scholarly journals Language Learning Advice at the University of Leeds

2015 ◽  
pp. 120-123
Author(s):  
Jadzia Terlecka ◽  
Carolin Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Resources ◽  
Language Students ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Principal Elements

This article introduces the role and work of the Language Learning Adviser based in the University of Leeds Language Zone, one of the largest self-access centres in the UK. The Language Zone houses language learning resources for over 40 languages, including English. The Language Learning Adviser’s office is located in this area. The article will present an overview of the facilities available in the Language Zone (LZ), followed by a detailed description of the Adviser’s role. The role consists of three principal elements: providing individual consultations with students, developing and monitoring materials, and offering workshops on aspects of language learning. The increasing role of technology in language learning is also discussed and mention made of activities and events organised for language students by the Language Zone and the Language Learning Adviser.

Language students and their technologies: Charting the evolution 2006–2011

ReCALL ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline H Steel ◽  
Mike Levy
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Learning Experience ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Online Tools ◽  
Language Students ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Compare And Contrast

AbstractThis paper has two key objectives. Firstly, it seeks to record the technologies in current use by learners of a range of languages at an Australian university in 2011. Data was collected via a large-scale survey of 587 foreign language students across ten languages at The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Notably the data differentiates between those technologies that students used inside and outside of formal classrooms as well as recording particular technologies and applications that students perceived as beneficial to their language learning. Secondly, this study aims to compare and contrast its findings with those from two previous studies that collected data on students’ use of technologies five years earlier, in 2006, in the UK and Canada. The intention is to chart major developments and changes that have occurred during the intervening five-year period, between 2006 and 2011. The data reported in two studies, one by Conole (2008) and one by Peters, Weinberg and Sarma (2008) are used as points of reference for the comparison with the present study.The findings of the current study point to the autonomy and independence of the language learners in this cohort and the re-emergence of CALL tools, both for in-class and out-of-class learning activities. According to this data set, learners appear to have become more autonomous and independent and much more able to shape and resource their personal language learning experience in a blended learning setting. The students also demonstrate a measure of sophistication in their use of online tools, such that they are able to work around known limitations and constraints. In other words, the students have a keen awareness of the affordances of the technologies they are using.

Tertiary English-majored Students’ Perceptions toward the Role of Pronunciation in English Language Learning and their Practicing Strategies

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 264-279
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
The University

Accurate pronunciation has a vital role in English language learning as it can help learners to avoid misunderstanding in communication. However, EFL learners in many contexts, especially at the University of Phan Thiet, still encounter many difficulties in pronouncing English correctly. Therefore, this study endeavors to explore English-majored students’ perceptions towards the role of pronunciation in English language learning and examine their pronunciation practicing strategies (PPS). It involved 155 English-majored students at the University of Phan Thiet who answered closed-ended questionnaires and 18 English-majored students who participated in semi-structured interviews. The findings revealed that students strongly believed in the important role of pronunciation in English language learning; however, they sometimes employed PPS for their pronunciation improvement. Furthermore, the results showed that participants tended to use naturalistic practicing strategies and formal practicing strategies with sounds, but they overlooked strategies such as asking for help and cooperating with peers. Such findings could contribute further to the understanding of how students perceive the role of pronunciation and their PPS use in the research’s context and other similar ones. Received 10th June 2019; Revised 12th March 2020; Accepted 12th April 2020

scholarly journals Stakeholder attitudes towards employability in a Sino-British university

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Speight ◽  
Natasa Lackovic ◽  
Lucy Cooker
Keyword(s):  
Research Literature ◽  
Branch Campus ◽  
Specific Context ◽  
Graduate Employability ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Global And Local ◽  
Support Students ◽  
Stakeholder Attitudes

In 2004 the University of Nottingham opened its branch campus, the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC). Degree-awarding powers for UNNC remain with the UK, but there is recognition that Nottingham must understand the specific context of its Chinese branch; provision therefore operates according to the principal of equivalence rather than of replication. This paper explores stakeholder attitudes towards the university's Nottingham Advantage Award. This is an extra-curricular programme designed to support students in the development of their 'employability'. Launched in the UK in 2008, it was piloted at UNNC in 2010-11 and is now nearing the end of its first full year of operation. Twenty-three interviews were conducted with staff and students at UNNC. These were analysed alongside interviews carried out in the UK and with reference to the research literature. This provided an understanding of the role of the Award overall and in the UNNC context. The study shows that while stakeholders hold broadly similar views in the UK and China, there are subtle differences of emphasis concerning the understanding of, and responsibility for, learning for employability. In addition, a group of China-specific themes emerged from the UNNC interviews that indicated recognition of the need to differentiate priorities and provision for each site. The paper concludes that the challenge for the Award at UNNC is to serve both global and local agendas and that it should strive to reduce the 'information asymmetry' existing between stakeholders to promote effective graduate employability.

