Are Japanese university students ready for remote language learning?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoko Hirata
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
English Language ◽  
Smart Devices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Before And After ◽  
E Learning

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess Japanese university students’ readiness for taking e-learning language courses. The focus is placed on students’ self-analysis of their abilities to use their smart devices for remote language learning activities. Design/methodology/approach Japanese university students’ readiness for the shift towards remote learning has been measured by a self-reported online survey. The question items are based on three categories of Gay’s e-readiness models (2018). The survey was conducted before and after the fully online five-month English courses to examine to what extent students’ e-readiness had changed through the progress of the courses. Findings The results suggest that students have few difficulties using the university e-learning software provided. However, students reported limited enthusiasm and aptitude for the online English language learning components. These levels were approximately the same before and after the courses, with the exception of increased online learning confidence. Originality/value This study evaluates to what extent groups of Japanese university students’ e-readiness has changed over time. The survey looks at different perspectives including Web research, time management, enthusiasm for online language learning and their thoughts and opinions about interacting with their classmates. Although the sample size is small, the discussion considers the data in the context of the Japanese learning environment and existing e-readiness research, seeking to provide teaching insights for instructors and suggestions for further research.

Do Opposites Attract?

2019 ◽  
pp. 2015-2035
Author(s):  
Mark R. Freiermuth ◽  
Hsin-chou Huang
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Small Groups ◽  
English Language ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Language Abilities ◽  
Esl Teachers ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Academic Interests

This study discusses the results of an online intercultural chat task designed to see whether students from different cultural backgrounds, with different English language abilities, with different L1s and who had different academic interests would be willing to communicate using English—the target language. Taiwanese university students who were marine science majors (lower proficiency) chatted electronically in small groups with Japanese university students who had been studying English intensively for two years (higher proficiency). Student comments taken from a questionnaire indicate that both groups were invigorated and willing to communicate by the task; it was considered meaningful because it provided an opportunity to use English in a realistic way, represented the only means to communicate with their overseas partners and helped students to empathize with their newly found peers. To sum up briefly, text-based chat can be useful for EFL and ESL teachers as a tool for language learning students, providing learners with “real” target language opportunities for communication.

Do Opposites Attract?

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark R. Freiermuth ◽  
Hsin-Chou Huang
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Small Groups ◽  
English Language ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Language Abilities ◽  
Esl Teachers ◽  
Japanese University ◽  
Academic Interests

This study discusses the results of an online intercultural chat task designed to see whether students from different cultural backgrounds, with different English language abilities, with different L1s and who had different academic interests would be willing to communicate using English—the target language. Taiwanese university students who were marine science majors (lower proficiency) chatted electronically in small groups with Japanese university students who had been studying English intensively for two years (higher proficiency). Student comments taken from a questionnaire indicate that both groups were invigorated and willing to communicate by the task; it was considered meaningful because it provided an opportunity to use English in a realistic way, represented the only means to communicate with their overseas partners and helped students to empathize with their newly found peers. To sum up briefly, text-based chat can be useful for EFL and ESL teachers as a tool for language learning students, providing learners with “real” target language opportunities for communication.

English language learning demotivation among Pakistani university students: do resilience and personality matter?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahid Hussain Pathan ◽  
Shaik Abdul Malik Mohamed Ismail ◽  
Irum Fatima
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Personality Dimensions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
Linear Regressions

PurposeA plethora of research highlights the pernicious effects of English language learning demotivation on students' language learning outcomes. Therefore, to prevent students' demotivation has been a challenging task for the English language teachers. To shed fresh insight into this problem, the prime purpose of the present study was to examine the possible constituents of Pakistani university students' language learning demotivation, and how they interact with the resilience and the two personality dimensions (i.e. conscientiousness and openness to experience).Design/methodology/approachThe present quantitative research study administered a questionnaire consisting of four parts to 215 undergraduate students who were enrolled in the two public universities in Quetta, the capital city of Balochistan province of Pakistan. To analyze the data, both descriptive and inferential statistics were performed with the SPSS (version 24).FindingsThe results identified both external and internal salient demotivating factors. The external factors included classroom environment, classroom learning materials, characteristics of classes, whereas lack of language learning interest and experiences of failure were the internal factors. Additionally, the results of simple linear regressions and multiple linear regressions also revealed that resilience and the two personality dimensions influenced the English language learning demotivation.Practical implicationsThe prevalence of demotivation in the language classrooms necessitates Pakistani university English language teachers to adopt motivational teaching strategies to elicit, enhance and sustain language learners' motivation. The present study also draws the attention of the university teachers to foster students' resilience, conscientiousness and openness to prevent their language learning demotivation. The findings also implicate the ministry of education of Pakistan to equip educational institutes with language learning facilities to lower the burgeoning issue of students' language learning demotivation.Originality/valueThe present study provides empirical evidence regarding the interaction of resilience and personality with demotivation in the Pakistani context and contributes to the sparse existing knowledge on this issue. Additionally, the present study also establishes the knowledge that despite experiencing demotivation, language learners can regain language learning motivation through their resilience as well as behavioral patterns (i.e. being conscientious and open).

