scholarly journals Cognitive Implications of Usage-Based Approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Raghad Fahmi Aajami
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
First Language ◽  
Academic Education ◽  
English Language Acquisition ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Learning Tasks ◽  
Linguistic Approach

Tremendous efforts have been exerted to understand first language acquisition to facilitate second language learning. The problem lies in the difficulty of mastering English language and adapting a theory that helps in overcoming the difficulties facing students. This study aims to apply Thomasello's theory of language mastery through usage. It assumes that adults can learn faster than children and can learn the language separately, and far from academic education. Tomasello (2003) studied the stages of language acquisition for children, and developed his theory accordingly. Some studies, such as: (Ghalebi and Sadighi, 2015, Arvidsson, 2019; Munoz, 2019; Verspoor and Hong, 2013) used this theory when examining language acquisition. Thus, the present study implies adopting Tomasello's approach represented by his usage-based theory when examining Iraqi adults’ English language acquisition. The participants, who were (20) in number, were asked to watch series and show what they learn through re-enacting scenes. The Data were collected qualitatively through observations, focus group discussion, peer review, and interviews. Results have shown that:  a remarkable progress in the participants' performance, the participants' responses to using English through increasing their language stock, the ability to use language during the development of their linguistic repertoire increased their self-confidence to participate in conversations they were trying to avoid. As a result, the experiment achieved its objectives by finding that use-based theory is a cognitive linguistic approach that can facilitate the learning tasks.

scholarly journals Affective Variables from the Applied Linguistics Perspective: A Study of the Saudi Undergraduate Students Majoring in English Language

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 70
Author(s):  
Khaled Elkotb Mahmoud Elshahawy
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
English Language Acquisition ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Affective Variables

The present study aimed at indicating the effect of the affective variables (motivation, attitude, self-confidence and willingness to communicate) on the acquisition and learning of English language among the students of Languages and Translation Departments in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study participants were 40 students (20 males and 20 females) from the students specialized in English language. The study used three instruments: The semi-structured interview, affective variables questionnaire (AVQ) and English language proficiency observation checklist (ELPOC). The study adopted the quasi-experimental design mixed with the qualitative interpretation. The study employed the correlational analysis and the simple liner regression to indicate the relationship between the independent and dependant variables. The findings of the study showed that there is a positive significant relationship between the affective variables (motivation, attitude, self-confidence and willingness to communicate) and the process of English language acquisition as a second language. The study also demonstrated that the most influential factors in the learners' English language acquisition process is their willingness to communicate. Recommendations and suggestions based on the study results were directed to the L2 (EFL/ESL) instructors and all the specialists in English language acquisition and learning.

scholarly journals The Nose-Bleed Syndrome: A Study on the Attitude of the College Students towards English Language Learning and Their Linguistic Self-Confidence in a Multi-Cultural Context

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie Mae C. Berowa
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
English Language ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Target Language ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
State University ◽  
Job Interviews ◽  
Self Confidence

The expression “nose-bleed!” has become the most popular expression among Filipinos when asked to speak in English. In the Philippines, English is the most feared language. This fear is seen in classes where students feel so anxious that they may mispronounce a word or that they may commit grammatical inaccuracies. This also happens during job interviews when most of the applicants would sweat out while using English. The study was undertaken to determine the profile of the select students as respondents of the study, their attitude towards English language learning, and the situation/s that they feel linguistically confident in using the target language in a multi-cultural context. The study was conducted at the Mindanao State University (MSU), Main Campus, in the Islamic City of Marawi. The study utilized both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis procedures. Survey questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were employed. The questionnaire was administered to 129 randomly selected Job Enabling English Proficiency (JEEP) Program students, and then the FGD was conducted to probe further certain points that require illumination. It was concluded that the respondents have a positive attitude toward learning the English language. It was also disclosed that the linguistic self-confidence of the respondents leaned more on the situation-specific self-confidence.

Identifying Listening Problems and the Need for Technology Assisted Language Learning (TALL) to Improve Listening Skills among Diploma Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 33
Author(s):  
Salwani Mohd Salleh ◽  
Lai See May ◽  
Azzieatul Syazwanie Azmi ◽  
Siti Anisah Mohd Hatta ◽  
Norlida Razali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
English Language Acquisition ◽  
Physical Setting ◽  
Listening Proficiency ◽  
Listening Ability ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
Interactive User

Listening is one of the major skills in English language acquisition.  However, mastering listening in acquiring the language can be challenging. Failure to listen well may cause misunderstanding and unnecessary conflicts. Realizing the importance of listening and how difficult it is, the paper focuses on listening issues experienced by 210 Part 1, Diploma students of UiTM Kelantan Branch.  The objectives are to identify the perceived level of listening proficiency among students, ascertain listening problems faced by them and determine students’ need for Technology Assisted Language Learning (TALL) to enhance listening skills. Thus, a survey on listening problems and the need for TALL was conducted. 150 students responded and the majority identified physical setting as the main listening problem thus, leading to a conclusive need for technology to help improve their listening ability. Based on the findings, a technological language tool in the form of multimedia application is innovated to fulfil the students’ needs. The application is designed to be easily accessible, user-interactive, user-friendly and affordable.  The features are customized to be as ‘friendly’ as possible of which they include local and Malaysian-based contents, familiar accents and slangs as well as relevant vocabulary, listening practices and quizzes.

scholarly journals USING FACEBOOK FOR ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING: THE DIFFERENCES AMONG GENDER AND ETHNICITY

