scholarly journals Does younger mean better? Age of onset, learning rate and shortterm L2 proficiency in young Danish learners of English

2020 ◽  
pp. 57-86
Author(s):  
Teresa Cadierno ◽  
Mikkel Hansen ◽  
Jørgen T. Lauridsen ◽  
Søren W. Eskildsen ◽  
Katalin Fenyvesi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Learning Rate ◽  
Receptive Vocabulary ◽  
English Learning ◽  
English Classes ◽  
Early Starters ◽  
Danish School ◽  
Late Starters

This paper reports the results of a semi-longitudinal study investigating the role of age of onset in early foreign language (English) learning. We compared two groups of Danish school children (N = 276) who, following an educational reform in 2014, started their first English classes the same year but at different ages. One group (the early starters) was introduced to English in the 1st grade (age 7-8) and the other group (the late starters) in the 3rd grade (age 9-10). Children’s receptive vocabulary, receptive grammar, and phonetic discrimination skills were followed for three years, allowing comparisons across groups and time and tracking learning rate and shortterm proficiency (after one and two years of instruction). Results showed that the late starters outperformed the early starters in most tests. With respect to learning rate, the tests also revealed that the late starters had an advantage in the receptive grammar test, whereas the phonetic discrimination test showed a more diffuse picture with the late starters seemingly halting in development and the early starters advancing. The results also showed gender differences with boys achieving a higher level of proficiency and exhibiting a faster learning rate than girls. The pedagogical implications of the results are discussed.

scholarly journals GAMES AS A MEANS OF LEARNING A FOREIGN LANGUAGE BY MEDICAL STUDENTS

2020 ◽  
pp. 87-92
Author(s):  
N. I. Yelahina ◽  
N. O. Fedchyshyn
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Educational Game ◽  
Effective Learning ◽  
Active Teaching ◽  
English Classes ◽  
Communication Games

The article analyzes the role of the educational game as a means of organizing the speech activity of medical students in English. The authors of the article emphasize the need to use active teaching methods in the educational process while learning English. It has been established that games in English classes can be divided into the following categories: games aimed at mastering new vocabulary; games aimed at grammatical material consolidation; communication games aimed at developing students’ monologs and dialogs. Methods, goals and tasks for forming a communicative model are highlighted. Examples of interaction between a teacher and a student are analyzed. It is noted that the conduct of professional games has a multi-faceted approach and is carried out according to a certain model. Systematic and purposeful use of games as a method of teaching English to medical students contributes to the effective learning in the educational process.

scholarly journals TEACHING ENGLISH PROFESSIONAL WRITING TO STUDENTS OF DESIGN AND FINE ARTS

2019 ◽  
pp. 101-108
Author(s):  
O. L. Tytun ◽  
A. P. Boichuk ◽  
H. M. Sivkovych
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Fine Arts ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Teaching Writing ◽  
Professional Writing ◽  
English Classes ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Given

The article deals with the problem of teaching students of Design and Fine Arts to write texts for professional purposes. The authors consider modern methods and activities for teaching writing. The authors underline the role of writing in teaching a foreign language that has gradually increased and considered as a reserve for improving the efficiency of teaching a foreign language. Stress is done on the importance for every educated modern person to produce different kinds of written texts for professional purposes. Modern advances in the field of information and communication technologies and the enormous popularity of using various social networks changed the attitude to writing. The importance of using information and communication technologies in teaching writing is considered. The authors suggest the following activities for improving and developing the acquired at school skills for writing texts. To improve the skills of writing annotations exercises are recommended. Activities for writing reports on videos are suggested. To master the skills of describing photos or paintings it is recommended to visit some sites. The authors recommend to make presentations on the given subjects. All the activities were successfully tested at English classes.

scholarly journals Attitude of Foreign Language Learners on Nonverbal Communication and Privacy in Communicative Classes

