scholarly journals Effects of Extensive Reading on Thai Tertiary Students’ Reading Attitudes

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Ketvalee Porkaew ◽  
Ariyadhorn Fongpaiboon
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Structure Interview ◽  
Reading Engagement ◽  
Extensive Reading ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Language Class ◽  
Significant Difference

An exposure to free choice of inspiring reading materials among Thai students has not been largely promoted in English language class, affecting negative language learning attitudes and development of a reading habit. This present study examined the effects of extensive reading (ER) on Thai university students. To measure their attitudes towards comfort, anxiety, intellectual value, practical value and linguistic value before and after 15-week extensive reading. 68 undergraduate students were asked to complete the 5-point Likert scale questionnaire of 23 items adopted from Yamashita (2013). A semi-structure interview was also employed. The results revealed students had positive feelings in which ER increased their comfort and decreased their anxiety at the significance level of 0.05. They also had positive beliefs about the intellectual benefits. However, the practical value that ER might bring advantages to students’ study or future career was lower in the posttest. There was no significant difference between the pretest and posttest in their beliefs about English language study benefits. Qualitative data from the semi-structured interviews showed that students satisfied with their own choice of reading preference. The findings suggested the use of ER approach in English as a foreign language (EFL) classes to increase students’ positive attitudes, decrease their negative ones towards reading, and develop good reading habits through their reading engagement.

scholarly journals Exploring the present and target academic English language needs of Iranian undergraduate students: a case at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-123
Author(s):  
Simin Sattarpour ◽  
Assef Khalili
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Needs Analysis ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Teachers And Students

Background: The content for courses for English for specific purposes (ESP) has been largely determined on the basis of the intuitive judgments and personal preferences of syllabus designers and teachers rather than a standard needs analysis. The present study was an attempt at assessing the current English language abilities of undergraduate students majoring in the medical sciences and identifying their target needs for academic success through quantitative and qualitative methods. Methods: The participants included 197 undergraduate students, 12 Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) teachers, and 15 content teachers from the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Data were collected through a target needs analysis, self-assessment questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews. Results: Pronunciation, technical and general vocabulary knowledge, and use of bilingual dictionaries were regarded as ‘important’ and ‘very important’ target needs by the participants, though some significant differences in perceptions were found between content teachers and students. Writing skill, listening comprehension, and speaking were perceived as the weakest points in the students’ current level of ability. There was also a significant difference between the perception of TEFL teachers and students in assessing the students’ linguistic abilities. Furthermore, both students and TEFL teachers voiced their dissatisfaction with certain areas of ESP courses, such as an inadequate number of credits and heterogeneity of classes. Conclusion: To improve the outcome of ESP courses, they should be designed on the basis of a realistic appreciation of all stakeholders’ perceptions in the field, and they should be taught through the cooperation of both TEFL teachers and content teachers working together.

scholarly journals The Role of Web-based Language Teaching on Vocabulary Retention of Adult Pre-intermediate EFL Learners

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mustapha Hajebi ◽  
SeddiQ Taheri ◽  
Farhad Fahandezh ◽  
Hosain Salari
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Vocabulary Knowledge ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Language Class ◽  
Significant Difference

This research is done to prove the effect of web-based language learning on the vocabulary improvement of the subjects of the study and to seek the attitudes of the learners on the use of web-based approach in the language class. In order to ensure the homogeneity of the students, a modified Michigan test (version1997) was presented and students were divided into one experimental group (n1=33) who learned their course vocabularies making use of free vocabulary learning sites of IELTS English language learning site every day for 8 weeks and one control group (n2=33) who received ordinary classroom instructions each session. The result appeared to manifest that learners’ perception improve by incorporating web based instruction in language learning classroom. It also indicated a significant difference between experimental and control group with regard to their vocabulary knowledge. WBL instruction enhanced EFL learners' vocabulary knowledge. The findings of this study may offer some implications for language teaching and learning. To begin with, these findings can be beneficial for language learning curriculum designers to present tasks that enrich both the language of the students and their motivation to apply on-line web sites for autonomous learning of language.

scholarly journals Students’ Perceptions of the Use of Blogs in English Language Learning

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Miftachudin Miftachudin
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
State Institute ◽  
Islamic Studies ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Two Stages

This study aims to provide understanding about students’ perceptions of the benefits of blogs in English language learning and their challenges in authoring blogs. Unlike standard websites, blogs provide free and simple platforms that can be used by students without knowledge of computer language. Blogs can be considered as a new authentic English language learning environment in which reflection and collaboration take place. In addition, this study explores the benefits of blogs in English language learning. Furthermore, it investigates the challenges in authoring blogs that potentially define the gaps between students’ perceptions and blogging practice in English language learning. This study involves three undergraduate students at the State Institute for Islamic Studies (IAIN) Salatiga. It is conducted by using two stages of semi-structured interviews through Skype. The findings from the data analysis outline that the students perceive blogs as a beneficial application for English language learning in the areas of writing, reading and communication. However, they also admit that challenges remain in authoring blogs, such as performance fluctuation, self-confidence and aspects of technology. From the findings, there is a suggestion to formulate strategies in order to counteract the challenges. Thus, the use of blogs improves the quality of English language learning in any future practice.   

