scholarly journals WhatsApp and Learn English: a Study of the Effectiveness of WhatsApp in Developing Reading and Writing Skills in English

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabri Saleh Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Natural Interaction ◽  
Reading And Writing ◽  
Mobile Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Post Test

This study has examined the effectiveness of using WhatsApp, as one of mobile-assisted language learning applications, in enhancing learners’ reading and writing skills in English. Twenty EFL undergraduate students of Aden University participated in a WhatsApp English medium group with the researcher where they and the researcher chat, share news articles and comment on news articles for two months. During this period, the researcher was observing their progress and then, they were given a questionnaire to report their experience about the effectiveness of WhatsApp in developing their reading and writing skills. Findings from students’ pre-test and post-test, researcher’s observations of students’ progress and students’ responses to the questionnaire revealed that WhatsApp was very effective in developing their reading and writing skills. It helped them a lot in developing their vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension and writing skills. The study concluded that WhatsApp English medium groups provide space for practising natural language, especially in written communication, keep students learn and practice English outside the classroom and motivate them to learn from each other. As per the findings, the study has recommended EFL teachers to use WhatsApp in their teaching of English and to motivate their students to create and join WhatsApp English medium groups as that will help them in developing students’ language proficiency through natural interaction and contextualized language use that can’t be provided by the classroom.

scholarly journals An Attempt at Promoting Undergraduate Sudanese EFL Students’ Performance in Academic Writing Skills

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ammar Mohammed Ahmed Mudawy
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Extensive Reading ◽  
Reading And Writing ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Holy Quran ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
University Level

The study aims at suggesting effective methods and techniques that could improve English as a foreign language EFL students’ performance in writing skills. The researcher uses the descriptive, analytical method. Four tools were adopted pretest, post-test, supporting program, and a questionnaire for teachers for collecting data. Twenty-five students in Holy Quran University, Sudan, were chosen purposively, and thirty EFL teachers at a university level were randomly selected as a sample for the study. Ninty percent of the teachers agree on the suggested program and techniques. The findings of the study indicate that: using varied techniques and activities in pre-writing stage promotes students’ performances in writing, integration of reading and writing skills in the classroom improves students’ writing skills, as well as encouraging extensive reading outside the classroom promotes students’ performance in writing skills. Accordingly, the researcher recommends that: teachers should focus on the prewriting stage through different activities as well as reading and writing should be used in an integrated way in-class writing to guide the writing process.

scholarly journals Enhancing EFL teachers’ intercultural sensitivity through instruction, is it really feasible? An ethnocentrism versus ethnorelativism perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 88-96
Author(s):  
Ali Rahimi ◽  
Ali Soltani ◽  
Marzieh Ghamarnia
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
Intercultural Sensitivity ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Modern Language ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Language Proficiency Test

It is simplistic to believe that second language learning can be accomplished without proper acquisition of the second language culture. This study aimed at investigating the feasibility of promoting Iranian EFL teachers’ intercultural sensitivity through training. To do so, 35 teachers, who proved to be homogenous, were randomly selected from among 45 teachers after the administration of the general language proficiency test TOEFL. Afterwards, Chen and Starosta’s Intercultural Sensitivity Scale was completed by the participants. They were then required to take the intercultural sensitivity training course for a semester. The same scale was completed by them at the end of the semester. A pre-test and a post-test were also administered. The results of the t-test run indicated a notable enhancement in the level of Iranian EFL teachers’ intercultural sensitivity. The findings could have some important implications for all stakeholders who are open-mindedly inclined to acknowledge the unavoidable, although neglected, role played by culture as the inseparable component of modern language education which can effectively trigger a movement away from ethnocentric stages towards ethno relative stages.   Keywords: EFL, ethnocentrism, ethno relativism, intercultural sensitivity.

scholarly journals Developing Students’ Writing Skill through Peer and Teacher Correction: An Action Research