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Azedah Nemati
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Nonverbal Communication ◽  
Personal Life ◽  
The Right To Privacy ◽  
English Classes ◽  
Foreign Language Learners ◽  
Unexplored Area ◽  
The Right

Communication has verbal and nonverbal aspects.It has been estimated that 82% of class communication is nonverbal. While the role of nonverbal behavior in English classes is much it is hitherto an unexplored area. One subpart of nonverbal communication is proxemics or space. Combing nonverbal communication and the right to privacy, this article is aimed at exploring the attitude of foreign language students regarding nonverbal communication and privacy right in English classes. A nonverbal questionnaire along with privacy proposed by the researcher was answered by 107 general English participants. Based on their opinion the major findings were that students like, smiling, tidy and on time teachers who explain and illustrate in English classes. However, they do not like to answer questions regarding their personal life such as personal description, identification, health or background. As a result, their privacy right should be observed in communicative English classes.

The Effect of Age on the Ultimate Attainment of English Lexis and Morphosyntax

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Jeberedar Ali Rizg-Allah ◽  
Salaheldin Adam Ahmed Eldouma
Keyword(s):  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Strong Positive Correlation ◽  
Intermediate School ◽  
School Students ◽  
Adequate Knowledge ◽  
Grammaticality Judgment ◽  
Vocabulary Item ◽  
Early Starters ◽  
Late Starters ◽  
Ultimate Attainment

This study investigates the relationship between the age of onset of learning English and the ultimate attainment in that language. To this end, it tests the lexical and morphosyntactic competence of 62 intermediate school students who have different points of onset. They have to do a grammaticality judgment test and a vocabulary test. Using the methods of descriptive statistics, the result showed that late starters have outperformed early starters in all aspects of the language examined. The study also revealed that there is a relatively weak correlation between the age of headstart and the ultimate attainment in both levels of language tested. The correlations between the age of exposure and vocabulary attainment is (r = 0.2), whereas it is (r= 0.18) between the age of exposure and morphosyntactic knowledge. It is also found that there’s a strong positive correlation between ESs and LSs grammar and vocabulary (r= 0.75). This suggests that vocabulary and grammar are interdependent fields in that the abstract morphosyntactic rules would remain null and void without the lexical component at work, and the intrinsic meaning of a vocabulary item can’t be fully grasped without adequate knowledge of the morphosyntactic rules that assign meaning to each word in a sentence.

Acts of Identity: Typical and New English Learners

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 8
Author(s):  
Laurel Kamada
Keyword(s):  
English Learners ◽  
English Learning ◽  
School Subject ◽  
Japanese Children ◽  
Cultural Symbol ◽  
English Classes ◽  
Japanese Learners ◽  
Changing Role ◽  
Double Minority

This plenary explores the notion of ‘English as an ideology’ in Japan rather than just as a means of communication or a school subject, where local English usagefunctions as a cultural symbol of globalization. Emerging notions of English learning/usage in Japan as acts of identity highlight the changing role of English. I examine the construction and deconstruction of English, not only of typical Japanese learners/users of English, but also of a new growing sector of atypical Japanese nationals from families of mixed-parentage (Japanese and non-Japanese) who stake claim to diverse ethnicities. How do half/double (minority Japanese) perform “acts of Englishing” whileresisting, altering or celebrating their multiethnic, multilinguistic identities? What ideologies/stereotypes do typical (majority Japanese) children take to elementary school English classes with them? How do they construct/perform identities of themselves as Japanese, and images of non-Japanese-looking people in Japan? 本講演では、単なるコミュニケーションの手段や学校の教科としての英語というよりは、日本における「イデオロギーとしての英語」の概念について検討する。というのは、日本における英語の使用は、グローバリゼーションの文化的な象徴として機能しているからである。最近、日本では、英語の学習や使用は、acts of identity (アイデンティティー活動)という概念として把握されつつあるが、これは英語の役割が変わってきていることを浮き彫りにしている。私はここで、「典型的な」日本人の英語学習者・使用者だけでなく、最近その数が増加している「非典型的な」（日本人と非日本人の）多様な民族の特徴を持つ両親の下で育った日本国籍保持者による英語の構築と脱構築について検討する。（少数派の日本人である）「ハーフ」「ダブル」は、彼らが持つ多民族や多言語のアイデンティティーに抵抗したり、修正を加えたり、あるいは享受しながら、どのようにacts of Englishing (英語の言語活動)を実践するのだろうか。「典型的な」（多数派の日本人の）子どもたちは、小学校の英語の授業に、どんなイデオロギー・ステレオタイプを持ちこむのだろうか。また、彼らは、日本人としての彼ら自身のアイデンティティーや、日本に暮らす日本人に見えない人々のイメージとしてのアイデンティティーを、どのように作り上げ、実践するのだろうか。

