scholarly journals Speaking Challenges of Saudi EFL Learners

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Faisal Mohammad Alsiyat ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Student Teacher ◽  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Speaking Proficiency ◽  
Multiple Components ◽  
University Professor ◽  
Speaking Performance

This study aimed at exploring the possible underlying reasons for low speaking proficiency of EFL learners through adopting a qualitative methodology. To approach its goal, this study used a semi-structured interview to collect in-depth details from three EFL learners and one university professor. The internal construction of the interview was associated with the following four items; student, teacher, English materials or textbooks, and the assessment practices used inside classrooms. The findings of this study shed some light on multiple components related to teaching methods, teachers centered approach, students’ motivation, unauthentic English materials. This study recommended further investigation using quasi-experiments to explore more what causes this low speaking performance as well as to propose some valid suggestions and recommendations to develop EFL speaking.

scholarly journals Improving Listening Skills of Saudi EFL Learners

2021 ◽  
Vol 04 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mazen Salem Alseadan ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
English Language ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Listening Skills ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
English Language Teachers

This is an introductory investigation of English listening challenges of Saudi EFL learners. This study attempts to find out the underlying reasons that cause Saudi EFL learners to end up with low English listening performance as it is indicated in the annual reports of ETS educational company. This study follows a qualitative methodology since it seeks in-depth details through implementing a semi-structured interview. The participants were totally four; a) three Saudi EFL learners, and b) one professor. This study founded that the proposed main reasons that can cause Saudi EFL learners to perform poorly in listening performance exams are related to students, English language teachers, curricula, and assessment practices.

scholarly journals Análisis del deporte femenino español de competición desde la perspectiva de protagonistas clave (Analysis of Spanish women's sport competition from the perspective of key players)

Retos ◽  
2015 ◽  
pp. 3-8
Author(s):  
Mª Teresa Leruite Cabrera ◽  
Pilar Martos Fernández ◽  
Mikel Zabala Díaz
Keyword(s):  
Gender Discrimination ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Regulatory Framework ◽  
Women's Sport ◽  
Gender Perspective ◽  
Sport Competition ◽  
Toma De Decisiones ◽  
University Professor ◽  
Policies And Programs

El progreso de las deportistas en términos de igualdad en la sociedad española no sólo se mide por el acceso de más mujeres al deporte o a la toma de decisiones sino que es importante conocer aspectos como su realidad social y las dificultades con las que se encuentran. En el presente artículo se analiza el estado de la cuestión del deporte femenino español de competición desde una perspectiva de género teniendo en cuenta los siguientes factores: el marco normativo en igualdad de trato y sin discriminación en el deporte, las políticas deportivas con perspectiva de género llevadas a cabo por el Consejo Superior de Deportes y las federaciones deportivas, la discriminación por razón de género, los medios de comunicación social y el lenguaje sexista. El estudio se posiciona en el paradigma interpretativo, utilizando la metodología cualitativa. Se recoge la opinión de 9 entrevistados especializados en la materia: 3 gestores autonómicos, 2 gestoras del ámbito federativo, 1 jurista deportiva, 1 periodista deportiva y 2 ex-profesoras universitarias e investigadoras expertas en género y deporte. El instrumento utilizado ha sido la entrevista semiestructurada. Los resultados obtenidos revelan un panorama necesario de cambio, donde convendría una aplicación exhaustiva del marco normativo con perspectiva de género al ámbito deportivo, la revisión de las políticas y programas con perspectiva de género llevadas a cabo por las federaciones deportivas y una modernización de la gestión federativa.Abstract. The progress of athletes in terms of equality in the Spanish society is not only measured by the access of women to sport or decision-making, but also by knowing aspects such as social reality and the difficulties they face. In this article the state of the knowledge of Spanish women’s sport competition is analyzed from a gender perspective taking into account the following factors: the regulatory framework on equality and no discrimination in sport, sport policies with a gender perspective carried out by the Consejo Superior de Deportes and sport federations, gender discrimination, mass media and sexist language. The study stands in an interpretive paradigm and uses a qualitative methodology. Nine expert interviews are collected: three autonomous managers, two female federative managers, one sports lawyer, one sports journalist and two former university professor experts in gender and sport. The instrument used was the semi-structured interview. The results reveal a need for changing the reality. There is a need for a comprehensive implementation of the regulatory framework with a gender perspective to the sports field, the review of policies and programs with a gender perspective carried out by the sports federations and a modernization of federation management.

