The value of poetry writing

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atsushi Iida
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Tertiary Level ◽  
Educational Settings ◽  
Linguistic Features ◽  
Japanese Poetry ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Poetry Writing ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Argumentative Essays

The aim of the current study is to evaluate poetry writing as a way of second language (L2) learning by exploring the interaction between academic prose and the effect of writing Japanese poetry — haiku. This article first describes some critiques of using poetry in educational settings and discusses the nature of poetry writing at the tertiary level in L2 contexts. The study was designed as an intervention in which 20 EFL students in Japan produced pre- and post-argumentative essays and L2 haikus. The data obtained was submitted to statistical analysis, which showed that there was a significant difference in the use of linguistic features between pre- and post-tests indicating that the task of writing haiku affected the EFL students’ written performance in the post-argumentative essay. In addition, the L2 haiku corpus produced revealed the English haiku as short, personal, direct and descriptive poetry.

scholarly journals The Usage of Cohesive Devices by High-Achieving EFL Students in Writing Argumentative Essays

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-58
Author(s):  
Andri Saputra ◽  
M. Arif Rahman Hakim
Keyword(s):  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Linguistic Features ◽  
Writing Quality ◽  
Lexical Diversity ◽  
Cohesive Devices ◽  
Determining Factors ◽  
Good Writing ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
High Achieving ◽  
Argumentative Essays

This study aims to investigate types of cohesive devices frequently used in writing argumentative essays by high-achieving college students in Indonesia and to analyse their awareness of usage of these. Participants were asked to write an essay on a pre-determined topic; analysis was then conducted to investigate the most frequent cohesive devices used. Data on the second study question, understanding of the usage of cohesive devices, were gathered though semi-structured interviews. The data indicate that students effectively used various types of grammatical cohesive devices, particularly reference devices. However, some claimed not to know that they were using other cohesive devices. They believed that conjunctions were the only type that functions to connect ideas across sentences and paragraphs, and did not realise that this, that, the, and other reference devices are cohesive devices. In terms of the use of lexical cohesive devices, participants used synonyms more than other sub-types of lexical cohesive devices. The most frequently used device was the, which functions both as a cohesive device and an article. All participants agreed that though links or cohesive devices are necessary to achieve coherence, two claimed that these are not determining factors in producing good writing quality. They argued that high-quality writing needs to contain linguistic features related to sophisticated language and text difficulty. The first suggestion is that focused programs should be adopted to teach the writing of argumentative essays to help lower-achieving students attain the same writing level as high-achieving students. Second, a teaching programme integrating the use of sophisticated grammar, lexical diversity and cohesive devices should be a curriculum priority. 

scholarly journals Multimedia Glosses for Enhancing EFL Students’ Vocabulary Acquisition and Retention

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Samah Zakareya Ahmad ◽  
Samah Zakareya Ahmad
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Vocabulary Acquisition ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Vocabulary Test ◽  
Vocabulary Retention ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Experimental Group

The present study attempted to investigate the effect of multimedia glosses on EFL students’ vocabulary acquisition and retention. Forty-five EFL students were divided into two groups: control (n=22) and experimental (n=23). A vocabulary test was administered to both groups in order to ensure that they were equivalent. Then, all participants attended 12 weekly reading sessions where participants of the experimental group practiced reading computerized texts that included multimedia glosses while participants of the control group practiced reading the same texts but without any glosses. Immediately after the treatment was over, the vocabulary test was administered to both groups in order to evaluate the differences between the two groups in vocabulary acquisition. Moreover, the same test was administered to both groups two weeks after the administration of the posttest with the purpose of evaluating the differences between the two groups in vocabulary retention. The statistical analysis revealed a significant difference between the two groups in both the immediate and the delayed administrations of the vocabulary test. Therefore, it was concluded that multimedia glosses enhanced both vocabulary acquisition and retention among EFL students.