scholarly journals Attitudes of Jordanian Undergraduate Students towards Using Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL)

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farah Jamal Abed Alrazeq Saeed
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Positive Attitudes

The study aimed at investigating the attitudes of Jordanian undergraduate students towards using computer assisted -language learning (CALL) and its effectiveness in the process of learning the English language.  In order to fulfill the study’s objective, the researchers used a questionnaire to collect data, followed-up with semi-structured interviews to investigate the students’ beliefs towards CALL. Twenty- one of Jordanian BA students majoring in English language and literature were selected according to simple random sampling. The results revealed positive attitudes towards CALL in facilitating the process of writing assignments, gaining information; making learning enjoyable; improving their creativity, productivity, academic achievement, critical thinking skills, and enhancing their knowledge about vocabulary grammar, and culture. Furthermore, they believed that computers can motivate them to learn English language and help them to communicate and interact with their teachers and colleagues. The researchers recommended conducting a research on the same topic, taking into consideration the variables of age, gender, experience in using computers, and computer skills.

scholarly journals Pre and Post Test Evaluations of Students in the Needs-Analysis Based EAP Course at Undergraduate Level

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
Zohreh Nafissi ◽  
Fariba Rezaeipanah ◽  
Roya Monsefi
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Analysis Data ◽  
Needs Analysis ◽  
Entrance Examination ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Undergraduate Level ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Research ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test

Iran’s education system is exam-based and to gain admission to universities at undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels, candidates have to sit a competitive examination. For this reason, developing an EAP course which prepares the candidates for these examinations is of crucial importance. The present study attempted to develop an EAP course for the selected number of undergraduate students of Statistics at Alzahra University and Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran. The aim was to prepare these students for the English language section of the entrance examination for MS degree in Statistics and then to determine if there was any significant difference between students’ performance in their pre and post tests. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were applied in this study and different instruments such as a questionnaire, semi-structured and structured interviews, and analysis of texts, were used to gather needs analysis data. The results indicated that the majority of participants preferred the presence of more ESP courses at universities. There was also a significant difference between pretest and posttest scores of the participants who took part in the EAP course.  

scholarly journals Students’ Perceptions of the Use of Blogs in English Language Learning

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Miftachudin Miftachudin
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
State Institute ◽  
Islamic Studies ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Two Stages

This study aims to provide understanding about students’ perceptions of the benefits of blogs in English language learning and their challenges in authoring blogs. Unlike standard websites, blogs provide free and simple platforms that can be used by students without knowledge of computer language. Blogs can be considered as a new authentic English language learning environment in which reflection and collaboration take place. In addition, this study explores the benefits of blogs in English language learning. Furthermore, it investigates the challenges in authoring blogs that potentially define the gaps between students’ perceptions and blogging practice in English language learning. This study involves three undergraduate students at the State Institute for Islamic Studies (IAIN) Salatiga. It is conducted by using two stages of semi-structured interviews through Skype. The findings from the data analysis outline that the students perceive blogs as a beneficial application for English language learning in the areas of writing, reading and communication. However, they also admit that challenges remain in authoring blogs, such as performance fluctuation, self-confidence and aspects of technology. From the findings, there is a suggestion to formulate strategies in order to counteract the challenges. Thus, the use of blogs improves the quality of English language learning in any future practice.   

scholarly journals Investigating EFL Achievement Through the Lens of Demotivation

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
Piyaporn Boonchuayrod ◽  
Kanyarat Getkham
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teaching Styles ◽  
English Learning ◽  
Teacher Competence ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
English Major ◽  
Type 3 ◽  
Different Levels

It is generally agreed that demotivation is any forces that reduce a student’s passion or enthusiasm to learn. Despite some studies on demotivation across language levels, culture, and languages; research has not been conducted on university students from different language levels in Thailand. The aim of this mixed-method study is three-fold. Firstly, it attempts to factorize types of demotivation among English major students. Secondly, it examines the effect of demotivation on EFL achievement. Thirdly, it investigates the differences of demotivation in different levels of EFL achievement. The study involved undergraduate students majoring in English completing a questionnaire and being interviewed. The results revealed that there were four potential types of demotivation among English major students: 1) Media, teaching styles and teacher competence; 2) Attitudes towards teachers and classmates; 3) Experiences of failure and attitudes towards English learning, and 4) Characteristics of lessons and class materials. Findings also showed that Demotivation Type 3 (Experiences of failure and attitudes towards English learning) influenced EFL achievement (p <.001). Interestingly, there was a significant difference in the degree of influence of Type 3 among low, moderate, and high levels of EFL achievement. In the conclusion, pedagogical implications of these findings are discussed in order to help teachers understand important factors that demotivate students to achieve in English language learning so that the occurrence of those factors may be avoided.

