scholarly journals Foreign language learning and identity reconstruction: understanding of interaction of the self

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (33) ◽  
pp. e15923
Author(s):  
Ameneh Nejabat ◽  
Neda Fatehi Rad ◽  
Massoud Tajadini
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Likert Scale ◽  
Human Interaction ◽  
Individual Development ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Identity Changes ◽  
Iranian Context

This study focuses on the processes & relationships between foreign language learner's identity and interaction foreign language proficiency associated with learning English in private language institutes in Iranian context, especially, participants' beliefs about languages & participants' views about the language question are analyzed. This analysis integrates the speaker's practices and beliefs to issues of identity construction and negotiation that are observable in two contexts. Some English as a foreign language learners from 3 language institute in Tehran were picked to participate in the study, based on stratified sampling. The instrument were a 30-item likert-scale questionnaire on motivation types & social responsibility, individual development, information medium, ... 24 likert-scale questionnaire on self-identity changes, such as, self‌-confidence change, subtractive change, productive change, results reveal that how language practices in human interaction display and construct identity and correlation analysis indicated that motivation types of  self-identity changes and signal participant's negotiations of their own identities of these or others. Instrumental orientations related with learner's self-confidence change.

scholarly journals Online Foreign Language Learning in Higher Education and Its Correlates during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 781
Author(s):  
Maria-Anca Maican ◽  
Elena Cocoradă
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Teacher Student ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Mixed Approach ◽  
Student Relationship

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the online learning of foreign languages at higher education level has represented a way to adapt to the restrictions imposed worldwide. The aim of the present article is to analyse university students’ behaviours, emotions and perceptions associated to online foreign language learning during the pandemic and their correlates by using a mixed approach. The research used the Foreign Language Enjoyment (FLE) scale and tools developed by the authors, focusing on task value, self-perceived foreign language proficiency, stressors and responses in online foreign language learning during the pandemic. Some of the results, such as the negative association between anxiety and FLE, are consistent with those revealed in studies conducted in normal times. Other results are novel, such as the protective role of retrospective enjoyment in trying times or the higher level of enjoyment with lower-achieving students. Reference is made to students’ preferences for certain online resources during the pandemic (e.g., preference for PowerPoint presentations) and to their opinions regarding the use of entirely or partially online foreign language teaching in the post-COVID period. The quantitative results are fostered by the respondents’ voices in the qualitative research. The consequences of these results are discussed with respect to the teacher-student relationship in the online environment and to the implications for sustainable online foreign language learning.

scholarly journals Listening Skill Requires a Further Look into Second/Foreign Language Learning

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Bozorgian
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
Reading And Writing ◽  
Listening Skill ◽  
Reading History

Current English-as-a-second and foreign-language (ESL/EFL) research has encouraged to treat each communicative macroskill separately due to space constraint, but the interrelationship among these skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) is not paid due attention. This study attempts to examine first the existing relationship among the four dominant skills, second the potential impact of reading background on the overall language proficiency, and finally the relationship between listening and overall language proficiency as listening is considered an overlooked/passive skill in the pedagogy of the second/foreign language classroom. However, the literature in language learning has revealed that listening skill has salient importance in both first and second language learning. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of each of four skills in EFL learning and their existing interrelationships in an EFL setting. The outcome of 701 Iranian applicants undertaking International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in Tehran demonstrates that all communicative macroskills have varied correlations from moderate (reading and writing) to high (listening and reading). The findings also show that the applicants’ reading history assisted them in better performing at high stakes tests, and what is more, listening skill was strongly correlated with the overall language proficiency.

scholarly journals A Cross-Departmental Approach to Supporting Students with a Disability Affecting Foreign Language Acquisition

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska Lys ◽  
Alison May ◽  
Jeanne Ravid
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Foreign Language Study ◽  
Foreign Language Requirement ◽  
Language Requirement ◽  
Important Objective

