scholarly journals Online Foreign Language Learning in Higher Education and Its Correlates during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 781
Author(s):  
Maria-Anca Maican ◽  
Elena Cocoradă
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Teacher Student ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Mixed Approach ◽  
Student Relationship

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the online learning of foreign languages at higher education level has represented a way to adapt to the restrictions imposed worldwide. The aim of the present article is to analyse university students’ behaviours, emotions and perceptions associated to online foreign language learning during the pandemic and their correlates by using a mixed approach. The research used the Foreign Language Enjoyment (FLE) scale and tools developed by the authors, focusing on task value, self-perceived foreign language proficiency, stressors and responses in online foreign language learning during the pandemic. Some of the results, such as the negative association between anxiety and FLE, are consistent with those revealed in studies conducted in normal times. Other results are novel, such as the protective role of retrospective enjoyment in trying times or the higher level of enjoyment with lower-achieving students. Reference is made to students’ preferences for certain online resources during the pandemic (e.g., preference for PowerPoint presentations) and to their opinions regarding the use of entirely or partially online foreign language teaching in the post-COVID period. The quantitative results are fostered by the respondents’ voices in the qualitative research. The consequences of these results are discussed with respect to the teacher-student relationship in the online environment and to the implications for sustainable online foreign language learning.

scholarly journals Listening Skill Requires a Further Look into Second/Foreign Language Learning

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hossein Bozorgian
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
Reading And Writing ◽  
Listening Skill ◽  
Reading History

Current English-as-a-second and foreign-language (ESL/EFL) research has encouraged to treat each communicative macroskill separately due to space constraint, but the interrelationship among these skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) is not paid due attention. This study attempts to examine first the existing relationship among the four dominant skills, second the potential impact of reading background on the overall language proficiency, and finally the relationship between listening and overall language proficiency as listening is considered an overlooked/passive skill in the pedagogy of the second/foreign language classroom. However, the literature in language learning has revealed that listening skill has salient importance in both first and second language learning. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of each of four skills in EFL learning and their existing interrelationships in an EFL setting. The outcome of 701 Iranian applicants undertaking International English Language Testing System (IELTS) in Tehran demonstrates that all communicative macroskills have varied correlations from moderate (reading and writing) to high (listening and reading). The findings also show that the applicants’ reading history assisted them in better performing at high stakes tests, and what is more, listening skill was strongly correlated with the overall language proficiency.

scholarly journals A Cross-Departmental Approach to Supporting Students with a Disability Affecting Foreign Language Acquisition

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska Lys ◽  
Alison May ◽  
Jeanne Ravid
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Foreign Language Study ◽  
Foreign Language Requirement ◽  
Language Requirement ◽  
Important Objective

Abstract In order to enhance mobility, competitiveness, and opportunities for work, the European Union lists the ability to communicate in a foreign language and to understand another culture as an important objective in their language education policy. Knowledge of a foreign language is also an important objective for many American universities, which require students to study a foreign language as a prerequisite to graduate. Students with documented disabilities affecting the learning of a foreign language or students with poor foreign language learning skills, therefore, pose a significant challenge, since a foreign language requirement may prevent such students from graduating unless universities are willing to make special arrangements such as having students graduate without fulfilling the requirement or letting them take substitution classes. The question of what to do with such students is at the heart of this article. It describes how one mid-sized private university with a two-year language proficiency requirement has approached the problem to ensure that policies are implemented fairly. Rather than pulling students out of the foreign language classroom, the university succeeded in keeping students engaged with foreign language study through advising and mentoring across departments

scholarly journals White matter microstructure predicts foreign language learning in army interpreters

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 763-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Mårtensson ◽  
Johan Eriksson ◽  
Nils Christian Bodammer ◽  
Magnus Lindgren ◽  
Mikael Johansson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
White Matter ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Brain Structure ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Final Test ◽  
Foreign Language Acquisition ◽  
White Matter Microstructure

