scholarly journals Bilingual advantage in early EFL pronunciation accuracy of German 4th-graders

2021 ◽  
pp. 136700692199681
Author(s):  
Teresa Kieseier
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Social Background ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Error Sources ◽  
Common Error ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Background Factors ◽  
Language Groups ◽  
Error Types

Aims and Objectives: We compared speech accuracy and pronunciation patterns between early learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) with different language backgrounds. We asked (1) whether linguistic background predicts pronunciation outcomes, and (2) if error sources and substitution patterns differ between monolinguals and heterogeneous bilinguals. Methodology: Monolingual and bilingual 4th-graders ( N = 183) at German public primary schools participated in an English picture-naming task. We further collected linguistic, cognitive and social background measures to control for individual differences. Data and Analysis: Productions were transcribed and rated for accuracy and error types by three independent raters. We compared monolingual and bilingual pronunciation accuracy in a linear mixed-effects regression analysis controlling for background factors at the individual and institutional level. We further categorized all error types and compared their relative frequency as well as substitution patterns between different language groups. Findings: After background factors were controlled for, bilinguals (irrespective of specific L1) significantly outperformed their monolingual peers on overall pronunciation accuracy. Irrespective of language background, the most frequent error sources overlapped, affecting English sounds which are considered marked, are absent from the German phoneme inventory, or differ phonetically from a German equivalent. Originality: This study extends previous work on bilingual advantages in other domains of EFL to less researched phonological skills. It focuses on overall productive skills in young FL learners with limited proficiency and provides an overview over the most common error sources and substitution patterns in connection to language background. Significance/Implications: The study highlights that bilingual learners may deploy additional resources in the acquisition of target language phonology that should be addressed in the foreign language classroom.

scholarly journals On the problem of typological research of the Russian phonetic system in a linguodidactic context

2021 ◽  
pp. 4-9
Author(s):  
Е.Л. Бархударова
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Russian Language ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Foreign Accent ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Sound Structure ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
The Russian Language

В основе разработки курсов практической фонетики, адресованных иноязычной аудитории, лежит анализ типологического своеобразия фонетической системы изучаемого языка в контексте лингводидактики. К числу важных направлений типологического исследования звукового строя русского языка следует отнести, во-первых, изучение соотношения консонантизма и вокализма в его фонетической системе на иноязычном фоне, во-вторых, – анализ позиционных закономерностей русской фонетической системы в сопоставлении с функционированием звуковых единиц в типологически разных языках. В позиционных закономерностях звукового строя языка наиболее ярко проявляется его идиоматичность: в каждом языке позиционные закономерности носят специфический характер и определяются соотношением парадигматики и синтагматики звуковых единиц. Большое число фонологически значимых отклонений в иностранном акценте обусловлено интерферирующим воздействием позиционных закономерностей родного языка на русскую речь учащихся. The development of practical phonetics courses addressed to a foreign audience is based on the analysis of the typological features of the phonetic system of the target language in the context of linguodidactics. It is necessary to designate two important areas of typological research of the sound structure of the Russian language: the study of the relationship of consonantism and vocalism in its phonetic system against a foreign language background and the analysis of positional rules of the Russian phonetic system in comparison with the functioning of sound units in typologically different languages. Idiomatic character of the language is most clearly manifested in the positional patterns of its sound structure. In each language, positional patterns are specific and are determined by the dominance of paradigmatic or syntagmatic relations of sound units. A large number of phonologically significant deviations in a foreign accent are due to the interfering influence of the positional laws of the native language on the Russian speech of students.

scholarly journals The development of English grammar and reading comprehension by majority and minority language children in a bilingual primary school

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-442
Author(s):  
Anja K. Steinlen
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Minority Language ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Language Background ◽  
English Grammar ◽  
Language Groups

Both for the first language (L1) and for all additional languages (L2 or L3), grammatical knowledge plays a vital role in understanding texts (e.g., Grabe, 2005). However, little is known about the development and interaction of grammar and reading comprehension in beginning foreign language learning, especially with respect to children with a minority language background. This longitudinal study, therefore, examined minority and majority language children’s English grammar and reading comprehension skills. The children attended a German-English partial immersion primary school and were tested at the end of Grades 3 and 4. As expected, we found grammar to affect reading comprehension but also reverse effects. Most importantly, the results did not reveal any differences between the two language groups, irrespective of the test. Therefore, immersion primary school programs seem to be suitable for minority language children, and these children do not automatically represent an at-risk group for foreign language learning.

