriate Use ◽  
Writing Performance ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Intermediate Learners

This study investigated the Relationship between Depth of Vocabulary Knowledge and Semantic Set in Iranian EFL Learners’ Vocabulary Used in Writing. The purpose of this study was to see the role of depth of vocabulary knowledge in making appropriate choices among words in a semantic set in EFL learners’ writing performance. 70 lower-intermediate and upper-intermediate learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) from the language learners of English institute in Bandar Abbas, Iran participated in this study. Instruments for the data collection include Word Association Test (WAT), Vocabulary Knowledge Scale (VKS), and four writing tests. In the first phase, using MANOVA statistical procedure for data analysis, the role of depth of vocabulary knowledge in writing performance and appropriate use of words in a semantic set in overall writing quality was investigated. The second part of the study attempted to explore the role of appropriate use of words in a semantic set in the participants’ overall writing performance using independent sample t-test. Finally, attempts were made to identify the role of depth of vocabulary knowledge and appropriate use of words in a semantic set in the overall use of words in the participants’ writings using a two-way ANOVA as the data analysis technique. The results of the data analysis provided empirical evidence supporting that: a) depth of vocabulary knowledge played a fundamental role in appropriate use of words in a semantic set in lower-intermediate level but not in upper-intermediate level, b) depth of vocabulary knowledge has a significant role in overall writing performance only in upper-intermediate level, c) using words appropriately in a semantic set played a significant role in writing performance of the lower-intermediate participants, while the opposite was revealed for the upper-intermediate group, d) the upper-intermediate learners could benefit from their knowledge of depth of vocabulary in using words, in general, correctly and appropriately. The findings promise some pedagogical implications for vocabulary and writing curriculum development, material development, and course designing.

scholarly journals UPAYA MENINGKATKAN AKTIVITAS DAN HASIL BELAJAR AKIDAH AKHLAK MELALUI MULTIMEDIA LCD PROYEKTOR

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Dedi Wahyudi ◽  
Devi Septya Wardani
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Library Research ◽  
Analytical Procedures ◽  
Increased Activity

This study aims to determine the increased activity and learning outcomes akidah morals through multimedia LCD Projector. The method used in this research is library research. Data collection is obtained through documentation studies of related scientific works. The type of research is qualitative ie that produces analytical procedures that do not use statistical analysis procedures or other qualifications. Based on the results of the study concluded that the application of media: (1) Increase student learning activities. This is based on literature studies that researchers get. (2) Improve learning outcomes. This is based on literature studies that researchers obtain, from the results of pre-cycle learning has increased.

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