scholarly journals ‘Mind your Local Accent’ Does accent training resonate to college students’ English use?

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan (Gabriel) Fang
Keyword(s):  
Intercultural Communication ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Ideologies ◽  
Critical Perspective ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Linguistic Imperialism ◽  
Chinese University ◽  
Global Status ◽  
Teaching Pronunciation

AbstractThe recent development of English as a lingua franca (ELF) has encouraged language policy makers and educators to view the English language and ELT from an alternative but critical perspective that challenges some language ideologies, such as standard language and linguistic imperialism. Current ELT practices seem to neglect the trend towards the development of the global status of English. In addition, ELT is still largely native-oriented and less ELF-oriented. A Chinese university is the context of this case study. From an ELF perspective, this paper addresses some ELT issues, particularly with regard to teaching pronunciation, through the analysis of two documents and a discussion of the student participants’ interview comments. It is argued that current pronunciation teaching is still native-oriented and based on the English as a foreign language (EFL) perspective. The ELF concept is emergent and has not been fully recognised. This paper proposes a teaching approach called Teaching of Pronunciation for Intercultural Communication (ToPIC), which suggests ELF-informed pronunciation teaching strategies for intercultural communication in relation to students’ wider language-use goals in the conclusion.

scholarly journals An Investigation of Instructors' Approaches in Teaching Pronunciation: A Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Bakheit Mohamed Abdelgadir Elnagar
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teaching Approach ◽  
Language Skill ◽  
Cognitive Content ◽  
Pronunciation Instruction ◽  
The Social ◽  
English Language Institute ◽  
Teaching Pronunciation

This study aimed to investigate how instructors teach pronunciation based on the pronunciation training they received. This study involved instructors from King Abdul Aziz University, who were teaching at the English Language Institute (ELI). The data were collected through a questionnaire given to (50) instructors at (ELI). The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program. The results displayed that instructors used cognitive-content of teaching pronunciation and most of them focused on it as a valuable teaching approach. Furthermore, the findings revealed that the instructors had a constructive trend in teaching pronunciation. Most instructors pointed out that they taught pronunciation in their classes; in many cases they spent a considerable amount of time in pronunciation instruction. The lack of the pronunciation equipment and technological resources stands as a stumbling- block problem to teaching this language skill. In addition, the findings showed most of the language instructors did not receive any specific pronunciation training. Recommendations are given to provide suitable teaching pronunciation training which prepares the instructors to use powerful technology to boost teaching of this essential skill.

scholarly journals Language Education for Forced Migrants: Governance and Approach

Languages ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 74
Author(s):  
Chick ◽  
Hannagan-Lewis
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Barriers To Education ◽  
Language Classes ◽  
Speakers Of Other Languages ◽  
And Migration

: This article stems from research conducted into the barriers to education, employment and language learning for refugees resettled into the convergence areas of Wales, UK. The authors consider that effective language programmes should play a key role in migration policies designed for multilingual, multicultural societies. The provision of English language classes for speakers of other languages (ESOL) ensures equality of opportunities, and in doing so, enriches the culture of our societies. By highlighting the challenges to language learning faced by refugees on the Syrian Vulnerable Persons’ Resettlement Scheme (VPRS), this article draws attention to the fact that government directives for language provision commissioned under VPRS often do not sufficiently meet the needs of teachers and learners at grassroots level. Recommendations for greater flexibility in the organisation of ESOL provision for those resettled under VPRS are put forward. While this paper focuses on the specific case study of VPRS participants in Wales, it is hoped that recommendations around changes to policy and practice in language learning may be applicable to teachers, policy-makers, and community organisers working at the nexus of language and migration.

scholarly journals Language Without Borders (English) Program: A Study on English Language Ideologies

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taisa Pinetti Passoni
Keyword(s):  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Ideologies ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
Policy Cycle ◽  
Linguistic Imperialism ◽  
Federal Program ◽  
English Hegemony ◽  
Global Language ◽  
English Program