The University Student’s Motivation Level on Learning English

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Esmira Mehdiyev ◽  
Celal Teyyar Uğurlu ◽  
Gonca Usta
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
T Test ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Personal Use ◽  
Motivation Level ◽  
Motivation Scale ◽  
The University

This study aims to determine the university students’ level of motivation in terms of different variables. A study group of this research has been designed through one of the non-random sampling methods, Using appropriate sampling, 606 students from Faculty of Education of C.U. have been involved in this study. Motivation scale in English Language Learning developed by Mehdiyev,Usta,Uğurlu (2015) was used as an instrument of data collection. T-test and one - way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to resolve problems of this research. As a result of the research the motivation level of university students hasn’t been revealed significantly different regarding to the gender variable. However, considering the t-test results of motivation scale dimensions, confidence, attitude and personal use, significant difference is seen in favour of women in personal use dimension. The level of language learning motivation of female students is higher than men’s regarding to personal use dimension. However, men’s and women’s views don’t differ significantly in attitude and confidence dimensions. University students don’t present significant differences in terms of birth place, parent’s education level, total motivation scores and confident, attitude and personal dimensions. Students’ motivation levels are seen not to be influenced by the places such as village, provision or city where they have spent the most of their lifetime. At the same time the findings revealed that parental status variable in terms of primary, secondary and university graduates has no effects on students’ motivation.

Higher education amid COVID-19 pandemic: contributions from resilience, positive orientation and grit

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Afsaneh Ghanizadeh
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
University Students ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Academic Resilience ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Positive Orientation ◽  
Major Purpose ◽  
Content Type

PurposeThe major purpose of the present study is to investigate the contribution of academic resilience in accounting for two motivational and attitudinal constructs ? Grit and positive orientation and also probe the predictive power of all these constructs in academic achievement of university students in the midst of the pandemic COVID-19.Design/methodology/approach521 university students participated in an online survey. To measure academic resilience, a scale designed and validated by Kim and Kim (2016) comprising 26 items was employed. The scale contains five sub-factors: perceived happiness, empathy, sociability, persistence and self-regulation. Grit was assessed via an 8-item scale comprising two facets: perseverance of effort (PE) and consistency of interest (CI). It was designed by Duckworth and Gross (2014). Positive orientation was determined through positivity scale developed by Caprara et al. (2010), consisting of eight items.FindingsThe results of structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that resilience positively and significantly predicted both grit (β = 0.56, t = 6.41) and positive orientation (β = 0.54, t = 6.35). Resilience also predicted academic achievement directly (β = 0.71, t = 9.12) and indirectly via its impact on grit and positive orientation. It was also found that positive orientation and grit are positively and highly associated (β = 0.77, t = 9.28).Originality/valueThe pandemic COVID-19 brought about substantial changes in university students' education and their overall life style. Many university students around the globe experienced virtual education. Balancing personal and academic roles in these unprecedented conditions seems to be a tough challenge for every university student.

Factors influencing entrepreneurial intentions the most for university students in Vietnam: educational support, personality traits or TPB components?

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Greeni Maheshwari
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Entrepreneurial Intentions ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Individual Factors ◽  
Educational Support ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Personal Attitude ◽  
Need For Power

PurposeThe purpose of the paper is to investigate the influence of personality traits, individual factors and theory of planned behaviour (TPB) components (personal attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control) on entrepreneurial intentions of university students. The study further aims to determine which factors have a higher influence on the entrepreneurial intentions of the students.Design/methodology/approachThe data was collected using an online survey from 164 students studying in universities in Vietnam. The study used confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical regression to analyse the data.FindingsResults suggested that educational support has no impact on entrepreneurial intentions but individual factors such as self-efficacy, risk propensity and need for power and all the TPB components influenced entrepreneurial intentions. The TPB components had a higher influence on entrepreneurial intentions of students as compared to individual factors.Originality/valueOnly a few studies have been conducted to determine the strength of factors affecting entrepreneurial intensions of the students. This study demonstrates that TPB components have the highest influence on entrepreneurial intentions. Moreover, the study introduces an independent variable, need for power which is rarely used in any such studies and this adds a new component to the already existing research framework and in academic literature.

How Gaming Applications of CALL influence inputs of English Grammar: كيف تؤثر تطبيقات ألعاب الكمبيوتر المساعدة في تعليم اللغة على مدخلات قواعد اللغة الإنجليزية

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (47) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atif Obaid M Alsuhaymi
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
English Language Education ◽  
Full Sample ◽  
English Grammar ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Post Test

The present study aims to research the influences of games through Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) compared to Teacher-Centered Instruction (TCI) on teenagers' achievement in English language education in Saudi Arabia. Two groups of students tested, before and after instruction, so to determine success of the application of pedagogies. The full sample consisted of 22 teenagers, divided randomly, into two equal groups. The first group was the control (TDI) group, which used a school textbook. The second group was the experimental group (CALL), which given a CALL application, based on the game ‘Kahoot.’ Two types of tests were conducted, a pre-test and a post-test, at each of two periods for each group. The pre-test administered before instruction, and the post-test taken after the instructional period. Findings indicate that both groups increased their proficiencies with English object pronouns. However, performance on the post-test by the experimental (CALL) group significantly exceeded that of the control (TCI) group.

Antecedents of the attitude toward the athlete celebrities' human brand extensions

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jakeun Koo
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Brand Extensions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Image Transfer ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Human Brands

PurposeThe present study aims to examine how consumers evaluate the extended human brands of athlete celebrities beyond their unique brand personality associated with sports. Athlete celebrities' unique image in sports is used as a human brand, and attitude toward the athlete brand extensions is investigated when the athlete's name is included in a new non-sport brand. The concepts of brand extensions were employed to develop the ideas of human brand extensions.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 198 participants answered online survey questions before and after being informed of athlete brand extensions. Partial least squares structural equation modeling is utilized to test the hypotheses.FindingsThe survey results indicated that athlete–product fit and image transfer positively influenced attitude toward the extension. In addition, attitude toward the athlete brand extensions was significantly influenced by consumers' pre-existing attitude toward the celebrity; however, not by celebrity's expertise.Originality/valueThe research findings imply that some brand extension concepts are applicable to human brands to understand the effectiveness of athlete brand extensions for non-sport products.

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