scholarly journals Understanding the information literacy experiences of EFL (English as a foreign language) students

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 552-568 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Johnston ◽  
Helen Partridge ◽  
Hilary Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Information Literacy ◽  
Literacy Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Literacy Experiences ◽  
Relational Approach ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – This paper aims to outline research that explores the information literacy experiences of English as a foreign language (EFL) students. The question explored in this research was: how do EFL students experience information literacy? Design/methodology/approach – This study used phenomenography, a relational approach to explore the information literacy experiences of EFL students. Phenomenography studies the qualitatively different ways a phenomenon is experienced in the world around us. Findings – This research revealed that EFL students experienced information literacy in four qualitatively different ways. The four categories revealed through the data were: process, quality, language and knowledge. This research found that language impacted on EFL students’ experiences of information literacy and revealed that EFL students applied various techniques and strategies when they read, understood, organised and translated information. Research limitations/implications – This research was conducted in a specific cultural and educational context; therefore, the results might not reflect the experiences of EFL students in other cultural or educational contexts. Practical implications – The findings from this research offer an important contribution to information literacy practice by providing important insights about EFL students’ experiences and perceptions of information and learning that can be used to inform curriculum development in second language learning contexts. Originality/value – There is currently a lack of research using a relational approach to investigate EFL students’ experiences of information literacy. There is also limited research that explores the impact language has on information literary and learning in EFL or English as a second language (ESL) contexts.

The impact of computer-assisted language learning on Iranian EFL students’ vocabulary learning

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 210-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ali Rahimi ◽  
Samira Mouri
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

This study aimed to explore the impact of computer-assisted language learning on Iranian EFL students’ vocabulary learning. Participants of the study were 76 students – 29 males and 47 females – learning English as a foreign language in Parto, Sadr, Poyesh and Andishe Institutes in Ahvaz who were selected after taking the Nelson English Language Test as a proficiency test. They were randomly divided into two groups. One group was taken as control and the other as experimental group. Both groups participated in the teacher-made test of vocabulary, Vocabulary Levels Test (VLT), and Word-Associates Test (WAT) as pre-test. During class sessions the control group was taught the vocabulary, in the conventional way, through the printed textbook while the experimental group taught by the software version of the same book. Three ANCOVAs were run to compare the performance of experimental and control groups after the treatment period. The results of the ANCOVAs revealed that using vocabulary learning software was more effective than using printed book on vocabulary learning, vocabulary breadth, and vocabulary depth of the participants. The results of the present study could help EFL course book designers, foreign language institutes, educational planners, material developers, teachers, and learners to provide a better context for EFL learning. Keywords: computer-assisted instruction, computer-assisted language learning, information communication technology, vocabulary breadth, vocabulary teaching software.  

Language learning strategy use in context: the effects of self-efficacy and CLIL on language proficiency

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-220
Author(s):  
Nils Jaekel
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Strategy Use ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
The Impact

AbstractLanguage learning strategies (LLS) are suggested to facilitate learning and support learner autonomy. The integration of content and language in foreign language education increases the cognitive work load. Furthermore, self-efficacy has been identified as a key predictor for strategy use and language achievement. The present study aimed to (1) investigate LLS use in content-based versus traditional foreign language environments and (2) assess the impact LLS use and self-efficacy have on language proficiency. Participants were Year 9 Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) and regular English as a foreign language (EFL) students (N=378) in Germany. Structural equation modelling, controlling for a range of confounding variables, showed that (1) there was no difference in LLS use between CLIL and EFL students. (2) LLS use had a negative impact while self-efficacy predicted higher language proficiency. These results suggest that students may best be supported by enhancing their self-efficacy while they should carefully choose their strategies.

scholarly journals The Impact of Cultural Background on Listening Comprehension of Saudi EFL Students

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hamad Al-khresheh
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Cultural Background ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Saudi Students ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
Listening Process ◽  
The Impact

One of the most critical areas where considerable attention is required in teaching a foreign language involves listening skills. Listening plays an essential role in both communication and learning, and it is one of the most crucial necessary language skills in the field of language learning. Recent studies in foreign language listening have extensively focused on the prevailing difficulties of listening. There has been little research on the cultural- background as a sociolinguistic dimension of listening. Therefore, this study set out to determine whether Saudi EFL students face particular difficulty in their listening comprehension, to identify possible reasons for the problems, and to find out whether the cultural- background affects the listening process. To achieve these objectives, a triangulation method was followed. A diagnostic test and a questionnaire were used on a group of 31 Saudi students of English and a reflective essay was carried out on eight EFL teachers. The findings suggest, first, that listening is the most challenging language skill and, second, that Saudi EFL students encounter substantial difficulty in the perception, parsing, and utilization phases of their listening comprehension for many reasons. The findings also suggest that the cultural background has a significant effect on their listening process. This study is expected to contribute markedly towards increasing the understanding of listening difficulties in language learning, and improving the teaching-learning process, by recommending effective remedies for addressing such challenges.