scholarly journals Design and Management of a Self-Access Language Learning Space Integrated into a Taught Course

2016 ◽  
pp. 136-151
Author(s):  
Sahar Alzahrani ◽  
Vicky Wright
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Virtual Learning Environment ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Learning Resources ◽  
Learning Space ◽  
Look Ahead ◽  
Online Tools ◽  
The Many ◽  
The University

This paper reports on the design and management of an online self-access language learning (SALL) space that was used with a group of Saudi medical students to complement classroom-based learning. The aim was to increase the opportunities for communication and language practice and, more specifically, to help develop the learners’ language learning autonomy (Little, 1999). In a pre-study, a questionnaire and a focus group were used to collect information about the students’ needs and interests in language learning. The design of this space was informed by the students’ feedback on their language learning needs and styles as recommended by Breen (1986) and Marsh (2012). Desire2Learn, a widely used virtual learning environment, was used to provide learners with an online self-access center because of the many features it has which would help learners to take control of their learning. The learning resources and online tools included instant messaging (IM), a news stream, access to a facilitator and other learning support, moderated discussions, videos, images, activities and quizzes, as well as links to external materials and to free self-access language learning resources. A description will be provided of how the materials, the tools, and the facilities were integrated within this space along with the justification for each of the elements. A look ahead to how this study could be extended for use with all learners enrolled in the medical scheme of the university will be discussed at the end of the paper.

The Role of Social Networking Sites for Language Learning in UK Higher Education

2014 ◽  
pp. 1745-1764
Author(s):  
Billy Brick
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Text Chat ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Uk Higher Education

This paper seeks to assess the potential for Social Networking Sites (SNSs) to play a role in language learning in the UK Higher Education (HE) sector. These sites are characterised by certain features including learning materials, synchronous and asynchronous video and text chat facilities, a peer review feature, and some sites also incorporate an award system, in the form of points (http://www.livemocha.com) or ‘berries' (http://www.busuu.com). This serves to motivate participants by rewarding them for their progress and for their peer review activities. In order to consider if, or how, to integrate SNSs into the UK HE curriculum it is important to consider the views of practitioners and learners towards such sites and whether they consider them to have a potential role in HE language education. The paper will report on the outcomes of two small research projects which have sought to establish the view of both practitioners and students towards SNSs in the HE context. When considered overall the practitioners were more positive about the site than the learners.

Language learning using multimedia conferencing: the ReLaTe project

ReCALL ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Matthews
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
It Services ◽  
Joint Research ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Joint Research Project ◽  
University College London ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Multimedia Conferencing

The article provides a description of the ReLaTe (remote language teaching) project, to develop a working demonstrator using a multicast-based conferencing system (Mbone service), for distance foreign language tuition. It covers aspects of technical development for applications over SuperJANET and gives an overview of the trials and evaluation, including how students and teachers adjusted to the system; the advantages and drawbacks of the system; how the system affected learning and teaching in the context of acquisition and delivery of foreign languages. The ReLaTe project is a joint research project between the University of Exeter and University College London, involving the Foreign Language Centre and IT Services (Pallas) at Exeter and the Language Centre and the Department of Computer Science at UCL. The project began in September 1994, with funding from BT and JISC (Joint Information Systems Committee) of the Higher Education Council of the UK. mis article covers the work of the project from September 1994 until December 1995.

scholarly journals ReDesigning intercultural exchanges through the use of augmented reality

2019 ◽  
pp. 157-162
Author(s):  
Stella Hadjistassou ◽  
Maria Iosifina Avgousti ◽  
Petros Louca
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Zone Of Proximal Development ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Learning Needs ◽  
Proximal Development ◽  
Disruptive Students ◽  
The Uk