scholarly journals EFL Students' Preferences for Written Corrective Feedback: Do Error Types, Language Proficiency, and Foreign Language Enjoyment Matter?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiefu Zhang ◽  
Xuemei Chen ◽  
Jiehui Hu ◽  
Pattarapon Ketwan
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Corrective Feedback ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Linguistic Features ◽  
Context Analysis ◽  
Written Corrective Feedback ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Qualitative Approaches ◽  
Error Types

Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches, this study investigated the preference of learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) for four types of written corrective feedback (WCF), which are often discussed in the literature, on grammatical, lexical, orthographic, and pragmatic errors. In particular, it concerned whether such preference is influenced by two learner variables, namely, foreign language enjoyment (FLE) and proficiency level. The preference for selective vs. comprehensive WCF was also examined. The participants in the study were 117 University students in a Thai EFL context. Analysis of questionnaire data revealed a tendency for learners to prefer more explicit types of WCF (i.e., metalinguistic explanation and overt correction) for most error types, irrespective of their proficiency and FLE level. High proficiency level learners rated less explicit WCF types (i.e., underlining and error code) as useful to some degree, whereas their low proficiency level counterparts did not. Similar results were found for the two FLE groups. Besides, the FLE level seemed to play a role in perceiving the value of WCF in terms of scope. The results of follow-up interviews showed that the linguistic features of learners' first language, existing knowledge of the target language, affective feelings, and teacher's role were the main factors contributing to variation in learners' preferences. Possible pedagogical implications are discussed.

scholarly journals Educational attainment of Eastern European pupils in primary schools in England: Implications for policy and practice

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feyisa Demie
Keyword(s):  
Primary Schools ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Social Background ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Methodological Approaches ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Government Statistics ◽  
British Education

The aim of this article is to explore the attainment of Eastern European children in primary schools in England. The research draws on detailed National Pupil Database and school census data for 586,181 pupils who completed Key Stage 2 in England in 2016. Two methodological approaches were used to analyse the data. First, the performance of all pupils was analysed by ethnic and language background to illustrate patterns of attainment for each group. Second, attainment data were further analysed by social background factors to explore the main factors influencing performance in schools and the reasons for underachievement. The main findings from the study confirm that a number of Eastern European pupils have low attainment, and their performance in English schools has been masked by government statistics that fail to distinguish between 'White Other' ethnic groups. The empirical data suggest that speakers of Czech, Slovak, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Bulgarian are particularly underachieving, and that the difference between their educational performance and others is larger than for any other main groups. There is also a wide variation in performance between regions in England, with large attainment gaps between Eastern European and White British children. Some of the main reasons for underachievement identified from the study are the lack of fluency in English, economic deprivation, a disrupted or non-existent prior education and parental lack of understanding of the British education system. Overall, this research confirms that the underachievement of Eastern European children remains a cause for concern and is obviously an issue that policymakers and schools need to address. Implications for policy and practice are discussed in the final section.

scholarly journals TEACHING ALPAHBET FOR NON NATIVE ENGLISH LEARNERS: A CASE STUDY OF FIRST GRADERS

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
Agnes Widyaningrum ◽  
Vinna Octavia
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Learners ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
English Language ◽  
First Graders ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Symbolic Thought ◽  
Time To Learn

Non-native English learners need time to learn English language since they just heard without knowing how to pronounce it correctly. This condition occurs in common Primary Schools because the students do not have foreign language background, at school as well as at home. The hidden curriculum focusing on students’ soft skills are not well administered as the school managements think that what they have to do in running the academic atmosphere is teaching well for their students. The first step in teaching English for young learners especially those who are non-native English learners is introducing English by getting to know it. Piaget’s child’s development contributes in helping teachers to know their student’s growth physically and mentally in order to help them learn better while they play different teacher’s roles. Piaget proves that cognitivism gives insight that is children’s develop through stages since they were born. First graders at their age is on the stage called preoperational with one of characteristics that is language development with the goal to create symbolic thought. One way to achieve this goal is by teaching alphabet for first graders.