The effect of using videos in teaching and learning English present progressive tense

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-170
Author(s):  
Adil Mohammed Hamoud Qadha ◽  
Mohammed Ahmed Alward
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Present Progressive

Purpose Using videos in language learning has been investigated in the literature to enhance second language learning. The previous studies have explored the effect of videos on learning a foreign language, especially vocabulary learning. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of videos on learning present progressive tense in the perspective of semiotics. Design/methodology/approach A total of 30 Arab English foreign language (EFL) learners participated in the study and were assigned into two groups. The first group was taught present progressive tense with the help of videos (the semiotics group). The second group was taught the same content using a traditional way, i.e. without videos. Findings Results of the post-test indicated that participants in the semiotics group outscored the participants who did not learn through videos to learn present progressive tense. The study concluded that using videos is a useful tool to enhance learning present progressive tense. Originality/value To the authors’ knowledge, no study has been conducted to examine the effect of semiotics on learning L2 grammar, especially the present progressive tense. Therefore, this study explores the impact of using videos, as a form of semiotics, to help EFL learners learn present progressive tense.

scholarly journals A Study of EFL Students' Attitudes, Motivation and Anxiety towards WhatsApp as a Language Learning Tool

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamal Kaid Mohammed Ali ◽  
Wagdi Rashad Ali Bin-Hady
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Learning English

This study aimed to explore the impact of WhatsApp on enhancing Saudi EFL students' language skills and areas. It also investigated EFL students' attitudes, motivation, and anxiety towards learning English via WhatsApp. The sample comprised 55 male and female students studying English at the College of Arts, University of Bisha, Saudi Arabia. A closed-ended questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data from the sample. The results revealed that WhatsApp has a positive impact on learning English as a foreign language with a score of 3.9 as an overall mean. Students’ attitudes towards using WhatsApp for learning English scored 3.4, while the impact of WhatsApp on motivating EFL students to study English scored 3.6 in total. It was also found that WhatsApp reduced students’ anxiety with a score of 3.8 as the overall mean. Based on these results, the researchers suggest that WhatsApp should be activated at all stages of English language learning and teaching.

scholarly journals Teach how to Listen: The Effect of Listening Strategy Instruction on Documentary Video Comprehension

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 11-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Hosseini
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Strategy Instruction ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Comprehension Strategies ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Documentary Video ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Developments in broadcast and multimedia technology have generated a readily available and vast supply of videos for use in second and foreign language learning contexts. However, without pedagogical direction learners are unlikely to be able to deal with the complexities of this authentic listening resource, and strategy instruction may be one route to augmenting comprehension (Cross, J, 2009). The essence of this experimental study was to investigate the impact of teaching listening strategy on comprehension of documentary videos. For the purpose of this study, 54 advanced EFL students, 27 in experimental group and 27 in control group, participated in this study procedure. In 10-week-period, the experimental group went through a well-scheduled instruction in listening strategy. On the other hand, the control group wasn’t received any instruction in listening strategy. The finding of this study has revealed that teaching listening comprehension strategies has significant influence on comprehension of authentic documentary videos

scholarly journals Chasing Frankenstein’s monster: information literacy in the black box society

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 1475-1485
Author(s):  
Annemaree Lloyd
Keyword(s):  
Information Literacy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Black Box ◽  
Focused Attention ◽  
Sociocultural Perspective ◽  
Literacy Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to introduce and examine algorithmic culture and consider the implications of algorithms for information literacy practice. The questions for information literacy scholars and educators are how can one understand the impact of algorithms on agency and performativity, and how can one address and plan for it in their educational and instructional practices? Design/methodology/approach In this study, algorithmic culture and implications for information literacy are conceptualised from a sociocultural perspective. Findings To understand the multiplicity and entanglement of algorithmic culture in everyday lives requires information literacy practice that encourages deeper examination of the relationship among the epistemic views, practical usages and performative consequences of algorithmic culture. Without trying to conflate the role of the information sciences, this approach opens new avenues of research, teaching and more focused attention on information literacy as a sustainable practice. Originality/value The concept of algorithmic culture is introduced and explored in relation to information literacy and its literacies.

