scholarly journals Extracting Creativity from Narratives using Distributional Semantic Modeling

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Richard Johnson ◽  
James C. Kaufman ◽  
Brendan Baker ◽  
Baptiste Barbot ◽  
Adam Green ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Data File ◽  
Narrative Text ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Semantic Modeling ◽  
Narrative Texts ◽  
Human Creativity ◽  
Web App ◽  
Numerical Representations

Narrative text permeates our lives from job applications to journalistic stories to works of fiction. Developing automated metrics that capture creativity in narrative text has potentially far reaching implications. Human ratings of creativity in narrative text are labor-intensive, subjective, and difficult to replicate. Across 27 different story prompts and over 3,500 short stories, we used distributional semantic modeling to automate the assessment of creativity in narrative texts. We tested a new metric to capture one key component of creativity in writing – a writer’s ability to connect divergent ideas. We termed this metric, word-to-word semantic diversity (w2w SemDiv). We compared six models of w2w SemDiv that varied in their computational architecture. The best performing model employed Bidirectional Encoder Representations Transformer (BERT), which generates context-dependent numerical representations of words (i.e., embeddings). The BERT w2w SemDiv scores demonstrated impressive predictive power, explaining up to 72% of the variance in human creativity ratings, even exceeding human inter-rater reliability for some tasks. In addition, w2w SemDiv scores generalized across Ethnicity and English language proficiency, including individuals identifying as Hispanic and L2 English speakers. We provide a tutorial with R code (osf.io/ath2s) on how to compute w2w SemDiv. This code is incorporated into an online web app (semdis.wlu.psu.edu) where researchers and educators can upload a data file with stories and freely retrieve w2w SemDiv scores.

scholarly journals PROVISION OF ENGLISH-MEDIUM INSTRUCTION: TRENDS AND ISSUES

2020 ◽  
pp. 11-21
Author(s):  
OLGA KVASOVA ◽  
CAROLYN WESTBROOK ◽  
KEVIN WESTBROOK
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Native English Speakers ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
British Council ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
The World ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
English Medium Instruction

The article addresses the current trends of teaching subjects through the medium of English which has been boosting in the world and in Ukraine. Introduced due to globalization processes, teaching in English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) has become an essential part of internationalization policies of universities. The increase in numbers of international students is viewed as an indication of quality of education provided by universities; it contributes to universities’ higher ratings and competitiveness. The introduction of EMI has been sustainably promoted by the British Council. Nonetheless, EMI providers across the world keep encountering similar issues and challenges. Amongst those, the most essential is low English language proficiency of non-native English speakers – both teachers and students. The article aims to examine the training provided to Ukrainian teachers who deliver EMI courses. The authors surveyed 28 EMI teachers in two universities in the country. The results imply the necessity to reprofile linguistic and pedagogical courses for EMI teachers, including training them in implementing innovative and interactive teaching techniques. The prospects of further research arouse from the need to develop a quality system of assessing students’ learning outcomes.

A bilingual word superiority effect in Irish speakers

2008 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Fiona Lyddy ◽  
Catherine Roche-Dwyer
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Dual Language ◽  
English Language ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Word Superiority Effect ◽  
Superiority Effect ◽  
Language Version ◽  
Bilingual Group ◽  
L1 English

The present study employed a dual-language version of the Reicher-Wheeler task to examine the word superiority effect (WSE) in Irish-English bilinguals and L1 English speakers with some Irish language proficiency. Superior skills in written English would be expected in both groups. Forty-nine participants completed a word–letter WSE forced-choice task in both Irish and English. For both languages, and for both groups, an advantage was found for words over letters. The word–letter difference for English stimuli exceeded that for Irish stimuli, at 9% and 4% respectively; however this difference between the languages did not reach statistical significance. Performance did not differ significantly between the two groups, despite a trend suggesting a lower WSE in English for the bilingual group. The lack of difference based on proficiency may reflect the high frequency words employed or similar exposure to written Irish in the two groups, given the dominance of the English language.

