scholarly journals An Exploratory Study of Beliefs about Foreign Language Learning Among Self-Learners of English in Saudi Arabia

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 37
Author(s):  
Nouf Aljasir
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
English Proficiency ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Learner Beliefs ◽  
Foreign Language Aptitude ◽  
And Gender

This mixed-method exploratory study was conducted to investigate the types of beliefs that Saudi self-learners of English as a foreign language bring to the learning process. It also examined the possible links between those beliefs and self-rated English proficiency and explored whether individual factors, such as age and gender, played a role in shaping the learners’ beliefs. Data were collected from 243 participants, using three instruments, two quantitative and one qualitative. The first was the Background Information Questionnaire, which was designed specifically for this study and consisted of two parts. The first part collected demographic data about the learners, and the second part elicited the participants’ self-rated English proficiency in the four basic skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The second questionnaire was a modified version of Horwitz’s (1985) Beliefs about Language Learning Inventory (BALLI) and consisted of 27 items. The qualitative data were collected using one-on-one retrospective interviews, mainly to support and interpret the questionnaire results. The findings revealed that the beliefs of the participants were mostly realistic. Further, a significant positive correlation at the .01 level was found between the learners’ belief that they had foreign language aptitude and their self-rated English proficiency. The results of independent samples t-tests revealed two significant differences in learner beliefs according to gender and four significant ones according to age. The study concluded by offering recommendations and suggestions for further research in the field.   Received: 3 December 2020 / Accepted: 27 January 2021 / Published: 3 January 2022

scholarly journals Foreign Language Learning Anxiety Among Low Intermediate Level EFL Students: A Comparison of the Anxiety Levels of Students Attending Three Different Turkish State Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-48
Author(s):  
Esen SPAHI KOVAÇ
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Foreign Language Anxiety ◽  
School Students ◽  
Preparatory School ◽  
Turkish State ◽  
And Gender

The present study examined the general foreign language classroom anxiety of   preparatory school students according to the type of University and gender. The sample consisted of 282 students from three preparatory schools. The students were from Anadolu Univeristy, Osmangazi University and Dumlupınar University. There were 150 male and 132 female students. One-Way ANOVA showed that there were no significant differences among the level of foreign language anxiety of preparatory school students from different Universities. In addition to considering anxiety in a gender differences t-test showed that female students have been found much more anxious than mail students in foreign language anxiety.

scholarly journals Foreign Language Learning Strategies and Consecutive Interpreting Achievement: An Exploratory Study on Taiwanese Interpreting Students

2014 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-164
Author(s):  
Yung-Nan Chiang ◽  
Daniel Steve Villarreal
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Language Learning Strategies ◽  
Positive Correlations ◽  
Consecutive Interpreting ◽  
The Relationship

Although it has been frequently noted that interpreting students’ command of their working languages has not been solid enough to meet the challenge of interpreting, especially the challenge of interpreting from an A language to a B language, there has been no empirical research into whether their B language learning strategies are related to their interpretation achievement. This exploratory study filled this gap in the literature by investigating the relationship between foreign language (English) learning strategies and consecutive interpreting achievement among a group of undergraduate interpreting students in Taiwan. The participants’ learning strategies were assessed by Oxford’s Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL), while their achievement was measured by their semester grades in Mandarin-English interpreting classes. Descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were used to analyze the data. The results showed that learning strategies had significant positive correlations with interpreting achievement, regardless of whether the SILL was analyzed in terms of the overall scale, its subscales, or its individual items. Based on the results, implications for offering learning strategies training to students are discussed and directions for future research are suggested.

scholarly journals Teaching modern foreign languages in primary classrooms in Uzbekistan: an overview

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 224-229
Author(s):  
Tajibev Gairatjon Shovdorovich ◽  
Nematjonov Sharifjon Rustamjonovich ◽  
Valiev Kobiljon Obidjonovich
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Educational System ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Foreign Language Education ◽  
School Level ◽  
Background Information

This article aims to present foreign language learning in primary school as a part of educational system of Uzbekistan. Language policy concerning educational system is described briefly, but the main focus is on basic education in Uzbekistan and especially on primary foreign language education, its curriculum and aims. After presenting some sociolinguistic background information and a short outline of Uzbekistan’s school system in general, we will focus attention on different aspects of early language learning at primary school level. We will conclude our outline with some personal comments on current challenges and problem areas in the field of early foreign language learning in Uzbekistan.

