scholarly journals A Critique of Tin’s (2013) “Exploring the Development of ‘Interest’ in Learning English as a Foreign/Second Language”

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. p122
Author(s):  
Hui Huang

This paper critiques the research article “Exploring the Development of ‘Interest’ in Learning English as a Foreign/Second Language” written by Tan Bee Tin (2013) and mainly analyzes its strengths and weaknesses. Tin (2013) argued that the previous notions for motivation in foreign/ second language learning were considered as inadequate and claimed a new concept from a cognitive perspective. This review paper recognizes the problems Tin (2013) put forward in previous studies on learning interests, but points out that the solutions she described in her research article cannot well fill the gap.

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
David Coniam

<p>'Chatbot' programs are pieces of software that can hold a conversation, or interact, in English. This paper explores the potential of chatbots for ESL (English as a Second Language) learning from a pedagogical perspective. From the command-line days of Eliza, chatbots have matured considerably – to the point where many chatbots now involve an avatar interface, with speech recognition also becoming available as a feature. The paper evaluates six chatbots currently available either online or for purchase. The evaluation examines chatbots from the perspective of their interfaces as a human-looking or sounding partner to chat with, as well as their usability as pieces of software suitable for ESL learners. To put some of these issues in perspective and provide insights into their use, the paper also reports on the use of some chatbots in<br />the ESL classroom. The paper concludes with an analysis of chatbots currently available, noting that while chatbots have matured considerably since the early days of Eliza, they still have a long way to go before they can interact with students in the way that researchers such as Atwell (1999) envisage.</p>


2000 ◽  
Vol 129-130 ◽  
pp. 141-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Kiziltepe

This paper presents the results of a study of the influence of attitudes and motivation on the acquisition of English by Turkish students. It investigates the following factors : attitudes. towards the British and Americans; motivational intensity; interest in English and foreign languages in general; instrumental and integrative orientation; anxiety in English classes; family encouragement; the English teacher and course. Results indicate that students are highly motivated instrumentally as well as integratively although a moderate interest in the-British and the American community and culture is reported. Respondents' motivational intensity is high, their attitudes towards learning English and languages in general are positive. They do not show anxiety in class and their families are very supportive. Results about their attitudes towards their English teachers and courses vary according to the school they attend. Implications for EFL/ESL classrooms are also discussed at the end of the paper.


2018 ◽  

This volume provides an up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of second language learning. The focus throughout the book is primarily on language learning, but each chapter also discusses the implications for teaching and assessment, thus informing both understanding and practice. The book contains nine sections, which aim to organise and reflect different dimensions of the diverse and complex scope of learning English as a second or additional language. Four themes which permeate the chapters are: learning and learners; learning and language; learning and language development; learning and learning context. The 36 chapters are up-to-date and authoritative, written by experts in the field. The content is accessibly written, with questions for discussion and follow-up reading suggestions provided.


2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 204-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lih-Wei Lei ◽  
Cheng-Fang Huang

This study explores the possibility of using musicals to teach English with instructional VCD for following practice, and investigates whether it helps social economically disadvantaged aboriginal students overcome their difficulties with English and enhance their learning motivation. A series of surveys and interviews were conducted to investigate the influence of this intervention. The results showed that about 90 per cent of responded students in the intervention group considered learning English through musical interesting and it helped them to be more confident in English. About 80 per cent of students indicated that they would actively practice English through ways such as imitating singers to sing an English song. About 60 per cent of students felt more comfortable speaking English loudly and were less afraid of talking to others in English. Further comparison show that there was a significant difference between students who participated (n=39) and who didn't participate (n=15) in the English musical programme. Only about 60 per cent of those in the control group would actively learn English. Being unaware of the English musical programme, only half of the students considered learning English through acting interesting. The results of this exploratory study show musicals can provide the opportunity for the students to use language meaningfully and appropriately. The use of drama activities in second language learning helps the learners to be more imaginative, creative and less frustrated as they become more confident in the process of learning English as a second language.


1997 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria M. Tang

This article reports on a study that addresses the concerns of ESL teachers about their students' use of pocket bilingual electronic dictionaries (EDs). The purpose is to communicate to content and language teachers: (a) the features of the ED, (b) the uses secondary level ESL students make of the pocket ED as a tool for learning English, (c) the effectiveness of the ED in helping ESL students' comprehension and production of English, (d) students' perception of the usefulness of the ED, and (e) the strengths and weaknesses of the ED as perceived by ESL teachers. The findings indicate that not only do a large number of Chinese ESL students own EDs, but they also make consistent use of them during reading comprehension and writing classes. Examples are given of the students' successful and unsuccessful attempts using the ED, and recommendations are made for ESL teachers to teach dictionary skills.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mi Zhang

This essay focus on the second language learning styles of a L2 learner, utilizing Learning style survey, designed by Andrew D. Cohen, Rebecca L.Oxford and Julie C.Chi, and self-designed interview. The data have indicated that the learner's learning style re- mained relatively constant throughout his time in language studying, but it would change in different environment, in different stages of learning English. And his learning style is related to his reading. This essay is organized as follows. Section 2 gives a brief overview of learning styles. In section 3, it proposes research questions that would be investigated in this report. And section 4 and 5 provide methodology and information of participant. Section 6 presents the data and results. And section 7 considers these results with previous findings. Section 8 concludes this report.


2007 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Schofield

TWENTY EARLY CHILDHOOD STUDENT educators were surveyed on their teaching practices when working with children learning English as a second language in early childhood centres in New Zealand. The bilingual and trilingual participants stated that their practices were based on their own language learning experiences, theories learned in class and practices modelled by experienced educators. Monolingual participants, with no second language learning experiences, stated that their practices were based on theories and observations of other teachers. This seems to highlight the importance of experiences in the field for all student educators, but especially for those with no personal experience of second-language learning. The field-based mode of study is identified as a successful way of providing this experience, as it requires students to work at a centre during their training. This provides them with ongoing opportunities to apply and consolidate knowledge gained in the classroom, and to observe and critically analyse their own practice and that of others.


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