scholarly journals Personal Variables and Anxiety in English and Mathematics: Correlational and Comparative Investigation among Pre-University Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (11) ◽  
pp. 48-61
Author(s):  
Jerryk Comawas Alico ◽  
Usamah D. Maraorao ◽  
Rovelyn D. Maraorao
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Mathematics Anxiety ◽  
English Language ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
Comparative Investigation ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Mathematics

Literatures on the role of students’ emotion in learning have brought to light some realizations as to how teaching should transpire. This comparative and correlational research attempts to enrich further such realizations by providing more information about language and mathematics anxieties—two of the most investigated forms of anxiety. This study also correlated some profile variables such as age, sex, ethnic affiliation, and type of high school attended to the two anxieties. Involved in the investigation were 98 pre-university students who were part of the last batch of students in the Pre-University Center in the second semester of academic year 2015-2016. The reliable questionnaires used to gather data were the Abbreviated Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale (A-MARS) and the Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale. Data revealed that students have significantly higher level of mathematics anxiety compared to their language anxiety level. There was a negative correlation between the said anxieties, but it was not significant. The descriptors of mathematics anxiety showed that fear of assessment and evaluation, like final grading, upcoming tests, and taking an exam, was the main cause their anxiety. However, the language anxiety descriptors only exhibited indirect and inconclusive behavioral causes to their anxiety such as feeling like not going to their English class and thinking of other irrelevant things during the class. When profile variables were correlated with mathematics and language anxieties, only sex was found to be significantly associated with mathematics anxiety while none had a significant relationship with English language anxiety. A significant difference was also found between male and female students’ mathematics anxiety levels, showing that female students were more anxious than male ones. Findings imply that mathematics and language teachers need to improve their teaching methods and styles to alleviate, if not eliminate, students’ anxieties.

scholarly journals The Effect of a Training Program in a Reading Course in Developing English Language Learning Strategies among University Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 300
Author(s):  
Ahmad M. Mahasneh ◽  
Ahmad F. Al-Alwan
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Training Program ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
English Language ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Language Learning Strategies ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Experimental Group

This study aimed at identifying the effect of a training program in developing the use of learning English language strategies among a sample of the Hashemite University students, and the differences in using these strategies due to gender and the type of group (experimental and control groups). The study sample consisted of 76 male and female students from the Department of English Language, divided into two groups (an experimental group of 34 male and female students and a control group of 42 male and female students). To achieve the aims of the study, Oxford's language learning strategies scale was used. The study used a quasi-experimental research design with pre-test and post-tests. ANCOVA and T-tests were used to analyze the data. The results of the study revealed that there is a statistical significant difference between the two groups in developing language learning strategies in favor of the experimental group. Also, results showed that there is no statistically significant difference in using language learning strategies attributed to gender.

scholarly journals English Language Anxiety and Motivation Towards Speaking English Among Malaysian Pre-University Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 207
Author(s):  
Hasvinii Ramarow ◽  
Norlizah C. Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
University Students ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Extrinsic Motivation ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Survey Questionnaire ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Level Of Motivation

This study aims to identify the level of English language anxiety and level of motivation in speaking English among Malaysian Pre-University students. The research sample was composed of pre-university students in Selangor, Malaysia. Using a quantitative research method, the researcher distributed a survey questionnaire which was developed by adapting existing questionnaires by Pappamihiel (2002) for English language anxiety scale and Schmidt, Boraie, and Kassabgy (1996) for motivation. Results of the data analysis established there was a low level of English language anxiety in speaking English among pre-university students, and moderate level of motivation, yet the level of intrinsic motivation was slightly lower than the level of extrinsic motivation in speaking English among pre-university students. The results showed there was a significant correlation between English language anxiety and motivation in speaking language. However, there was no significant difference in gender for English language anxiety and motivation. There was a significant difference on races for English language anxiety and insignificant differences on races for motivation. The findings of this study may serve as a platform for school authorities and policymakers in developing motivation and reducing language anxiety among students.

