EFL learners’ speaking proficiency and its connection to emotional understanding, willingness to communicate and musical experience

2019 ◽  
pp. 136216881989186
Author(s):  
Antonio Fernández-García ◽  
M. Carmen Fonseca-Mora
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Emotional Response ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Musical Experience ◽  
Emotional Understanding ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Speaking Proficiency ◽  
Song Lyrics ◽  
Speaking Skills

One of the main reasons for studying a foreign language is communicating with others, but many students do not feel confidently enough when trying to develop their speaking skills. Among adolescents’ frequent activities are that of listening to music while paying attention to song lyrics. We hypothesize that these musical experiences could influence their speaking skills. The present study aims to consider different factors that could influence students’ speaking proficiency. Among these factors, students’ emotional understanding, their willingness to communicate in a FL and their musical experience are considered. One hundred and twenty-four students of English as a foreign language (EFL) in the fourth year of Secondary Education from three different high schools in Spain took part in the study. Oral data were collected through individual interviews and three scales were administered to measure the different factors. Students’ musical experience and emotional response to music were measured through The Absorption in Music Scale, their emotional understanding of verbal texts through The Situational Test of Emotional Understanding – Brief, and their willingness to communicate in the EFL class through Willingness to Communicate Scale. Although no direct connection was found between students’ musical experience and their speaking proficiency, results demonstrate that students with high emotional understanding show better speaking skills and that students with musical experience exhibited higher emotional understanding. We detected a significant positive connection between emotional understanding and all the five parameters considered to assess students’ speaking proficiency. The connection between willingness to communicate in the EFL class and students’ speaking skills is even greater.

N-gram use in EFL learners’ retelling and monologic tasks

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaopeng Zhang ◽  
Baoshan Zhao ◽  
Wenwen Li
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Association Strength ◽  
College Level ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Proficiency Levels ◽  
Oral Production ◽  
Speaking Proficiency ◽  
N Gram

Abstract This study examined n-gram use in oral production by Chinese college-level English as a foreign language (EFL) learners at four distinct proficiency levels. Thirty indices regarding range, frequency, and association strength of bi- and tri-grams obtained from retelling and monologic samples were analyzed. Results suggest that, i) the four proficiency levels differed in measures for frequency and association strength of bi- and tri-grams, ii) academic bi- and tri-gram proportions and association strength (captured by MI- and t-scores) were predictive of EFL speaking proficiency for both the retelling and monologic samples but the effects were small, and iii) EFL learners used more well-attested bi- and tri-grams in monologues than in retelling, demonstrating that higher rated samples tended to contain more strongly-associated bi- and tri-grams, a greater proportion of frequent attested academic tri-grams, and that EFL n-gram use was task-sensitive. These findings help enrich our understanding on EFL development of multi-word sequences and have potentially useful implications for EFL pedagogy.

scholarly journals The Influence of Motivation on EFL Learners’ Speaking Skills

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 612-619
Author(s):  
Wira Kafryawan
Keyword(s):  
Research Design ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Quantitative Method ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Purposive Sampling ◽  
Speaking Test ◽  
Speaking Proficiency ◽  
Correlational Research ◽  
Research Problems ◽  
Speaking Skills

Motivation is one of some psychological factors which influences the speaking proficiency. Therefore, this study aims at finding out whether or not there is a significant correlation between EFL learners’ motivation and their speaking skills. With regard to the methodology applied in this study, a correlation research was used to determine whether, and to what degree, a relationship exists between two or more quantifiable variables in form of quantitative method. Purposive sampling was used in the correlational research due to the assumption that the selected students were able to give information or data in relation to the research problems based on the research design. Thus, 46 learners were chosen as the samples. The study was conducted at learners in SMA Negeri 1 Marisa, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo. Moreover, the quantifiable data were obtained from speaking test based on the Heaton assessment and motivation test based on the Likert Scale assessment which were distributed to the learners. The data were then analyzed by Pearson product moment. The findings showed that there was a significant correlation between EFL learners’ motivation and their speaking skills in degree of high correlation. In other words, the assumption views that that the higher motivation belongs to EFL Learners to speak the better ability they speak.