Toepassingsgericht Onderzoek Van Het Onderwijs in Een Diglossiesituatie

1980 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 56-75
Author(s):  
J. van den Hoogen ◽  
H. Kuijper
Keyword(s):  
Educational Research ◽  
Primary Education ◽  
Language Attitudes ◽  
Social Background ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Verbal Interaction ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Standard Language ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Language Behavior

Kerkrade is a Dutch town, near the border of Germany, where a dialect is spoken that is rather different from the standard language and has much in common with German. The linguistic situation can be described as a diglossia-situation. From 1973 to 1978 an integrated sociolinguistic and educational research project has been carried out to find out what kind of problems predominant-ly dialect speaking children experience in primary education as a result of their language background. From a sociolinguistic viewpoint this study was based upon the difference conception. Methodologically educational re-sults were treated as a variable dependent not only on characteristics of the children (such as language background and social background) but also on educational features (such as verbal interaction in the classroom). A broad conception of educational results was used that concerned not only cognitive achievement of the children, repeating classes, teacher advice for further education, but also features such as language attitudes, linguistic insecurity, fear of failure, etc. From the results of this study 3 areas could be derived that need special attention to improve primary education for dialect speaking children. 1. Verbal interaction in the classroom needs to be reorganized in such a way that dialect speaking children can feel more comfortable at school. To achieve this standard language must no longer be seen as the only acceptable way of speaking at school. A "natural" choice should be made between both language varieties the children can speak, dependent on the age of the children, the subject of conversation or instruction and some situational aspects of conversation. A major condition for the success of such a variable structure of communication seems to be mutual willing-ness to accept each others language behavior. 2. Since standard Dutch is the target language for all children and most dialect speaking children are less able to use that language in a grammatically correct and communicatively acceptable way, more systematic attention should be paid to the specific problems of these children. 3. Perhaps the most important and certainly the most complex area is that of the attitudes of both dialect and standard language speaking children and teachers towards language behavior and language users. Since May 1979 teachers, parente and institutions for linguistic and educational research, curriculum development and pedagogical assistance have worked together to find an adequate approach for the problems in these three areas. In this paper first a brief summary is given of the guiding principles, the goals and some of the major results of the study carried out between 1973 and 1978. The second part concerns the "innovation-phase", that started in 1979 and goes on until May 1981. An exposition is given of how in educational practice innovatory activities are planned and carried out, what our first experiences are and in what way research can contribute to all this.

Emic perspectives on young Danish learners’ foreign language classroom anxiety

2021 ◽  
pp. 136216882110012
Author(s):  
Katalin Fenyvesi
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
Children’S Views ◽  
Classroom Anxiety

This study explores what young Danish learners found anxiety-provoking or difficult in their English as a foreign language (EFL) classes. Participants ( n = 32) were early and later starters (ages 8 years vs. 10 years) at two primary schools where children were not assessed in English. The qualitative inquiry aimed to examine what differences characterized 8- and 10-year-old children’s views and how their foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA) changed over time. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each child in one-on-one settings and the answers were analysed by thematic analysis. The emerging themes revealed three main categories of situations that made children anxious. The first one concerned being afraid of making mistakes. The second category comprised social situations in which children were asked to speak in English in front of their peers and they were anxious that other children would criticize them or laugh at them. The third category comprised situations in which children felt insecure, for example, they did not understand their teacher’s talk in the target language, did not know the meaning of words they were supposed to learn, did not understand the task at hand, or they had to do tasks they thought were beyond their abilities. Children who experienced a decrease of FLCA after one year of instruction indicated that appropriate support from the teacher had reduced FLCA in some of these situations. Pedagogical implications of the different causes of anxiety are discussed.

scholarly journals Multilingual lexical transfer challenges monolingual educational norms: not quite!

