Refusal and Politeness Strategies of Malay Speakers of English As A Second Language

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norma Saad ◽  
Siti Jamilah Bidin ◽  
Ahmad Affendi Shabdin
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Human Communication ◽  
University Selection ◽  
Politeness Strategies ◽  
Linguistic Behaviour ◽  
Linguistic Behavior ◽  
Refusal Strategies

Politeness is an essential part in human communication. It plays a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining good relationships and social harmony. It is reflected by linguistic and non-linguistic behavior through which we indicate that we take others’ feelings of how they should be treated into account.  The present study investigated the application of politeness strategies through the linguistic behaviour of twelve Malay English as a second language (MSE) undergraduate students when refusing their higher status interlocutor’s scholarship offer to pursue their studies at an overseas university. Selection of participants was based on a purposive sampling and on the students’ MUET results.  The study examined how these students employed politeness strategies as they struggled to find an equilibrium between defending their stance of not accepting the scholarship and at the same time maintaining civility towards a persistent university officer. Data on refusal interactions between the students and the university officer were obtained through an open role-play which were transcribed, classified into semantic refusal strategies, categorized into the types of sequence orders of the strategies and finally classified according to Brown and Levinson’s politeness strategies. The repertoire of MSE refusal strategies reveals positive politeness to be dominant followed by bald-on-record while negative politeness was employed minimally. Using a combination of these three types of politeness, the MSE refusal interactions show variation of politeness ranging from less to more polite. The study revealed that the degree of politeness depend very much on participants’ effort to adapt to the context of situation. The variation of strategies which reflect different degree of politeness generated by the study would be useful as pragmatic input. This input could be utilized by English language teachers to raise pragmatic awareness and to develop their students’ ability to use socially appropriate language for the situation they encounter.

scholarly journals REFUSAL STRATEGIES USED BY MALAY ESL STUDENTSAND ENGLISH NATIVE SPEAKERS TO REFUSE A REQUEST

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Norma Saad ◽  
Siti Jamilah Bidin ◽  
Ahmad Affendi Shabdin
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Cultural Dimensions ◽  
Politeness Theory ◽  
Politeness Strategies ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
Native Speakers Of English ◽  
Refusal Strategies

The present study investigates similarities and differences of a speech act of refusal in English as realized by Malay Speakers of English (MSE) and Native Speakers of English (NSE). The study examined the types and also the contents of the strategies used by the two groups when refusing a request made by a higher status interlocutor. An Enhanced Open Role-play was utilized to obtain data on the types and content of refusal strategies. Participants of the study comprised 12 MSE undergraduate students from a local university and 12 NSE who were IGSCE and Diploma Baccalaureate students from an international school who had refused to the higher status interlocutor’s request. Qualitative data analytic methods were used to analyse the data which were classified into semantic refusal strategies and politeness strategies. Brown’s and Levinson’s politeness theory, Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and Hall’s high- and low-context cultures were used to guide the study. The findings revealed that the two groups shared many similarities in terms of types and contents of the strategies when refusing to the higher status interlocutor’s requests. Nevertheless, the NSE demonstrated a higher use of direct strategies and the content of their indirect strategies and adjuncts to refusal strategies reflect the western individualistic values.  The MSEs,’ on the other hand exhibited the eastern values which prioritize group’s importance. These findings provide further insights on the complexities of refusal interaction and the patterns could be used by English language teachers as pragmatic input to develop English as a Second Language students’ ability to use socially appropriate language for the situation they encounter.

scholarly journals Utilizing Smartphones to Enhance Students ‘Learning of English Language

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 67-76
Author(s):  
S. Subha ◽  
Dr S Diravidamani
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Second Language Learners ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Smart Phones ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Learning English