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 177
Author(s):  
Shaidatul Akma Adi Kasuma
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
English Language ◽  
Female Students ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
English Language Acquisition ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Positive Attitudes

This study investigates university students’ perceptions of using Facebook for English language learning based on gender and ethnicity. A survey was used for data collection, in which all 622 participants reported to having at least one Facebook account which they frequently accessed multiple times a day. The findings show that the students possessed positive attitudes, motivation, self-confidence in using Facebook to learn English language. They also reported to have acquired new English words and sentence structures from their engagement with Facebook. In terms of gender and ethnicity, it is the female students, and Indian respondents who illustrated highly positive perceptions of English language acquisition, motivation, attitudes, and self-confidence, when engaging with Facebook. The awareness of these differences may assist the creation of more suitable learning strategies especially with the integration of Facebook and other social media. Keywords: Facebook, English language learning, gender, ethnicity, attitudes, motivation, self-confidence, acquisitionCite as: Kasuma, S.A.A. (2017). Using Facebook for English language learning: The differences among gender and ethnicity. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 2(1), 177-193.

FIRST AND SECOND LANGUAGE LEARNING THROUGH TEXTBOOKS IN ALBANIAN SCHOOLS (COMPARATIVE OVERVIEW OF ALBANIAN AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEXTBOOKS)

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 2319-2324
Author(s):  
Rina Muka ◽  
Irida Hoti
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Second Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
First Language ◽  
Grammatical Knowledge ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
The Third

The language acquired from the childhood is the language spoken in the family and in the place of living. This language is different from one pupil to another, because of their social, economical conditions. By starting the school the pupil faces first the ABC book and then in the second grade Albanian language learning through the Albanian language textbook. By learning Albanian language step by step focused on Reading, Writing, Speaking and Grammar the pupil is able to start learning the second language on the next years of schooling. So, the second language learning in Albanian schools is related to the first language learning (mother tongue), since the early years in primary school. In our schools, the second language (English, Italian) starts in the third grade of the elementary class. On the third grade isn’t taught grammar but the pupil is directed toward the correct usage of the language. The textbooks are structured in developing the pupil’s critical thinking. The textbooks are fully illustrated and with attractive and educative lessons adequate to the age of the pupils. This comparative study will reflect some important aspects of language learning in Albanian schools (focused on Albanian language - first language and English language - second language), grade 3-6. Our point of view in this paper will show not only the diversity of the themes, the lines and the sub-lines but also the level of language knowledge acquired at each level of education. First, the study will focus on some important issues in comparing Albanian and English language texts as well as those which make them different: chronology and topics retaken from one level of education to another, so by conception of linear and chronological order will be shown comparatively two learned languages (mother tongue and second language). By knowing and learning well mother tongue will be easier for the pupil the foreign language learning. The foreign language (as a learning curriculum) aims to provide students with the skills of using foreign language written and spoken to enable the literature to recognize the achievements of advanced world science and technology that are in the interest of developing our technique. Secondly, the study will be based on the extent of grammatical knowledge, their integration with 'Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing' as well as the inclusion of language games and their role in language learning. The first and second language learning in Albanian schools (grade III-VI) is based on similar principles for the linearity and chronology of grammatical knowledge integrated with listening, reading, writing and speaking. The different structure of both books help the pupils integrate and use correctly both languages. In the end of the sixth grade, the pupils have good knowledge of mother tongue and the second language and are able to write and speak well both languages.

scholarly journals Recontextualizing Quality Talk for an Eighth-Grade English Classroom in China

2020 ◽  
pp. 209653112097017
Author(s):  
Liwei Wei ◽  
P. Karen Murphy ◽  
Shenghui Wu
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Small Group ◽  
English Language ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Eighth Grade ◽  
Pedagogical Approach ◽  
Language Class ◽  
English Classroom

Purpose: Conducting meaningful interactions in the target language is essential for language learning. However, in many English language classrooms in China, it is rare that students are provided with such opportunities. In the current study, we presented and critically evaluated the implementation of a small-group discussion approach called Quality Talk (QT) in an eighth-grade English language classroom in China. Design/Approach/Methods: One eighth-grade English teacher and 82 eighth-grade students in a public middle school in Beijing participated in the study using a pretest-posttest, quasi-experimental design. Recordings of teacher coaching sessions and student discussions, researchers’ field notes, and participating teacher’s written reflections were used to identify successful practices and lessons learned with respect to the implementation of QT. Implications for future directions were also discussed. Findings: The results revealed that to successfully implement a discourse-intensive pedagogical approach in a large English language class, it is essential that (a) the materials used for discussion closely align with the school curriculum, (b) students are grouped heterogeneously and scaffolded to engage in discussions both in their native and target languages, and (c) student leadership be leveraged to facilitate discussion in each small group. Originality/Value: The present study delineated the details with respect to implementing a discourse-intensive pedagogical approach in an eighth-grade English classroom in China. We derived several key insights from recontextualizing QT in an English learning, large class context in China. These insights might hold the potential to improve the effectiveness of English teaching and learning in China.

scholarly journals Mobile Learning for English Language Acquisition: Taxonomy, Challenges, and Recommendations

IEEE Access ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 19033-19047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monther M. Elaish ◽  
Liyana Shuib ◽  
Norjihan Abdul Ghani ◽  
Elaheh Yadegaridehkordi ◽  
Musaab Alaa
Keyword(s):  
Language Acquisition ◽  
Mobile Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Acquisition
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