The effects of planning time and proficiency level on accuracy of oral task performance

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 155-168
Author(s):  
Alireza Khorami ◽  
Reza Khorasani
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Placement Test ◽  
Task Planning ◽  
Oral Performance ◽  
Planning Time ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Performance Accuracy

Abstract   This study examined the effect of pre-task planning (PTP) and proficiency level on the language proficiency of 60 English foreign language learners. The Oxford placement test was administered. Based on the scores, the participants were divided into groups of low and high proficiency. The high and low language level students were randomly assigned to either 0 minutes or 10 minutes PTP time. Then the participants in all the four groups were shown a set of pictures and were required to produce a story about it. They spoke based on the same topic, but in different conditions. The productions were transcribed for further analyses. The results of the analysis revealed that high proficiency learners (PTP) outperformed the NP group of the same level; however, there was no meaningful difference between the low groups. The results of two-way Anova also revealed an interaction between the planning and proficiency levels.   Keywords: Pre-task planning time, oral performance, accuracy, proficiency.

scholarly journals A Longitudinal Study of Dynamic Changes in and Contributing Factors of Learner Belief of Chinese Foreign Language Learners

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 61
Author(s):  
Xinmiao Liu
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Foreign Language Anxiety ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Efficacy Belief ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Proficiency

A longitudinal study was conducted to assess changes in and contributing factors of learner belief for a sample of 70 Chinese foreign language learners. Foreign language proficiency and learner factors such as learner belief and learning strategy were measured four times at approximately fifty-day intervals. The results show that there were significant changes in self-efficacy belief, belief about learning difficulty and belief about learning strategy. The major contributing factors to changes in self-efficacy belief include learning strategy, effort, foreign language anxiety, motivation and foreign language proficiency. Meanwhile, learning style, learning strategy and foreign language anxiety have significant effects on changes in learner belief about learning strategy.

Learners’ perceptions of a Wiki-enhanced TBLT approach designed and implemented at the syllabus level

2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-256
Author(s):  
Shenglan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Design Model ◽  
Essay Writing ◽  
Overall Design ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Learning Contexts ◽  
Class Presentation

Abstract This study examines learners’ perceptions of an approach for improving Chinese-as-a-Foreign-Language learners’ language proficiency, especially their speaking ability. Built upon the Distributed Design Model, a wiki-enhanced, Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) approach was designed at the syllabus level, taking into consideration various learning contexts. The approach was implemented and evaluated. Findings show that the overall design of this approach and most of the different components of the pre-task, core-task (interviews with native speakers, wiki-writing, and in-class presentations), and post-task activities were very positively perceived by the students. All students liked this design and enjoyed the class. The main reasons include (1) Students valued the opportunity to interact with native speakers outside the classroom; (2) The in-class presentations gave them an opportunity to express their personalities; (3) They liked the fact that the wiki-essay writing was connected to the in-class presentation because this helped them prepare the content of their presentation, also enabled them to develop writing and speaking on a single topic so they could become more advanced in that topic; (4) They also liked the consistency in organization and the eight units being procedurally similar. The learners held varying views on a few components of the pre-task and post-task activities.

Variable future-time reference in French: A comparison of learners in a study-abroad and a foreign-language context

2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (3) ◽  
pp. 259-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aarnes Gudmestad ◽  
Amanda Edmonds
Keyword(s):  
Study Abroad ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Developmental Trajectories ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Future Time ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Language Proficiency Test

AbstractThis study seeks to advance understanding of second-language (L2) acquisition of future-time reference in French, by comparing the developmental trajectories of learners living in and away from the target-language setting. Study-abroad learners in France (n= 45), foreign-language learners living in the US (n= 37), and native speakers of Hexagonal French (n= 30) participated in this study. They completed a written-contextualized task, a language-proficiency test and a background questionnaire. For each written-contextualized-task item, participants selected from among three responses that differed with respect to the form (inflectional future, periphrastic future, present). Items were designed to test for the influence of three factors on the form selected: presence/absence of a lexical temporal indicator, temporal distance, and (un)certainty. Additionally, two extra-linguistic factors were examined: learning context and proficiency level. The analyses of frequency and the multinomial logistic regressions suggest that, despite developmental similarities between learning contexts, acquisitional paths of study-abroad and foreign-language learners were not identical.

