scholarly journals A Corpus of Young Learners’ English in the Baltic Region – Texts for Studies on Sustainable Development

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stellan Sundh

Abstract In order to reach far in the work for sustainable development, communication in foreign languages prior to strategic decisions is required from international partners. In this communication English has become the lingua franca. Even though the use of EFL (English as a foreign language) is widely spread, it is clear that in some geographical regions English has quite recently taken the role as the language of international communication. It is therefore relevant carry out studies in order to identify possible causes for misunderstandings when communicating in EFL. With the aim of providing material for research on EFL by 12-year-olds, the creation of a language corpus on the use of English in the Baltic region is in process. The first part of the data collection was completed in August 2016 and the data comprises some 2,200 texts written in 2015–2016 by Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian and Swedish learners. The aim of the present study is to investigate young learners’ written communication on issues related to sustainable development. A qualitative method was used on a limited sample of to identify key words in the production by young learners of five different nationalities. Abstract nouns related to topics which can be regarded to refer to sustainable development were collected and analyzed. The results show that 12-year-olds are able to communicate in English for discussions on issues related to sustainable development. This indicates that successful international communication in English on these matters is within reach with a continued process of English language learning at schools in the Baltic region.

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
Ria Herwandar ◽  
Denny Azhari Safryono

<p><em>Abstrak</em><strong> – Penelitian ini memiliki judul Evaluasi Cambridge International Primary Programme Siswa SD Al Azhar pada Mata Pelajaran Sains dalam Bahasa Inggris'. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengidentifikasi tingkat pemahaman dan kelancaran dalam melakukan ujian sains yang berisi bahan ESP / EAP. Hasilnya sangat tak terduga menjanjikannya. Siswa telah mencapai hasil yang baik di semua bidang ilmu pengetahuan seperti biologi, kimia, fisika dan penyelidikan ilmu pengetahuan dan telah terbukti bahwa siswa di usia tua bisa belajar dan memperoleh bahasa kedua dan bahasa pertama di dasar kesetaraan sekitar tiga belas tahun. Oleh karena itu, peserta didik muda harus intensif bahasa Inggris dalam membantu mereka mengembangkan pelajaran sekolah lainnya dalam kurikulum utama Inggris.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong><em>Kata Kunci – </em></strong><em>Science enquiry, biologi, kimia, fisika, ESP/EAP</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em>Abstract –</em><strong> This research has a title of ‘Evaluation Cambridge International Primary Programme for Pupils of Al Azhar in  Science’. The purpose of the research is to identify their level of understanding and fluency in doing science examinations which contains ESP/EAP materials. The results have been unexpectedly promising. The pupils have achieved good results in all areas of science such as biology, chemistry, physics and science enquiry and it has been proved that pupils in the age of around thirteen years old could learn and acquire second language and first language in equal basis.  Therefore, Young learners should be intensively exposed to excellent English language learning in helping them developed other school subjects within the English primary curriculum.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><strong><em>Keywords </em></strong><em>– Science enquiry, biology, chemistry, physics, ESP/EAP</em>


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-114
Author(s):  
Zhila Mohammadnia ◽  
Farzane Deliery Moghadam

Abstract If we intend to successfully integrate Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in the general educational programs, it is important to utilize available methods and resources. This paper argues that English Language Learning textbooks in Iran have the potential to be useful resources and a viable springboard for the implementation of ESD. For this purpose, the present study explores the content of English textbook series developed by Iranian authors through the lenses of ESD. The framework for analysis was based on UNESCO’s Earth Charter and the Roadmap for Implementing the Global Action Program on ESD. The findings reveal that the themes of sustainability are present in these English textbooks to a good extent. However, the results suggest that there must be a more even distribution of such themes throughout the series. Also, the role of the teacher as a facilitator in developing discussions around such themes is highlighted.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 364
Author(s):  
Chalak Ghafoor Raouf ◽  
Ranjdar Hama Sharif

Nowadays, second language learning among young learners is considered to be one of the main subjects in the field of education around the world. A lot of researches dealt with this subject, and focused on the processes of second language learning among young learners. Researchers were trying to understand and diagnose young language learners’ strengths and weaknesses. They came up with some evidences which show that language aptitude, gender, age, creativity, and motivation are among the elements that make a young student be different from other students. Unlike the other researches, this paper investigated the role of social-emotional skills among young learners in second language learning. It examined the influences of these skills in the process of foreign language learning. For this study a kindergarten was chosen, and 20 children were randomly selected as representatives of the 60 children who applied for an English language course in this kindergarten. Thirteen of the selected children were male learners, while the rest were females, and the age of the participants were between 4-5 years old. At the beginning of the English course a group of socialworkers conducted a pretest to measure the young learners’ social and emotional skills, and after the English course a group of English language teachers conducted the second test to measure the learners’ language proficiency. After the data collection, the finding showed a significant relationship between social-emotional skills and foreign language learning. Those students who showed a high level of social-emotional skills were more active in learning the new language, and passed the test of English proficiency with high degrees, while those students who showed a low level of social-emotional skills couldn’t pass the English proficiency test or passed with low degrees.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 145-149
Author(s):  
Nehru Pasoloran Pongsapan ◽  
Andi Anto Patak

