scholarly journals FILTERING CULTURAL INFLUENCES IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING IN THE INDONESIAN CONTEXT: THE CONTROVERSY AND SUGGESTED ACTIONS

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 34
Author(s):  
Ari Purnawan
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Cultural Influences ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Learning Approaches

There has been a prolonging controversy on why teachers need to filter the cultural load in foreign language learning. Some educators guarantee that the best way of learning a new language is by presenting the target language situations in the classroom, which usually includes the values, culture, habits, or ways of behaving and thinking of the target language users; however, some others believe that, for the sake of nation’s future and pride, they have to filter and block any influences that come from the value loads. Throughout the long history of foreign language learning approaches and methods, this issue has been one of their hot flavors. In fact, cultural contents are unavoidable in foreign language learning. Therefore, the type of culture to be included in the materials and the goal of study are two important aspects to consider (Kramsch, 2013). The paper aims to present ways that teachers can do to deal with the above issue. Involving culture in a selective manner may become a moderate compromise, and cautious actions in selecting the values to be loaded in the process of teaching and learning needs to be formulated and carefully listed. Some suggested items based on some intensive observations and teacher interviews are presented in the paper. It is expected that the culture issue in English language teaching settings develops into a good awareness of the importance of culture in language learning on the one hand, and of the preservation of own national identity and  values on the other hand.

An analysis of EFL learners’ error self-correction attitudes

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-48
Author(s):  
Fatih Yavuz
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Error Correction ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
Efl Learners

During language teaching and learning, the focus is on how correct or wrong the input is reflected in the output. Accuracy first approaches reject errors due to the risk of interference whereas the communicative approaches use them as signs of learning. So, errors play a vital role in foreign language learning. It is viewed as improvement in different language learning approaches. This paper after reviewing the literature about error and error correction in English language teaching examines the types of errors the students can self-correct. The procedure is as follows: Twenty erroneous sentences from examination papers were chosen as student errors and learners were asked to correct any kind of errors in the sentences. The results were categorised, analysed and commented. The results show that students are better at correcting the structural errors and worst in discourse ones. Under these findings, it is suggested that learner training should focus more on contextual learning. Keywords: Error correction, EFL, self-correction, accuracy, exam papers.

English Major Students' Attitudes towards Movies and Series as Language Learning Resources

2015 ◽  
pp. 276-295
Author(s):  
Buğra Zengin ◽  
Duygu Doğan ◽  
Feryal Çubukçu
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Learning Resources ◽  
Original Language ◽  
English Major ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Low Exposure

This chapter focuses on the attitudes of the fourth-year English Language Teaching (ELT) students towards strategies related to using movies and series as foreign language learning resources. The subjects were teacher candidates (at a state university in the west of Turkey). The current study demonstrates that foreign-language majors are not immune to downsides of a low-exposure EFL setting. The participants also state that only their family members - but not friends - are likely to cause a shift to the dubbed version of movie/series they want to view in the original language and with L2 captions (intralingual captions / in the source language) otherwise. This study suggests that backseat TV systems on buses can provide solutions. The backseat TV systems are welcome by most of the participants, in particular by those whose intercity travelling habits are found to be quite high.

Falling on deaf ears

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 196-212 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Rubrecht
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Pronunciation Instruction ◽  
Language Teaching And Learning

Second or foreign language learners study or are taught various language skill areas, one of which is speaking. In order to speak in the target language, learners must gain some proficiency in the target language’s vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation so that their verbal utterances are meaningful to listeners. However, although pronunciation may be said to be the most fundamental of these three components, it is by far the one that receives the least amount of attention in second or foreign language learning situations. Insufficient attention placed on the pronunciation component can lead to detrimental effects on learners, potentially negatively impacting them in their attempts at bridging the interculturality gap between their first language and the language being learned. The present article will make a call for increased inclusion of pronunciation instruction and training in second and foreign language teaching and learning by relating pronunciation’s importance in verbal communicative acts and by addressing the issue of pronunciation localization. In addition, the article will present a discussion explaining why those involved in such language teaching and learning tend to overlook the pronunciation component in second and foreign language teaching and learning situations.

Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games as English as a Foreign Language Learning Environments

2019 ◽  
pp. 162-182
Author(s):  
Hélder Fanha Martins
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Role Playing ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Role Playing Games

The objective of this chapter is to gain a better understanding of the usefulness of massive multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) for promoting English as a foreign language (EFL) acquisition. To accomplish this goal, the author analyzed specific categories of interaction occurring between English language learners while playing an online game entitled Eve Online. Previous research has proved that there are positive outcomes on EFL acquisition from the interaction that takes place while playing video games known as MMORPGs. These games immerse players in virtual worlds that are inhabited by hundreds and even thousands of other players, and all are partaking in the game in real time. Learners who choose to play the game in a foreign language are exposed to target language input in a context-rich environment where they can interact with native-speakers and other language learners.

scholarly journals English Language Teaching within the New Educational Policy of Turkey: Views of Stakeholders

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esim Gursoy ◽  
Sule C. Korkmaz ◽  
Ebru A. Damar
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Educational Policy ◽  
Prospective Teachers ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Second Grade

Teaching English to young learners has gained speed in the past twenty years. Many countries in Europe are offering English at the primary level as advised by the EU. The efforts to lower the age for foreign language learning have echoed in countries in Asia as well. Turkey as one of these countries has changed its educational policy in 2012 and launched the new English Language Teaching Program for grades 2-8 in 2013. Along with many changes, the new system offers EFL in the second grade. The present study not only aims to investigate the views of prospective ELT teachers towards this change, but also to compare their views with those of trainers, and English teachers who were investigated in the earlier phases of the study. The results indicate that although all three groups of participants favor an earlier start in foreign language education, there are significant differences between groups in terms of the appropriate starting time and teaching methodologies used. Teachers were indecisive as they favored both the first and second tiers to introduce a foreign language. The results have implications for policy makers, teachers, teacher trainers, and prospective teachers.

scholarly journals Research on English language teaching and learning in Argentina (2007–2013)

2016 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 356-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melina Porto ◽  
Ann Montemayor-Borsinger ◽  
Mario López-Barrios
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
History Of ◽  
Education And Development

In this article we review research on English as a foreign language (EFL) teaching and learning published in Argentina between 2007 and 2013. This is the first review of a Latin American country in this series. Argentina has a century-long tradition of training EFL teachers but a comparatively shorter though fruitful history of foreign language (FL) research. The article examines 88 articles that appeared in locally published peer-reviewed conference proceedings, academic journals and one edited collection. The contributions cover a wide spectrum of topics that illustrates prominent research interests in the country, such as the role of imagination, emotion and affect in language comprehension and production, intercultural dimensions, FL teacher education and development, content and language integrated learning (CLIL), computer-assisted language learning (CALL), the teaching of English for academic or specific purposes, testing, assessment and evaluation, and materials design and course development. The review includes work by specialists whose research may not be known outside the boundaries of Argentina but who produce high-quality situated research that accounts for the specificity of the local educational setting.

scholarly journals A CREATIVE ALLIANCE BETWEEN LEARNER AUTONOMY AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING: PAKISTANI UNIVERSITY TEACHERS’ BELIEFS

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Musarat YASMIN ◽  
Ayesha SOHAIL
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Target Language ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
University Teachers

Learner autonomy has been a focus of research for last three decades. Not only the nature of phenomenon was investigated but also its role in foreign language learning attracted researchers’ interests. The present paper examines the mutual creative relationship between learner autonomy and target foreign language acquisition. Following an interpretive paradigm, this qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to explore the beliefs of 16 university teachers of English language teaching in four public sector universities of province Punjab, Pakistan. Results revealed a close creative connection between learner autonomy and English language learning. Teachers believed that autonomy in learners accelerates language learning. Major aspects of learner autonomy were reported fulfilling the perceived needs of foreign language learning. The study implied that fostering of autonomy in learners accelerates target language proficiency.

scholarly journals Questioning in English as a Foreign Language University Classes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Van Anh Phan
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Communicative Interaction ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Efl Classrooms

