scholarly journals English Phonemic Awareness of Students with Visual Disabilities

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (01) ◽  
pp. 191-209
Author(s):  
Aghnessia Arum ◽  
Alies Lintangsari ◽  
Widya Perdhani
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Phonemic Awareness ◽  
Front Vowel ◽  
Visual Disabilities ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
Spelling Ability ◽  
Back Vowel ◽  
Esl Learners ◽  
Blind Students

Most of researches have reported the significance of English phonemic awareness to the success of learning English, but less discussions involving students with visual disabilities. Students with visual disabilities lacks of visual input and form a strong sensitivity to audio input, researches have reported that this condition affect their spelling ability, yet, their ability in recognizing English phonemes has been less explored especially in Indonesia. Thus, this research aims to describe the phonemic awareness of students with visual disabilities who learn English as Foreign Language. The participants of this research are students with visual disabilities whether active or passive braille user. 7 students with visual disabilities participated in an Online English Phonemic Awareness Test. Two independent raters rated the data independently. Interrater agreement was applied to ensure the objectivity of two independent interrater. The findings show that students with visual disabilities are aware of consonants Fricative alveolar, Plosive bilabial, and Plosive alveolar sounds but struggling with Fricative velar and Affricative velar sound, they are also aware of vowels Close mid front vowel, Close front long vowel sounds, Close mid back vowel and Open central vowel but struggling in identifying Open back vowel, Close mid central vowel, and Open mid back vowel. English phonemic awareness is a very important basic thing in language learning. However, it will be very challenging for ESL learners, especially those who learn are blind students because of certain obstacles that blind students have so that strategies are needed in language learning.

scholarly journals Phonemic Awareness in English as a Foreign Language

EL LE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Gronchi
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Phonemic Awareness ◽  
Classroom Practice ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
School Students ◽  
Early Deprivation

The present paper discusses the results of an action-research study involving a 15-year-old student who was diagnosed with severe dyslexia after coming to Italy through international adoption. The study investigates the literature on language acquisition in cases of early deprivation and the implications of the phonological deficit in students with dyslexia in a foreign language learning environment. The essay also reports the results of a learning program concerning phonological awareness that has been delivered in a two-month period to the student. The program outlines a possible methodological and practical framework for raising phonemic awareness in secondary school students with dyslexia and offers suggestions for classroom practice.

scholarly journals The Effects of YouTube in Multimedia Instruction for Vocabulary Learning: Perceptions of EFL Students and Teachers

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raniah Kabooha ◽  
Tariq Elyas
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Control Group ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Vocabulary Comprehension ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Youtube Videos ◽  
Reading Activities

The present study sought to examine the improvement in vocabulary comprehension and retention of Saudi English as foreign language female students at King Abdul Aziz University as a result of integrating YouTube in their reading classes. The study also investigated the perceptions of both students as well as teachers towards the inclusion of YouTube on the development of vocabulary. One hundred female intermediate level students aged between 18-20 years old participated in the study. Students were divided into two groups: an experimental group who watched YouTube during the reading activities and a control group who was not exposed to the videos. Data were collected using pre-tests and post-tests in addition to questionnaires. The findings of the study reveal that the group who viewed the YouTube clips outperformed the group who was not exposed to YouTube videos in the posttest. The results clearly show that YouTube provided statistically significant effects on the students' vocabulary acquisition. The findings of the study indicate that the participants positively viewed the use of YouTube in their lessons. The findings also revealed significant improvement in the students’ vocabulary achievement. The implications of the findings are discussed within the context of foreign language learning and teaching.

scholarly journals Adult EFL Reading Selection: Influence on Literacy

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Sebastián Basallo Gómez
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Adult Students ◽  
Research Methodology ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
Selection Processes ◽  
Text Selection ◽  
The Impact

<p><span>This paper is about the impact of systematic reading selection used to promote English as foreign language learning in adult students. A qualitative action research methodology was used to carry out this project. Ten class sessions were designed to provide students an opportunity to select texts according to criteria based upon their language levels and personal/professional interests. The findings align with three categories of influence: motivation, engagement, and contextualization/interpretation of readings. The main objective of this project was to see how the students’ text selection processes, guided by systematically designed criteria and elaborated strategies, influenced learning and acquisition in terms of motivation, perceptions, and opinions towards reading in English.</span></p>

scholarly journals Correlation of Creativity and Academic Performance in English in STEM and Humanities Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-482
Author(s):  
Irina E. Beliakova ◽  
Marina A. Kecherukova ◽  
Julia S. Murzina
Keyword(s):  
Academic Performance ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
School Students ◽  
Global Trends ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
Microsoft Office