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 70-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashok Sapkota
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Teaching Writing ◽  
Progress Test ◽  
Test Items ◽  
Correction Technique ◽  
Grammatical Errors ◽  
Writing Skill ◽  
Post Test

Writing is a form of an art and integral part of language learning. The present study concerns with development of writing skills through peer and teacher correction technique. As an action research in nature, the research aimed to test the progress of the students while writing an essay. After the analysis of data collected through test items, it was seen improvement in students writing in post test than in pre-test. The students (Ss1-Ss10) were found using the words in an increased order and grammatically correct sentences in their writing in each test made and committed less grammatical errors in post test than in pre and progress test. Regarding mechanics of writing, their writing was found systematic in case of punctuation, proper use of paragraphs, in coherence and cohesion in writing. The peer correction and teacher correction technique was found productive in teaching writing through action research as a whole. Journal of NELTA, Vol. 17 No. 1-2, December 2012, Page 70-82 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nelta.v17i1-2.8094

scholarly journals The Use of Keyword Video Captioning on Vocabulary Learning Through Mobile-Assisted Language Learning

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hassan Saleh Mahdi
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Vocabulary Learning ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Video Captioning ◽  
Mobile Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Key Aspects ◽  
Teaching Pronunciation

Video captioning is a useful tool for language learning. In the literature, video captioning has been investigated by many studies and the results indicated that video captioning may foster vocabulary learning. Most of the previous studies have investigated the effect of full captions on vocabulary learning. One of the key aspects of vocabulary learning is pronunciation. However, the use of mobile devices for teaching pronunciation has not been investigated conclusively. Therefore, this paper attempts to examine the effect of implementing keyword video captioning on L2 pronunciation using mobile devices. Thirty-four Arab EFL university learners participated in this study and were randomly assigned to two groups (key-word captioned video and full captioned video). The study is an experimental one in which pre- and post-tests were administered to both groups. The results indicated that keyword captioning is a useful mode to improve learner’s pronunciation. The post test results indicate that there was no statistically significant difference between the two modes of captioning on vocabulary learning. However, learners at keyword video captioning performed better that full video captioning. 

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 The Development of Writing Module on Enhancing the Writing Skills of Omani General Foundation Program Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 363-381
Author(s):  
Moustafa Mohamed Abdelmohsen ◽  
Rohaya Abdullah ◽  
Yasir Azam
Keyword(s):  
Writing Skills ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Foundation Program ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a developed writing module on enhancing the General Foundation Program students’ writing skills. The study made use of a pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design. The study participants incorporated 70 Omani students and 2 EFL teachers. The students were divided into experimental and control groups. The experimental group incorporated 35 students who studied English at the General Foundation Program of Sur Nursing Institute. The control group involved 35 students who took an English course at The General Foundation Program Centre in Muscat. Both institutions function under the auspices of the Omani Ministry of Health. The control group studied the ministry’s writing syllabus, whereas the experimental group studied the writing module. The writing pre-test was done before module delivery and the post-test was done after the intervention. ANCOVA test was utilized to draw a statistical analogy between the mean scores of tests of both groups. The test findings divulged that there was a statistically significant mean difference between the control and experimental group’s scores in the writing post-test. The module significantly enhanced the experimental group’s writing skills.

scholarly journals Meningkatkan Keterampilan Berbicara Siswa dengan Media Gambar Seri

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Noni Risnawelli
Keyword(s):  
Action Research ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Reading And Writing ◽  
Initial Observation ◽  
Speaking Skill ◽  
Classroom Action Research

<p>Result of initial observation at SDN 18 Batang Anai Kabupaten Padang Pariaman indicated that 1st grade students were afraid and shy to speak in front of class. It was caused the language learning only emphasized on reading and writing skills. Speaking skill was still not being a main focus. This is a classroom action research aimed to improve students’ speaking skill. Data were colected by using test and observation. In cycle I, percentage of students’ speaking skill mean score is 53,3%. In cycle II, percentage of students’ speaking skill mean score is 86%. Hence, learning with media of picture-series can improve students’ speaking skill. </p>

scholarly journals Investigating elementary school pupils’ proficiency in mastering English vocabulary