scholarly journals MOTIVATING POTENTIAL OF INTERNET-MEMES IN THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING WITH ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

2021 ◽  
pp. 7-16
Author(s):  
Ольга Олеговна Захарова
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
University Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Bring Your Own Device ◽  
Diagnostic Apparatus ◽  
Free Access ◽  
English Learning ◽  
English Classes

Введение. Необходимость поиска новых стратегий преподавания иностранного языка студентам неязыкового вуза, являющихся представителями поколения Z, обусловливает внимание исследователей к использованию интернет-мемов как эффективного средства, стимулирующего обучающихся к изучению английского языка. Цель – представить теоретико-практическое обоснование возможностей использования интернет-мемов для развития у студентов технического вуза мотивации к изучению иностранного языка. Материал и методы. Исследование выполнено на основе анализа литературы по вопросам применения креализованных текстов, организации работы с мемами студентов в контексте их обучения английскому языку, рассмотрения мотивации обучающихся неязыкового вуза к изучению иностранного языка. Спроектирована схема занятий, нацеленная на развитие у студентов мотивации к изучению языка при использовании мемов, и проведен методический эксперимент по апробации предложенных способов. Материалом исследования выступили отобранные в интернет-среде мемы, соответствующие тематике работы по дисциплине. Результаты и обсуждение. Представлен алгоритм организации работы студентов с мемами, включающий мотивационно-перцептивный, репродуктивно-практический и творческо-преобразовательный этапы; предложено вариативное методическое обеспечение исследуемого процесса. Раскрыта методическая схема организации занятий с использованием мемов в процессе развития у студентов мотивации к изучению английского языка и обозначена группа педагогических условий, способствующих ее успешной реализации. Описаны примеры упражнений для поэтапной работы студентов на материале мема и представлен критериально-диагностический инструментарий для оценивания уровней сформированности у обучающихся мотивации к изучению иностранного языка. Результаты методического эксперимента, проведенного на базе Трехгорного технологического института – филиала Национального исследовательского ядерного университета «МИФИ», подтвердили эффективность разработанных способов развития мотивации у студентов. Заключение. Определено, что мемы выступают мощным методическим материалом, способствующим повышению мотивации будущих инженеров к изучению английского языка. Эффективность реализации разработанной методической схемы занятий для студентов с использованием мемов обусловлена стимулированием цифровой коммуникации обучающихся на основе метода Bring Your Own Device, привлечением их к проектной деятельности на материале мемов и созданием психологически благоприятной атмосферы, фасилитирующей иноязычную коммуникацию обучающихся. Introduction. The need for the search of the new strategies of the foreign language teaching in non-linguistic universities defines the researchers’ attention to the use of the Internet-memes as an effective means stimulating the students` interest to language learning. The aim of the article is to present theoretical and practical justification of the possibilities of Internet-memes use for development of non-linguistic university students` motivation to learning the foreign language. Material and methods. The research is based on the analysis of literature on creolized texts use in teaching, organizing the students’ language work with memes, defining the constituents of non-linguistic university students` motivation to English learning. In the result the set of classes facilitating the development of the students` motivation to language learning was designed and the methodical experiment aimed at implementation of the solutions under the consideration was carried out. Internet-memes selected in accordance with teaching content on the discipline are used as the material. Results and discussion. The algorithm of organizing students’ work with memes that includes motivational and perceptional, reproductive and practical, creative and transformational stages is outlined; versatile methodical apparatus of the process implementation is presented. The author notes the aspects of organization of the students’ work with memes as well as its motivational opportunities. The set of English classes oriented on using memes in the developing students’ motivation to language learning is presented. The examples of the exercises organizing the students’ work with a certain meme are given. The article presents criterial and diagnostic apparatus to evaluate students’ motivational level to English learning and the results proving the suggested solutions efficiency. Conclusion. The memes’ variety, free access, relevance to modern tendencies make them a powerful tool motivating students to deep language learning. Systematically organized students’ activity with memes contributes to the development of their foreign language skills.

