Application of Smart-Phone Apps by Chinese College Students in Learning English

<p>This study mainly investigates the motivational characteristics of Chinese college students learning English for Specific Purposes (ESP). By critically examining and comparing Gardner’s (1985) Integrative-Instrumental model and the Self-determination Theory (SDT) by Deci and Ryan(1985), the researcher finds out that the latter one is more comprehensive and applicable to the case of Chinese college ESP learners (the subjects). Thus the researcher develops a questionnaire within the SDT framework to analyze the subjects’ motivations. Drawing upon a follow-up statistical analysis, the research discovers the motivational propensities of the subjects. A discussion of corresponding motivational methods to help improve the subjects’ ESP learning is provided at the end of the article.</p>

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A longitudinal study of changes in smart phone addiction and depressive symptoms and potential risk factors among Chinese college students

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03265-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xue Yang ◽

Huahua Hu ◽

Chengjia Zhao ◽

Huihui Xu ◽

Xiaolian Tu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

College Students ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Potential Risk ◽

Smart Phone ◽

Chinese College Students ◽

Emotional Loneliness ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

Probable Depression

Abstract Background The current study aims to track the changes in the levels of smart phone addiction (SPA) and depressive symptoms between pre and during COVID-19 and potential risk factors of among Chinese college students in a four-wave longitudinal study. Methods The participants were recruited from a Chinese university (n = 195; 58.5% females). The first three-wave surveys were conducted before COVID-19 (during December of Year 1, June of Year 1, and December of Year 2 of their college study; Time 1, Time 2, Time 3), while the fourth survey (Time 4; during June of Year 2 of their college study) was conducted in June 2020 during COVID-19. COVID-19-related factors, including quarantine, lockdown, boredom, emotional loneliness, and social loneliness, were investigated. Results The results showed a significant increase in the levels of depressive symptoms and prevalence of probable depression during COVID-19 (69.2%) compared to those 18 months, 12 months and 6 months before COVID-19 (41.5, 45.6, 48.2%) but non-significant changes in SPA. Boredom and emotional loneliness were positively associated with both SPA and depressive symptoms during COVID-19. Social loneliness was also positively associated with depressive symptoms during COVID-19. Quarantine and lockdown were not significantly associated with SPA or depressive symptoms. Discussion and conclusions The results highlight that the study population may be a high risk group of probable depression. Future studies should continue to track these mental and behavioral status with the progression of the epidemic. The identified emotional factors could be used to reduce depressive symptoms during COVID-19 and prevent the potential risk of SPA.

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A Pilot Study Exploring Augmented Reality to Increase Motivation of Chinese College Students Learning English

10.18260/1-2--19977 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Shanshan Li ◽

Yang Chen ◽

David Whittinghill ◽

Mihaela Vorvoreanu

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Pilot Study ◽

Augmented Reality ◽

Chinese College Students ◽

Learning English

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Application of Cohesion Theory in CET-4 Listening Comprehension

English Language Teaching ◽

10.5539/elt.v14n12p18 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (12) ◽

pp. 18

Author(s):

Chunxia Fu

Keyword(s):

College Students ◽

Listening Comprehension ◽

Chinese College Students ◽

Cohesive Devices ◽

Cohesion Theory ◽

The Right ◽

Important Test ◽

Learning English

Cohesion is a very important part of learning English. The Cohesion Theory of Halliday and Hasan is of great importance for people to acquire the knowledge of cohesion. This study is aimed at applying this Cohesion Theory in CET-4 listening comprehension which is an important test for Chinese college students. This study uses the test papers of CET-4 in June 2021 as examples to demonstrate that it is obvious that there are certain cohesive relations between the listening materials and the correct answers. It is also practicable to apply the Cohesion Theory in listening comprehension of CET-4. It mainly analyzes the cohesive devices applied in figuring out the correct choices by understanding the cohesive relations between the listening materials with the right answers. It demonstrated obviously that there exists the cohesive relations between the listening materials with the right answers in the test, and both the grammatical device and lexical device are often used interactively. The cohesive devices can serve as the important clues for students to make the right choices. The findings of this study suggest that the application of the Cohesion Theory in CET-4 listening comprehension is practicable and effective. It can not only help the students get good performance in the CET-4 tests, the same approach can also be used in other important tests. 

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