Abstract In order to enhance mobility, competitiveness, and opportunities for work, the European Union lists the ability to communicate in a foreign language and to understand another culture as an important objective in their language education policy. Knowledge of a foreign language is also an important objective for many American universities, which require students to study a foreign language as a prerequisite to graduate. Students with documented disabilities affecting the learning of a foreign language or students with poor foreign language learning skills, therefore, pose a significant challenge, since a foreign language requirement may prevent such students from graduating unless universities are willing to make special arrangements such as having students graduate without fulfilling the requirement or letting them take substitution classes. The question of what to do with such students is at the heart of this article. It describes how one mid-sized private university with a two-year language proficiency requirement has approached the problem to ensure that policies are implemented fairly. Rather than pulling students out of the foreign language classroom, the university succeeded in keeping students engaged with foreign language study through advising and mentoring across departments

scholarly journals White matter microstructure predicts foreign language learning in army interpreters

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 763-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Mårtensson ◽  
Johan Eriksson ◽  
Nils Christian Bodammer ◽  
Magnus Lindgren ◽  
Mikael Johansson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Final Test ◽  
Foreign Language Acquisition ◽  
White Matter Microstructure

AbstractAdult foreign language acquisition is challenging, and the degree of success varies among individuals. Anatomical differences in brain structure prior to training can partly explain why some learn more than others. We followed a sample of conscript interpreters undergoing intense language training to study learning-related changes in white-matter microstructure (FA, MD, RD and AD) and associations between differences in brain structure prior to training with acquired language proficiency. No evidence for changes in white matter microstructure relative to a control group was found. Starting values of RD, AD and MD were positively related to final test scores of language proficiency, corroborating earlier findings in the field and highlighting the need for further study of how initial brain structure influences and interacts with learning outcomes.

scholarly journals Machine Translation in Foreign Language Learning Classroom-Learners’ Indiscriminate Use or Instructors’ Discriminate Stance

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Xiaomin Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Machine Translation ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Technology Tools ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
Self Development

The use of machine translation (MT) tools in language learning classroom is now omnipresent, which raises a dilemma for instructors because of two issues, language proficiency and academic integrity, caused by that fact. However, with the unstoppable development and irresistible use of MT in language learning, rather than entangling with using it or banning it, it is more significant to figure out why learners turn to MT in spite of the prohibition from their instructors and how can instructors guide learners to use it appropriately. Consequently, this paper reviews articles with regard to the reason why learners turn to MT, the practical use of MT in learners’ writing, and some pedagogical solutions for making peace with MT in language learning classroom respectively. Implications can be garnered like that a course for learners of how to use MT tools properly should be included in the curriculum design, and simultaneously, the holistic understanding of these overwhelmingly fast-developed technology tools for instructors should be a part of teachers’ self-development, since instructors without knowledge said technology tools can not fully motivate language learners and implement the pedagogical solutions offered.

Examining fluctuations in the WTC of Japanese EFL speakers: Language proficiency, affective and conditional factors

2020 ◽  
pp. 136216882097782
Author(s):  
Rintaro Sato
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Stimulated Recall ◽  
Sense Of Security

Willingness to communicate (WTC), which plays a crucial role in second or foreign language learning, has a dynamic and complex nature, fluctuating during communicative events. This study examines how the situational WTC of four Japanese speakers of English as a foreign language (EFL) emerges and fluctuates, focusing on the roles of language proficiency and affective and conditional factors. Low-intermediate and advanced speakers were engaged in an interactive, communicative activity with an interlocutor. All utterances were recorded, transcribed, and analysed and combined with the qualitative data from participants’ self-ratings and a stimulated recall interview after the activity to assess fluctuations in WTC. The findings indicate that levels of WTC are influenced differently between low-intermediate and advanced speakers. Although the WTC of all speakers was negatively affected when they sensed a lack of English proficiency, low-intermediate speakers were affected by interest in the topic, influence of interlocutors on sense of security, and self-confidence, while opportunity to talk about oneself and one’s opinions contributed to the WTC of advanced speakers. It is suggested that teaches of EFL should be considerate of these factors that can affect EFL learners’ WTC.

scholarly journals Developing Professional Identity of Economics Students Through Foreign Language Learning in Ukraine and Abroad

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-66
Author(s):  
Larysa Movchan
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Global Market ◽  
Economic Education ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Economics Students