scholarly journals Phrasal Verbs in English as a Second/Foreign Language

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rana Abid Thyab
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Native English Speakers ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are used very regularly in the English language, and native English speakers are found to use phrasal verbs on a daily basis and cannot do without the use of phrasal verbs in everyday communicative situations. However, phrasal verbs in English language teaching as a second/foreign language is almost non-existent. That is, English as a second language (ESL)/English as a foreign language (EFL) teaching environments, in the Arab world, and specifically in Iraq, hardly teach the meaning of phrasal verbs to students, and neglect teaching the correct ways of using them, despite the fact that they are an essential part of daily native English communication. Therefore, and due to the vitality of phrasal verbs to native speakers of English, ESL/EFL students should be taught and educated to be capable of understanding and using phrasal verbs when interacting in English because knowledge of phrasal verbs would normally lead to better English language proficiency and more native-like communication. Nonetheless, phrasal verbs are not easy, and students often find them difficult, because phrasal verbs carry a specific meaning which is not inferable from the meaning of its composing words inseparable form as well as other reasons which have been explained within this paper. Hence, this paper points to the necessity of including phrasal verbs in English language teaching. Through implementing a qualitative approach, the aim, within this paper, is to identify and list causes of difficulty that learners of the English language may face when it comes to knowledge of English phrasal verbs, with regard to the spontaneous and fluent use of phrasal verbs by native English speakers. The significance, here, is to point out the need of taking this matter into serious concern and to offer suggestions and recommendations for better English as a second/foreign language learning and teaching, all in hope of better English language proficiency and ability.

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 Writing skill enhancement when creating narrative texts through the use of collaborative writing and the Storybird Web 2.0 tool*

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeison Edgardo Herrera
Keyword(s):  
Web 2.0 ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
English Language ◽  
Collaborative Writing ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Narrative Texts ◽  
Reflective Journals ◽  
Writing Skill ◽  
The Common

The purpose of this article is presenting how the use of Collaborative Writing (CW) through Storybird, a web 2.0 tool which promotes the creation of stories collaboratively, led two groups of learners to improve certain specific aspects of their writing skill. Both groups, the former one with fifteen students and the latter one with ten students, were about to complete a two-year general English course at Instituto de Lenguas de la Universidad Distrital (ILUD) in Bogotá, Colombia. Although their English language proficiency was expected to be at an upper-intermediate level (B2) according to the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR), their writing skill was below average. Two pedagogical interventions were performed at two diferent times, the first one from October to November 2010, and the second one from March to April 2011. Pre and posttests, focus groups, surveys and reflective journals were used and data was analyzed following coding procedures. The findings revealed that the CW supported with Storybird encouraged learners to create narrative texts and their positive attitude towards the production of stories increased. Moreover, an improvement in learners’ vocabulary and increased attempts to use complex language forms to write were noticeable.

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 systemic-functional analysis of parataxis and hypotaxis in academic IELTS sample essays

2020 ◽  
pp. 43-46
Author(s):  
Nguyen Thi Trung, Nguyen Thi Quynh Hoa Pham
Keyword(s):  
Functional Analysis ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
English Language ◽  
Native English Speakers ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Occurrence Frequency ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Functional Grammar ◽  
International English

The International English Language Testing, which involves the assessment of four English skills has been selected as the preferred test to measure English language proficiency of non-native English speakers. In IELTS academic writing, grammatical range and accuracy, of which test-takers are required to use is one of the four criteria used to evaluate candidates’ written essays, which record a considerable occurrence frequency of clause complexes. In order to shape clause complexes, two basic kinds of logical relations in language are employed: parataxis and hypotaxis. They indicate how two or more adjacent clauses are connected to each other in dependent or interdependent ways. This study conducts an analysis of how clause complexes in IELTS academic exposition and discussion essays are formed by highly successful test-takers in light of functional grammar, thereby providing non-native writers with a better understanding of accurate parataxis and hypotaxis employment to produce good IELTS academic writing essays.

scholarly journals Canadian English teachers: Volunteering to teach their mother tongue in a foreign country

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria Romero
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Native English Speakers ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
English Speakers ◽  
Volunteer Teachers ◽  
Efl Students

In order to increase English language proficiency in Chile, native English speakers are recruited to work as volunteer teachers. This qualitative study explores the ESL teaching experiences of 10 Canadian volunteers who worked in Chilean public schools. Data was collected through closed- and open-ended surveys applied before teaching and one-on-one interviews after eight months. This study is situated within the literature on volunteering and English language teaching (ELT); in addition, socioconstructivist and experiential lenses were adopted, based on Vygotsky and Dewey respectively. The results showed that when volunteer teachersrecalled their experiences teaching English abroad, they acknowledged the importance of student motivation, use of the mother tongue, the feeling of frustration, interaction with EFL students, previous experiences, teaching strategies, and views about English language teaching.

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