ABSTRACT This paper presents the synthesis of a study on the English language ideologies (ELI) underlying the Federal Program entitled “Languages without Borders-English” (LwBE). The investigation draws on texts from the legal, educational, and journalistic spheres about the enactment of the Program. Using NVivo 11 software, these texts were stored and categorized in the light of the Policy Cycle Approach and Critical Discourse Analysis. The overlapping of six ELI - standard language, English language as a commodity, native-speakerism, instrumentalist, global language and linguistic imperialism - is conceived as a common trait of LwBE in discourses, displaying tensions between the ratification and the questioning of English hegemony in the language policy engendered by the Program, within the context of the internationalization of Brazilian higher education.

scholarly journals Indoctrination and Islamization in Higher Secondary Curriculum in Pakistan: A Case Study of Sindh Textbook Board of Pakistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Razia Kazim ◽  
Shabana Sartaj ◽  
Sadia Memon
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Active Agent ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Language Textbooks

Language is a social phenomenon. It helps us to interact with the world around us. The prevailing content explores and emphasizes the idea of language as a significantly active agent which indoctrinates learners and excludes people from minorities through English Language textbook of Class 9 published by Sindh Textbook Board of Sindh, Pakistan. The study used Fair Clough’s model of CDA 1995 (Critical Discourse Analysis) as a tool to reveal the hidden ideologies behind the language used in the textbook. English, in Pakistan, is used as a language-learning subject in the context of L2. However, the language used in textbooks imposes certain ideological connotations in not only an implicit but also explicit manner. Rahman (2002).The language textbooks indoctrinate learners by propagating hidden agendas such as excessive promotion of Islamization and glorification of war and war heroes to name just a few. The study recommends language textbooks to focus on developing language skills and enlarging the lingual capabilities of the learners instead of selling indoctrination and constricting the critical abilities of the learners. In order to meet the needs of a modern world, balance curriculum contents should be designed for the learners. It is highly suggested to the designers and policy makers, to focus on language learning items and content, instead of content-oriented textbooks. The research will be beneficial in the domain of education and for fellow researchers as they would be able to discern in clear terms why indoctrination should be discouraged in the process of education; language should only be taught without distortion.

scholarly journals Language Ideologies in a Business Institute: A Case Study of Linguistic and Socio-Cultural Realities

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Aliya Sikandar ◽  
Nasreen Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Critical Discourse Analysis ◽  
Social Stratification ◽  
Business School ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Ideologies ◽  
Critical Discourse ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Relational Approach ◽  
Management Groups

This case study explored the English language related ideologies of different management groups and student representatives at a business school of Karachi, Pakistan. The study tried to bring an insider’s perspective to the causes of certain language ideologies prevalent in the business school’s social structure, and the role language played in power relations between the main actors of the community. For this purpose, a sample of four research participants from each of the focussed management cadres was selected for study. Analysis of semi-structured interviews, administered on the participants, was done using Fairclough’s (2009) dialectical-relational approach of critical discourse analysis (CDA). The study suggested the prevalence of certain language ideologies that were manifested and latent in the discourses of the participants. These deeply rooted beliefs were predominantly patterned by centering authorities: language became a means for those in power to sustain their hegemony and maintain social stratification in society. Functionally, English played a stratifying role, and also was found to be extensively perceived as a commodity, a product that is to be acquired or attained. The study realised this social wrong of inequity and divide in a particular community, and on the basis of the findings, recommends a reorganizing of social structures into those of more inclusive and democratic ones for the operationalizing of equality and fairness in social practices.

