scholarly journals Investigating song-based language teaching and its effect on lexical learning

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Friederike Anna Gerda Tegge
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Cued Recall ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Advanced Learners ◽  
Lexical Learning ◽  
The Way

<p>The present thesis addresses the following question: Can popular songs as they are currently used in second and foreign language classrooms benefit lexical learning? Lexical learning is defined as the acquisition of new vocabulary as well as the consolidation and further elaboration of familiar words and phrases. To answer this research question, three methodologically distinct studies are reported.  In the first study an international questionnaire explored teacher cognitions as well as actual teaching practices involving songs. The responses of 568 informants in 41 countries indicate that a majority of respondents believe in the usefulness of songs for language learning and that many respondents utilize songs in class for clearly defined pedagogical purposes, including vocabulary learning. The questionnaire also elicited information from the respondents about the way they incorporate songs in lessons, including details about how often a song is played and what types of form- and meaning-focused activities are used to engage learners with the lyrics of a song.  The second study investigated the lexical characteristics of teacher-selected songs and the vocabulary learning opportunities they afford. For this purpose, a corpus of 635 songs used for ESL/EFL purposes, comprising 177,384 tokens, was compiled and analysed. Results indicate that teacher-selected songs are short, repetitive and relatively undemanding as far as lexis is concerned compared to other authentic text genres. Knowledge of the 4000 most frequent word families of English provides 98% coverage of the running words in this song corpus. Little difference was found in terms of the overall vocabulary demands between songs intended for use with beginners, intermediate and advanced learners.  The third study investigates whether participating in a song-based lesson results in higher verbatim text retention compared to a lesson based on a poem or a prose text. For the sake of ecological validity, the procedures and the materials used in the classroom intervention study were informed by the findings of the teacher questionnaire (study one) and the song corpus analysis (study two). Results indicate that a song-based language lesson but also a poem-based lesson result in significantly higher recognition and cued recall of verbatim text than a lesson based on a prose text.  In response to the overall question, this thesis provides evidence that songs as they currently tend to be used by language teachers around the world indeed benefit certain aspects of lexical learning, perhaps in particular the entrenchment in memory of already (half-)familiar words in association with their phraseological patterning. It is argued that, while certain structural characteristics of songs (and poems) have the potential of rendering text (and the lexis therein) memorable, it is the way that songs tend to be exploited in the classroom that capitalizes on this mnemonic potential.</p>

scholarly journals Investigating song-based language teaching and its effect on lexical learning

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Friederike Anna Gerda Tegge
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Cued Recall ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Advanced Learners ◽  
Lexical Learning ◽  
The Way

<p>The present thesis addresses the following question: Can popular songs as they are currently used in second and foreign language classrooms benefit lexical learning? Lexical learning is defined as the acquisition of new vocabulary as well as the consolidation and further elaboration of familiar words and phrases. To answer this research question, three methodologically distinct studies are reported.  In the first study an international questionnaire explored teacher cognitions as well as actual teaching practices involving songs. The responses of 568 informants in 41 countries indicate that a majority of respondents believe in the usefulness of songs for language learning and that many respondents utilize songs in class for clearly defined pedagogical purposes, including vocabulary learning. The questionnaire also elicited information from the respondents about the way they incorporate songs in lessons, including details about how often a song is played and what types of form- and meaning-focused activities are used to engage learners with the lyrics of a song.  The second study investigated the lexical characteristics of teacher-selected songs and the vocabulary learning opportunities they afford. For this purpose, a corpus of 635 songs used for ESL/EFL purposes, comprising 177,384 tokens, was compiled and analysed. Results indicate that teacher-selected songs are short, repetitive and relatively undemanding as far as lexis is concerned compared to other authentic text genres. Knowledge of the 4000 most frequent word families of English provides 98% coverage of the running words in this song corpus. Little difference was found in terms of the overall vocabulary demands between songs intended for use with beginners, intermediate and advanced learners.  The third study investigates whether participating in a song-based lesson results in higher verbatim text retention compared to a lesson based on a poem or a prose text. For the sake of ecological validity, the procedures and the materials used in the classroom intervention study were informed by the findings of the teacher questionnaire (study one) and the song corpus analysis (study two). Results indicate that a song-based language lesson but also a poem-based lesson result in significantly higher recognition and cued recall of verbatim text than a lesson based on a prose text.  In response to the overall question, this thesis provides evidence that songs as they currently tend to be used by language teachers around the world indeed benefit certain aspects of lexical learning, perhaps in particular the entrenchment in memory of already (half-)familiar words in association with their phraseological patterning. It is argued that, while certain structural characteristics of songs (and poems) have the potential of rendering text (and the lexis therein) memorable, it is the way that songs tend to be exploited in the classroom that capitalizes on this mnemonic potential.</p>

scholarly journals Technology-assisted foreign language learning (TALL) in the digital age