AbstractAdult foreign language acquisition is challenging, and the degree of success varies among individuals. Anatomical differences in brain structure prior to training can partly explain why some learn more than others. We followed a sample of conscript interpreters undergoing intense language training to study learning-related changes in white-matter microstructure (FA, MD, RD and AD) and associations between differences in brain structure prior to training with acquired language proficiency. No evidence for changes in white matter microstructure relative to a control group was found. Starting values of RD, AD and MD were positively related to final test scores of language proficiency, corroborating earlier findings in the field and highlighting the need for further study of how initial brain structure influences and interacts with learning outcomes.

scholarly journals Machine Translation in Foreign Language Learning Classroom-Learners’ Indiscriminate Use or Instructors’ Discriminate Stance

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Xiaomin Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Machine Translation ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Technology Tools ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
Self Development

The use of machine translation (MT) tools in language learning classroom is now omnipresent, which raises a dilemma for instructors because of two issues, language proficiency and academic integrity, caused by that fact. However, with the unstoppable development and irresistible use of MT in language learning, rather than entangling with using it or banning it, it is more significant to figure out why learners turn to MT in spite of the prohibition from their instructors and how can instructors guide learners to use it appropriately. Consequently, this paper reviews articles with regard to the reason why learners turn to MT, the practical use of MT in learners’ writing, and some pedagogical solutions for making peace with MT in language learning classroom respectively. Implications can be garnered like that a course for learners of how to use MT tools properly should be included in the curriculum design, and simultaneously, the holistic understanding of these overwhelmingly fast-developed technology tools for instructors should be a part of teachers’ self-development, since instructors without knowledge said technology tools can not fully motivate language learners and implement the pedagogical solutions offered.

Examining fluctuations in the WTC of Japanese EFL speakers: Language proficiency, affective and conditional factors

2020 ◽  
pp. 136216882097782
Author(s):  
Rintaro Sato
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Stimulated Recall ◽  
Sense Of Security

Willingness to communicate (WTC), which plays a crucial role in second or foreign language learning, has a dynamic and complex nature, fluctuating during communicative events. This study examines how the situational WTC of four Japanese speakers of English as a foreign language (EFL) emerges and fluctuates, focusing on the roles of language proficiency and affective and conditional factors. Low-intermediate and advanced speakers were engaged in an interactive, communicative activity with an interlocutor. All utterances were recorded, transcribed, and analysed and combined with the qualitative data from participants’ self-ratings and a stimulated recall interview after the activity to assess fluctuations in WTC. The findings indicate that levels of WTC are influenced differently between low-intermediate and advanced speakers. Although the WTC of all speakers was negatively affected when they sensed a lack of English proficiency, low-intermediate speakers were affected by interest in the topic, influence of interlocutors on sense of security, and self-confidence, while opportunity to talk about oneself and one’s opinions contributed to the WTC of advanced speakers. It is suggested that teaches of EFL should be considerate of these factors that can affect EFL learners’ WTC.

scholarly journals USING SOCIAL MEDIA AS A LEARNING MEDIA OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDENTS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agung Rinaldy Malik ◽  
Muhammad Nur Ashar Asnur
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Foreign Language Study ◽  
Study Programs ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Media Learning

ABSTRACT  Foreign language is an important component of someone in facing the era of Industry 4.0. The development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) will have an impact on the creation of a learning media innovation that will facilitate users in the learning process in higher education. Likewise in foreign language learning. Online-based learning has been designed in such a way as to increase learning knowledge and motivation. This study uses a qualitative approach with the survey method. Data and Sources of data in this study are students of foreign language study programs at universities in Indonesia. The results of the study show that students generally always use smartphones and use social media in all their activities. Students use a lot of social media in exploring vocabulary and increasing vocabulary mastery, learning as well as building networks for native speakers (Muttersprachler), and making social media a means of learning by accessing foreign-language songs and interesting media in student foreign language learning. Thus social media can be one of the means of education for students which ends in improving foreign language skills.  Keywords: Social Media, Learning Media, Learning Foreign Languages, Higher Education

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