Technology plays a momentous role in almost all the fields mainly far –reaching in educational field. It provides creative freedom, endless resources and learning materials. In the current scenario, students engage themselves in the recent technological advancements which not only kill their time but also entertain them all the time. So, the Teachers can take up these technological tools in their hands to inculcate English language to the younger generation instead of following the traditional method of teaching. Now-a-days, Smart phones have reached all the hands in the world including the rural people and made everything easier. By using   smart phones effectively in Language classrooms, English language teachers can provoke interest among the non –native learners in learning English Language. Smart phone is a tool which presents visually attractive materials to the students that would be very much appealing to the second language learners. Through this, the four basic communication skills (LSRW Skills) of the second language learners can be enriched and refined .Thus, this paper predominantly focuses on the  pros and cons of using smart phones in learning English  based on the feedback  accrued  from the undergraduate students .

scholarly journals Pronunciation Errors of Letter “G” in English Language Made by Saudi Undergraduate Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huda Alqunayeer
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Loan Words ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
Academic Year

The primary goal of the present study is to identify the problematic areas in the pronunciation of the letter “g” in English written words made by Saudi female learners of English as a foreign language, and the reasons for the weakness associated with mispronunciation of English written words which contain this letter. The population of the study was the female students (90 students) and their English language teachers (12 teachers) at the Qassim University during the academic year (2014-2015). There were two types of instruments used in this study. The first was a pronunciation test for the student participants in order to investigate the problematic areas of pronouncing “g” in different environments in different words; and the second a questionnaire for the teacher participants to provide comprehensive data about the causes of these errors of pronouncing “g” committed by EFL female students at Qassim University. Ninety female students were included for the pronunciation test and 12 teachers were asked to answer the questionnaire. Simple percentage was used for analyzing the data of recording words (pronunciation test). Results of the students’ recording words revealed that the participants mispronounced “g” before nasals (68%). According to the results of the teachers’ responses to the questionnaire suggested many factors that can cause difficulties for students in terms of pronouncing “g” in English written words. According to them, these difficulties are concerned with reading difficulties, nonstandard spellings, letters that follow “g” (many of them may become combinations), loan words, orthography (no correspondence between the English alphabets and their sounds). The researcher offers recommendations that might help teachers and students to overcome and reduce these mispronunciations of this letter in English written words.

scholarly journals First Person and Second Person Markers as Representatives of a Case in a Verb Form

2021 ◽  
Vol X (3) ◽  
pp. 66-73
Author(s):  
Liliya Makovskaya ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Second Language Writing ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Second Person ◽  
Oral Feedback ◽  
Electronic Feedback ◽  
Language Writing

Feedback has always been considered important in second language writing. Quite recently due to various reasons, electronic feedback has become one of the frequently applied types (Zareekbatani, 2015; Ene & Upton, 2018). The aim of the research study was therefore to identify lecturers’ and students’ views on the use of online comments provided on the second language writing tasks. The data was collected through conducting online semi-structured interviews with undergraduate students and lecturers of one Uzbek university. The findings revealed that a variety of comments given on different aspects of the written assessment tasks in the Google documents and combined with additional oral feedback were effective. The article aims at discussing the detailed findings of the research study and providing possible suggestions for language teachers on the use of electronic feedback in L2 writing.

An Investigation of the Relationship of Motivation, Attitudes and Environment

2018 ◽  
pp. 1126-1139
Author(s):  
Helen, Yeh Wai Man
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Attribution Theory ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Self Confidence

This chapter will study a Philippine and a Chinese leaner's approaches to learn and achieve English language proficiency over 15 years in Hong Kong using biographical approaches. It focuses on the experience of individual motivation and social learning environments, and examines the interactions between the learner's motivation, self-confidence, and competition in the global economy. The effect of the interaction on shaping English learning and the learning experiences in three aspects including formal, self-directed and natural learning environments will also be discussed through Gardner's model of socio-educational model in second language acquisition and Weiner's attribution theory in social psychology. The chapter will suggest some practical implications for students and language teachers, discusses the ways to enhance second language learning in a cosmopolitan city, and presents some possible ways to increase learners' motivation and competitiveness in the global economy.

scholarly journals WhatsApp Mobile Tool in Second Language Learning: Opportunities, Potentials and Challenges in Higher Education Settings in Tanzania

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Job W. Mwakapina ◽  
Abdulkarim S. Mhandeni ◽  
Onesmo S. Nyinondi
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Discussion Board ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
Interactive Learning Environment ◽  
English Grammar ◽  
L2 Learning ◽  
The Government

