scholarly journals Phonological Analysis of Errors in the Consonant Cluster System Encountered by Saudi EFL Learners

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 1237-1248
Author(s):  
Eman M. Al-Yami ◽  
Anwar A. H. Al-Athwary
Keyword(s):  
Optimality Theory ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
English Department ◽  
Consonant Cluster ◽  
Freshman Year ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Inadequate Knowledge ◽  
Correct Pronunciation ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Language Influence

This study investigates the pronunciation difficulty of selected English consonant clusters (CCs) encountered by Saudi EFL learners. The sample consisted of 134 female Saudi EFL students in their freshman year in the English Department at Najran University. Two instruments were used: a pronunciation test that assessed participants’ CC pronunciations in the onset and coda positions and a questionnaire that explored participants’ attitudes towards their CC pronunciations. This study provides detailed data on the participants’ pronunciation difficulties using Optimality Theory (OT). The results showed that the participants encountered CC pronunciation difficulties in both the onset and coda positions. However, most errors occurred in the coda position, especially for the four-consonant pattern (-CCCC). Participants used different strategies to simplify their CC pronunciations: epenthesis, deletion, substitution, or some combination thereof. Questionnaire data indicated that the participants attributed their pronunciation difficulties to inadequate knowledge of the pronunciation rules, insufficient language instruction, and native-language influence. The participants proffered some remedies to their difficulties, which included doing more pronunciation drills and offering a new course focused primarily on correct pronunciation. OT analysis revealed that onset clusters were mainly influenced by L1 ranking constraints whereas coda clusters were more influenced by universal Markedness constraints. OT indicated that the tendency to satisfy Markedness constraints over the Faithfulness constraints led the participants to use the above-mentioned simplification strategies.

scholarly journals Effect of Foreign Language Anxiety on Gender and Academic Achievement among Yemeni University EFL Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Norizan Abdul Razak ◽  
Amr Abdullatif Yassin ◽  
Tengku Nor Rizan Bt Tengku Mohamad Maasum
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Random Sampling ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Foreign Language Anxiety ◽  
English Department ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Department Faculty

This study aimed to investigate the gender differences in terms of anxiety among Yemeni university EFL learners. It also aimed to investigate the correlation between the level of anxiety and the academic achievement of the students. The participants of this study were 155 students chosen from the population through stratified random sampling. The participants are selected from English Department, Faculty of Arts, Ibb University, Yemen. The data was collected by using a questionnaire adopted from Yassin (2015), and the data was analysed by using 22nd version of the SPSS. The data of the first question was analysed by using T-test and the result of the analysis showed that the females experienced higher level of anxiety than male students, but the difference between both groups is not significant. The second question was analysed by using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and the result showed that there is not significant correlation between the level of anxiety and the academic achievement of the students.

Comparing Vocabulary Knowledge of Sophomore and Senior Qassim University Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Bader Alharbi
Keyword(s):  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Word Knowledge ◽  
English Department ◽  
Vocabulary Size ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Academic Achievements ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Second Year ◽  
English Students ◽  
Senior Students

This study aimed at investigating vocabulary size and lexical growth of Saudi EFL students at Qassim University. The primary goal of this research was to examine the vocabulary sizes of English students at Qassim University. The participants consisted of 60 second and fourth year English department students at Qassim University in Saudi Arabia. As this study focused on the vocabularies of Saudi EFL learners, the XK_Lex test was selected as the instrument of measurement. Participants were asked to complete the XK_Lex vocabulary test with its yes/no format, and data was then collected and analyzed statistically. The data analysis showed that the second-year students have a vocabulary knowledge of approximately 2000 words, while senior students know about 3000-3800 words. The results also confirmed that the students possess more word knowledge as they move onto higher years at an appropriate rate. Thus, these results suggest that vocabulary knowledge can be used as an indicator of the students’ progress and academic achievements.

scholarly journals Assessing the Impact of Pronunciation Learning Strategy on Kurdish EFL Learners’ Pronunciation Accuracy

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-56
Author(s):  
Himdad A. Muhammad ◽  
Dlakhshan Y. Othman
Keyword(s):  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
English Department ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Covert Rehearsal ◽  
Validated Questionnaire ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Strategy Types ◽  
The Impact

  The study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of pronunciation learning strategies (in favor of Covert Rehearsal Model) in helping Kurdish EFL learners to acquire accuracy in English pronunciation  and  detecting the  most frequently used strategy types and strategy group by the learners.  A total of 50 Kurdish EFL students of Salahaddin University, English Department took part in the study.  The instruments used for collecting data and information included were a validated questionnaire of pronunciation learning strategies. The questionnaire items were adopted from the synthesized taxonomy of pronunciation strategies presented by O'Malley & Chamots’ (1990) and Oxford's (1990) and adapted according to Kurdish learners' need. The results indicated that the use of various pronunciation learning strategies were useful for Kurdish learners to improve their pronunciation skills and then consolidate their self-confidence to bring positive changes in students' pronunciation performance.