The University Student’s Motivation Level on Learning English

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Esmira Mehdiyev ◽  
Celal Teyyar Uğurlu ◽  
Gonca Usta
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
T Test ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Personal Use ◽  
Motivation Level ◽  
Motivation Scale ◽  
The University

This study aims to determine the university students’ level of motivation in terms of different variables. A study group of this research has been designed through one of the non-random sampling methods, Using appropriate sampling, 606 students from Faculty of Education of C.U. have been involved in this study. Motivation scale in English Language Learning developed by Mehdiyev,Usta,Uğurlu (2015) was used as an instrument of data collection. T-test and one - way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to resolve problems of this research. As a result of the research the motivation level of university students hasn’t been revealed significantly different regarding to the gender variable. However, considering the t-test results of motivation scale dimensions, confidence, attitude and personal use, significant difference is seen in favour of women in personal use dimension. The level of language learning motivation of female students is higher than men’s regarding to personal use dimension. However, men’s and women’s views don’t differ significantly in attitude and confidence dimensions. University students don’t present significant differences in terms of birth place, parent’s education level, total motivation scores and confident, attitude and personal dimensions. Students’ motivation levels are seen not to be influenced by the places such as village, provision or city where they have spent the most of their lifetime. At the same time the findings revealed that parental status variable in terms of primary, secondary and university graduates has no effects on students’ motivation.

Effect of a-Week Summer Camp on the Hopelessness and Self-Esteem of the University Students Attending Sport Sciences Faculty

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 42-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Korkmaz YİĞİTER ◽  
Hakan TOSUN
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Summer Camp ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Female Students ◽  
T Test ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
The University

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of participation in a 1-week summer camp on thehopelessness and self-esteem of the university students attending Sport Sciences Faculty. Participants were 36university students assigned to experiment group using a random procedure. Coopersmith Self-esteem and Beck Hopelessness Scales were completed at the beginning and end of the summer camp by designed the university. The obtained data were analysed in the SPSS 18.0 program and the significance level was taken as 0.05. The descriptive statistics, independent simple t test, paired simple t test and Pearson correlation were used for analyse the data in the study. According to the results of the research, no significant difference was observed in the comparison of the hopelessness and self-esteem levels between pre and post-test. In addition, there was a significant difference in the hopelessness level of male and female students but any significant difference was not observed in terms of self-esteem. There was a significant relationship between hopelessness and self-esteem pre and post-test. These result shows that a 1-week summer camp cannot change the hopelessness or self-esteem level. However, as the self-esteem rises, the rate of despair decreases whereas as the despair rises, the selfesteem decreases.

scholarly journals Pronunciation Errors of Letter “G” in English Language Made by Saudi Undergraduate Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huda Alqunayeer
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Loan Words ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
English Language Teachers ◽  
Academic Year

The primary goal of the present study is to identify the problematic areas in the pronunciation of the letter “g” in English written words made by Saudi female learners of English as a foreign language, and the reasons for the weakness associated with mispronunciation of English written words which contain this letter. The population of the study was the female students (90 students) and their English language teachers (12 teachers) at the Qassim University during the academic year (2014-2015). There were two types of instruments used in this study. The first was a pronunciation test for the student participants in order to investigate the problematic areas of pronouncing “g” in different environments in different words; and the second a questionnaire for the teacher participants to provide comprehensive data about the causes of these errors of pronouncing “g” committed by EFL female students at Qassim University. Ninety female students were included for the pronunciation test and 12 teachers were asked to answer the questionnaire. Simple percentage was used for analyzing the data of recording words (pronunciation test). Results of the students’ recording words revealed that the participants mispronounced “g” before nasals (68%). According to the results of the teachers’ responses to the questionnaire suggested many factors that can cause difficulties for students in terms of pronouncing “g” in English written words. According to them, these difficulties are concerned with reading difficulties, nonstandard spellings, letters that follow “g” (many of them may become combinations), loan words, orthography (no correspondence between the English alphabets and their sounds). The researcher offers recommendations that might help teachers and students to overcome and reduce these mispronunciations of this letter in English written words.

scholarly journals A Study of Language Anxiety among English Language Learners in Saudi Arabia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Badia Muntazer Hakim
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Self Awareness

Classroom anxiety is a recurrent phenomenon for language learners. There are various factors that cause language anxiety, the most common of which include learners’ excessive self-consciousness and self-awareness concerning their oral reproduction and performance and their peculiar, and quite often misplaced and mistaken, views and beliefs regarding different approaches. Other potential reasons for this problem could include the fear, and the consequent deterrence occasioned thereof, of encountering difficulties in language learning, specifically learners’ individual problems regarding the culture of the target language and the varying social statuses of speakers. The most important fear is, perhaps, the deterrent fear of causing damage to one’s self-identity. Therefore, while needing to paying special attention to language learners’ anxiety reactions, language teachers have a crucial role in helping their students achieve the expected performance goals in the target language. Another factor that could potentially lead to language anxiety is simply the poor command of the target language. This problem could be attributed to linguistic barriers and obstacles language learners encounter in learning and using the target language. In the current study, using a qualitative, semi-structured interview and the focus-group discussion technique, the researcher aims to investigate the factors that contribute to language anxiety among Arab language learners. It focuses on learners both within the classroom setting and without, i.e. in the social context, and recommends a number of approaches to manage and overcome this problem.

