scholarly journals Urban English Learners’ Perceptions Towards the Influence of Second Language Identity on Employment Opportunities in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Minder Kaur Parthaman Singh ◽  
Jo Yee Liew ◽  
Ching Sin Siau
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Photo Elicitation ◽  
Employment Opportunities ◽  
Language Identity ◽  
Qualitative Research Design

The purpose of this study was to identify and investigate urban English learners’ perceptions towards their second language identity in Malaysia and the influence of the said identity on their employment opportunities in Malaysia. This research was an exploratory study that employed a qualitative research design. The data was analysed for second language identity development factors and participants’ perception on the influence of their English language identity on their employment opportunities. The second language identity development factors identified were personal, social, professional, educational and learning environment. These factors were found to have influenced the participants’ second language identity development. The participants’ perception on the influence of their English language identity on their employment opportunities were analysed and discussed. This study has implications for studies on English language proficiency and employment opportunities in Malaysia as well as providing English educators with a different outlook on the resources used to teach English learners. Recommendations for future studies include conducting a long-term project that involves participants noting down their narratives such as a photo-elicitation project, to use as data for furthering this research.

scholarly journals Preventing Long-Term English Learners: Results from a Project-Based Differentiated ELD Intervention Program

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magaly Lavadenz ◽  
Elvira Armas ◽  
Rosalinda Barajas
Keyword(s):  
Language Development ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Development Program ◽  
English Language Development ◽  
Project Based Learning ◽  
Long Term English Learners

<p>In this article the authors describe efforts taken by a small southern California school district to develop and implement an innovative, research-based English Language Development program to address a growing concern over long-term English Learners (LTELs) in their district. With support from the Weingart Foundation this afterschool program served 3<sup>rd</sup> and 7<sup>th</sup> grade LTELs between 2008–2011 to accelerate language and literacy acquisition and prevent prolonged EL status. Program evaluation results indicated that the intervention was associated with improved English language proficiency as measured by the California English Language Development Test. Results also showed a heightened awareness of effective practices for LTELs among the district’s teachers and high levels of satisfaction among the participants’ parents. This intervention program has implications for classroom-based intervention including project-based learning for LTELs, for targeted professional development, and for further research for the prevention of LTEL status.</p>

Using Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) materials in English as Second Language (ESL) classrooms: perspectives of teachers and students in United Arab Emirates

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramia DIRAR SHEHADEH MUSMAR
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Learning Technologies ◽  
Student Diversity ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Computer Assisted Language Learning ◽  
Learning And Teaching

Integrating scaffolding-learning technologies has been recognized for its potential to create intellectual and engaging classroom interactions. In the United Arab Emirates, having language teachers employ computers as a medium of new pedagogical instrument for teaching second languages generated the idea of Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) as a medium of an innovative pedagogical instrument for facilitating and scaffolding language learning, with an aspiration that it will lead to improved English language attainment and better assessment results. This study aims at investigating the perspectives of students and teachers on the advantageous and disadvantageous impacts of CALL on learning and teaching English as a second language in one public school in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. The results show that CALL has a facilitating role in L2 classroom and that using CALL activities is advantageous in reducing English learning tension, boosting motivation, catering for student diversity, promoting self-directed language learning and scaffolding while learning English. The results additionally report that numerous aspects like time constraints, teachers’ unsatisfactory computer skills, insufficient computer facilities, and inflexible school courses undesirably affect the implementation of CALL in English classrooms. It is recommended that further studies should be undertaken to investigate the actual effect of CALL on students’ language proficiency. 