Introduction. Developing students’ creative thinking is one of the current global trends in higher education. Despite the existence of a number of studies focusing on creativity enhancement, including its development by means of foreign language learning, the problem of the correlation of students’ creativity levels, academic profile (track) (STEM and humanities) and academic progress in mastering a foreign language remains open. The purpose of this study was to identify possible correlations: between the creativity of university students and their academic performance in a foreign language and between their creativity and specialization areas. Materials and Methods. The sample consisted of 300 students (150 majoring in humanities and 150 in engineering) from two Tyumen universities. The study used an abridged version of the Torrance test of creative thinking, the second subtest “Incomplete Figures Task”. The collected data were processed using mathematical statistics methods in Microsoft Office Excel and Statistica 10.0. Results. According to the results of the study, a low level of students’ creativity was discovered in terms of originality and flexibility of thinking. These indicators were lower than those of the high school students in 1994. At the same time, two other indicators, fluency and elaboration, were higher than statistical norms. A positive correlation was found between academic performance in English as Foreign Language and elaboration. No relationship between academic performance in EFL and other indicators has been registered. There were no statistically significant differences in the level of creativity between students majoring in engineering and humanities. Discussion and Conclusion. The results of the study point to the need to find new ways to foster students’ creativity in the classroom, including creation of a creativity stimulating environment, pedagogical monitoring of students’ creativity, and measures to encourage creative teaching.

A TECHNOLOGICAL APPROACH TO OVERCOME SPECIFIC PHONOLOGICAL ERRORS MADE BY FOREIGN STUDENTS LEARNING BULGARIAN

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 2279-2282
Author(s):  
Lidiya Kavrakova ◽  
Mariya Genova ◽  
Mariya Genova
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Phonemic Awareness ◽  
Foreign Students ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Technological Approach ◽  
Word Forms ◽  
System Acquisition ◽  
Phonological Errors

The purpose of this article is to suggest a technological approach in order to help foreign students learning Bulgarian to overcome specific phonological mistakes at a beginning level.The complex psychological process which takes place during foreign language acquisition is unavoidably accompanied by mother tongue interference. The interference takes place on various levels; however, it is definitely most noticeable with the new phonetic system acquisition. Differentiating phonemes which sound similar is a problematic area in Bulgarian language learning. Foreign students, regardless of their nationality, make specific phonetic-phonological errors, one of which is the so called Epenthesis [i] is being incorrectly inserted in word forms where only [ya] is required.Certain word forms are differentiated in tables, thus helping to understand and rationalize the language regularities which is part of the core language skills for producing oral and written language. Word classes with grammatical forms requiring [-ya], [-iya] are presented in opposing rows. The suggested tables are of great practical value and have been approbated in teaching Bulgarian to foreign students at MU – Plovdiv. They enhance building phonemic perception of individual sound combinations. The work with the students has proved that the suggested technological approach is effective in forming certain practical skills to differentiate the structures in question and to use them appropriately in speaking.Errors ‘anticipatory‘diagnosis enhances their assessment and defines the choice of a relevant technique in order to rectify them. A system of purposeful exercises has been developed to achieve good phonemic awareness, defined concept of sound-letter correspondence, knowledge of segmental and super segmental units of speech flow and good pronunciation. This approach activates students’ motivation in acquiring Bulgarian phonetics and phonology and implementing new general and medical vocabulary.The technological approach suggested in the article is part of the teaching activities, designed to help learners master new knowledge and skills to use Bulgarian both in casual and academic environment. The main purpose of this technique and the observations from teaching practice is to share our professional experience and ideas so that the process of teaching Bulgarian as a foreign language could be optimizes.

POSITIVE DISCIPLINE: SOLUTION TO BOOST STUDENTS’ SELF ESTEEM IN LEARNING ENGLISH AS FOREIGN LANGUAGE

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 114
Author(s):  
Nur Muthmainnah
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Classroom Management ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Theoretical Concept ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
Positive Discipline ◽  
Language Classroom

<p>This theoretical concept is aimed to investigate how positive discipline is implemented in foreign language classroom and improve students’ self-esteem. As one of forms of classroom management, positive discipline expects long-term discipline planted in the learners’ behavior. There are five principles of positive discipline which can be implemented in language learning; Identifying long-term goals; Providing warmth and structure; Understanding child development; Identifying individual differences; Problem-solving and responding with positive discipline. The implementation of positive discipline which support classroom encouragement and confidence could improve learner’s self-esteem. By implementing the positive discipline, teacher also takes advantages on understanding more about his students’ character. In addition, learner would realize their long-term goal of learning foreign language which motivates them to be more active in the class.</p>

scholarly journals Beyond the avatar: Using video cameras to achieve effective collaboration in an online second language classroom

2021 ◽  
pp. 228-243
Author(s):  
Vladimir Pavlov ◽  
◽  
Natalia Smirnova ◽  
Ekaterina Nuzhaia ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Social Constructivism ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Online Collaboration ◽  
The Other ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
Video Cameras ◽  
Study Materials ◽  
Teachers And Students

