The Effects of Cross-Cultural Distance Learning Model on the Linguistic and Affective Domain of EFL Learners in Korea

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 76-89
Author(s):  
Bok-Myung Chang
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
English Language ◽  
Cultural Distance ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Test Form ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Native Speakers Of English

This article is based on a Cross-Cultural Distance Learning (CCDL) model between university students in Korea and Japan during the 1st semester of 2016 and this lesson model consists of synchronous and asynchronous CMC activities focusing on the interactions between non-native speakers of English. This article shows that EFL learners in Korea can develop English language proficiency through this lesson model. The learners' development of English language proficiency was evaluated by using the TOEIC test as a proficiency test form. Also, this article proves that these kinds of CMC activities can motivate EFL learners to enhance cultural awareness for foreign countries and practice English inside and outside of the classroom. The questionnaire was used to survey the students' cultural awareness and attitude for this model at the final session of the semester.

Canadian experiences of training linguistically diverse populations for the workplace

1995 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jill Sinclair Bell
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
English Language ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Linguistically Diverse ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Diverse Populations ◽  
Canadian Research

It has increasingly become apparent that multicultural workplace programs which focus exclusively on teaching English to immigrant employees are inadequate. This paper draws on recent Canadian research in j o b training programs to question whether the development of English language proficiency has a positive impact on the career prospects of most workplace learners. Some recent research suggests on the contrary that increasing English use can actually have a negative impact on an employee’s work life. The paper goes on to describe some of the newer workplace programs which include anti-racist training and cross cultural awareness for all members of the workplace.

scholarly journals The Comparative Effect of Teaching Concept Mapping in Reading on Extrovert and Introvert EFL Learners' Self-Regulation

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 161
Author(s):  
Mania Nosratinia ◽  
Fatemeh Abbasi
Keyword(s):  
Concept Mapping ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Teaching Concept ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Pre Treatment

The present study attempted to compare the effect of teaching concept mapping in reading on extrovert and introvert English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners' Self-Regulation (SR). The participants were 60 female EFL learners at the intermediate level of English language proficiency, between 18 and 20 (Mage = 19). The Preliminary English Test was employed in order to select homogeneous participants in terms of English language proficiency level, followed by administering Eysenck's Personality Inventory (1985). The language-wise homogeneous introvert (n = 30) and extrovert (n = 30) participants were assigned randomly into two experimental groups of 30. To identify the pre-treatment and post-treatment levels of participants' SR, the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (1991) was administered twice. The two groups were instructed using the same material and implementing Harris and Graham’s (1996) concept mapping instruction model. The analysis of the scores using an Independent-Samples t-Test revealed that extrovert participants exhibited a significantly higher SR level as a result of being exposed to concept mapping. The study concludes with a discussion on the obtained results and the probable reasons leading to them, followed by presenting some implications for EFL teachers, learners, and syllabus designers. 

scholarly journals Critically Examining Perceptions of Different Englishes in the IELTS Speaking Section: Who Decides What is Acceptable?

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 08-15
Author(s):  
Colin Michell
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Language Testing ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Testing System ◽  
Native Speakers Of English ◽  
Fit For Purpose ◽  
International English

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) has become the worldwide benchmark for evaluating English language proficiency. However, the IELTS exam is not without its critics. It has been accused of being elitist and unaccommodating of test-takers who are not users of the prestige varieties of English, even though these people may need to take the exam for employment or immigration purposes. This study involved a focus group of experienced IELTS examiners who were given a number of listenings from non-standard yet still ‘native speakers’ of English to evaluate using the IELTS speaking bands. The focus group found that the IELTS speaking descriptors are not fit for purpose when dealing with non-standard or regional varieties of English. This study makes a case for the creators of the IELTS exam to adjust their grading criteria and examiner training to be more inclusive of all English varieties.

A moving and mystifying target language?