This research aims to actualize the Tana Toraja district government program as an "English Speaking Area". This research also is subject to improve English communication skills for the young learners in Tana Toraja and produce English Language Learning-Based Open Space (ELLBOS) as a prototype of an English language teaching approach for young learners in the tourism area. The research applied the ADDIE research design consists of three cycles: preparation, implementation, and evaluation. This research found five issues: (1) participant reported that they are enthusiasm in English lessons; (2) the participants need to learn English; (3) the English-speaking skill is essential for students; (4) students revealed that are unhappy in learning English in the classroom; (5) students experienced peaceful learning atmosphere if learning English outside the classroom. This research recommends the significance of applying the English Language Learning-Based Open Space (ELLBOS) for young learners in the tourism area. It is good if the teacher does English learning outside the classroom with open space to feel free to explore their potency in learning English.


Comunicar ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (50) ◽  
pp. 33-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Izquierdo ◽  
Verónica de-la-Cruz-Villegas ◽  
Silvia-Patricia Aquino-Zúñiga ◽  
María-del-Carmen Sandoval-Caraveo ◽  
Verónica García-Martínez

Worldwide, curricular changes and financial investments are currently underway to promote the integration of technology in public education and English language learning at a young age. This study examines the ICTs that have become part of the daily instructional practices and educational settings of teachers of English who work with young learners in public schools. To this end, this mixed-methods study draws on a quantitative descriptive-exploratory design and a qualitative multiple-case study. The quantitative data were collected through a Likert questionnaire administered to 28 secondary school teachers of English across 17 municipalities in five regions of Southeast Mexico and 2,944 learners. The qualitative data were gathered from a subsample of six teachers through longitudinal classroom observations, teacher and administrator interviews, and school visits. The non-parametric analyses of the quantitative data and the categorical aggregation analyses of the qualitative data reveal that the use of some multimedia and mobile-assisted communication resources is emerging in the L2 public classrooms. In line with findings from other international contexts, variables that seem particular to public education for young learners and their school setting, however, led teachers to prefer using their own technological devices that included laptops, multimedia material, and cellphones, rather than those in the schools. La educación pública en diversos países está experimentando una serie de reformas que favorecen la integración de la tecnología en la educación pública y el aprendizaje del inglés a una temprana edad. El presente estudio mixto, examinó el empleo de la tecnología en las prácticas pedagógicas cotidianas de los profesores de inglés en la educación secundaria pública y los recursos tecnológicos de los que disponen normalmente en sus escuelas. Para la fase cuantitativa se empleó un diseño descriptivo-exploratorio, a través de un cuestionario tipo Likert aplicado a 28 profesores y 2.944 alumnos en 17 municipios del sureste mexicano. Para la cualitativa, se empleó un estudio de múltiples casos con un sub-grupo de seis profesores del cual se recolectó información a través de observaciones de clases, entrevistas con docentes y directivos, y visitas a las instalaciones de las escuelas. El empleo de análisis no-paramétrico con los datos cuantitativos y de agregación categórica con los datos cualitativos permitió identificar algunos recursos multimedia y de comunicación móvil que los profesores tienden a emplear de manera cotidiana en el aula. No obstante, diversos factores relacionados con aspectos propios de la educación pública y el contexto escolar influyeron para que los profesores prefirieran sus propios medios tecnológicos tales como ordenadores portátiles, teléfonos inteligentes y materiales multimedia a los disponibles en su institución.


Author(s):  
Pin-Hsiang Natalie Wu ◽  
Michael Marek

This study used MALL technology to mediate a collaborative learning environment focused on cross-cultural understanding. Research questions addressed the participants' perceptions about the role of the English language today, the use of technology to assist language learning, their attitudes about studying English via cross-cultural interaction, and their perceptions leading to instructional technology design best practices for English learning activities using LINE. Students from Japan and Taiwan wrote collaborative 700 word essays, collaborating via the LINE smartphone app. Data collection used a survey, open-ended questions at the conclusion of the study, and analysis of the actual essays. The instructional design was shown to be successful in fostering beneficial responses by the participants and a strong willingness to engage in future international communication. The affordances provided by LINE are analyzed, and best practices offered for using LINE as a platform for learning.


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