<p>Teaching large classes interactively has always been posing great challenges to language teachers in many of the developing countries. This study sought to explore whether the blending of WhatsApp Social Networking Tool (WSNT) in English Second Language (L2) learning class would make the class more interactive. Specifically, the study investigated roles and extent to which WSNT helps in the improvement of English Proficiency. Further, it explored advantages and challenges of using the tool in L2 learning. The study was conducted at one university involving first year undergraduate students who were pursuing different programs, and English grammar course was a compulsory course to them. WSNT was blended in grammar course for a period of one semester. Thereafter, evaluation forms and WhatsApp discussion board were used in data collection. It was realised that the tool plays a great role to the largest extent in helping students learn English interactively and collaboratively. In respect to advantages and challenges, it was reflected that the benefits of blending WSNT in L2 classroom far outweigh the challenges. This implies that WSNT does much good than harm on student’s L2 learning and development. The study concludes that WSNT can be fully utilised for education purposes. The government is therefore urged to provide loans to university students for online mobile learning tools as part of their special faculty requirements. Also, instructors are recommended to adapt the tool synchronously in their courses because the tool is effective at creating interactive learning environment.</p>

scholarly journals Exploring Factors of Speech Anxiety in Second Language Classroom

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 97
Author(s):  
Abdul Malik Abbasi ◽  
Samreen Riaz Ahmed ◽  
Alia Farooqi ◽  
Stephon John
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Speech Anxiety ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
The World ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Esl Learners

This study aims to investigate the factors affecting on English speech of undergraduate students at the SMIU, Karachi. The study prospects two aspects as outcomes of the study, one to discover what are the major issues and hindrances and another one to find their solutions for developing techniques and skills to gain confidence while speaking English as a second language in ESL classroom and in public. It will further investigate as how to help develop a wonderful speech free from speech anxiety. The study administered Likert Scale as a tool for data collection. Forty participating students were recruited from the department of Computer Science, Sindh Madressatul Islam University, Karachi. Speech anxiety is a common phenomenon amongst the students in the second language classrooms. Second language i.e., English, however, has become the lingua franca of the world. It is no longer the language of only native Britishers and Americans, rather, it is a widely spoken language by most people living in every nook & corner of the world. This study investigates as to how ESL learners turn out as nervous speakers while speaking English. Findings of the study suggest that speech anxiety seems to be an unavoidable phenomenon for ESL learners as the data reveal. In addition, this study is associated with the previous studies that there is a moderate level of Foreign Language Speech Anxiety (FLSA) amongst the Pakistani English speakers. Since English is taught from the primary level and every literate person almost understands and speaks English. Pakistani English language speakers should speak without speech anxiety, though it seems to be a part of human nature being nervous while speaking English as a second language. The students should learn how to manage speech anxiety by welcoming it and try to overcome it not by mindless imitation but by being natural in English speech.

scholarly journals A Comparative Study Of The Use Of Infinitive In English And Albanian Language. Teaching English Grammar To Albanian Learners Based On A Comparison.

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Artemisa Dralo
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
English Grammar ◽  
Correct Usage ◽  
Second Language Teachers ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
Incorrect Usage

Today, interest in developing courses that provide interdisciplinary perspectives is increasing. In this way, we could obviously illustrate and give exact comparisons for our learners of English as a second language, in order to avoid their misconception and later incorrect usage of exact grammatical patterns. Thus a detailed study particularly upon the key patterns of each language, especially the correct usage of verbs, is necessary not even for the learner, but also for the teacher and especially for a linguist. The aim of this study is the correct usage and explanation of non-finite verbs for the learner of English as a second language. Teachers of all levels of English language have usually been confronted with this problem, while explaining grammar and trying to adjust the similarities and differences of English non-finites with the Albanian forms. This article focuses as well on the morphological and syntactical aspect and the structure of non-finite verbs within sentences in English and Albanian language, the problem of whether verbs are followed by the gerund or infinitive, especially in English but in a comparison to Albanian language and their equivalence. 

scholarly journals Y TÚ, ¿POR QUÉ VAS A CLASE? EXAMEN DE LA MOTIVACIÓN DE ESTUDIANTES DE INGLÉS EN LA UNIVERSIDAD ESPAÑOLA.