Examining fluctuations in the WTC of Japanese EFL speakers: Language proficiency, affective and conditional factors

2020 ◽  
pp. 136216882097782
Author(s):  
Rintaro Sato
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Stimulated Recall ◽  
Sense Of Security

Willingness to communicate (WTC), which plays a crucial role in second or foreign language learning, has a dynamic and complex nature, fluctuating during communicative events. This study examines how the situational WTC of four Japanese speakers of English as a foreign language (EFL) emerges and fluctuates, focusing on the roles of language proficiency and affective and conditional factors. Low-intermediate and advanced speakers were engaged in an interactive, communicative activity with an interlocutor. All utterances were recorded, transcribed, and analysed and combined with the qualitative data from participants’ self-ratings and a stimulated recall interview after the activity to assess fluctuations in WTC. The findings indicate that levels of WTC are influenced differently between low-intermediate and advanced speakers. Although the WTC of all speakers was negatively affected when they sensed a lack of English proficiency, low-intermediate speakers were affected by interest in the topic, influence of interlocutors on sense of security, and self-confidence, while opportunity to talk about oneself and one’s opinions contributed to the WTC of advanced speakers. It is suggested that teaches of EFL should be considerate of these factors that can affect EFL learners’ WTC.

scholarly journals The Influence of Using Social Media as a Learning Platform by Bilingual and Multilingual Learners on English Speaking Skills

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
Porawe Poramathikul ◽  
Nakibah Arwedo ◽  
Innas Abdulhakim ◽  
Pitchayaporn Wattanaruwangkowit
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Average Score ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Speaking Proficiency ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
University Level ◽  
The University ◽  
Speaking Skills

This study aims to discover the influences of using social media on the English speaking skills. To fulfill this study’s goal, data was collected using questionnaires, self-assessment, and speaking tests. Participants of the study were 20 bilinguals and multilingual of any two or more languages that are currently studying English as a foreign language (EFL) at the university level in Thailand. The result from speaking proficiency self-assessment shows the perception of bilinguals and multilingual who perceived that they can speak English fluently than accurately. The average score of the self-assessment is 5.59 out of 9. The standard deviation (S.D.) of their score is 1.46. This score shows that the participants consider themselves as competent users of English according to the description from British Councils (2012). Only eight out of 20 or 40 percent of the participants think that they have reached the level of capable users of the English, while the other 60 percent of participants think that they have not reached that level. From this study, it has been found that bilingual and multilingual speakers often use social media for educational purposes.

scholarly journals University Students’ Perceptions of Videotaping as a Teaching Tool in a Public Speaking Course

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 102
Author(s):  
Latifa El Mortaji
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Public Speaking ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Verbal Communication ◽  
Independent Learning ◽  
Skills Development ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Freshmen Students ◽  
Speaking Skills

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of videotaping on college students’ public speaking skills development in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) from the learners’ perspective. Twenty Moroccan freshmen students majoring in Engineering, Business, and Humanities at Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco, participated in the study. Using 60 videotaped extemporaneous speeches, pre and post-videotaping surveys together with self-reflection essays, the researcher reports on students’ perceptions of and attitudes towards the effectiveness of videotaping on their public speaking competence development. Results revealed that the students’ public speaking skills improved over the course of a semester in terms of content, followed by non-verbal communication, verbal communication, organization, and language. In line with some previous research, this study confirms that a combination of videotaping and self-reflection has a major effect on improving students' public speaking skills, developing confidence of EFL learners, and fostering independent learning

scholarly journals Selected Determinants of Pronunciation Anxiety

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-113
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Baran-Łucarz ◽  
Jang Ho Lee
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Detrimental Effect ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Studying Abroad

