Getting Cinema into the Saudi EFL Classroom: Catering to Changing Learner Needs

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
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Feature Films ◽  
Experimental Group

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.

scholarly journals I LOVE INDONESIA: EFL LEARNERS� PERCEPTIONS ON WEB-FACILITATED LANGUAGE LEARNING

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 273
Author(s):  
Muzakki Bashori
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Generation Z ◽  
Use Of The Internet

The integration of computer in the service of FL (Foreign Language) learning is expected to be inevitable in the future. It is seemingly due to (a) its considerable affordances for EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners, (b) the characteristics of today�s learners as the Generation Z (Gonz�lez-Lloret & Ortega, 2014), and (c) the widespread use of the internet in the 21st century. This situation then leads to transforming CALL (Computer-Assisted Language Learning) into WFLL (Web-Facilitated Language Learning) as an alternative paradigm for EFL teachers and learners. Furthermore, TBLT (Task-Based Language Teaching) is likely to serve as a pedagogical framework in designing the Web for the purpose of FL learning. The present study was therefore mainly aimed at (a) developing a particularly teacher-designed learning website, namely I Love Indonesia, and (b) investigating high school learners of English in Indonesia with different attitudes towards CALL (positive/moderate/negative) in correlation with how they perceive WFLL (agree/disagree) and perform web-based activities. Descriptive Statistics, IF Function in Excel, Correlation Analysis, and Independent-samples t-test were employed in the study. Finally, the findings of the study showed that (a) the website seems to benefit EFL learners in some certain aspects, and (b) positive attitude learners are likely to perceive more positively (agree) than moderate and negative attitude learners (disagree) on the use of the website for the purpose of language learning. A greater number of learners over a longer period of time should be taken into account when conducting further studies on the effectiveness of the website for EFL learners in order to be able to shed some light on learners� language development.�Keyword: attitude, perception, task-based language teaching, web-facilitated language learning

Metacognitive Knowledge and Language Learning in a Web-Based Distance Learning Context

2019 ◽  
pp. 311-334
Author(s):  
Naiyi Xie Fincham ◽  
Guofang Li
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Metacognitive Knowledge ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Language Programs ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Online Distance

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.

The Place of Technology-Assisted Language Learning in EFL Listening

2020 ◽  
pp. 102-116
Author(s):  
Abdullah Coşkun ◽  
Zoe Marlowe
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Experimental Research ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Integration Of Technology ◽  
Experimental Group

As technology improves, such trends as technology-assisted language learning (TALL) have dominated the field of foreign language teaching in the new millennium. This chapter aims to review research studies incorporating different aspects of computer and mobile-assisted foreign language learning to enable English as a foreign language (EFL) learners to improve their listening skills. The literature review is based on studies of experimental research design in which the experimental group was exposed to computers or mobile devices to increase EFL learners' listening skills. Additionally, attitudinal studies dealing with EFL learners' perceptions about the integration of technology into EFL listening instruction were reviewed. From the literature review, it was realized that TALL helps EFL learners to improve their listening performance, and students hold favorable attitudes towards its use. At the end of the chapter, two useful mobile applications with the potential to enhance EFL learners' listening skills are introduced, and some recommendations are made.

scholarly journals The Foreign Language Teaching Anxiety Scale: Preliminary Tests of Validity and Reliability

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 44-55
Author(s):  
Selami Aydin ◽  
Ozgehan Ustuk
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
Anxiety Scale ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Teaching Anxiety

Although anxiety in the foreign language learning context has been studied extensively, the anxiety experienced by foreign language teachers, who are important stakeholders of classroom contexts and language learners themselves, seems to be overlooked. While research mainly focuses on foreign language anxiety in a learning context, there is not sufficient research to contextualize foreign language teaching anxiety (FLTA). In addition, in the current literature, few studies were performed to measure FLTA. In light of this, this study aims to present the preliminary results of the validity and reliability of the Foreign Language Teaching Anxiety Scale (FLTAS). A background questionnaire and the FLTAS were administered to 100 senior pre-service teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL), before performing Cronbach’s Alpha and exploratory factor analysis. The findings showed that the scale obtains a high reliability coefficient and internal consistency in a five-factor solution. The study ends with recommendations for further research.