scholarly journals UZBEKISTAN MOD FOREIGN LANGUAGE APTITUDE TEST: A CRITICAL EVALUATION

2019 ◽  
pp. 138-151
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Critical Evaluation ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Language Programs ◽  
Foreign Language Aptitude ◽  
Foreign Language Programs

Globalization has entailed a growth in importance of the second/foreign language teaching and learning all over the world with the number of both voluntary and involuntary language learners increasing on daily basis. There is, however,a widely attested discrepancy in actual results achieved by those engaged in second/foreign language learning usually explained by means of invocation of a specialized talent that certain individuals have, whilst others lack. Such a talent is thought to be measurable and the results obtained are regarded as valid predictors of success for intensive foreign language programs. The present article deals with critical appraisal of one of such instruments in terms of both its theoretical and practical validity. A number of points to be addressed for the purpose of the instrument improvement are demonstrated via referral to both basic statistic techniques and scientific consensus in the field of language learning aptitude research.

scholarly journals Neurodidactics of Languages: Neuromyths in Multilingual Learners

Mathematics ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 196
Author(s):  
Antonia Navarro Rincón ◽  
María José Carrillo López ◽  
César Augusto Solano Galvis ◽  
Laura Isla Navarro
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
Brain Functioning ◽  
C Language ◽  
The University ◽  
The Brain

From the perspective of neuroscience applied to education and the teaching of foreign languages, this exploratory study analyzes the beliefs and conceptions about the functioning of the brain and language learning in students enrolled in Education degrees at the Melilla campus of the University of Granada. The sample consisted of 397 participants. The data collection was carried out by means of a questionnaire designed for this purpose, consisting of questions related to the context and linguistic background of the respondents and to educational neuromyths regarding language learning. The data were analyzed using the SPSS version 27 statistical software, and univariate and bivariate analyses were carried out according to the three grouping dimensions: (a) brain functioning, (b) multiple intelligences and learning styles, and (c) language learning. The results indicate the prevalence of neuromyths related to general concepts, which determine the learning comprehension. This corroborates the findings of research studies in other contexts. Although the participants do not show a prevalence of neuromyths regarding foreign language learning, presumably due to their experiences in multilingual contexts, which constitutes the main contribution of this study.

Stages of Acquisition and the P/E Model of Working Memory: Complementary or contrasting approaches to foreign language aptitude?

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 6-24
Author(s):  
Zhisheng (Edward) Wen ◽  
Peter Skehan
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Pattern Identification ◽  
Language Aptitude ◽  
Aptitude Testing ◽  
Input Processing ◽  
Equal Importance ◽  
Foreign Language Aptitude

AbstractThis paper explores the roles of both working memory (WM) and more traditional aptitude components, such as input processing and language analytic ability in the context of foreign language learning aptitude. More specifically, the paper compares two current perspectives on language aptitude: the Stages Approach (Skehan, 2016, 2019) and the P/E Model (Wen, 2016, 2019). Input processing and noticing, pattern identification and complexification, and feedback are examined as they relate to both perspectives and are then used to discuss existing aptitude testing, recent research, and broader theoretical issues. It is argued that WM and language aptitude play different but complementary roles at each of these stages, reflecting the various linguistic and psycholinguistic processes that are most prominent in other aspects of language learning. Overall, though both perspectives posit that WM and language aptitude have equal importance at the input processing stage, they exert greater influence at each of the remaining stages. More traditional views of aptitude dominate at the pattern identification and complexification stage and WM with the feedback stage.

Aptitude for learning a foreign language

2001 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 90-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Sparks ◽  
Leonore Ganschow
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Aptitude ◽  
Foreign Language Aptitude ◽  
Affective Variables ◽  
Language Variables

What has happened with the construct of foreign language aptitude since 1990, at which time symposium participants from around the world agreed that the "Time has come to rethink the notion of what constitutes aptitude to learn foreign languages?" To answer this question, we begin with a review of studies on foreign language aptitude and its measurement prior to 1990. We then describe research and thinking in the 1990s in several areas, including affective variables; language learning strategies; learning styles as contributors to aptitude; and aptitude as a cognitive construct affected by language variables. Next, we review research on individual differences in language learners and the importance of phonological/orthographic processing for foreign language learning. Finally, we suggest new directions for research in foreign language aptitude.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document