English Today ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 2-2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kingsley Bolton ◽  
David Graddol ◽  
Rajend Mesthrie
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
The United States ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
South Korean ◽  
Cultural Constraints ◽  
Selection Of

This issue presents a selection of articles on English in various contexts and settings, with a significant focus on education in the first four. Susan Van Rooy describes the language experiences of South Korean academics and their families in a small town in South Africa, and the consequences of their stay abroad for their English language proficiency. She reminds us that not all EFL learners of English have the ‘Inner Circle’ mainstream as their model: Potchefstroom, South Africa offers a mix between Inner and Outer Circle, probably having more features of the latter. Christian Burrows writes about methodologies of EFL classrooms in Japan, where cultural constraints make TBL (Task-Based Learning) more challenging than its Western proponents realise. The next two articles emphasise the need to pay attention to colloquial spoken language. Manfred Markus writes about the need to focus on phonetic accuracy in EFL teaching, or at least to try and replicate mainstream norms as much as possible. Fan Xianlong contributes a paper on the ever-changing spoken norms of the mainstream, based on his experiences as a visiting scholar in the United States. Although many of the features he describes are well known to Western sociolinguists, the article presents a refreshing perspective of how complex the notion of ‘target language’ must be to users of ESL and EFL. More often it is a moving and mystifying target, with its cultural and political minefields that find their way into everyday usage.

scholarly journals The Antecedents and Outcomes of Host National Connectedness: A Study of International Students in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alicia Bethel
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
International Students ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
English Language ◽  
Cultural Distance ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Cultural Inclusion

<p>While research on international students’ acculturative outcomes typically indicates that they generally thrive, one common source of struggle, noted by practitioners, researchers, educators, and the students themselves, is their inability to form connections with locals. Situated within the stress and coping and cultural learning frameworks of acculturation research, this study (N = 1527) examines the antecedents and outcomes of host national connectedness (HNC) among international students in New Zealand. Results indicate that both individual (age, gender, English language proficiency, and the motivation to belong) and contextual (cultural distance and perceived cultural inclusion) predict international students ability to connect with New Zealanders. Contextual variables explain additional variance in HNC above and beyond that explained by the individual variables. Results also provide support for the important role of connections in overall adjustment outcomes, as host national connectedness mediates the relationship between cultural distance, cultural inclusion in the classroom, and English language proficiency and both socio-cultural and psychological adaptation. Hence, host national connectedness serves as the mechanism through which international students attain positive psycho-social adjustment during the acculturation process. Applications for international students, institutions, and policy makers are discussed.</p>

scholarly journals Proficiency Effect on EFL Learners’ Realization of Complaints

10.29007/9gjq ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther Usó-Juan ◽  
Alicia Martínez-Flor
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Social Distance ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Proficiency Levels ◽  
L2 Pragmatics

Research on the effect of language proficiency on L2 pragmatics seems to provide somewhat mixed results (Xiao, 2015). On that account, this paper investigates the effect of English language proficiency on English language learner’s use of complaining strategies in contrasting situations which varied according to the sociopragmatic factors of social status, social distance and severity of offense. Results show that learners at two proficiency levels demonstrated similar patterns with regard their use of buffer and complaint super-strategies across situations. However, negotiation super-strategies were more frequent across situations in the higher proficiency group. These findings are discussed and pedagogical implications suggested.

scholarly journals The Antecedents and Outcomes of Host National Connectedness: A Study of International Students in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Alicia Bethel
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
International Students ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
English Language ◽  
Cultural Distance ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Cultural Learning ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Cultural Inclusion

<p>While research on international students’ acculturative outcomes typically indicates that they generally thrive, one common source of struggle, noted by practitioners, researchers, educators, and the students themselves, is their inability to form connections with locals. Situated within the stress and coping and cultural learning frameworks of acculturation research, this study (N = 1527) examines the antecedents and outcomes of host national connectedness (HNC) among international students in New Zealand. Results indicate that both individual (age, gender, English language proficiency, and the motivation to belong) and contextual (cultural distance and perceived cultural inclusion) predict international students ability to connect with New Zealanders. Contextual variables explain additional variance in HNC above and beyond that explained by the individual variables. Results also provide support for the important role of connections in overall adjustment outcomes, as host national connectedness mediates the relationship between cultural distance, cultural inclusion in the classroom, and English language proficiency and both socio-cultural and psychological adaptation. Hence, host national connectedness serves as the mechanism through which international students attain positive psycho-social adjustment during the acculturation process. Applications for international students, institutions, and policy makers are discussed.</p>

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