While the debate on breakthrough technologies has focused on inept, dexterous, and socially transforming technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistants and robot dexterity, in second/foreign language learning, particular emphasis is placed on AI, Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). This study takes a closer look at the role of three newly developed AR applications in promoting a better understanding of complex concepts such as the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), strategies in dealing with disruptive students, and an immigrant’s perspective in moving to a foreign country with no knowledge of the language(s) spoken in that country. The AR applications were developed and implemented during intercultural exchanges among students enrolled in academic institutions in the UK and Cyprus. The aim was to develop AR applications that were geared toward the learning needs of future language teachers and examine what students could achieve through the use of these applications during goal-driven tasks and activities.

scholarly journals SUBTITLING DOCUMENTARIES: A LEARNING TOOL FOR ENHANCING SCIENTIFIC TRANSLATION SKILLS

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 445-478
Author(s):  
María del Mar Ogea Pozo
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Tool ◽  
Audiovisual Media ◽  
Technical Translation ◽  
Semiotic Systems ◽  
Three Stages ◽  
Audiovisual Translation ◽  
The University

This paper examines the use of subtitles as a learning tool for developing skills required for scientific translation, in the framework of the course "Scientific and Technical Translation" included in the Translation and Interpreting Studies degree at the University of Cordoba. For that purpose, in the present study we aim to discuss and describe the benefits provided by this modality of audiovisual translation by presenting an overview of the previous studies focused on the effectiveness of subtitling in foreign language (FL) learning. However, we intend to go deeper and propose the integration of subtitling not only in translation studies curriculum, but more specifically, in a scientific translation course. Furthermore, the documentary genre is postulated as an optimal audiovisual media to be used for FL specialised language learning. The subtitling activity consisted of three stages: viewing of an informational documentary short movie with original English subtitles, documentation, and translation into Spanish. In order to confirm whether this subtitling practice raises students' motivation and, as a result, brings positive learning results, this study is based on the responses obtained in a questionnaire completed by the participants in the experiment. The main questions are related to the role of multiple semiotic systems as a support for textual comprehension and learning, and the acquisition of specialised terminology, as well as the students' motivation towards a simulation of a professional translation assignment. Keywords: Audiovisual translation, Scientific translation, Documentary genre, Subtitling, FL language

International Association for the Study of Popular Music (UK Branch) 2000 Conference

Popular Music ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 263-274
Author(s):  
Peter Symon
Keyword(s):  
Popular Music ◽  
International Association ◽  
Popular Music Studies ◽  
Working Lives ◽  
The Media ◽  
Media Politics ◽  
State Of Affairs ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

For some reason, the working lives of music makers are not often given the attention in popular music studies which might be expected. The launch of the UK Year of the Artist – celebrating the role of artists in society – immediately before the 2000 conference of the UK branch of the International Association for the Study of Popular Music (IASPM), meant that it was especially timely, then, for the IASPM event to address this state of affairs. The conference, The Popular Musician: Performance, Poetics, Power, was held at the University of Surrey, 7–9 July 2000, and took as its central theme the position of musicians – in the music industry, in relation to fans and audiences and in the media, politics and society.

Taking research from periphery to core in a Caribbean Language Centre

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 511-519
Author(s):  
Beverly-Anne Carter
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
West Indies ◽  
Romance Languages ◽  
The West ◽  
Language Curriculum ◽  
Service Unit ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Great Utility ◽  
The University

Abstract This paper draws on two research activities to discuss the role of research at the Centre for Language Learning (CLL) at The University of the West Indies St. Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago. Established in 1997, the CLL introduced languages for all into this Caribbean higher education (HE) context. The CLL also introduced an expanded language curriculum beyond the historical focus on Romance languages and literatures. As the language centre evolved with more languages being taught and more language services offered, research, nonetheless, remained a marginal activity. Yet without a research agenda, the CLL risked being seen as a “service unit” - an outlier in a university seeking to confirm its place in the highly competitive global HE landscape. As the CLL sought to embrace more fully the research mandate of The UWI and of language centres internationally, CercleS publications and documents, for example, “Quality Assessment Criteria for Language Centres” were of great utility. The latter document’s focus on research as a quality indicator was consistent with The UWI’s focus on quality assurance and research. Taking research from periphery to core is thus intrinsic to moving the CLL into closer alignment with both institutional and international norms.

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