scholarly journals Speaking to machines: motivating speaking through oral interaction with intelligent assistants

Author(s):  
Joshua Underwood

What is it? Daring to voice new sounds, words, and phrases is an essential part of learning to speak a language. However, getting students, particularly in mono-lingual classes, to try to speak a foreign language can be a significant challenge. Voice interaction assistants, such as Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant, offer new opportunities to create meaningful, fun tasks for language learning that require accurate spoken production. Designing good tasks requires an understanding of the learning context and needs as well as the interactional opportunities, constraints, and risks associated with any particular technology.

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Dilek Cakici

The primary aim of current study was to investigate the possible relationship between Metacognitive Awareness (MA) and Critical Thinking Skills (CTS) in a foreign language learning context. In addition, this research aimed to probe the effect of gender and years of pre-service English language teachers on the relation between metacognitive awareness and critical thinking abilities. 218 pre-service EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teachers participated in the study. Metacognitive Awareness Inventory and Critical Thinking Questionnaire were employed to gather necessary data. Obtained results confirmed that there existed a highly significant positive correlation between MA and CTS. Besides, the results indicated that there was a strong relation between the years of pre-service EFL teachers and their MA and CTS. Seniors were found to be more metacognitively aware and critical thinkers than their counterparts. Conversely, it was revealed that there was no gender effect on both MA and CTS. Finally, certain suggestions were set for tertiary institutions to develop metacognition and critical thinking skills in foreign language classroom settings.


2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Mayumi Asaba ◽  
Paul Marlowe

Abstract Educators often speak of creating student-centered classes that increase student involvement, responsibility, and motivation. Peer assessment, if thoughtfully implemented, can help promote these goals while supplementing and increasing the reliability of traditional forms of teacher assessment. This article first outlines reasons why and how peer assessment can be used in a foreign language learning context. Then it explains when and how to use peer assessment successfully in foreign language classrooms. Finally, it introduces six tips to consider when using peer assessment. 学生の授業参加を促し、責任感や動機を高める学習者中心のクラス作りは、しばしば教師たちの話題となる。相互評価を正しく行えば、従来の教師評価の信用性を高めると同時に、学習者中心のクラスを実現することも可能となる。本論では、まず外国語学習でなぜ、どのように相互評価が行われるかを概説する。次に、いつ、どのように効果的に相互評価を行うべきかを説明する。最後に、相互評価の際に留意すべき6点を紹介する。


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-128
Author(s):  
Morana Drakulić

Foreign language anxiety (FLA) has long been recognized as a factor that hinders the process of foreign language learning at all levels. Among numerous FLA sources identified in the literature, language classroom seems to be of particular interest and significance, especially in the formal language learning context, where the course and the teacher are often the only representatives of language. The main purpose of the study is to determine the presence and potential sources of foreign language anxiety among first year university students and to explore how high anxiety levels shape and affect students’ foreign language learning experience. In the study both the questionnaire and the interviews were used as the data collection methods. Thematic analysis of the interviews and descriptive statistics suggest that most anxiety-provoking situations stem from the language classroom itself.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ismail Sangkala

In foreign Language learning context, there are various factors that influence the learning process such as motivation, attitudes, anxiety, learning achievements, aptitudes, intelligence, age, personalities, etc. The matter of learner’s attitude is acknowledged as one of the most important factors that impact on learning language. This study looks into the concept of attitude as one of the major affective factors for success in learning a foreign language.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Valbona Softa

This paper aimed to study the relationship between the socioeducative factors from Attitude Motivation Test Battery, (AMTB, Gardner R.C. 2004) for learning English as a foreign language in high schools in Albania and the pupils` achievement, the final grades in English course. The study found that the correlation with Spearman Rho coefficient was significant at p"smaller than".05 and the grades in English course were moderately related with four variables: first, the integrative language role r=.404, p"smaller than"0.001, second, motivation r=.361, p"smaller than"0.001, third, parental support r=.313, p=0.001, and fourth, instrumental language orientation r=.305, p"smaller than"0.001. It was found a smaller correlation value between grades and pupils’ attitudes towards the English learning context at the value: r=.164, p"smaller than"0.001. A small negative, but significant correlation was found between pupils` anxiety to learn the language and the grades in English course: r=-.130, p"smaller than"0.001.


Author(s):  
Naiyi Xie Fincham ◽  
Guofang Li

This chapter reported on the construction and development of the metacognitive knowledge (MCK) about web-based distance language learning of two adult English as a foreign language (EFL) learners in China. Drawing upon theories and research in metacognition, self-regulated second/foreign language learning, and distance language learning, the authors investigated adult Chinese EFL learners' knowledge about themselves as online distance language learners, the nature and demands of online distance English learning, and how to best approach their learning in this program. They identified changes in these learners' MCK over the 16 week semester and discussed how a number of contextual factors, including the pre-determined learning structure, teacher-led instructional sessions, and peer interaction opportunities, were significant in shaping and influencing learners' adjustments and revisions of their MCK about online distance language learning. Findings from this study have important implications for the design and implementation of web-based distance language programs for adult learners.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 3826-3843
Author(s):  
Arif Ahmed Mohammed Hassan Al-Ahdal ◽  
Addullah H. A. Alfauzan ◽  
Nasser Mohammed Saleh Al-Sa’egh

Objectives: The language proficiency of English as a foreign language (EFL, henceforth) learners at Qassim University is currently below the expected standards. Even with pedagogical innovations taking the place of conventional methods in the classrooms, and feature films being increasingly used as authentic language exposure, the inclusion of feature films for teaching English is not welcomed in Saudi Arabia though English films are quite popular with the EFL learners in other parts of the globe. Pilot studies, before the current research, demonstrated positive outcomes with using feature films in the EFL classrooms, the results of which prompted this study. The current study discusses the implications of using films in language teaching, using questionnaires for collecting data from students and teachers of English at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. The study spanned twelve weeks, during which time, an intervention was administered to the experimental group. At the end of the 12 weeks, the participants in the experimental group reported an increased communicative proficiency and engagement in the lessons when the teacher used films. The analysis of the students’ responses proved that the use of film-based language teaching is an effective and authentic means of language training. With enhanced communicative competence, EFL learners felt naturally confident to speak in English in real-world language situations. The results of the study would be beneficial to the EFL students, EFL teachers, schools, curriculum developers, and governments especially in terms of improved EFL instructions and improved economy, not only in Arabian but any foreign language learning context.


Author(s):  
Elena N. Potapova

We define methodic principles of designing corporate language learning programmes thoroughly considering needs and possibilities of corporate language learners. These principles are based on the analysis of psychological and pedagogical fundamentals of teaching corporate students and foreign language teaching and aimed at increasing efficiency of corporate language courses. They are defined as follows: 1) basing teaching aims on learners’ needs and language teaching standards; 2) applying interdisciplinary approach to selection of language, content and methods; 3) adapting discourse to learners’ professional needs; 4) selecting and arranging language in a logical sequence; 5) applying skills-based approach to selection of learning content and technologies; 6) arranging learning content and materials into modules; 7) integrating various knowledge, skills and learning methods; 8) considering psychological and pedagogical fundamen-tals of teaching corporate students; 9) considering possible difficulties of corporate language learning context. These principles reflect needs and features of corporate students and can be used by developers of corporate language courses.


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