<p>Vietnam has experienced many changes in education and in teaching and learning English as a foreign language since 1986 (Hoang, 2010). There are ongoing concerns about how to best develop English proficiency in EFL classes, especially how to promote students’ English communicative competency in this context. Questioning is an essential tool to help EFL teachers fulfil instructional goals (Boyd, 2015). Questioning particularly plays an important role in creating interactions to promote student’s English language proficiency in EFL classroom (Tuan & Nhu, 2010). Therefore, my study investigated how teachers and students perceived and used questioning to promote English teaching and learning in tertiary EFL classrooms in Vietnam. This also shed light on the implementation of communicative language teaching (CLT) in Vietnam. My study uses a sociocultural lens, with a qualitative multiple case design (Creswell, 2015; Johnson & Christensen, 2014). The two cases investigate questioning in classes where English was taught as a non-major subject, and questioning in classes where English was taught as a major. Data were triangulated through semi-structured and stimulated recall interviews with eight teachers, focus groups with eight groups of students, and observations of eight EFL classes. Thematic analysis was conducted to analyse data to find out the themes, the “important idea that occurs multiple times” in the data (Johnson & Christensen, 2014, p. 600) Three themes about questioning arose from studying these Vietnamese EFL classes. Firstly, questioning involved communicative interaction, which created opportunities for participants to communicate in the target language. This interaction also empowered students to engage in the lesson. Secondly, using questioning teachers orchestrated learning, diagnosed learning needs, and facilitated classroom relationships. The third theme, “My home, my rules” indicates that questioning was contextually situated. Questioning within these EFL classrooms in Vietnam reflected cultural features, such as the traditional roles of teacher and student, the concern for face or status, and the use of Vietnamese in English classes.  My data show that both teachers and students can use questioning to promote language learning through critical thinking and collaborative learning. These are central interactive and communicative skills in tertiary EFL teaching and learning in Vietnam. The effectiveness of questioning in my study depended on teachers’ skills. It was a commonly used technique to develop English language learning.  This study proposes an adapted model of learning and teaching to capture EFL learning. The model captures how teachers apply CLT and teach English for different purposes. It also emphasises the contextual features influencing questioning and therefore teaching and learning the target language. In this model, questioning is at the centre, promoting learning relationships among the teacher and students. The study contributes to an understanding of using questioning to promote language learning in EFL classroom in an Asian context, and may be relevant to CLT application for language learning classrooms in a wider international context.</p>

scholarly journals A Case Study on the Problems and Suggestions in Foreign Language Teaching and Learning at Higher Education

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Menderes Unal ◽  
Elif Ilhan
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Training System ◽  
Language Teachers

This study explores and identifies some reasons for the problems of foreign language learning (English) and teaching from the perspective of instructors and learners using the case study model. The data of the study was gathered by a semi-structured interview form, and the study group of the research was composed of English language instructors and graduate students at Ahi Evran University. Random sampling method was used to determine 15 instructors and 20 graduate students to face-to-face interview, and the data of the study was analysed by content analysis method, which the students and instructors agreed on students who have been problematic in language learning process. In addition to students, examination systems, instructional programs, language teachers’ qualifications and learning environments have been considered as barriers to language learning. On the other hand, students and instructors suggested starting learning/teaching English earlier, much more practice and exams on all four skills; elective courses; more practice and communication; revisions in teacher training system, considering individual differences; motivating and encouraging students; and designing well equipped language environment and teaching materials.

scholarly journals THE USE OF WATTPAD IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHING AND LEARNING: IS IT HELPFUL?

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-200
Author(s):  
Nurus Syamsiyah Furotun ◽  
Mutmainnah Mustofa ◽  
Erfan Efendi ◽  
Nur Jamilah
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Student Interest ◽  
Media Technology ◽  
Digital World ◽  
English Reading ◽  
Learning Skill

The use of digital applications is very helpful in teaching and learning process, especially for language classes. The existence of technology is very helpful for teachers to increase student interest in learning about English language lesson. The development of the digital world is used by teachers to be used as a tool to facilitate student learning. This research focuses on the role of using a digital application called Wattpad which will make students diligently read English reading texts, so that they become more skilled in learning. In this research, the researchers defined the term digital application to explain the use of digital application in an effort to improve English as a foreign language learning skill. The related review of literature shows that the use of multi-media technology can improve students’ language learning skills because matches their interests. Therefore, their English skills can be better.

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