scholarly journals Academic Achievement Test in English and Mathematics of Secondary School Students in relation to Gender Differences

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Hasan ◽  
Salahuddin Khan
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Mathematics Achievement ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Achievement Scores ◽  
School Students ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Mathematics

The present research study aims to examine the academic achievement of secondary school students in relation to gender differences. The study was carried out on a sample of 100 male and female students studying in class IXth of Aligarh District, U.P. India. Two self developed tools were applied which finally analysed by applying Mean, SD, t-Test and Pearson‟s Coefficient Correlation (r). Results revealed a significant difference between male and female students in English achievement scores and also no significant difference was found between English and Mathematics achievement scores of IXth grade male students. Results also revealed low positive correlation between English and Mathematics achievement of male students of IXth grade and moderate positive correlation between English and Mathematics achievement of female students of IXth grade. The results suggested to the need of motivation and encouragement for enhancing academic achievement scores of male and female students.

scholarly journals Use of Mobile Dictionary in University Students’ Class: A Study of Teachers’ Perspective in Pakistan

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 147
Author(s):  
Muhammad Din
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Learning Tools ◽  
College Teachers ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
English Class ◽  
English Language Teachers

Revolutionary changes have been brought about in teaching and learning environment with the introduction of electronic formats in classrooms. Mobile dictionaries are potentially valuable learning tools today. This study has strived to get insight into the prospects of using mobile dictionary in an EFL classroom of university students of Pakistan with reference to teachers’ perspective. The aims of this study are to know foreign language teachers’ point of view regarding the use of mobile dictionary in English class, investigate the challenges in introducing this e-tool and explore the benefits EFL learners can have through the use of mobile dictionaries in English class. To achieve the objectives of this quantitative study, the researcher has got a questionnaire filled by fifty English language teachers working at different government colleges in Pakistan. The questionnaire which was used to collect data from college teachers consisted of two sections. The first section comprised of fifteen questionnaire items on five-point Likert scale the second section consisted of two open-ended questions. The reliability of the first part of the questionnaire was computed through SPSS (XX). It has been found that most of the college teachers are of the view that the use of mobile dictionary in an EFL class of university students will help them learn vocabulary, pronunciation of words and word origin. These EFL learners can also access authentic content and develop their language competence through the use of mobile phone dictionary in the class. Apart from this, the participants have also pointed out some problems which can be a hindrance in using mobile dictionary in an EFL classroom in the context of Pakistan.

scholarly journals Which Phonetic Features Should Pronunciation Instructions Focus on? An Evaluation on the Accentedness of Segmental/Syllable Errors in L2 Speech

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-154
Author(s):  
Zhiyan Gao ◽  
Steven Weinberger
Keyword(s):  
Native American ◽  
English Language ◽  
Rating Scale ◽  
American English ◽  
Syllable Structure ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Native Languages ◽  
Pronunciation Instruction ◽  
Language Instructors ◽  
Phonetic Features

Many English language instructors are reluctant to incorporate pronunciation instruction into their teaching curriculum (Thomson 2014). One reason for such reluctance is that L2 pronunciation errors are numerous, and there is not enough time for teachers to address all of them (Munro and Derwing 2006; Thomson 2014). The current study aims to help language teachers set priorities for their instruction by identifying the segmental and structural aspects of pronunciation that are most foreign-accented to native speakers of American English. The current study employed a perception experiment. 100 speech samples selected from the Speech Accent Archive (Weinberger 2016) were presented to 110 native American English listeners who listened to and rated the foreign accentedness of each sample on a 9-point rating scale. 20 of these samples portray no segmental or syllable structure L2 errors. The other 80 samples contain a single consonant, vowel, or syllable structure L2 error. The backgrounds of the speakers of these samples came from 52 different native languages. Global prosody of each sample was controlled for by comparing its F0 contour and duration to a native English sample using the Dynamic Time Warping method (Giorgino 2009). The results show that 1) L2 consonant errors in general are judged to be more accented than vowel or syllable structure errors; 2) phonological environment affects accent perception, 3) occurrences of non-English consonants always lead to higher accentedness ratings; 4) among L2 syllable errors, vowel epenthesis is judged to be as accented as consonant substitutions, while deletion is judged to be less accented or not accented at all. The current study, therefore, recommends that language instructors attend to consonant errors in L2 speech while taking into consideration their respective phonological environments.

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