All We Need is a Boost! Using Multimodal Tools and the Translanguaging Strategy

Author(s):  
María Catalina Caro Torres ◽  
Yuri Natali Sarmiento Salamanca ◽  
Jennyfer Paola Camargo Cely ◽  
Jose Leonardo Bautista Aguilar

This article reports a qualitative case study about the implementation of a translanguaging strategy with EFL learners belonging to the Language Learning Support programs at a private university, who struggled when speaking in English. In order to address this problem, this strategy aim to help participants to reflect and self-direct their oral performance development. Multimodal tools were used for learners to undertake a specific course of action to cope with their speaking difficulties. Data gathered from tutor's journals, student's e-portfolio and interviews, showed how confidence and self-regulation were fostered after including student's mother tongue and ICT tools. These findings suggest a need to expand this implementation with learners of different proficiency levels who also find it difficult to verbally express their ideas. Moreover, it takes a look at the use of the mother tongue as an advantage rather than as an obstacle to learning a foreign language.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 48-60
Author(s):  
Carolin Fuchs

This case study explores cultural and contextual affordances in language massive open online courses (LMOOCs), especially the extent to which an LMOOC effectively promotes optimal language learning. Participants included 15 language student teachers of English as a second or foreign language in a spring technology elective course at a private university on the East Coast. Student teachers enrolled in language MOOCs and tracked and evaluated their learning process and progress through weekly logs and surveys. Data was collected from weekly reflection logs and pre- and post-surveys. Results indicate that the cultural affordances were more salient in the advanced Spanish MOOC and the Hindi MOOC, while in the beginning-level LMOOCs, contextual factors were lacking overall.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tran Quoc Thao ◽  
Nguyen Chau Hoang Long

Self-regulation of learning plays a vital role in improving second/foreign language learning as it can encourage the development of autonomous learners. It is seen that, nevertheless, ESL/EFL learners in different contexts are not fully aware of the importance of self-regulated language learning (SRLL) strategies in their English language learning. The present study, therefore, aims at investigating the use of SRLL strategies by English-majored students at a university in Bac Lieu province, Vietnam. This study involved 100 English-majored freshmen in answering a closed-ended questionnaire. The results showed that students sometimes used SRLL strategies, and they used SRLL strategies for keeping and monitoring records and seeking social assistance more often than for other purposes. The findings imply that students lacked knowledge of how to use SRLL strategies and get engaged in using SRLL strategies. This study recommends that students’ awareness of SRLL strategies should be seriously taken into account in order to facilitate their learner autonomy.


Author(s):  
Isabel Tejada-Sanchez ◽  
Mario Molina-Naar

This study discusses the implementation of English medium instruction (EMI) at a Colombian university. First, the paper reviews the rise of EMI in the internationalization of higher education. Second, it illustrates how one university incorporated EMI as part of an internationalization process. Third, it identifies the perceptions that a group of administrators, faculty, and students have regarding the EMI initiative. Questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and document analysis were conducted. Findings suggest that EMI is tied to the structuring of an internationalization office, curricular reforms, and English language learning support. Participants’ perceptions are associated with their imaginaries, identities, experiences, and obligations in relation to the English language. The study concludes that the implementation of EMI within the internationalization of universities is inevitable, yet a sustainable EMI strategy requires contextual awareness and articulation amongst its participants.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 220
Author(s):  
Ani Fiani

Metacognition plays an important role in developing EFL students to become successful learners who are able to plan their learning goals, monitor their learning progress, and evaluate their learning outcomes in the disruption era. Because of the crucial role of metacognition in language learning, the implementation of metacognitive instruction in an EFL writing class had been investigated during one semester. Thus, this article discussed the students’ responses towards the use of the teaching program. This research study conducted with thirty three students in a private university in Lubuklinggau used a case study by collecting data through a questionnaire and reflective journals. The research results revealed that most of the EFL students had highly positive responses towards the implementation of metacognitive instruction in an EFL writing class including three aspects, namely the learning materials, learning activities, and benefits of the learning processes. Therefore, the teaching program had encouraged and benefited to the students in learning to write.  Metacognitive instruction, as an alternative of effective methods, should be considered by teachers to help their students to become more independent learners.Keywords: Metacognition, metacognitive instruction, writing