Multilingua ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eliane Lorenz ◽  
Yevheniia Hasai ◽  
Peter Siemund
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Development ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Target Language ◽  
School Students ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Third Language ◽  
Third Language Acquisition ◽  
English Classes ◽  
Lexical Transfer

Abstract Foreign language learners frequently use words from their previously acquired language(s) in the target language, especially if these languages are related (Ringbom, Håkan. 2001. Lexical transfer in L3 production. In Jasone Cenoz, Britta Hufeisen & Ulrike Jessner (eds.), Cross-linguistic influence in third language acquisition: Psycholinguistic perspectives, 59–68. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters). Such insertions are referred to as ‘lexical transfer’, commonly divided into ‘transfer of form’ and ‘transfer of meaning’ (Bardel, Camilla. 2015. Lexical cross-linguistic influence in third language development. In Hagen Peukert (ed.), Transfer effects in multilingual language development, 111–128. Amsterdam: John Benjamins; Ringbom, Håkan. 2001. Lexical transfer in L3 production. In Jasone Cenoz, Britta Hufeisen & Ulrike Jessner (eds.), Cross-linguistic influence in third language acquisition: Psycholinguistic perspectives, 59–68. Clevedon: Multilingual Matters). Lexical transfer challenges the monolingual habitus prevailing in foreign language classes which requires students to rely exclusively on the target language and inhibit other influences. Thus, in such English classes, students should avoid the use of different languages and ideally only produce monolingual English output. In this context, the current study investigates the use of lexical transfer instances in short English texts written by bilingual (Russian/Turkish-German) and monolingual (German) secondary school students (initially attending year 7) from a longitudinal perspective. It assesses i) whether the students increasingly adhere to the imposed normative rules and ii) what influence background variables such as language background (mono- vs. bilingual), type of school (higher vs. lower academic track), gender (female vs. male), or age (four measurement points over a period of 2.5 years) exert on the use of lexical transfer instances. Apart from gender, all factors impact lexical transfer in a statistically significant way, evoking different norm-based explanations.

An Automatic Method to Extract Online Foreign Language Learner Writing Error Characteristics

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 15-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brendan Flanagan ◽  
Sachio Hirokawa
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Language Learner ◽  
Native Languages ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Language Groups ◽  
Language Knowledge ◽  
Foreign Language Learner ◽  
Characteristic Features

This article contends that the profile of a foreign language learner can contain valuable information about possible problems they will face during the learning process, and could be used to help personalize feedback. A particularly important attribute of a foreign language learner is their native language background as it defines their known language knowledge. Native language identification serves two purposes: to classify a learners' unknown native language; and to identify characteristic features of native language groups that can be analyzed to generate tailored feedback. Fundamentally, this problem can be thought of as the process of identifying characteristic features that represent the application of a learner's native language knowledge in the use of the language that they are learning. In this article, the authors approach the problem of identifying characteristic differences and the classification of native languages from the perspective of 15 automatically predicted writing errors by online language learners.

scholarly journals The Acquisition of Preposition + Article Contractions in L3 Portuguese among Different L1-Speaking Learners: A Variationist Approach

Languages ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 45
Author(s):  
Adriana Picoral ◽  
Ana Maria Carvalho
Keyword(s):  
Random Effect ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Definite Article ◽  
Heritage Speakers ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Third Language ◽  
L3 Acquisition ◽  
Language Groups ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact

This paper sheds light on the paths of third language (L3) acquisition of Portuguese by Spanish–English speakers whose first language is Spanish (L1 Spanish), English (L1 English), or both in the case of heritage speakers of Spanish (HL). Specifically, it looks at the gradual acquisition of a categorical rule in Portuguese, where some prepositions are invariably contracted with the determiner that follows them. Based on a corpus of 1910 written assignments by Portuguese L3 learners, we extracted 21,879 tokens in obligatory contraction contexts and submitted them to a multivariate analysis. This analysis allowed for the investigation of the impact of linguistic (type of preposition and definite article number and gender) and extra-linguistic factors (course level and learner’s language background), with logistic regression modeling with sum contrasts and individual as a random effect. While results point to some clear similarities across the three language groups—all learners acquired the contractions in a u-shaped progression and used more contractions with the a preposition and fewer with the por preposition—participants acquire contractions at a higher rate when the article is singular than when it is plural, and in the case of HL speakers, more so when the article is masculine than when it is feminine. These results confirm the facilitatory role of a previously acquired language (i.e., Spanish) that is typologically similar to the target language (i.e., Portuguese) in transfer patterns during L3 acquisition.

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