Affect trumps age: A person-in-context relational view of age and motivation in SLA

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone E Pfenninger ◽  
David Singleton
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
School Level ◽  
Language Experience ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Late Starters

Recent findings (see, for example, Muñoz and Singleton, 2011) indicate that age of onset is not a strong determinant of instructed foreign language (FL) learners’ achievement and that age is intricately connected with social and psychological factors shaping the learner’s overall FL experience. The present study, accordingly, takes a participant-active approach by examining and comparing second language (L2) data, motivation questionnaire data, and language experience essays collected from a cohort of 200 Swiss learners of English as a foreign language (EFL) at the beginning and end of secondary school. These were used to analyse (1) whether in the long run early instructed FL learners in Switzerland outperform late instructed FL learners, and if so the extent to which motivation can explain this phenomenon, (2) the development of FL motivation and attitudes as students ascend the educational ladder, (3) the degree to which school-level variables affect age-related differences, and (4) learners’ beliefs about the age factor. We set out to combine large-scale quantitative methods (multilevel analyses) with individual-level qualitative data. While the results reveal clear differences with respect to rate of acquisition in favor of the late starters, whose motivation is more strongly goal- and future-focused at the first measurement, there is no main effect for starting age at the end of mandatory school time. Qualitative analyses of language experience essays offer insights into early and late starters’ L2 learning experience over the course of secondary school, capturing the multi-faceted complexity of the role played by starting age.

scholarly journals Características del Aprendizaje Integrado de Contenidos de Educación Física y Lengua Extranjera (Features of Integrated Learning Contents of Physical Education and Foreign Language)

Retos ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 120-125
Author(s):  
Celina Salvador García ◽  
Óscar Chiva Bartoll ◽  
Alessandra Fazio
Keyword(s):  
Physical Education ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Learning Theories ◽  
English Learning ◽  
Integrated Learning ◽  
Key Factors ◽  
Abstract Learning

El aprendizaje de inglés se ha convertido en los últimos tiempos en uno de los principales objetivos del sistema educativo, y es clara la propuesta de que la adquisición de esta lengua se lleve a cabo a través de contenidos. La Educación Física (EF), gracias a sus características, parece una de las áreas en las que se apuesta más fuerte por la utilización del inglés como lengua vehicular. Sin embargo, para desarrollar una práctica óptima utilizando esta lengua como vehículo comunicativo, conviene atender tanto a factores propios del aprendizaje de lenguas, como a las peculiaridades de la Educación Física. El presente artículo analiza esas particularidades ligándolas con los aspectos clave del aprendizaje integrado de contenidos y lengua extranjera (AICLE), resaltando el valor que debe otorgársele al lenguaje con el objetivo de favorecer su desarrollo, pero sin olvidar los rasgos propios de nuestra asignatura. Finalmente, para contrastar y valorar la aplicación del marco teórico se presenta una experiencia didáctica empírica que concreta y pone de manifiesto los argumentos esgrimidos. Abstract. Learning English has become one of the main objectives for the educational system and it has been suggested that the learning of this language is done through content. Due to physical education’s characteristics and idiosyncrasy, it seems to be one of the most likely subjects to use English as the language of communication. However, to use it properly, many points have to be considered paying attention to both the peculiarities of physical education and the language learning theories. This paper analyses these singularities linking them with some of the key factors of content and language integrated learning (CLIL). In order to improve English learning, the role of the language is highlighted, but taking account  the fact that physical education’s features must be preserved. Finally, to test and evaluate the implementation of the theoretical framework, we present an empirical and practical learning experience that contrasts and highlights these arguments.