Machine Translation for EFL

Relay Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 228-235
Author(s):  
Paul J. Moore ◽  
Phil Murphy ◽  
Luann Pascucci ◽  
Scott Sustenance
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Machine Translation ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Technical Developments ◽  
English Language Institute ◽  
Changing Role

This paper reports on an ongoing study into the affordances of free online machine translation for students learning English as a foreign language (EFL) at the tertiary level in Japan. The researchers are currently collecting data from a questionnaire, task performance, and interviews with 10-15 EFL learners in an English Language Institute in a university in Japan. The paper provides some background on the changing role of translation in language learning theory and pedagogy, before focusing literature related to technical developments in machine translation technology, and its application to foreign language learning. An overview of the research methodology is provided, along with some insights into potential findings. Findings will be presented in subsequent publications.

scholarly journals Christopher Brumfit Award 2014

2015 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 433-433
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Quality Of Presentation

The Editor and Board of Language Teaching are pleased to announce that the winner of the 2014 Christopher Brumfit thesis award is Dr Hilde van Zeeland. The thesis was selected by an external panel of judges based on its significance to the field of second language acquisition, second or foreign language learning and teaching, originality and creativity and quality of presentation.

scholarly journals EXTENSIVE READING IN L2 LEARNING: CURRENT TRENDS AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Made Frida Yulia
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Extensive Reading ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Foreign Language Reading ◽  
L2 Learners ◽  
L2 Learning ◽  
Language Exposure

Due to the minimum language exposure that EFL learners have, one recommended way to promote interest in foreign language reading is through Extensive Reading. This kind of reading has gained popularity over the years, ever since it was introduced to the realm of foreign language learning. Extensive Reading has been shown to bring a lot of benefits for L2 learners in many respects, and, consequently, it has been implemented in a variety of contexts. This paper aims at revisiting Extensive Reading along with its pertaining principles. In addition, it attempts to scrutinize a number of recent studies conducted in the area of Extensive Reading to discover current trends and possible areas which are open for further exploration. 

scholarly journals A Comparison Between Teacher-Led and Online Text-to-Speech Dictation for Students’ Vocabulary Performance

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
Hui-Hua Chiang
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Text To Speech ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Significant Difference

Researchers have long supported the use of dictation as a test for language learners (Fountain & Nation, 2000), and dictation has been used as a test for learners of English as a foreign language (EFL). With the advantages of productive learning and reinforcing short-term memory, dictation is a commonly used technique to develop language skills, and it can be considered to be an assessment of foreign language learning (Kazazoğlu, 2013). However, the previous research has not fully explored how technology, such as text-to-speech (TTS), can be used in EFL classrooms. To address this issue, the researcher explored the use of traditional teacher-led dictation (TLD) and TTS dictation to compare the vocabulary performance of EFL learners. Forty-two college students participated in the study. The results indicated a significant difference between TTS and TLD on the participants’ vocabulary performance. Additionally, there was a correlation between the scores with TTS and TLD: the students who performed better with TLD also obtained higher grades with TTS. Based on the results, future studies and pedagogical suggestions are presented.

scholarly journals Innovation research on foreign language teaching theory with Chinese characteristics based on Whitehead’s process philosophy

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Su
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Process Philosophy ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
Innovation Research ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Feasible Solutions

AbstractSince China’s reform and opening up, foreign language teaching (FLT) in China has achieved rapid development under the guidance of foreign language teaching theories both at home and abroad. However, problems such as ‘time-consuming and inefficient foreign language learning’ and the presence of ‘dumb foreign languages’ in FLT in China have not been fundamentally solved. Based on Whitehead’s process philosophy, this research aims to put forward feasible solutions to the existing problems in FLT in China so that the level of FLT in China can be promoted by discussing the purpose, contents, processes and stages of FLT and the relationship between teachers and students in both FLT and FLT evaluation systems.

scholarly journals Metacognitive Awareness and Critical Thinking Abilities of Pre-service EFL Teachers

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 116
Author(s):  
Dilek Cakici
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Metacognitive Awareness ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Efl Teachers

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.

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