2020 ◽  
Vol 88 ◽  
pp. 02005
Author(s):  
Anna Melkonyan ◽  
Armine Matevosyan
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Digital Media ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Digital Age ◽  
Language Instruction ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Foreign Language Instruction ◽  
Learning Software ◽  
The Way

The article goes along the lines of language learning in the digital age. Technology and the advancement of digital media not only have the potential to change the way we learn languages, but also the way foreign language teachers learn to teach. Managing learning platforms, using learning software and educational apps effectively, designing complex web–based tasks are just a few examples of digital media use in the foreign language instruction of today’s schools. The article aims at showing of what types of skills and knowledge language teachers need to become digitally literate. Also we will focus on some challenges that an educator faces while teaching foreign language in the digital age.

LingoBee

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 58-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sobah Abbas Petersen ◽  
Emma Procter-Legg ◽  
Annamaria Cacchione
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Prior Learning ◽  
Learner Engagement ◽  
Language Content ◽  
The Eu

This paper describes three case studies, where language learners were invited to use “LingoBee” as a means of supporting their language learning. LingoBee is a mobile app that provides user-generated language content in a cloud-based shared repository. Assuming that today's students are mobile savvy and “Digital Natives” able to engage in language learning autonomously using technology, initial studies were conducted with little or no intervention by the language teachers. However, the support and guidance provided within a teacher-led context can impact positively on learner engagement and use of LingoBee. The authors discuss this hypothesis using three case studies conducted in three European countries, within the EU LLP project SIMOLA, Situated Mobile Language Learning. This paper answers the research question: Does the level of the support and guidance, pedagogical approach and prior learning impact on learners' engagement and use of LingoBee? An earlier version of this paper was presented at the IADIS Mobile Learning 2013 conference.

Sharing Corpus Resources in Language Learning

2011 ◽  
pp. 438-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Chambers ◽  
Martin Wynne
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Advanced Learners ◽  
The World ◽  
Language Courses ◽  
Technical Issues ◽  
Corpus Data

Since the early 1990s, researchers have been investigating the effectiveness of corpora as a resource in language learning, mostly creating their own small corpora. As it is neither feasible nor desirable to envisage a future in which all teachers create their own corpora, and as the content of language courses is similar in many universities throughout the world, the sharing of resources is clearly necessary if corpus data are to be made available to language teachers and learners on a large scale. Taking one small corpus as an example, this chapter aims to investigate the issues arising if corpus consultation is to become an integral part of the language-learning environment. The chapter firstly deals with fundamental questions concerning the creation and reusability of corpora, namely planning, construction, documentation, and also legal, moral and technical issues. It then explores the issues arising from the use of a corpus of familiar texts, in this case a French journalistic corpus, with advanced learners. In conclusion we propose a framework for the optimal use of corpora with language learners in the context of higher education.

Intercultural Nonverbal Communication Competence as Intercultural Responsiveness in the Second Language Learning Classroom

2020 ◽  
pp. 339-359
Author(s):  
Ping Yang
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Nonverbal Communication ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Communication Competence ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Communication Style ◽  
Time Concepts ◽  
Second Language Teachers

This chapter examines the important role intercultural nonverbal communication competence plays as intercultural responsiveness in the second language learning classroom. The researcher reviewed relevant theory about intercultural nonverbal communication competence and focused on the research question. First, nonverbal communication styles are part of a culture, and the differences between low-context culture and high-context culture are represented in direct and indirect communication style in classroom communication activities. Second, speakers from different cultures use different nonverbal communication rules and behave differently and this can cause misunderstanding. Third, intercultural nonverbal communication differs between people from polychronic culture and those from monochronic culture. Different time concepts result in different behaviour patterns. Second language teachers should undertake training in intercultural nonverbal communication to facilitate students learning. The pedagogical implications for the second language teachers are discussed.

Intercultural Nonverbal Communication Competence as Intercultural Responsiveness in the Second Language Learning Classroom

2020 ◽  
pp. 902-922
Author(s):  
Ping Yang
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Nonverbal Communication ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Communication Competence ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Communication Style ◽  
Time Concepts ◽  
Second Language Teachers

This chapter examines the important role intercultural nonverbal communication competence plays as intercultural responsiveness in the second language learning classroom. The researcher reviewed relevant theory about intercultural nonverbal communication competence and focused on the research question. First, nonverbal communication styles are part of a culture, and the differences between low-context culture and high-context culture are represented in direct and indirect communication style in classroom communication activities. Second, speakers from different cultures use different nonverbal communication rules and behave differently and this can cause misunderstanding. Third, intercultural nonverbal communication differs between people from polychronic culture and those from monochronic culture. Different time concepts result in different behaviour patterns. Second language teachers should undertake training in intercultural nonverbal communication to facilitate students learning. The pedagogical implications for the second language teachers are discussed.