scholarly journals EFL Students’ Perspectives on Their Self-efficacy in Speaking During Online Learning Process

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-34
Author(s):  
Rista Ananda Ningias ◽  
Lilia Indriani
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Positive Outcome ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
English Department ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
The Given

This article illustrates the EFL students' perspectives toward self-efficacy of them in speaking during the online learning process. Self-efficacy defined as a person believes that he/she could manage the situation and get a positive outcome. It points out to the intuition in one’s capacity to execute and organize the action required in producing the given attainments. Self-efficacy is very crucial for students in studying a language, especially for the fourth language skills. To achieve the qualification of English communication, mastering the fourth integrated skills is very necessary. Speaking includes in this term. The aim of this article was to analyze the EFL students’ perspective about their self-efficacy in speaking during the online class activity. The research was conducted on 35 EFL learners of English Department Student at Tidar University. The researcher uses the descriptive quantitative method in analyzing the data. In obtaining them, the researcher employed a survey study by using a questionnaire with 20 close-ended questions. The result showed that the learners have enough self-efficacy in speaking during online learning. The high percentage of neutral option still dominate them. However, the final result of the data shows that learners have strong self-efficacy. Keywords: EFL Students, Online Learning, Speaking, Self-efficacy

scholarly journals Exploring Reciprocal Teaching Method on EFL Learners’ Reading Comprehension

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-142
Author(s):  
Ahmad Ridho Rojabi ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Reciprocal Teaching ◽  
English Department ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Reading Texts

This research was carried out as the learning activities in the reading classroom were not yet effective. As a result, the student's ability to comprehend reading texts was poor. This study aims to improve the EFL students’ reading comprehension by implementing the Reciprocal Teaching Method (RTM), especially in comprehending IELTS reading texts. Classroom action research was conducted by following four stages; planning, implementing, observing, and reflecting the actions. The Reciprocal Teaching Method (RTM) consists of four stages; predicting, questioning, clarifying, and summarizing to engage the learners in groupwork activities, boost motivation, as well as enhance their comprehension. 28 learners from the English department who enrolled in the Reading course were selected as participants. Data were gathered through observations, tests, interviews, as well as document reviews. The results revealed that the Reciprocal Teaching Method (RTM) boosts students' ability to comprehend the IELTS reading texts and engages them during the teaching and learning process.

scholarly journals The Influence of Emotion Based Language Instruction on Speaking and Writing Skills among EFL learners: An Empirical Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (12) ◽  
pp. 215-225
Author(s):  
Seyyed Mohammad Reza Adel ◽  
Hossein Najjari ◽  
Marziyeh Farivar ◽  
Tahereh Heydarnejad
Keyword(s):  
Writing Skills ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
Second Languages ◽  
Effective Learning ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Effective learning is the ultimate goal in every educational system, which can be achieved by considering the intertwined relationships of both cognitive and affective procedures. In line with this argument, this study intends to shed light on the impact of Emotion Based Language Instruction (EBLI) in enhancing teaching productive skills (speaking and writing) to EFL students. To do so, Quasi-Experimental Study was carried out among Iranian English as foreign language (EFL) students. The learning materials and the supplementary parts were selectively developed based on the Metric of Emotioncy designed by Pishghadam (2016). To observe the influence of EBLI, the differences in scores of pre and posttest of IELTS were statistically calculated. The results displayed a significant change in speaking and writing skills among students in the experimental group. The findings of the present study may foster EBLI implementation and increase the related knowledge in teaching foreign/second languages.

Whatsapp Messenger as a Mobile Media to Learn Writing for EFL Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Linda ◽  
Ida Ri'aeni
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
First Grade ◽  
English Department ◽  
Instructional Media ◽  
Mobile Media ◽  
Efl Writing ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Efl Students