scholarly journals GENDERED VISIONS OF IDEAL FUTURE SELVES: AN ANALYSIS OF JAPANESE ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNERS’ NARRATIVES

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-65
Author(s):  
Yoko Munezane
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Possible Selves ◽  
Gender Effects ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Future Visions

This study investigates the impact of gender on future visions, using a mixed narrative method; i.e., a “drawing-and-writing-combined” narrative. Previous research shows that learners’ career aspirations have a positive effect on their academic achievement including language proficiency growth (Sasaki, Kozaki, & Ross, 2017). Therefore, it is worthwhile to explore the impact of gender on language learners’ future possible selves by examining their career visions. Qualitative data were collected from 155 Japanese university English as a Foreign Language learners’ drawings and English essays. Statistical results (chi-square test) revealed gender effects in participants’ visualizations of career-focused and career-family balanced ideal selves as well as in the prominence of social interaction in their future visions. Qualitative analysis of participants’ essays suggested that the majority of both male and female learners envisaged their future ideal selves actively pursuing an international career empowered by the essential tool of English. Overall, females considered combining family and career as due responsibilities for women, whereas the majority of males envisioned career-related ideal selves only. The study further assesses the impact of gender on learners’ future visions by taking into consideration the gender equality level in a particular society. Pedagogical implications and future directions are discussed.

scholarly journals The relationship between the anxiety level of Iranian elementary EFL learners and their vocabulary learning strategies

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 161-175
Author(s):  
Ghasem Tayyebi
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Anxiety Level ◽  
Placement Test ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Learning English

The current study aimed at examining the relationship between anxiety level of Iranian elementary English as a foreign language learners and the strategies that they adopt for learning English vocabulary. To this end, based on the performance of the participants on the Quick Placement Test, the researcher recruited 100 participants through availability sampling. To determine the strategies that the participants employ for learning English vocabulary, Schmitt’s taxonomy of vocabulary learning (VL) strategies questionnaire was administered. Also, the Spearman correlation was run to determine the correlation between various levels of anxiety and different VL strategies. The findings of the current study indicated that the effects of anxiety can adversely affect a person’s use of VL strategies. Likewise, when there is an increase in anxiety, VL strategy use decreases to a significant extent. Keywords: Vocabulary learning, strategies, foreign language, classroom, anxiety scale.

scholarly journals The effectiveness of a wiki-enhanced TBLT approach implemented at the syllabus level in the teaching of Chinese as a foreign language

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 197-225
Author(s):  
Shenglan Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Design Model ◽  
Engineering Research ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Learning Contexts ◽  
Educational Engineering

AbstractThis study examines the effectiveness of an approach for improving Chinese as a foreign language learners’ language proficiency, especially their speaking ability. Built upon the Educational Engineering Research Theory and its Distributed Design Model, this study used a wiki-enhanced Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) approach implemented at the syllabus level, taking into consideration various learning contexts. Different aspects of the design, such as how the wiki was used to extend the students’ learning beyond classroom, how the topics of the tasks were chosen and sequenced, and what strategies were adopted to motivate learners to interact with their co-learners and native speakers are discussed to provide insights on the use of TBLT in a more detailed way for practitioners. Findings show that the implementation of the TBLT syllabus with the support of the wiki significantly improved learners’ language proficiency as well as the fluency, accuracy, and speed of their story narration and the fluency of their problem-solving conversation.

Hindi Heritage Language Learners’ Performance during OPIs: Characteristics and Pedagogical Implications

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-174
Author(s):  
Gabriela Nik. Ilieva
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Heritage Language ◽  
Heritage Language Learners ◽  
Oral Performance ◽  
New York University ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Oral Proficiency Interviews ◽  
High Level

The present paper examines the oral performance of Hindi language learners during practice Oral Proficiency Interviews (OPI) conducted during workshops hosted by New York University and sponsored by STARTALK. The most salient characteristics of the heritage language learners’ output are compared with the output of foreign language learners who are rated similarly at the Intermediate Mid or Intermediate High level on the ACTFL scale. The paper’s focus is on patterns of grammar and discourse strengths and deficiencies, as well as elaboration of topics and code-mixing in relation to students’ background. Pedagogical implications are discussed with reference to teaching strategies that address the differences in the language abilities of the heritage versus foreign language learners of Hindi.

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