scholarly journals Psychology of color, integration of local culture and effect of infographics on English language learning

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Intakhab Alam Khan
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Student Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Language Class ◽  
Significant Difference

PurposeMany students are found facing difficulties in learning English due to plenty of reasons: known and unknown ones. In order to overcome such an issue, the instructors have to explore for effective techniques of teaching English to motivate learners by any means. Technology in general and informatics in particular can be thought of as innovative tool of pedagogy in the current teaching-learning environment. The present proposal of research aims at creating innovative approaches, which attract learners' interest and catch their attention for better outputs.Design/methodology/approachFollowing subsections have been discussed keeping the significance in view. Setting of the study: The present study was conducted at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah-Saudi Arabia, which is one of the Saudi Arabian universities; however, it has opened up new avenues for the pedagogues, teachers of English and researchers to conduct studies in various allied fields. In order to have a representative sample of students' population, the participants were chosen from the “preparatory year”. Material and tools: This study used a questionnaire (Appendix) and a test to evaluate performances of the two groups: controlled and experimental. In order to further strengthen the findings, semi structured interview was conducted for a few select students from the student-sample. Since the questionnaire was adapted, the statistical validity and reliability was not considered to be essential; however, content/face validity was ensured by consulting 10 experts in the field of education/methods of teaching.FindingsBased on the analysis of data gathered from the test performances of the two groups of students, it was found that there existed a significant difference in the test scores. The questionnaire responses also proved that infographics can be proved to be an interesting tool of education in general and English language teaching in particular. However, it has been noticed from the gathered data that not many teachers are comfortable using multimedia or infographics for different reasons. The results of the present study are in line with the study by Rezaei and Sayadian (2015) that support the idea of infographics that would help English teachers to develop understanding and insights to design among the learners. They further contend that the infographic instruction offers choices for the utilization of collaborative activities. In addition, the infographics enhance students' performance as a whole as also supported by Alrwele (2017).Research limitations/implicationsThe study was conducted on a small sample which might affect the generalization of the outcomes. It was carried out with special reference to teaching of vocabulary and reading.Practical implicationsThere can be many recommendations for different stakeholders. For teachers, it is recommended that they should know about the significance of infographs for catching the attention of students. They should know how to design interesting and colorful infographs. The administration/management should facilitate the teachers with the required software or platform to create infographics and integrate in an English language class. In addition, teachers should attend workshops and training courses organized for topics related to the infographs.Originality/valueThe author checked the study for plagiarism (excluding references) and found it to be 93% plagiarism free.

Tertiary English-majored Students’ Perceptions toward the Role of Pronunciation in English Language Learning and their Practicing Strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-279
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
The University

Accurate pronunciation has a vital role in English language learning as it can help learners to avoid misunderstanding in communication. However, EFL learners in many contexts, especially at the University of Phan Thiet, still encounter many difficulties in pronouncing English correctly. Therefore, this study endeavors to explore English-majored students’ perceptions towards the role of pronunciation in English language learning and examine their pronunciation practicing strategies (PPS). It involved 155 English-majored students at the University of Phan Thiet who answered closed-ended questionnaires and 18 English-majored students who participated in semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that students strongly believed in the important role of pronunciation in English language learning; however, they sometimes employed PPS for their pronunciation improvement. Furthermore, the results showed that participants tended to use naturalistic practicing strategies and formal practicing strategies with sounds, but they overlooked strategies such as asking for help and cooperating with peers. Such findings could contribute further to the understanding of how students perceive the role of pronunciation and their PPS use in the research’s context and other similar ones. Received 10th June 2019; Revised 12th March 2020; Accepted 12th April 2020

Attitudes toward the use of TELL tools in English language learning among Vietnamese Tertiary English majors

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 581-596
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Guided Learning ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
English Majors ◽  
Very High ◽  
Different Levels

Technology plays a crucial role in the self-guided learning of a second language in general and English in particular. Nevertheless, many students in different contexts still ignore the application of technology-enhanced language learning (TELL) tools in enhancing their foreign language proficiency. Therefore, this study is conducted to investigate the attitudes towards the use of TELL tools in English-language learning (ELL) among English majors at one university in Vietnam. To collect data, 197 English majors participated in finishing the questionnaire, and 20 students were invited to join the interviews. The findings are that the majority of students have positive attitudes towards the use of TELL tools and the frequency of using these tools is very high. In addition, the results also reveal that there is no significant difference in attitudes towards and frequency of using TELL tools in learning English in terms of the year of study. However, students of different levels of academic achievements have different attitudes towards using TELL tools and use TELL tools to learn English differently. Received 2nd May 2019; Revised 16th July 2019, Accepted 20th October 2019

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