scholarly journals Attitudes and Language Use in Group Discussions on Socio-Scientific Issues

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mats Gunnar Lindahl ◽  
Anne-Mari Folkesson
Keyword(s):  
Language Use ◽  
Group Discussions

scholarly journals When and Why of Mother Tongue Use in English Classrooms

1970 ◽  
Vol 16 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 42-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashok Raj Khati
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Secondary Level ◽  
Final Part ◽  
Classroom Observations ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
English Classrooms ◽  
Teachers And Students

It is often felt that teachers and students overuse their mother tongue, in this case, most probably the Nepali in English as a foreign language (EFL) classroom particularly in government-aided (Nepali medium) schools of Nepal. This, in result, minimizes the students' exposure to English. This article starts with defining mother tongue. Then, it presents the use of mother tongue in EFL classroom in the global and Nepalese contexts followed by summary of three classroom observations and two focused group discussions among teachers and students studying at the secondary level. The final part of the paper presents some simple and applicable strategies and ways of enhancing English language use in the classroom on the part of students provided by three teachers' trainers based on their experience. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nelta.v16i1-2.6128 NELTA 2011; 16(1-2): 42-51

Language Use and Influence Among Minority, Majority, and Homogeneous Group Members

2015 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 512-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyn M. Van Swol ◽  
Cassandra L. Carlson
Keyword(s):  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Validation Process ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Second Person ◽  
Person Plural ◽  
Homogeneous Groups ◽  
Third Person ◽  
Group Members ◽  
Majority Groups

This article tests conversion theory through linguistic analysis of group discussions and also tests the effects of linguistic mimicry in homogeneous groups and minority/majority groups. Supporting conversion theory, majorities had a more interpersonal, outward focus as tested through use of more third person plural pronouns (“they”). Supporting conversion theory’s validation process, minority members who used a higher percentage of causation words were more influential. Majority members who used more second person pronouns (“you”) had less influence in the group, in support of previous research that found that “you” words were counterproductive with conflict. It was hypothesized that there would be a positive relationship between linguistic mimicry and discussion of information shared by all group members, but this was only found in homogeneous groups.

scholarly journals Using multimodal presentation software and peer group discussion in learning English as a second language

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei-jung Wang
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Peer Group ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Discussion Board ◽  
Dynamic Effects ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Multimodal Texts ◽  
Presentation Software

<span>This paper reports an application of multimedia in a blended learning environment in which students engaged in multimodal presentations and peer group discussion. Students' presentation files were commented upon by their peers on the discussion board and scored by the researcher, based on questions developed by Levy and Kimber (2009) to apply criteria of design, content and cohesion in analysis of multimodal texts. After the discussion phase, students revised their files and answered a questionnaire about their perception of the value of this practice for language learning. Regarding the production of presentation files, most aspects of the title slide and overall slide designs were performed well, except for a lack of dynamic effects and inadequate consideration of the visual perception of the audience. Peer group discussion and the scoring can assist the students in inspiring their creativity and modification of the designs of their presentations. In contrast, other aspects such as language use were not improved, probably due to the limited language proficiency of the students or their unawareness of the need for further improvement. The questionnaire results indicate that students appreciated peer group discussions and understood that they might need increased skills to use the presentation software in a more sophisticated way.</span>

Analysis of Language used in Gikuyu Marriage Negotiation Discourse

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Kinuthia, Jane Wanjiku ◽  
Wathika Lucy Njeri ◽  
Mwai Wamaitha Loise ◽  
Yakobo, J. K. Mutiti
Keyword(s):  
Discourse Analysis ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Significant Phenomenon ◽  
Social Acts ◽  
Relations Of Power

<p>This paper which focuses on language use within the formal discursive process of negotiating and legalising marriage in the domain of ‘<em>Ruracio</em>’ or bride wealth payment amongst the <em>Agikuyu</em> of Kenya was conceived on the premise that language is a significant phenomenon in the production and maintenance of social relations of power. The focus is on language elements that are both linguistic and non-linguistic and their influence on the concepts of gender and power as brought out through the data collected for this study. Data, consisting of five recorded discourses from sampled negotiation sessions and five focus group discussions from Kiambu County Kenya, was translated, transcribed and analysed with a view of examining how people use language to accomplish social acts. The findings are that language use, linguistic or non-linguistic, demonstrates that <em>Gikuyu</em> marriage negotiation discursive domain is male dominated, it constructs roles and identities and also defines how people can have power over others to a level that they control their behavior. It is hoped that the findings will be useful to all language users in this domain as well as contributing to knowledge in discourse analysis. </p>

scholarly journals English Language Use in Malaysian Government and Private Civil Engineering Workplaces

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noor Shahariah Saleh ◽  
Siti Fatimah Murtaza
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Civil Engineering ◽  
Engineering Industry ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Training Experience ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Industrial Training ◽  
Language Courses

Employers in the engineering sector require certain standard of English proficiency among their employees as the language is widely used for numerous job scopes. In order to understand the current demand of the civil engineering industry on the use of the English language in the workplace, this study was conducted on 20 undergraduates of the Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia who undertook the industrial training. Based on focus group discussions, the participants learned and shared significant use of English language through their industrial training experience. The findings of the study highlighted the activities that were conducted in English for speaking, listening, reading and writing including the language skills. In addition, the amount of time spent on each activity in English was also identified in understanding the importance of English language in the civil engineering sector. The findings of the study are vital in making informed decisions for the design and development of appropriate English language courses for present and future civil engineering students.