English-language creative writing by Chinese university students

English Today ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 21-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan Dai
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Intercultural Communication ◽  
English Language ◽  
Translation Studies ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
Functional Importance ◽  
Introductory Courses ◽  
Business Studies ◽  
Chinese University ◽  
English Majors

In China, most universities have a school of foreign languages, where students majoring in English, German, French, Japanese, and other languages study the language for the first two years, and take introductory courses in the linguistics and literature of the language concerned, and then progress to higher-level linguistic and literary courses, as well as translation studies. English is the most popular foreign language in China, and, with the improvement of English teaching in high schools, the average student entering university now has a higher level of English proficiency than previous generations of students. However, students with high scores in English often choose to study ‘practical’ subjects other than English, such as business studies, computer science, economics, medicine, etc. Increasingly, a number of programs at universities in China are even being taught through the medium of English. Consequently, English majors have less and less advantage over non-English majors, and departments of English have had to restructure their syllabi to cope with the situation. Courses in translation studies, intercultural communication and applied linguistics have thus gained greater recognition because of their functional importance in the real world (see Qu, this issue).

scholarly journals Benchmarking of the English Language Component of the Mature Students’ Entrance Examinations in Ghana against the WASSCE English Language Component

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 164
Author(s):  
Ramos Asafo-Adjei
Keyword(s):  
English Language ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Entrance Examination ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Entrance Examinations ◽  
Mature Students ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Basic Language ◽  
Multiple Case

This paper was purposed on benchmarking the English language component of the Mature Students’ Entrance Examinations (MSEE) (administered in Ghana by universities to select undergraduate candidates) to the English language component of the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) which constitutes the mainstream Ghanaian university undergraduate entrance examination. The qualitative design (specifically, multiple case study design) was employed for this study. Using the multi-stage sampling technique, six Ghanaian universities (from whom eighteen English language component of the MSEE past questions were elicited) and three sets of the WASSCE English language component past questions administered in 2016, 2017 and 2018) were used for the study. O’Leary’s (2014) eight steps of conducting document analysis were used to analyse the data. The study revealed that there are major mismatches between the two sets of examinations in the areas of the test types, the basic language skills tested and the competences tested. The study advanced, to policy makers, suggestions such as testing Speaking and Listening for the improvement of the two sets of examinations.   Received: 2 May 2021 / Accepted: 15 June 2021 / Published: 8 July 2021

Assessment 360°: A Panoramic Framework for Assessing English Language Learners

2010 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 37-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Lewis ◽  
Nancy Castilleja ◽  
Barbara J. Moore ◽  
Barbara Rodriguez
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Her Family ◽  
Diverse Student ◽  
Many Sources

This issue describes the Assessment 360° process, which takes a panoramic approach to the language assessment process with school-age English Language Learners (ELLs). The Assessment 360° process guides clinicians to obtain information from many sources when gathering information about the child and his or her family. To illustrate the process, a bilingual fourth grade student whose native language (L1) is Spanish and who has been referred for a comprehensive language evaluation is presented. This case study features the assessment issues typically encountered by speech-language pathologists and introduces assessment through a panoramic lens. Recommendations specific to the case study are presented along with clinical implications for assessment practices with culturally and linguistically diverse student populations.

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Through Microfinance - A Case of Rural Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Saida Parvin
Keyword(s):  
Women's Empowerment ◽  
Assessment Tools ◽  
Women’S Empowerment ◽  
Case Study Method ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Theoretical Contribution ◽  
Donor Agencies ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Impact

Women’s empowerment has been at the centre of research focus for many decades. Extant literature examined the process, outcome and various challenges. Some claimed substantial success, while others contradicted with evidence of failure. But the success remains a matter of debate due to lack of empirical evidence of actual empowerment of women around the world. The current study aimed to address this gap by taking a case study method. The study critically evaluates 20 cases carefully sampled to include representatives from the entire country of Bangladesh. The study demonstrates popular beliefs about microfinance often misguide even the borrowers and they start living in a fabricated feeling of empowerment, facing real challenges to achieve true empowerment in their lives. The impact of this finding is twofold; firstly there is a theoretical contribution, where the definition of women’s empowerment is proposed to be revisited considering findings from these cases. And lastly, the policy makers at governmental and non-governmental organisations, and multinational donor agencies need to revise their assessment tools for funding.

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