scholarly journals Strengths and Weaknesses of Applying Cooperative Learning in Foreign Language Classrooms: A Case Study of Arab Learners’ Perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. p368
Author(s):  
Reem Alsanie ◽  
Mona Sabir
Keyword(s):  
Cooperative Learning ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
L2 Production ◽  
Foreign Language Classrooms ◽  
Language Proficiency Test

This study aims to explore the strengths and weaknesses of implementing Cooperative Learning (CL) in language classrooms from learners’ perspectives. Many studies have investigated the effect of CL on learners’ L2 production, but fewer studies have been conducted to discover the strengths and possible weaknesses of applying CL. Therefore, this study is undertaken to investigate Saudi learners’ views towards the strengths and weaknesses of implementing CL in foreign language classrooms. The participants are six low-level Saudi EFL learners enrolled in a general English course as part of their foundation year requirements. The participants were first given a language background questionnaire and a language proficiency test to determine their current proficiency levels. They were then exposed to CL in their language classes for a total of six hours, after which they were asked to take part in semi-structured interviews. The interviews were designed to gather the learners’ opinions of using CL activities in classrooms after they had experienced the use of it. The study outlines the strengths and weaknesses of CL as reported by the participants. Based on the findings, the study highlights some teaching implications for language practitioners and provides suggestions for future research.

scholarly journals The Place of Arabic in English as a Foreign Language University Level Classes in Jordan

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-267
Author(s):  
Tamador Khalaf Abu-Snoubar ◽  
Bandar Khlil Mukattash
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
First Language ◽  
Target Language ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Language Classes ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Foreign Language Classrooms

Modern graduates face major challenges in the international job market where knowledge of English and other foreign languages became one of the most important requirements of a well-trained professional. Even though the demands of such candidates increase, the methodology of teaching English remains the same. Modern educators and students demand the inclusion of the first language in their English as a Foreign Language classrooms, yet still, this method is considered controversial. Previous research generated ambiguous and inconclusive findings that the current study tries to re-explore. This study aims to find out the a) students’ attitude towards implementing their first language in English as a Foreign Language classes; b) how these attitudes can be related to their proficiency levels; c) the potential purposes of using the first language in the English language classrooms; and d) if teachers support using a bilingual approach in their classrooms. The current research uses a mixed-method design by applying a survey filled in by 400 students studying at Al-Balqa Applied University and semi-structured interviews with 5 instructors from the same institute to collect the data needed. The findings recognized that both students and teachers support the situational application of Arabic in the English as a Foreign Language classrooms, especially when it comes to the reading comprehension activities and introducing a new grammar topic or new vocabulary items. The use of the first language has to be proportionate to the level of students’ target language proficiency, as basic English speakers require the inclusion of their first language more often than their advanced counterparts.

scholarly journals The Place of Arabic in English as a Foreign Language University Level Classes in Jordan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamador Khalaf Abu-Snoubar ◽  
Bandar Khlil Mukattash
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
First Language ◽  
Target Language ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Language Classes ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Foreign Language Classrooms

Modern graduates face major challenges in the international job market where knowledge of English and other foreign languages became one of the most important requirements of a well-trained professional. Even though the demands of such candidates increase, the methodology of teaching English remains the same. Modern educators and students demand the inclusion of the first language in their English as a Foreign Language classrooms, yet still, this method is considered controversial. Previous research generated ambiguous and inconclusive findings that the current study tries to re-explore. This study aims to find out the a) students’ attitude towards implementing their first language in English as a Foreign Language classes; b) how these attitudes can be related to their proficiency levels; c) the potential purposes of using the first language in the English language classrooms; and d) if teachers support using a bilingual approach in their classrooms. The current research uses a mixed-method design by applying a survey filled in by 400 students studying at Al-Balqa Applied University and semi-structured interviews with 5 instructors from the same institute to collect the data needed. The findings recognized that both students and teachers support the situational application of Arabic in the English as a Foreign Language classrooms, especially when it comes to the reading comprehension activities and introducing a new grammar topic or new vocabulary items. The use of the first language has to be proportionate to the level of students’ target language proficiency, as basic English speakers require the inclusion of their first language more often than their advanced counterparts.

scholarly journals A REVIEW ON THE USE OF L1 IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSROOMS

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Zilian
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
First Language ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Learning Methods ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Foreign Language Classrooms ◽  
L1 Use

This review aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the use of first language (L1) in foreign language classrooms by reviewing 15 empirical studies. This review found that the focuses of those studies can be categorized from five aspects: (1) extent of L1 use, (2) the purpose of L1 use, (3) factors influencing teachers’ use of L1, (4) attitudes and identities related to L1 use, and (5) the effectiveness of L1 use on second language (L2) learning. Methods for research on this area and directions for future research are suggested. 本文旨在通过对15篇实证研究的回顾，对外语课堂中母语的使用提供一个全面的视角。本文主要发现, 这些研究的主题可以分为五类: (1)使用母语的程度, (2) 使用母语的目的, (3) 影响教师使用母语的因素, (4) 关于母语使用的态度和身份转变, 以及 (5) 母语使用对外语学习的影响。基于以上发现本文总结了该领域的研究方法，指明了未来的研究方向。 <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0789/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

scholarly journals How Should Teachers View Learner Code Switching in Second/ Foreign Language Classrooms?