scholarly journals Language use and preference in the multilingual context of Davao City, Philippines

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 313-327
Author(s):  
Jeconiah Louis Dreisbach ◽  
Feorillo Petronilo A. Demeterio III
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
National Language ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Two Generations ◽  
Contact Language ◽  
Diverse Area ◽  
Formal Communication ◽  
Everyday Communication

This paper is a pioneering study on the language use and preference of the Davaoeños from generations X (born in the years 1965 to 1979) and Z (born in the years 1995 to 2015) towards the Cebuano, Filipino, and English languages. Being a linguistically diverse area, Davao is home to the emerging contact language Davao Filipino which is currently spoken by the various ethnolinguistic groups currently inhabiting the city. This study utilized mixed methods research, particularly a survey questionnaire and focus group discussions, to explore the perspectives of the respondents on the said languages. Two generations were investigated in this study, particularly those belonging to Generations X and Z. Data presented show that both generations consider themselves fluent in the languages of interest in this study. They primarily use Cebuano for everyday communication and both generations primarily use English in formal communication. However, a language shift was seen from the common use of Cebuano by the older generation to the use of Filipino by the younger generation. This shift was also reflected in the language preferences of the respondents on everyday communication. Lastly, both generations would like to maintain Filipino as the Philippine national language as it is the language that they usually use when talking to Filipinos from other provinces who also speak different Philippine languages.

scholarly journals Understanding Diverse Perspectives on Genetic Research Through Focus Group Talk

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 160940691989247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Ridgeway ◽  
Monica Albertie ◽  
Elizabeth Pantoja ◽  
Darin Prescott ◽  
Xuan Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Native American ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Scientific Discovery ◽  
Genetic Research ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Risks And Benefits ◽  
Educational Campaigns

While genetic research (GR) is fueling discoveries in fields like precision medicine, there is a growing concern that underrepresentation of racial and ethnic populations in GR will limit access to its benefits and subsequently worsen health disparities. This study aimed to understand GR perceptions among members from underrepresented communities by studying discourse and language use in focus group discussions. Nine focus groups were conducted with adults from three populations: African American, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American; 53 women and 15 men participated. Data were analyzed using methods of discourse and content analysis. Discourse analysis highlighted how conceptualization of science and family—rooted in historical experiences—can influence views on GR risks and benefits to self and others. The use of focus group discourse in particular provided an opportunity for group sense making around the science and ethics of GR. Content analysis highlighted differences between the language use of focus group moderators, who spoke about scientific discovery and research oversight, and that of participants, whose talk highlighted ancestral bloodline, personal risk, and ethical concerns. The findings can inform efforts to bolster GR participation, including recruitment and educational campaigns. However, they also challenge researchers to consider areas of discordance between their own and community members’ conceptualization of the risks and benefits of GR participation, including the notion of future and family benefit.

scholarly journals Constructing multilingua franca scales

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 218-242
Author(s):  
Busi Makoni
Keyword(s):  
Language Use ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
African Immigrants ◽  
Social Identities ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Communicative Practices ◽  
Black African ◽  
Negotiation Strategies ◽  
Language Varieties ◽  
Host Nation

Using notions of scale and space, this study explores how Black African immigrants (BAIs) experience communication and negotiate, shape and reshape their social identities through language use in Johannesburg (South Africa) – a city characterised not only by complex multilingualism but also by quotidian violence. Drawing from qualitative interviews and group discussions, an analysis of BAIs’ metalinguistic discourses on their communicative practices as they move across spaces suggests that they view Johannesburg as a layered space characterised by dissimilar scales of interaction. Utilising negotiation strategies predicated on variegated scales, BAIs make space for home and host nation language varieties using forms that function as ‘multilingua francas,’ thereby resisting and unsettling the dominant local scales based on regimented ethnolinguistic boundaries.

Linguistic Competence in Aphasia

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 87-92
Author(s):  
Leonard L. LaPointe
Keyword(s):  
Language Use ◽  
Linguistic Competence ◽  
Careful Study ◽  
Feral Children ◽  
Performance Factors ◽  
Performance Loss ◽  
Linguistic Rules ◽  
Communication Goals ◽  
Aphasia Treatment ◽  
And Performance

Abstract Loss of implicit linguistic competence assumes a loss of linguistic rules, necessary linguistic computations, or representations. In aphasia, the inherent neurological damage is frequently assumed by some to be a loss of implicit linguistic competence that has damaged or wiped out neural centers or pathways that are necessary for maintenance of the language rules and representations needed to communicate. Not everyone agrees with this view of language use in aphasia. The measurement of implicit language competence, although apparently necessary and satisfying for theoretic linguistics, is complexly interwoven with performance factors. Transience, stimulability, and variability in aphasia language use provide evidence for an access deficit model that supports performance loss. Advances in understanding linguistic competence and performance may be informed by careful study of bilingual language acquisition and loss, the language of savants, the language of feral children, and advances in neuroimaging. Social models of aphasia treatment, coupled with an access deficit view of aphasia, can salve our restless minds and allow pursuit of maximum interactive communication goals even without a comfortable explanation of implicit linguistic competence in aphasia.

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