The Effect of Using Students Peer Teaching on Iraqi EFL Students' Achievement in the Course of Library and Research Work

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (33) ◽  
pp. 693-714
Author(s):  
. Muntaha Sabbar Jebur
Keyword(s):  
Basic Education ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Peer Teaching ◽  
Control Group ◽  
College Of Basic Education ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Experimental Group

          Peer teaching is a strategy that allows the students to teach the new content to each other, and they must be accurately guided by instructors.     The researcher proposes that the use of students peer teaching  may promote students' achievement  and ensure the engagement of all the students in the learning process. Therefore, the researcher employs it as a teaching method aiming at investigating its  effect on Iraqi EFL students' achievement in the course of Library and Research Work .      The study hypothesizes that there is no significant difference between the students' achievement who are taught library and research work by students peer teaching  and that of the students taught by the traditional way. The experimental design of the study is Parallel Groups, Random Assignment, posttest. Each group consists of 35 students, chosen randomly from the Third Year Students at the Department of English in the College of Basic Education. Both groups were matched in terms of their age and parents' education. The experiment was fulfilled in the first course for 15 weeks during the academic year 2016-2017.       The same materials were presented to both groups. This included   units from Writing Research Paper by Lester D. . Post-test was constructed and exposed  The t-test for  independent samples was used to analyze the results and it is found out that there is a statistical difference between the two groups in their achievement because the calculated t- value 2.635 is bigger than the tabulated t- value which is 2.000, and also shown the superiority of the experimental group. The results indicate that the experimental group, who was taught Library and Research Work by peer teaching   was better than the control group, who was taught according to the traditional way. So, the null hypothesis is rejected. Finally, some recommendations and suggestions are presented in the light of the study findings. to a jury of experts to verify its validity and it was administered to both groups.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Health Behaviours and Value-Based Health Analysis of People Aged 50+ Who Were Hospitalized Due to Cardiovascular Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 4221
Author(s):  
Izabela Gąska ◽  
Katarzyna Sygit ◽  
Elżbieta Cipora ◽  
Marian Sygit ◽  
Anna Pacian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Health Behaviours ◽  
Public Health Care ◽  
Health Practices ◽  
Body Parts ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Health Care Unit ◽  
Student’S T

Introduction: The basic determinant of healthy behaviour—among other human behaviours—is the fact that it consistently affects health. Nowadays, health behaviour studies are considered to be an important method of measuring the health of a population. Objective: To assess the health behaviours and value-based health analysis of people aged 50+ who were hospitalized due to cardiovascular disease, depending on the selected descriptive variables. Materials and methods: The study was conducted between April 2018 and December 2018 among 411 subjects aged 50+ who were hospitalized due to cardiovascular disease at the Independent Public Health Care Unit in Sanok (Podkarpackie voivodship in Poland). The method used in the study was a diagnostic survey. The study used the authors’ survey questionnaire and two standardized tests: Inventory of Health-Related Behaviour (IHB) and List of Health Criteria (LHC). A statistical analysis was carried out in the R program, version 3.5.1. The obtained results were subjected to thorough statistical analysis using the following tests: Student’s t, Mann–Whitney U, ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis, Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (LSD), Pearson, and Spearman. Results: The strongest correlation between health status and health behaviours (according to the IHB questionnaire) was in the area of ‘health practices’, while the lowest correlation was found in the areas of ‘correct eating habits’ and ‘preventive behaviours’. Based on the LHC questionnaire, the most important health criteria according to the subjects were ‘not feeling any physical ailments’; ‘having all body parts functional’; ‘feeling well’; ‘eating properly’; and ‘infrequent need of going to the doctor’. A positive correlation was found in the group of respondents where the ‘preventive health behaviours’ were more intense; herein, the more important criterion for the respondents was ‘eating properly’. Conclusions: Respondents aged 50+ and hospitalized for cardiovascular diseases indicated (based on the IHB questionnaire) that health behaviours in the area of ‘health practices’ had the strongest correlation with their health, while the lowest correlation was found in the areas of ‘correct eating habits’ and ‘preventive behaviours’. According to the respondents, the most important criteria determining health (according to the LHC questionnaire) included ’not feeling any physical ailments’; ‘having all body parts functional’; ‘feeling well’; ‘eating properly’; and ‘infrequent need of going to the doctor’. Based on the information collected from the respondents, it was found that the most important criteria determining health depended on selected descriptive variables, such as age, gender, place of residence, education, and marital status.