scholarly journals Emergency Remote Education, Family Support and the Digital Divide in the Context of the COVID-19 Lockdown

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7956
Author(s):  
María José Sosa Díaz
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Data Gathering ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Research Problem ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Physical Distance ◽  
Teaching Methodology ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Remote Education ◽  
Educational Challenges

To contain the COVID-19 pandemic, governments all over the world implemented strong lockdown measures to a large part of the population, including the closing of educational centres. Teachers were urged to transform their teaching methodology, moving from a face-to-face model to an emergency remote education (ERE) model, characterised by the use of technologies to continue with lectures and maintain the physical distance with the students. The aim of the present study was to analyse the existence of socio-digital inequalities and the educational challenges posed by the development of an ERE model, hence, contributing to the literature by proposing a systematic and holistic approach on this phenomenon. Based on the characteristics of the research problem and the objectives set, a qualitative methodology was applied. On the one hand, a semi-structured interview was conducted with 136 active teachers as the main data gathering technique. On the other hand, grounded theory was key in interpreting the results, with the aim of generating the theory in a systematic and holistic manner. It can be asserted that ERE was very useful during the lockdown of schools, and its potential to transform education was demonstrated. However, it was also shown that the development of an ERE model can cause socio-digital inequalities among students, due to the lack of access to digital devices and Internet connection, mainly due to factors, such as the socio-educational level of the family and the rural or urban context of the centre.

N-gram use in EFL learners’ retelling and monologic tasks

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaopeng Zhang ◽  
Baoshan Zhao ◽  
Wenwen Li
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Association Strength ◽  
College Level ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Proficiency Levels ◽  
Oral Production ◽  
Speaking Proficiency ◽  
N Gram

Abstract This study examined n-gram use in oral production by Chinese college-level English as a foreign language (EFL) learners at four distinct proficiency levels. Thirty indices regarding range, frequency, and association strength of bi- and tri-grams obtained from retelling and monologic samples were analyzed. Results suggest that, i) the four proficiency levels differed in measures for frequency and association strength of bi- and tri-grams, ii) academic bi- and tri-gram proportions and association strength (captured by MI- and t-scores) were predictive of EFL speaking proficiency for both the retelling and monologic samples but the effects were small, and iii) EFL learners used more well-attested bi- and tri-grams in monologues than in retelling, demonstrating that higher rated samples tended to contain more strongly-associated bi- and tri-grams, a greater proportion of frequent attested academic tri-grams, and that EFL n-gram use was task-sensitive. These findings help enrich our understanding on EFL development of multi-word sequences and have potentially useful implications for EFL pedagogy.

scholarly journals Necesidades educativas de estudiantes ecuatorianos con discapacidad para una educación del Sumak Kawsay TITLE: Educational needs of ecuadorian students with disabilities for and education of the Sumak Kawsay

2019 ◽  
Vol 0 (16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernando Lara Lara ◽  
Carlos Omar Jaramillo Gamarra
Keyword(s):  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Educational Needs ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Santo Domingo ◽  
Educational Culture ◽  
Sumak Kawsay ◽  
Data Collection Technique ◽  
Educational Inclusion

El presente trabajo persigue describir las necesidades educativas de los estudiantes con discapacidad en una unidad educativa de Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas (Ecuador), y contrastar esta realidad definida a partir de su experiencia, con la exigida por el legislador ecuatoriano para la construcción de una educación constitucionalmente definida como del Sumak Kawsay. Se sigue una metodología cualitativa, y se aplica como técnica de recolección de datos la entrevista estructurada a seis estudiantes con distintas discapacidades según el Consejo Nacional de Discapacidad del Ecuador. Entre las conclusiones más relevantes se aprecia una aún incipiente cultura educativa inclusiva, preocupada principalmente por la estructura física más que en la integración de los distintos actores de la comunidad educativa; en especial, se aprecia una necesidad de fortalecer las funciones de los Departamentos de Consejería Estudiantil, así como la formación y apoyo del docente en cuanto al refuerzo de la relación de confianza con los estudiantes, identificación de sus necesidades particulares, y una apreciación del valor de aprendizaje de este colectivo como aderezo de una relación intercultural orientada a la inclusión educativa y al abandono del asistencialismo.ABSTRACTThe present study aims to describe the educational needs of students with disabilities in an educational unit in Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas (Ecuador), and to contrast this reality defined from his experience with that demanded by the Ecuadorian legislator for the construction of an education constitutionally defined as Sumak Kawsay. A qualitative methodology is followed, and the structured interview is applied as a data collection technique to six students with different disabilities according to the National Disability Council of Ecuador. Among the most relevant conclusions, there is a still an incipient inclusive educational culture, mainly concerned with the physical structure rather than the integration of the different actors of the educational community. In particular, there is a need to strengthen the functions of the Student Counselling Departments, as well as teacher training and support in reinforcing the relationship of trust with students, identification of their particular needs, and an appreciation of the learning value of this group as an intercultural relationship oriented towards educational inclusion and abandonment of welfarism. 