Language mindsets, perceived instrumentality, engagement and graded performance in English as a foreign language students

2020 ◽  
pp. 136216882095840
Author(s):  
Altay Eren ◽  
Anıl Rakıcıoğlu-Söylemez
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Emotional Engagement ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Language Aptitude ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Perceived Instrumentality ◽  
The Relationship

This study aimed to examine the relationships between English as a foreign language (EFL) students’ language mindsets (i.e. entity and incremental beliefs about general language intelligence, second language aptitude, and age sensitivity in language learning) and graded performance by considering the mediating roles of their perceived instrumentality as well as four aspects of engagement (i.e. agentic engagement, behavioral engagement, emotional engagement, and cognitive engagement) within English classes. A total of 526 EFL students voluntarily participated in the present study. A latent factor correlation analysis, a series of multiple regression analyses, and a structural equation modeling analysis were conducted to analyse the data. The results showed that EFL students’ language mindsets, four aspects of engagement, perceived instrumentality, and graded performance were significantly and selectively related to each other. The results also demonstrated that the relationship between incremental beliefs about second language aptitude and graded performance was fully mediated by perceived instrumentality, that the relationship between incremental beliefs about general language intelligence and graded performance was fully mediated by agentic engagement, and that the relationship between perceived instrumentality and graded performance was partially mediated by agentic engagement. Theoretical and practical implications for EFL learning, teaching, and educational policymaking processes are also discussed in the study.

The influence of second language learning motivation on students' understandability of textbooks

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuqian Zhang ◽  
Anura De Zoysa ◽  
Kalinga Jagoda
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
International Students ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Motivation ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Language Learning Motivation ◽  
Second Language Speakers ◽  
Commerce Students

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the understandability of an accounting textbooks written in English and the language learning motivation of international students. Previous research assumed that native speakers of a language and second-language speakers would understand a given accounting text similarly and little attempt has been made to ascertain any individual differences in users’ capacity to read and understand a foreign language. Design/methodology/approach The 107 participants in this study comprised of full-time English as a Second Language postgraduate commerce students studying at a major Australian university. The authors used two-part questionnaire to examine the motivation of participants and the understandability of an accounting textbook using the Cloze test. Findings The results suggest that most international students have difficulty in understanding the textbook narratives used in this study. Furthermore, the results show that students’ motivation to learn a foreign language impacts on the understandability of an accounting textbook. Practical implications This study will help the educators, textbook publishers and students to understand the needs of ESL students. It is expected to provide guidance for authors and instructors to enhance the effectiveness of the accounting courses. Originality/value The accounting literature shows that there have been efforts by accounting researchers to measure the understandability of accounting texts or narratives. This research provided valuable insights of the learning challenges of international students and valuable recommendations to educators and publishers to enhance the delivery.

scholarly journals The Impact of Multimedia Materials Teaching on EFL Elementary School Learners

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. p110
Author(s):  
Ching-Ying Lin ◽  
Cuan-Min Wu
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Teaching Materials ◽  
Video Clips ◽  
Multimedia Material ◽  
Learning Attitude ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
The Impact

Nowadays, it is hard for EFL students to learn a foreign language well because of the learning environment and limited teaching materials. Therefore, if we are willing to create a successful foreign language learning classroom, the use of multimedia will be very important. Besides, learning with multimedia has become the latest tendency among the education field. For instance, many researches and professionals all approve that various materials of multimedia learning can make the learning more productive, impressive, abundant, and memorable. In this research, multimedia materials were constructed by video clips. Furthermore, after adopting multimedia materials, some findings showed that multimedia-material teaching can strongly increase the vocabulary acquisition in a short period of time. In addition, students can learn not only by spelling and images, but also by vivid of video clips presentation and sounds to make connections to their daily life. Furthermore, through the interect program, their learning motivation is higher than the traditional teaching styles. Students get more positive learning attitude and their self-efficacy all been improved. Therefore, multimedia-material teaching can make learners learning more productive, abundant and efficient; therefore, using multimedia-material teaching will be one of the important teaching materials that can be applied in the classroom.

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