scholarly journals Learner Characteristics of Early Starters and Late Starters of English Language Learning: Anxiety, Motivation, and Aptitude

2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoko Takada
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Junior High School ◽  
English Language ◽  
Inductive Learning ◽  
First Year ◽  
Need For Achievement ◽  
Learning Abilities ◽  
Early Starters ◽  
Late Starters

Two groups of first-year Japanese students at a private junior high school (JHS) were compared in their foreign language (FL) anxiety, three constructs of motivation (interest in FL, instrumental motivation, need for achievement), and language learning aptitude. The first group experienced FLES (Foreign Language in Elementary School) and the second group had no FLES experience. The results revealed that the learners with no FLES experience felt a significantly stronger “need for achievement,” whereas the two groups did not differ in the other constructs of motivation and anxiety. These findings suggest that anxiety and motivation may be more strongly affected by factors other than the starting age of FL learning. Thus caution is called for, so as to not overestimate FLES as a motivation booster. Although no statistical difference was seen in aptitude, the learners without previous FLES experience showed somewhat higher inductive learning abilities than their FLES-experienced counterparts. This finding warns against including selection bias in comparative studies of FLES and non-FLES students at private JHSs in Japan. 私立中学１年の生徒を、小学校で英語を学んだグループ、学ばなかったグループに分け、両者の (a) 外国語学習への不安、(b) 動機（外国語への関心、道具的動機、達成の必要性）(c) 言語学習の適性、を比較した。その結果、未経験者が経験者よりも、達成の必要性を強く感じていることが明らかになった。動機のその他の下位区分および不安においては、優位差を認めなかった。この結果は、外国語学習への不安や動機が複雑な概念であり、学習開始年齢以外の要因をより強く受ける可能性を示唆する。小学校での英語教育が英語への興味や関心を育てるとして注目されているが、その効果を過度に期待することへの警告と解釈できる。言語学習の適性においても優位差は認めなかったが、記述的統計では未経験者が経験者よりもかなり高い帰納的学習能力を示した。これは、小学校での英語教育の効果を私立中学で調査する場合、選択の偏りに注意すべきことを示唆する。

scholarly journals The role of input in second language oral ability development in foreign language classrooms: A longitudinal study

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 398-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuya Saito ◽  
Keiko Hanzawa
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
First Year ◽  
Continuous Change ◽  
First Semester ◽  
English Classes ◽  
Language Classrooms ◽  
Foreign Language Classrooms ◽  
Academic Year

The current project longitudinally investigated the extent to which first-year Japanese university students developed their second language (L2) oral ability in relation to increased input in foreign language classrooms. Their spontaneous speech was elicited at the beginning, middle and end of one academic year, and then judged by linguistically trained coders for pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary and grammar qualities. According to the statistical analyses, the total amount of input (operationalized as number of English classes taken and L2 use outside of classrooms) was significantly related to the participants’ quick and immediate development of fluency and lexicogrammar during the first semester. Their pronunciation development was mixed, either subject to continuous change over two academic semesters (for prosody) or limited within the timeframe of the study (for segmentals). Similar to naturalistic L2 speech learning, the findings support the multifaceted role of input in different areas of oral proficiency development in foreign language classrooms.

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