Abstract The article tackles the issue of students’ professional identity in relation with their motivation towards learning foreign languages (with the focus on English). Modern European education is based on the principle of integrity of the interests of all stakeholders, and future specialists must be ready to meet the challenges of the growing global market. Yet only a small number of Ukrainian school graduates and students of economic universities can communicate fluently in foreign social and communicative spheres. An attempt to find out what hinders the process of foreign language acquisition at non-linguistic universities and what really influences their motivation has been made. The research shows that an important factor in students’ motivation towards learning foreign languages is their professional self-identity, which is developed during university study and is in its turn determined by the contents, the form of professional education and the goals set. The analysis of the pedagogical literature has enabled us to formulate the definition of the “professional identity of economics students” content. Thus, it denotes person’s professional competencies that help him/her understand his/her role and place in the professional domain, at the job market and in the society on the whole, and also implies motivation, confidence and responsibility as well as readiness to work effectively. Once the student has identified his/her future professional roles, challenges, options and responsibilities he/she is motivated to develop the skills necessary to perform their professional duties and succeed in the career. Economic university training with the global context in mind is a motivating factor of improving foreign language competency of students and a definite factor of economic education prestige.

scholarly journals COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT AMONG STUDENTS OF NON-LINGUISTIC UNIVERSITIES WITH THE HELP OF TBLT APPROACH IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE LESSONS

2021 ◽  
pp. 409-414
Author(s):  
Svitlana Nykyporets ◽  
Nataliia Hadaichuk
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Analysis ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Competence Development ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Foreign Language Proficiency

The article contains a comparative analysis of PPP and TBLT approaches to the foreign language learning including the detailed description of the main stages of teaching and lessons planning in the framework of each approach; the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches are also considered in the article. It is also emphasized that using TBLT approach in groups of students from non-linguistic universities with a low level of foreign language proficiency (A2) is rather difficult. In such situations authors recommend considering the traditional PPP method, which allows practicing and fixing the necessary speech patterns.

scholarly journals Developing an Interactive Storybook Application ‘Jack and the Dirty Smelly Beast’ for English Language Proficiency among Children

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Indah Fakhrani Arpin ◽  
Maizatul Hayati Mohamad Yatim
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Instructional System ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Instructional System Design ◽  
Education Policies

The high percentage of students who are still struggling with the English language is worrisome, even though there are many well-planned strategies and education policies that are developed to resolve this problem. It is a universal belief that learning a foreign language at a young age through reading plays an important role. Accordingly, the aim of this research is to design, develop and evaluate an interactive storybook application combined with suitable multimedia elements and features to encourage children to read. The interactive storybook entitled 'Jack and the Dirty Smelly Beast' was developed using Instructional System Design (ISD) and Rapid Prototyping model. An experimental study was conducted with 17 respondents between the ages of 6 – 8 years to test the effects of the multimedia elements and features in improving children’s learning. Their responses were recorded and analysed using descriptive analysis. The findings showed that respondents agreed that learning experience improved significantly and attracted children to read when using this application. In conclusion, by using correct multimedia elements and suitable features in the interactive storybook application, it is envisaged that the children’s comprehension in learning a foreign language can be expanded. This research foresees there is enormous opportunity for literacy development in foreign language learning in the early ages through the creation of an interactive storybook application with suitable multimedia elements and features for children.

Integrating content and foreign language learning

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Lasagabaster
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Qualitative Approach ◽  
Education Students ◽  
Content Learning ◽  
Organizational Conditions ◽  
Foreign Language Proficiency

Content and language integrated learning (CLIL) programmes have recently gained momentum in many European countries in the belief that students will significantly improve their foreign language proficiency while content learning is not negatively affected. Based on a longitudinal qualitative approach, this article focuses on students’ reflections on their experience with CLIL. Previous studies have shown that students are able to reflect on organizational conditions and their learning process, while their reflections allow researchers to identify some of the key elements in students’ beliefs. Through focus groups carried out over a three-year period, this study gathers secondary education students’ reflections on their motivational stance, the CLIL experience, and the use of their linguistic repertoire in the CLIL classroom. By tapping into students’ language beliefs, reflections, and motivation, a clearer picture of CLIL settings will be available by bringing to light both the strengths and weaknesses of these programmes.

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