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 541
Author(s):  
Alba Gutiérrez Martínez ◽  
José Antonio Del Barrio Del Campo
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Motivation Factors ◽  
Learning Success ◽  
Language Learning Motivation ◽  
Second Language Teachers

Abstract:WHY DO YOU GO TO CLASS? A STUDY ABOUT ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING MOTIVATION FACTORS OF STUDENTS IN A SPANISH UNIVERSITY.Research on Second Language Acquisition has stand out the importance of students’ motivation as a crucial individual variable in the learning success (Gardner 2001, 2010, Dörnyei y Ushioda 2011, for instance). The present study reports on motivation factors of a group of English as a Foreign Language students (EFL) from the University of Cantabria. Data was collected through questionnaires and has important pedagogical implications because understanding motivation is an important factor not only for our students but also for parents, instructors and editorials (Babaae, 2012). Moreover, Europe is moving into a multilingual society that requires second language teachers not simply to teach English, French or German but to develop a multilingual and multicultural conscience on students (Lorenzo, Trujillo & Vez, 2011). This data can shed light to the issue by explaining what motivates our students.KEY WORDS: MOTIVATION, SECOND LANGUAGE MOTIVATION, ENGLISH TEACHING, FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNINGResumen:Gran parte de la investigación en la adquisición de segundas lenguas ha resaltado el papel de la motivación del alumnado como una importante variable individual para el éxito del aprendizaje (Gardner 2001, 2010, Dörnyei y Ushioda 2011, por ejemplo). El presente estudio reporta los factores de motivación de un grupo de alumnos y alumnas de inglés de la Universidad de Cantabria relacionados con su nivel, edad y sexo. Los resultados han sido recogidos a través de cuestionarios y tienen una gran importancia pedagógica ya que conocer la motivación tiene un papel crucial no solo para nuestro alumnado, sino también para padres y madres, profesorado y editoriales (Babaae, 2012). Además, no hay que olvidar que, con los cambios que nos están llevando hacia una sociedad plurilingüe, el profesorado debe ampliar sus competencias docentes y dejar, por tanto, de enseñar solo inglés, francés o alemán, para pasar a desarrollar una conciencia plurilingüe y multicultural en su alumnado (Lorenzo, Trujillo & Vez, 2011). Estos datos pueden contribuir en gran medida a ello arrojando luz sobre qué motiva a nuestros estudiantes.PALABRAS CLAVE: MOTIVACIÓN, MOTIVACIÓN EN SEGUNDAS LENGUAS, ENSEÑANZA DE INGLÉS, APRENDIZAJE DE SEGUNDAS LENGUAS

scholarly journals Native-speakerism and professional teacher identity in L2 pronunciation learning

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharif Alghazo ◽  
Mahmoud Zidan
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Effective Teaching ◽  
Teacher Identity ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Professional Teacher ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
Global Language ◽  
L2 Pronunciation

Many studies in different contexts have examined both English as a second language (ESL) and English as a foreign language (EFL) students’ convictions about the connection between nativeness in English and professional teacher identity; however, very few studies solely focused on that connection in second language (L2) pronunciation teaching. This paper explores EFL university students’ experiences in learning English pronunciation from ‘native’- and ‘nonnative’- English-speaking teachers (NESTs and NNESTs). Based on an empirical study of undergraduates-prospective English language teachers-at the University of Jordan, the paper finds that most students still view ‘nativeness’ as the main descriptor of effective teaching, strongly believing NESTs to be the ‘authority’ and source of ‘correctness,’ both of which convictions are emblematic of native-speakerism, which in turns leads to both cultural panic and voicelessness on the part of NNESTs and learners. The study concludes with calling for the need to raise awareness among EFL students of the various manifestations of English as a global language-particularly the irrelevance of nativeness to effective teaching-and incorporating NNESTs into teaching L2 pronunciation and rejecting their marginalisation in teaching pronunciation in EFL contexts.

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