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Diana Achmad
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Elementary Schools ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Vocabulary Test ◽  
Reading And Writing ◽  
Local Content ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Banda Aceh

English has been taught at elementary schools as one of the local content subjects. It is necessary to study English from an early age in order to achieve good mastery in it. To master English means to master the four skills in it and also the language aspects, including vocabulary. As one of the language aspects, vocabulary plays an important role in language learning. This study reports on pupils’ proficiency in mastering English vocabulary after three years of studying in elementary school. The writer chose 55 grade-four pupils of SD Methodist Banda Aceh as a sample for this study. They were given a vocabulary test related to reading and writing skills consisting of 26 items. The test was to be done in 20 minutes. After calculating the data, it was found that the mean score (x) of the pupils was 69.5, with the highest score at 92.3 and the lowest score at 26.9. More than 50% of the pupils could answer the questions correctly in less than 20 minutes. Only 4 out of the 55 pupils answered the questions less than 50% correctly and no one answered 100% correct. According to these results, this study showed that the pupils achieved good proficiency in vocabulary.

scholarly journals CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHING SPEAKING: VOICES OF INDONESIAN EFL LEARNERS

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Arif Nugroho ◽  
Novrika Nartiningrum
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Oral Communication ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Classroom Activities ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
The Ideal

<p>Among the four English skills, oral communication becomes crucial for undergraduate students to be more competitive in the work-places. In a foreign language teaching, designing appropriate classroom activities is a prerequisite for the success of a language learning. Therefore, this study sheds some light on 92 EFL learners’ perceptions and insights of classroom activities for teaching speaking. Drawing on the data obtained from questionnaire and focus group discussion (FGD), the findings illustrated that the students held moderately positive perceptions toward the speaking activities in their classroom. In addition, the results of FGD revealed some insights from the students with regard to the ideal classroom activities for teaching speaking. The findings of this study provide insights for EFL teachers in designing appropriate classroom activities to achieve the success of teaching speaking.</p><p><strong>Keywords: </strong>teaching speaking, classroom activities, students’ perception</p>

scholarly journals Arabic Learning Management at Islamic Boarding Schools in Lampung

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-109
Author(s):  
Amirudin Amirudin ◽  
Syarifudin Basyar ◽  
Muhammad Akmansyah ◽  
Subandi Subandi ◽  
Sulthan Shahril
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Writing Skills ◽  
Boarding School ◽  
Boarding Schools ◽  
Reading And Writing ◽  
Management Objectives ◽  
Collecting Techniques ◽  
Learning Management ◽  
Main Instrument ◽  
Listening And Speaking

This study was focused on exploring the management of Arabic learning at Islamic boarding schools that have different characters, namely Usuluddin, al-Hikmah, and Nurul Huda Islamic Islamic boarding schools in terms of planning, implementing, and evaluating the learning. This research was descriptive qualitative research where the researchers acted as the main instrument of the research. the data was also obtained from other sources, namely the religious teachers, students, scholars, and documents. The data was collected through data collecting techniques in the form of interviews, observation, and documentation. The results showed that there were differences emphasis on the Arabic learning management objectives in the three Islamic boarding schools. The Usuluddin Islamic boarding school emphasized listening and speaking skills where various programs were facilitated to enable the students to speak fluently and listen to routine speeches, Arabic debates, muhawarah, and yaumu al-lugah. At the Al-Hikmah and Nurul Huda Islamic boarding schools, the Arabic learning management emphasized the reading and writing skills as well as translating turas books. It is recommended for the Arabic learning management to focus on four aspects of language proficiency so that the students can be proficient in the comprehensive language (active and passive).

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