Abstract   The objective of this research is to find out the use of Whatsapp Messenger as a mobile media to learn writing in EFL classes.Several researchers have attempted to prove applicability of mobile learning as modern ways of teaching and learning (Naismith, 2004:115). Moreover, applying portable technologies have been demanded by most of the modern learners who oftentimes are forced to study anywhere, and anytime, for example, at work, in the bus or at weekends (Evans, 2008:115).The research was motivated by the students’ difficulties in writing. The sample of this research was three classes of first grade students of English Department of Unswagati. The instrument of this research was questionnaire sheet. Data from questionnaire sheet was analyzed based on the frequency students’ answers and then was calculated and interpreted into percentages. The result shows WhatsApp Messenger attracts the students interest and also the students have positive responses towards the using ofWhatsAppMessenger. In applying WhatsApp group, the writer concluded that, learning using WhatsApp group has effective to develop their creativity in writing skill. On the other hand, the result from the questionnaire sheet indicated that almost of students is active in learning to writing recount text. Students can learn out of the classroom. Beside WhatsApp can be used privately, it can be used for students’ education. The students can use their gadget positively for their ability in learning English. The students can improve their knowledge in learning ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies). Keyword: WhatsApp Messenger,EFL writing, Instructional Media, ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies).

Study of Consonant Pronunciations Errors Committed by EFL Learners

2019 ◽  
pp. 48-56
Author(s):  
Ali Akbar Khansir ◽  
Afsaneh Salehabadi
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Listening Skill ◽  
English Pronunciation ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Knowledge Of Language

As the topic suggests, the research paper presents Study of Consonant Pronunciations Errors Committed by EFL Learners. Error analysis always tries to resolve language learners’ problems in acquiring second or foreign language setting. Learning to English pronunciation is perhaps as important as learning listening skill, speaking, and spelling. Errors in English pronunciation create several problems for English language learners in their works. In other words, most of the English language errors of pronunciation are due to the lack of knowledge of language learners. However, all the students in our sample are of age group (16-25) at Bushehr language institute and they are all Iranian nationals. In addition, all of them were female learners. An English pronunciation (consonant) test was used to get information about the knowledge of the learners in English pronunciation. Findings of this article indicated that the first and second hypotheses of this article were accepted, but the third hypothesis was rejected. However, the findings of this paper showed that the Iranian EFL students have problem to pronounce English sounds correctly.

INVESTIGATING ENGLISH DEPARTMENT STUDENTS’ FOREIGN LANGUAGE SPEAKING ANXIETY: A CASE STUDY IN UNIVERSITAS AIRLANGGA, INDONESIA

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Dyas Intan Rachmawati ◽  
Jurianto Jurianto
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
English Department ◽  
Common Phenomenon ◽  
Speaking Anxiety ◽  
Pearson Product Moment Correlation ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Achievement Score ◽  
Anxiety Levels

Anxiety during a speaking performance is a common phenomenon experienced by any EFL learners, including students majoring in English. Focusing on the issue, this study investigates the correlation between students’ foreign language speaking anxiety and speaking achievement. Moreover, this study also observes the levels and the sources of the speaking anxiety among the English Department’s fifth-semester students of Universitas Airlangga. This study used the Foreign Language Speaking Anxiety Scale (FLSAS) by Öztürk and Gurbuz (2014). The FLSAS questionnaire was distributed to 114 students in order to explore the correlation between speaking anxiety and speaking achievement, the speaking anxiety levels, and the speaking anxiety sources. The data collected through questionnaire were analyzed with SPSS 25.0. Pearson Product Moment Correlation isused to determine the correlation, while descriptive statistic alanalys is isused to investigate the levels and the sources for speaking anxiety. Horwitz, Horwitzand Cope’s(1986) theory and Horwitz and Young (1991) about the source and the levels of foreign language speaking anxiety are also used in this study. This study found that there is a significant negative correlation between speaking anxiety levels and speaking achievement. This means the higher the speaking anxiety they experience, the lower the achievement score they get. Most of the students have moderate levels of speaking anxiety, which is mainly due to the fear of negative evaluation.This study indicates that although the EFL learners are often exposed to English, they still experience speaking anxiety. These findings suggest that the lecturers should be more aware of students’ anxiety and use strategies that might encourage the students to speak more confidently.

An exploration of target L2 morphemes in the oral production of young EFL learners in Croatia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jelena O'Reilly ◽  
Eva Jakupčević
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Simple Construction ◽  
L2 Acquisition ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Oral Production ◽  
The Past ◽  
Base Form ◽  
Production Study ◽  
Efl Students

Although the second language (L2) acquisition of morphology by late L2 learners has been a popular research area over the past decades, comparatively little is known about the acquisition and development of morphology in children who learn English as a foreign language (EFL). Therefore, the current study presents the findings from a longitudinal oral production study with 9/10-year-old L1 Croatian EFL students who were followed up at the age of 11/12. Our results are largely in line with the limited research so far in this area: young EFL learners have few issues using the be copula and, eventually, the irregular past simple forms, but had considerable problems with accurately supplying the 3rd person singular -s at both data collection points. We also observed a be + base form structure, especially at the earlier stage, which appears to be an emergent past simple construction.

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