scholarly journals A comparative study of the lifelong learning propensities of English language learners: nationality, gender and length of study

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-25
Author(s):  
Tanju Deveci

Acquiring a foreign language may be a lifelong endeavor, and this requires one to approach it from a lifelong learning perspective. However, learners may not always be ready for such an approach. It is important to know where learners stand in their orientations toward learning and consider this when planning educational activities. Therefore, it is necessary to determine language learners’ readiness for lifelong learning (LLL) in order to support their language development. This paper reports the findings of a study conducted to identify the LLL propensities of some Turkish and Emirati university students learning English as a foreign language in their local contexts. The study included 61 Emirati and 47 Turkish students, with a mean age of 19. Data were collected using a research tool with three sections: Demographics, the Lifelong Learning Tendency Scale (LLLTS – developed by Coskun & Demirel (2012)), and a survey with six open-ended questions. Student’s t-test, the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U-test were used to compare the quantitative data in terms of the participants’ nationalities, gender and length of study. The results showed that both Turkish and Emirati students had a moderate level of propensity for LLL. However, the Turkish students’ overall LLLTS scores as well as certain sub-skills were found to be higher than those of the Emirati students. Gender was not found to make a significant difference in the students’ LLL orientations, while motivation was found to be lower at a statistically significant level for those learning English for more than a year. Suggestions are offered for the development of language learners’ LLL skills.

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 543
Author(s):  
Ricardo Roman Jr. ◽  
Aixa M. Nunez

Research in second language acquisition took off in the early 1970s. This study on integrative and instrumental motivation examined the correlation between the two forms in terms of second language acquisition, and the interest it has generated through continued research efforts in language learning. Research to date suggests a possible relationship between motivation and second language learning. The results obtained by this research were determined by two basic types of motivation which play a relevant role in second language acquisition, it also revealed which was the most prevalent motivational factor that influences students in learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL) at Quality Leadership University, Panama. Our objective was to prove that instrumental motivation is more prevalent among students learning English as a Foreign Language in Panama. Although cultural awareness is very much present in the EFL classroom, it too plays a major role with English Language Learners (ELLs). This is a quantitative research study which includes a questionnaire classifying twenty motivational statements into two types of motivation, integrative and instrumental. The study revealed that instrumental motivation was more prevalent among English language learners at Quality Leadership University, Panama. Albiet learning about new cultures has been the driving force with which students approach language learning and students in Panama are not the exception. We can thus conclude that instrumental motivation has been acknowledged as the significant factor by students surveyed and the interest in specific language learning for career advancement, whereas integrative motivation is linked to more general second language acquisition for the benefit of cultural integration.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Imam Khasbani ◽  
Didin Nuruddin Hidayat

Motivation has been long believed to be an essential contributor to students’ success in learning English. Many studies (e.g., Gbollie & Keamu, 2017; Wang, 2008; Zhang & Xiao, 2006) have been dedicated to investigating the relationship between motivation and success in learning English. While these studies have contributed to shedding light on the importance of motivation on students’ achievement in learning English, insufficient research has been conducted to address the concept of motivation itself, how the concept has evolved since the first time it was developed, and to what extent motivation affects both teachers and students’ performances at school. Owing to this fact, the present article seeks to discuss the notion and conceptualization of motivation by following several steps. First, the present paper took on arguments from prominent figures on the field of motivation to explore the essence of motivation and why it is essential for English as second or foreign language (ESL/EFL) learning. The conversation then built on the current theoretical framework of types and factors influencing student and teacher motivation. Following that, a plethora of discussions on the possible ways to increase student and teacher enthusiasm and motivation inside EFL classrooms were elaborated.


Author(s):  
Ali Akbar Khansir ◽  
Afsaneh Salehabadi

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.


English Today ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 10-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rining Wei ◽  
Jinzhi Su

In the mid-1980s, Crystal (1985) lamented that there were no reliable figures available for the number of learners to whom English is taught as a foreign language in many regions of the world, and that ‘China has always been excluded from the statistical reviews, because of the shortage of information from inside the country’ (Crystal, 1985: 9). More recently, Bolton (2008: 6) similarly notes that because of ‘the absence of accurate language surveys’ academics have to make educated guesses regarding the total number of those learning/knowing English. The figure of the total English learners/users in China has been estimated to be somewhere between 200 and 350 million (cf. Bolton, 2003: 48; Kachru, 1997; McArthur, 2003; Zhao & Campbell, 1995; Graddol, 2006: 95). Fortunately, a national language survey in China conducted at the turn of the century does provide some hard statistics on the number of English language learners/users in the world's most populous country, and also sheds some light on the realities of use of English and English proficiency among the Chinese people.


2018 ◽  
Vol 64 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.I. Bozhok ◽  
L.I. Bilins’ka ◽  
M.M. Gomola

The aim of this research is to highlight some problems in teaching and learning English as a foreign language. As there exist different ways in mastering foreign languages there also exist many methods of their teaching. In the course of training many students face with spelling, inflection, pronunciation, grammar and other common problems which are constantly investigated and solved. According to the level of any individual group of students the approach of organization and conduction of the lesson should also be individual as learners make different mistakes. So teachers of any foreign language must not just get formal education but also be aware of modern techniques and approaches.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-197
Author(s):  
Liaqat Iqbal ◽  
Asma Ali ◽  
Irfan Ullah ◽  
Ayaz Ahmad

Purpose of the study: Phonological variation in diphthongs, when spoken as a second or foreign language, is an accepted phenomenon. The diphthongs of English when pronounced by native speakers of Pashto go through certain changes and sometimes, monophthised. The purpose of the present study is to investigate phonological variation, i.e., monophthongisation of English diphthongs. Methodology: For this purpose, 20 Pashto speakers of both soft and hard dialects were taken and they were asked to pronounce the words having the target diphthongs at initial, medial and final position, followed and preceded by voiced and voiceless sounds. PRAAT was used to analyze the data to measure the possible variations in the sounds. Main Findings: The findings show that the phenomenon of monophthongisation of English diphthongs is common in the speaking of native speakers of Pashto. The study further shows that there is the lengthening of some of the sounds and deletion as well in certain contexts. This makes the variety of English spoken by the native speakers of Pashto a separate variety. Applications of this study: This study has applications for English language learners and teachers. The learners and teachers of English can benefit from this research and they can work on the problematic diphthongs that are usually monophthised. In this way, these sounds can be practised and the problems can be rectified. Novelty/Originality of this study: This is an original study where the problematic diphthongs have been considered and researched that how these English diphthongs are monophthised by the native speakers of Pashto making it a distinctive feature of the native Pashto speakers of English.


2019 ◽  
Vol 118 (11) ◽  
pp. 417-423
Author(s):  
V. P. Rathi

The present paper aims at the advancement of e-reading and e-learning among the students, English language learners, teachers and all other academicians in India.  There is a tremendous change in the development of language either it is one’s native language or English as second language, the lingua franca or the official language.  E-reading is particularly a self-selected one and it has a wonderful impact on the English language readers. The modern day students are visually oriented students and they prefer e-reading and e-learning method to enrich their English knowledge.  NDLI, the digital library of India and NPTEL, Swayam are helpful e-resources for many English language learners, teachers and other academicians.  The Government of India encourages students and teachers by admitting them in online courses especially to improve their English language skills.  Google Classroom, Youtube linkages on education are becoming more and more popular and become effective in the process of English language learning.  With a lot of advancement today, the English language learners are provided with independent learning also.  The advancement of e-reading and e-learning enhance the students to improve their English language skills.


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