The Relationship between Willingness to Communicate and Vocabulary Learning Strategies among Iranian EFL Learners

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 1119
Author(s):  
Amir Marzban ◽  
Mojgan Firoozjahantigh
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies ◽  
The Relationship

Two of the variables apparently contributing to the processes of EFL achievement are Willingness to Communicate (WTC) and Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLS). They seem to be fundamental among Iranian EFL learners due to the fact that semantics and its backbone—vocabulary—as well as the incentive or motivation, Willingness to Communicate (WTC)—influence the progress and improvement of the proficiency of Iranian EFL learners. Moreover, the review of literature clarifies the fact that few studies have tried to open up the relationship between these two variables, i.e. WTC and VLS. Hence, the present study explored the relationship between the WTC and VLS among Iranian EFL learners. Based on this, 137 intermediate Iranian EFL learners who were studying in a language institute in Tehran were selected as the participants of the study. They were asked to fill out two questionnaires including WTC and VLS. The finding indicated that there is a significant correlation between the two variables. The study provided some pedagogical implications for those who are concerned with language learning and teaching including language teachers, teacher trainers, syllabus designers, and EFL learners.

scholarly journals LingoBee Mobile App

2014 ◽  
pp. 740-762
Author(s):  
Emma Procter-Legg ◽  
Sobah Abbas Petersen ◽  
Annamaria Cacchione
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Pedagogical Approach ◽  
Learner Engagement ◽  
Formal And Informal Learning

This chapter describes case studies conducted in five European countries, where language learners were invited to use “LingoBee,” a mobile app, as a means of supporting their language learning. Assuming that today's language learners are mobile savvy and “Digital Natives” and that they should be able to engage in language learning autonomously using technology, initial studies were conducted with little or no intervention by the language teachers. However, the support and guidance provided within a teacher-led context can impact positively on learner engagement. The case studies confirm this hypothesis. This chapter addresses the research question: Does the level of the support and guidance and pedagogical approach impact on learners' engagement and the synergy between formal and informal learning? Based on the experiences from the five case studies, recommendations are provided for teachers and designers of educational technologies.

Intercultural Nonverbal Communication Competence as Intercultural Responsiveness in the Second Language Learning Classroom

2017 ◽  
pp. 127-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Yang
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Nonverbal Communication ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Communication Competence ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Communication Style ◽  
Time Concepts ◽  
Second Language Teachers

This chapter examines the important role intercultural nonverbal communication competence plays as intercultural responsiveness in the second language learning classroom. The researcher reviewed relevant theory about intercultural nonverbal communication competence and focused on the research question. First, nonverbal communication styles are part of a culture, and the differences between low-context culture and high-context culture are represented in direct and indirect communication style in classroom communication activities. Second, speakers from different cultures use different nonverbal communication rules and behave differently and this can cause misunderstanding. Third, intercultural nonverbal communication differs between people from polychronic culture and those from monochronic culture. Different time concepts result in different behaviour patterns. Second language teachers should undertake training in intercultural nonverbal communication to facilitate students learning. The pedagogical implications for the second language teachers are discussed.

Effectiveness of strategy instruction for vocabulary learning: a narrative review

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Husain Abdulhay
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Strategy Instruction ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Strategy Training ◽  
Vocabulary Learning Strategies

Nowadays, it is strongly irrefutable that vocabulary skills founds the stepping-stone to  language learning and should be at the epicenter of language education, in re to the fact that much cannot be implied without grammar; nothing can be imparted without vocabulary. Understanding the key notions of how vocabulary is acquired can help language teachers be able to dispense more realistic and effective vocabulary teaching. With this thought in mind, it is crucial to acquaint students with vocabulary learning strategies (VLS) so that they can do this more effectively. With the expansion of research on vocabulary learning strategy instruction, the question to be posed is whether training on strategies will culminate in improvement in language learners or not. Thus, based on the significance ascribed to teaching vocabulary learning strategies in the process of language learning, the present paper seeks to cull evidences and scour the effectiveness of teaching vocabulary learning strategies.  Keywords: Vocabulary, vocabulary learning, strategy training for vocabulary learning.

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