Comparative Analysis of Patients with Robotic Hiatal Hernia Repairs with and without Collis Gastroplasty

2021 ◽  
pp. 000313482198905
Author(s):  
John A. Perrone ◽  
Stephanie Yee ◽  
Manrique Guerrero ◽  
Antai Wang ◽  
Brian Hanley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Hospital Stay ◽  
Hiatal Hernia ◽  
Collis Gastroplasty ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Related Quality

Introduction After extensive mediastinal dissection fails to achieve adequate intra-abdominal esophageal length, a Collis gastroplasty(CG) is recommended to decrease axial tension and reduce hiatal hernia recurrence. However, concerns exist about staple line leak, and long-term symptoms of heartburn and dysphagia due to the acid-producing neoesophagus which lacks peristaltic activity. This study aimed to assess long-term satisfaction and GERD-related quality of life after robotic fundoplication with CG (wedge fundectomy technique) and to compare outcomes to patients who underwent fundoplication without CG. Outcomes studied included patient satisfaction, resumption of proton pump inhibitors (PPI), length of surgery (LOS), hospital stay, and reintervention. Methods This was a single-center retrospective analysis of patients from January 2017 through December 2018 undergoing elective robotic hiatal hernia repair and fundoplication. 61 patients were contacted for follow-up, of which 20 responded. Of those 20 patients, 7 had a CG performed during surgery while 13 did not. There was no significant difference in size and type of hiatal hernias in the 2 groups. These patients agreed to give their feedback via a GERD health-related quality of life (GERD HRQL) questionnaire. Their medical records were reviewed for LOS, length of hospital stay (LOH), and reintervention needed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v 25. Satisfaction and need for PPIs were compared between the treatment and control groups using the chi-square test of independence. Results Statistical analysis showed that satisfaction with outcome and PPI resumption was not significantly different between both groups ( P > .05). There was a significant difference in the average ranks between the 2 groups for the question on postoperative dysphagia on the follow-up GERD HRQL questionnaire, with the group with CG reporting no dysphagia. There were no significant differences in the average ranks between the 2 groups for the remaining 15 questions ( P > .05). The median LOS was longer in patients who had a CG compared to patients who did not (250 vs. 148 min) ( P = .01). The LOH stay was not significantly different ( P > .05) with a median length of stay of 2 days observed in both groups. There were no leaks in the Collis group and no reoperations, conversions, or blood transfusions needed in either group. Conclusion Collis gastroplasty is a safe option to utilize for short esophagus noted despite extensive mediastinal mobilization and does not adversely affect the LOH stay, need for reoperation, or patient long-term satisfaction.

scholarly journals MEASUREMENT PROPERTIES OF A STANDARDIZED ELICITED IMITATION TEST: AN INTEGRATIVE DATA ANALYSIS

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-27
Author(s):  
Daniel R. Isbell ◽  
Young-A Son
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Item Difficulty ◽  
Measurement Properties ◽  
Linguistic Features ◽  
Elicited Imitation ◽  
Integrative Data Analysis ◽  
Rater Severity ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Elicited Imitation Tests (EITs) are commonly used in second language acquisition (SLA)/bilingualism research contexts to assess the general oral proficiency of study participants. While previous studies have provided valuable EIT construct-related validity evidence, some key gaps remain. This study uses an integrative data analysis to further probe the validity of the Korean EIT score interpretations by examining the performances of 318 Korean learners (198 second language, 79 foreign language, and 41 heritage) on the Korean EIT scored by five different raters. Expanding on previous EIT validation efforts, this study (a) examined both inter-rater reliability and differences in rater severity, (b) explored measurement bias across subpopulations of language learners, (c) identified relevant linguistic features which relate to item difficulty, and (d) provided a norm-referenced interpretation for Korean EIT scores. Overall, findings suggest that the Korean EIT can be used in diverse SLA/bilingualism research contexts, as it measures ability similarly across subgroups and raters.

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