Empirical research shows that language anxiety has a detrimental effect on foreign language learning and its use. Several studies suggest that anxiety related to mastering and using foreign languages is skill-specific. This study examined pronunciation anxiety and attempted to determine its significant correlates. The included factors ranged from learning experiences with native-speaking teachers, previous studying abroad experience, and enjoyment of learning the target language, to willingness to communicate in the target language. A questionnaire was administered to two groups of EFL learners of different majors and different self-perceived levels. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses for both groups showed that willingness to communicate in English was the strongest determinant of pronunciation anxiety, while foreign language enjoyment the second meaningful correlate, but only in the case of the group whose self-assessment of general proficiency in English was lower.

scholarly journals DEVELOPING ENGLISH SPEAKING SKILLS: Barriers faced by the Bangladeshi EFL learners

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 118
Author(s):  
Md. Mohsin Mridha ◽  
Sheikh Md. Muniruzzaman
Keyword(s):  
Data Collection ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Basic Skills ◽  
Data Collection Tool ◽  
Undergraduate Level ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Speaking Proficiency ◽  
Global Age ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Speaking Skills

This study aimed at investigating the prevailing barriers for developing English speaking skills faced by the undergraduate level students in Bangladesh. The attempt was to locate the importance of speaking proficiency in English as one of the basic skills of a language in this “English” era. In this global age, the use of English has been inevitable, and it is used in different phases of our life. But Bangladeshi EFL learners often fail to attain proper speaking proficiency for some reason. This nature of the study was quantitative, and the data collection tool was questionnaire. This paper is presenting the problems and plausible recommendations in order to develop speaking. The reasons behind the incompetency in speaking skills are many and some of which are the influence of mother tongue, lack of vocabulary, lack of practice, unfavorable environment, teachers’ non-cooperation, shyness, fear, and language ‘fossilization.’

scholarly journals MECHANISMS OF PROMOTING PROFICIENCY OF SPEAKING SKILLS IN THE RA HIGH SCHOOLS/ԱՆԳԼԵՐԵՆԻ ԽՈՍՔԱՅԻՆ ՀՄՏՈՒԹՅՈՒՆՆԵՐԻ ԶԱՐԳԱՑՄԱՆ ՄԵԹՈԴՆԵՐԸ ԵՎ ԴՐԱՆՑ ԱՐԴՅՈՒՆԱՎԵՏՈՒԹՅԱՆ ԲԱՐՁՐԱՑՄԱՆ ՈՒՂԻՆԵՐԸ ՀՀ ԱՎԱԳ ԴՊՐՈՑՆԵՐՈՒՄ/МЕТОДЫ РАЗВИТИЯ НАВЫКОВ ВЛАДЕНИЯ АНГЛИЙСКИМ ЯЗЫКОМ И СПОСОБЫ ПОВЫШЕНИЯ ИХ ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТИ В СРЕДНИХ ШКОЛАХ АРМЕНИИ

2021 ◽  
pp. 144-155
Author(s):  
Irina Mkhitaryan ◽  
Knarik Meloyan
Keyword(s):  
High Schools ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Communicative Language Teaching ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
International Language ◽  
Speaking Proficiency ◽  
Speaking Skill ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Efficient Mechanisms ◽  
Speaking Skills

In this day and age, English is a dominant international language and correspondingly is the indispensable inkling to the ever-changing world of science. Yet from this perspective, it becomes paramount to promote speaking skill for better employability. Speaking English is extremely important to all, especially for EFL learners since they must make sure first that the hearer understands what is being said or delivered before speaking. During speaking activities, students confront some difficulties and to solve these problems the researchers of this article have determined to explore the efficient mechanisms to improve the pupils’ speaking proficiency and identify the favorable atmosphere in the process of implementing games and activities in the scope of the teaching and learning process, particularly in high schools of the Republic of Armenia. In order to minimize the learners’ problem, the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) method has been applied to improve EFL pupils’ speaking skills undertaken during classes.

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