In language learning, students learn through interaction with the teacher, the other students, and with the study material, to build language skills. What happens to interaction opportunities when learning goes online? In an online classroom, collaboration is difficult to achieve due to lack of physical proximity among the participants. This paper explores the problem of online collaboration between teachers and students in English as Foreign Language (EFL) classroom with the empirical focus on the role that video cameras play in online collaboration. We argue that cameras, although being contested as a pedagogical tool, should be seen as an important ‘proximity tool’ that helps foster collaboration by bringing learners and teachers ‘closer’. We theorise ‘collaboration’ via the social constructivism lens and argue that collaboration as being ‘close’ echoes in the digital sense with ‘being with’ and is core for developing an ecology of virtual collaboration. We draw on the online survey data from foreign language students and language instructors in one Russian research-intensive university, who were asked how they use cameras online. Quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis have been used to identify key patterns and emerging themes. The key findings of the study are that 1) cameras could be an important aspect of fostering collaboration online; 2) there is a tension in relationships between students, teachers, and study materials; 3) students and teachers differently perceive the need to use cameras, which may limit opportunities for online collaboration; and 4) while students feel more comfortable when all the other participants turn their cameras on, many do not see turning cameras on for themselves to be important. The paper concludes with a discussion of how camera use can foster online collaboration between teachers and students.

scholarly journals Rapid Changes in Foreign Language Learning Anxiety Caused by a Multiplicity of Topics: An Idiodynamic Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-102
Author(s):  
Khatereh Saghafi ◽  
Majid Elahi Shirvan
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Anxiety ◽  
Topic Familiarity ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Major Factors

Considering the dynamicnature of foreign language anxiety (FLA), we applied an idiodynamic method to explore topic-based variations of FLA. Before the study was conducted, a class of 20 female intermediate English as foreign language learners were assessed using the foreign language classroom anxiety scale (FLCAS). Two low-anxiety learners and two high-anxiety learners were selected to participate in this study. The idiodynamic method involved videotaping the participants’ responses to four topic-based questions, their self-ratings of fluctuations in FLA while answering the questions, and drawing attributions for topic-based changes in FLA. The results demonstrated both within-individual and between-individual stability and variation in FLA. Linguistic block, topic familiarity, topic interest, and topic-related emotional loading were revealed as the major factors affecting the dynamics of FLA. The pedagogical implications of the findings are discussed.

scholarly journals Using social networking technologies to promote language socialisation: English as foreign language teachers' perceptions in Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 122-136
Author(s):  
Khatmah Alanazi ◽  
Celia Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Learning Context ◽  
Foreign Language Teachers ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Networking Technologies

Teachers’ beliefs play a key role in their selection of language teaching methodologies; they affect teachers’ pedagogical practices and behaviours and are consequently integral in shaping the language learning classroom environment. This study investigated the beliefs of teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) in relation to the concept of ‘language socialisation’ (LS) and its pedagogical application through the use of social networking technologies (SNTs) in a Saudi university language learning context. Data comprised a survey, which was administered to a total of 28 EFL teachers, of whom five male instructors were interviewed. Findings showed that the majority of teachers reported positive associations with LS as a teaching method, as well as positive responses towards the use of SNTs in the EFL classroom despite the fact that most participants had never used SNTs in their teaching. It can be concluded that, while the EFL teachers in this study acknowledged the potentially important role that SNTs could play in enhancing students’ language learning and socialisation, their lack of first-hand classroom experience with SNTs reflected the fact that there was little access to and training in the use of these technologies. This lack of provision needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency to ensure that Saudi EFL teachers and their students are given an opportunity to engage critically with innovative technologies that may enhance the quality of their pedagogical experiences. Keywords: English as foreign language teachers in higher education in Saudi Arabia, English as a foreign language, language socialisation, social networking technologies

scholarly journals Coarticulation and learnability of transparent vowels in vowel harmony

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Sara Finley
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Natural Condition ◽  
Vowel Harmony ◽  
Artificial Language ◽  
Front Vowel ◽  
Psychological Reality ◽  
Artificial Language Learning ◽  
Back Vowel ◽  
Training Control

The representations of transparent vowels in vowel harmony have been of interest to phonologists because of the challenges they pose for constraints on locality and complexity. One proposal is that transparent vowels in back vowel harmony may be intermediate between front and back. The present study uses two artificial language learning experiments to explore the psychological reality of acoustic differences in transparent vowels in back vs. front vowel contexts. Participants were exposed to a back/round vowel harmony language with a neutral vowel that was spliced so that the F2 was lower in back vowel contexts and higher in front vowel contexts (the Natural condition) or the reverse (the Unnatural condition). While only participants in the Natural condition of Experiment 1 were able to learn the behavior of the transparent vowel relative to a No-Training control, there was no difference between the Natural and Unnatural conditions. In Experiment 2, only participants in the Natural condition learned the vowel harmony pattern, though there were no significant differences between the two conditions. No condition successfully learned the behavior of the transparent vowel in Experiment 2. These results suggest that the effects of small differences in the F2 value of transparent back vowels on learnability are minimal.

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