scholarly journals Indonesian EFL Nursing Students’ Learning Process: Obstacles & Expectations

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
Gilang Rajasa
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Students ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
English Language ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
English Learning ◽  
Schedule Management ◽  
Classroom Activities ◽  
Management Curriculum

Nursing students learn English language as specific purposes (ESP). They should be able to learn do communication in English to be a professional nurse. However, learning English was not an easy game to do. There will be some difficulties and adjustment along the learning process. Thus, the research is aimed at. A descriptive qualitative methodology as the foundation to investigate the obstacles in the learning process among Indonesian EFL nursing students and to examine the nursing students’ expectation in English learning process. Open-ended questionnaire and semi-structured interview would be the instruments to gain support some information. About 24 respondents and 3 of representatives of 7th semester nursing students would be the respondents. The result showed that besides grammar, structure, and tenses application, four skills implementation, lecturer’s effects, and institution’s regulations (curriculum management distribution, time schedule management, connection problem between staffs authority and lecturer) would be the major obstacles. Meanwhile, better communication among nursing institute stakeholders about schedule, time management, curriculum and modifying classroom activities could be the better expectation emerged to reduce the EFL nursing students’ obstacles. This research concluded that adjusting the regulation for the English subject curriculum and altering nursing students to encourage and motivate themselves to learn about English could change the outcome and situation to build pedagogical implication and to plan more comprehensive English learning activities.

scholarly journals The Influence of Motivation on EFL Learners’ Speaking Skills

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 612-619
Author(s):  
Wira Kafryawan
Keyword(s):  
Research Design ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Quantitative Method ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Purposive Sampling ◽  
Speaking Test ◽  
Speaking Proficiency ◽  
Correlational Research ◽  
Research Problems ◽  
Speaking Skills

Motivation is one of some psychological factors which influences the speaking proficiency. Therefore, this study aims at finding out whether or not there is a significant correlation between EFL learners’ motivation and their speaking skills. With regard to the methodology applied in this study, a correlation research was used to determine whether, and to what degree, a relationship exists between two or more quantifiable variables in form of quantitative method. Purposive sampling was used in the correlational research due to the assumption that the selected students were able to give information or data in relation to the research problems based on the research design. Thus, 46 learners were chosen as the samples. The study was conducted at learners in SMA Negeri 1 Marisa, Pohuwato Regency, Gorontalo. Moreover, the quantifiable data were obtained from speaking test based on the Heaton assessment and motivation test based on the Likert Scale assessment which were distributed to the learners. The data were then analyzed by Pearson product moment. The findings showed that there was a significant correlation between EFL learners’ motivation and their speaking skills in degree of high correlation. In other words, the assumption views that that the higher motivation belongs to EFL Learners to speak the better ability they speak.

Family business successors' motivation and innovation capabilities: the case of Kosovo

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asdren Toska ◽  
Veland Ramadani ◽  
Léo-Paul Dana ◽  
Gadaf Rexhepi ◽  
Jusuf Zeqiri
Keyword(s):  
Family Business ◽  
Qualitative Methodology ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Family Businesses ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Family ◽  
Emerging Country

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the second-generation successors’ motives to join family businesses and their ability to generate innovation within them.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative methodology is used in this study. Data were collected through structured interview with the second-generation representatives, where the data obtained helped us to come to the results and answer the research questions of the study. A total of 15 interviews were conducted.FindingsThe findings of this study show that the second generation is motivated to continue the family business, cases show that successors since childhood have been oriented towards building an entrepreneurial mindset and also after entering the family business have generated innovation.Originality/valueThe study will bring theoretical implications to the family business literature, providing scientific evidence for the second generation of family businesses, from an emerging country such as Kosovo. As Kosovo is an emerging country, the study will contribute to the literature, suggesting other studies by emerging countries in this way to see the similarities and differences.

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