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sari Hidayati
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Code Switching ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Language Learning Strategy ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Foreign Language Classrooms ◽  
Pedagogical Goals

This article aims to discuss functions of code switching in second and foreign language classrooms. The discussion focuses on learner (as opposed to teacher) code switching in classrooms in which the learners share the same language background. It explores the extent to which code switching plays the roles in enabling students to achieve the pedagogical goals. Also, it attempts to find the place of the functions in the notion of language learning strategy. For second language teaching and learning, the discussion is expected raise teachers’ awareness of the patterns and functions the code switching may have in the teaching and learning process. Therefore, the paper is specifically addressed to teachers of second or foreign language as it will expectedly widen the teachers’ horizon on the fact of code switching existing in language classrooms and help the teachers cope with the phenomenon.

scholarly journals Mobilizing foreign language students for multilingual crisis translation in Shanghai

Multilingua ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 587-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongyan Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Local Community ◽  
University Student ◽  
Technical Knowledge ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Close Collaboration ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Student Volunteers ◽  
The University

AbstractThis paper examines the multilingual translation efforts of a group of university student volunteers during the COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews of the volunteer team leader, team members, and a local community health worker. Findings identified time constraints, limited language proficiency, and limited technical knowledge as the major challenges confronting the university volunteers. In order to overcome the challenges, they worked in close collaboration and used translingual and network strategies to facilitate prompt and high-quality crisis translation. Findings suggest that foreign language university students in local universities may serve as readily available multilingual resources and can be mobilized in prompt response to the grassroots multilingual needs of the local community in times of crisis. The paper ends with implications for measures and strategies to enhance effective emergency language service and crisis communication for global multilingual cities.

scholarly journals English as a Lingua Franca Approach: Implications and Limitations in Saudi English as a Foreign Language Classrooms

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 96-104
Author(s):  
Samar Alharbi
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Lingua Franca ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
The World ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Native Speakers Of English ◽  
Foreign Language Classrooms ◽  
Global Language

English language considers a global language spoken by a majority of people around the world. It is a language used mainly for communication, trades and study purposes. This widespread of English language being wildly spoken lead to different varieties of English as a lingua franca (ELF) means that non native speakers of English still be able to communicate with each other. Using ELF as a legitimate variety of English in language classrooms is questioned by some researchers. This paper will provide an overview of the concept of ELF. It will also present implications and limitations of using ELF in Saudi English as foreign language classrooms.

scholarly journals APPLYING COOPERATIVE LEARNING TO COLLEGE STUDENTS TO ENHANCE THEIR COMMUNICATIVE SKILLS

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 71-78
Author(s):  
Miressa Amenu Terfa
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Cooperative Learning ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Native Language ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Art Students ◽  
Communicative Skills ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Group Members

Cooperative learning has proved to be an effective method for both teachers and students and it has been found to have many positive benefits to foreign language teaching.  This paper was aimed at applying cooperative learning to college students for English as a foreign language (EFL). The participants of the study were summer three Art students of Mettu College of Teachers Education. Accordingly, all participants were selected through purposive sampling techniques for the questionnaire and Focus group discussion. Qualitative data were obtained and analyzed qualitatively. The major findings of this study suggested that cooperative learning helped significantly to enhance the college learners’ oral communicative skills and their motivation toward learning English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Furthermore, the findings revealed students’ contradictory views regarding native language use and whether CL could help them improve their language skills. Sometimes, students switched to their native language to clarify points or communicate with group members since, as noted in the observations, a large percentage of language classrooms allowed students to use their native language during group discussion.

scholarly journals Japanese Language and "Characters": From the Perspective of Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-68
Author(s):  
Yukiko SHUKURI
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Proficiency Test ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Japanese Language ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Textbook Research ◽  
Language Proficiency Test

This paper introduces current status of "role language" and the "speaker's character" and their applications in Japanese teaching materials. Besides it studies the knowledge of Russian learners of Japanese and carefully examines their knowledge of four typical kinds of "role language" in Japanese anime and manga by using a questionnaire and follow-up interviews. From the results of the textbook research, the following two things are revealed; (a) first person pronouns except for watashi are rarely used, (b) there is not enough explanations about different "speaker's characters" in detail. Furthermore, findings of the questionnaire show that some of the learners who have the same impression of the characters as Japanese native speakers, wrongly connect a certain "role language" to illustrations of a character, and results of as much as three kinds of "role language" have a low positive correlation with the learners' results of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. Results also reveal that all four kinds of "role language" have no correlation with other factors, such as student's duration of learning Japanese, or frequency of the use of Japanese outside the classroom.

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