2021 ◽  
Vol 317 ◽  
pp. 02028
Author(s):  
Mujid F Amin ◽  
Suyanto Suyanto ◽  
Fajrul Falah

This research was conducted in the city of Semarang with a case study of Diponegoro University. The study shows that a syntax error in the form of a sentence is not complete, the use of the word di mana (which) it is not appropriate, the construction preposition owner, the use of the word yang (that), the error sequence of words, sentences without a subject and object, misuse of conjunctions and prepositions, improper use of the passive or active voice, foreign language interference, and misuse of pronouns. The factors causing the error are the influence of the mother tongue, the limited repertoire of the students, and the lack of practice in speaking and writing in Indonesian. To overcome these obstacles, a curriculum design that emphasizes language skills is required; accompanied by Semester Learning Plans for all learning subjects along with textbooks and the learning methods used are emphasized on communication skills. An Indonesian language learning process for foreign speakers will be more successful if it involves environmental, cultural, and local wisdom factors that are carried out in an integrated manner.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Paola Muñoz García ◽  
David Ruiz Guzmán

This chapter presents the results of a case study conducted in 2016-17 at the National School of Higher Studies in Morelia (ENES-M), Michoacán, Mexico, where a pilot programme was implemented at bachelor’s level for students learning English as a foreign language. The platform used in this study was composed of small digital units called Learning Support Units (UAPAs) first developed in 2011 to help students practice and develop their linguistic skills at two levels, basic and pre-intermediate. These selected UAPAs were hosted in a portal named Ambiente Virtual de Idiomas (AVI) (Language Virtual Environment) administrated by the Coordination of Open University and Distance Education (CUAED). Later, in 2015, it was proposed that a more complex and complete platform be designed and in 2016 the new UAPAs for levels A1, A2, B1 and some of B2 were developed and then piloted for further evaluation. As a result, the experimental groups exposed to a blended teaching reported higher scores in the post test than control groups that were taught with no use of technological elements, hence proving that blended-learning teaching is a good pedagogical option for university students.


1999 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-273 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie D. Singer ◽  
Anthony S. Bashir

In this article, executive functions and selfregulation are defined and the reciprocal influence of these factors on the performance of students with language-learning disorders (LLD) is explored. A case study demonstrates the integration of executive functions, self-regulation, and language processes within speech and language assessment and intervention. Clinicians are urged to consider the interactive effects of executive function, self-regulatory, and language processes when addressing the needs of students with LLD.


Relay Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 374-384
Author(s):  
Henry Foster

Motivation is a dynamic variable that changes temporally and in response to a myriad of factors internal and external to the learner. Qualitative, self-narrative data can provide insight into learner motivation and the contextual influences that act upon it. The present study investigates the motivational trends over time of two EFL learners, with a focus on the roles of possible selves. Data derived from language learning histories and semi-structured interviews was subjected to thematic and interpretive analysis. Findings indicate the importance to learner motivation of factors beyond the classroom and the teacher’s reach, emphasizing the need to foster learner autonomy, self-regulation and self-awareness.


Author(s):  
Fergus O’Dwyer ◽  
Mark de Boer

AbstractThis article presents two case studies that show how learner involvement and collaboration in assessment are valid pedagogic tools to encourage learner reflection and engagement, particularly where a very traditional approach to language learning is the norm. The authors, who teach in universities in Japan, discuss different but related approaches to assessment in CLIL (Content and Language Integrated Learning) classrooms. The first case study describes how assessment in the classrooms in focus requires more engagement on the part of learners as they must work things out for themselves. Collaborating with classmates, which entails discussing assessment decisions, can foster language development. If learners engage in informal discussion about their learning performance, they can review previous learning, affirm progress, and make suggestions about future learning goals and how to improve their learning outcomes. In the authors’ view these processes help learners to develop self-regulation and self-efficacy. The second case study involves students developing collaboration skills during project work in which they are also involved in the assessment process. They give slide and poster presentations, write reports, and analyze scientific information while collaborating with their classmates. During this process they are also responsible for self- and peer-assessment. As a result of their collaboration they acquire language, but they also develop the ability to collaborate further. The article concludes by briefly discussing learner involvement and collaboration, and the central role that feedback practices can play in learning.


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