The morphing assessment terrain for English learners in US schools

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-126
Author(s):  
Mary Hutchinson ◽  
Xenia Hadjioannou
Keyword(s):  
No Child Left Behind ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Proficiency Tests ◽  
Content Type ◽  
State Tests ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Key Policy ◽  
Every Student Succeeds Act

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the public policy reshaping the assessment terrain for English learners (ELs) across the USA and to consider the implications and impact of these practices on sustaining and supporting a diverse student population in today’s schools. Design/methodology/approach The authors review the literature and publicly available policy documents to trace key policy trends over the past 15 years that have shaped the current educational landscape and assessment practices for ELs in the USA. Findings In the USA, the 2015 Common Core State Standards (CCSSs) assessments generated worrisome results for ELs, as significant numbers had failing scores in English language arts and math. These results are juxtaposed to public policies that impact the educational experience of ELs, including No Child Left Behind and the CCSS, and which, despite their stated intentions to ameliorate the achievement gap, are found to be assimilationist in nature. Indeed, a review of the initiatives of developing common EL standards and English language proficiency tests and the recommendations for EL accommodations in state tests suggests several areas of concern. The recently passed Every Student Succeeds Act focuses on this vulnerable population, but there are concerns that the continued focus on accountability and testing will do little to facilitate academic progress for these students. Practical implications The paper recommends a need to reevaluate the support and testing process for ELs to stem widespread failure and ascertain the sustenance of democratic and diversified schools. Originality/value The study provides an overview of key policy trends, outlines and critiques recent changes in the assessment of ELs and draws implications for practice.

An Investigation of the Relationship of Motivation, Attitudes and Environment

2018 ◽  
pp. 1126-1139
Author(s):  
Helen, Yeh Wai Man
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Environments ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Attribution Theory ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teachers ◽  
Self Confidence

This chapter will study a Philippine and a Chinese leaner's approaches to learn and achieve English language proficiency over 15 years in Hong Kong using biographical approaches. It focuses on the experience of individual motivation and social learning environments, and examines the interactions between the learner's motivation, self-confidence, and competition in the global economy. The effect of the interaction on shaping English learning and the learning experiences in three aspects including formal, self-directed and natural learning environments will also be discussed through Gardner's model of socio-educational model in second language acquisition and Weiner's attribution theory in social psychology. The chapter will suggest some practical implications for students and language teachers, discusses the ways to enhance second language learning in a cosmopolitan city, and presents some possible ways to increase learners' motivation and competitiveness in the global economy.

Narratives of second language identity amongst young English learners in Hong Kong

ELT Journal ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-309 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Besser ◽  
A. Chik
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
English Learners ◽  
Language Identity

Study abroad and the development of second language identities

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil Benson, ◽  
Gary Barkhuizen, ◽  
Peter Bodycott, ◽  
Jill Brown,
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Self Concept ◽  
Second Language Proficiency ◽  
Language Identity ◽  
Hong Kong Students ◽  
Identity Based

AbstractMuch of the literature on study abroad outcomes focuses on language proficiency gains or on the influence of identity factors on opportunities for language learning. A smaller number of studies have looked at the influence of study abroad on participants' identities and have highlighted outcomes that might be placed under the heading of second language identity. Based on a review of this literature and a qualitative, narrative-based study of nine Hong Kong students participating in thirteen- and six-week study abroad programmes, this paper examines the construct of second language identity and its susceptibility to development in study abroad. Three main dimensions of second language identity are identified, related to (1) identity-related aspects of second language proficiency, or the ability to function as a person and express desired identities in a second language setting, (2) linguistic self-concept, or sense of self as a learner and user of the second language, and (3) second language-mediated aspects of personal competence. The study found that most of the students reported developments along all three of these dimensions, although there were variations among individuals that were related both to the duration of the programmes and individual goals and purposes.

Improving the Quality of Second Language Writing by First Language Use

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moussa Ahmadian ◽  
Sajjad Pouromid ◽  
Mehdi Nickkhah
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Learners ◽  
First Language ◽  
Task Type ◽  
Language Groups ◽  
Language Writing ◽  
L1 Use ◽  
Development Structure

The role of the learners’ first language (L1) in learning second language (L2) writing has recently become a focus in SLA research. There have been many studies focusing on different aspects of this phenomenon. The results of these studies have shown how L1 use may play facilitative roles in producing writing in the second language. Many variables, such as task type and language proficiency, have also been studied in this regard. Yet, there seems to be a paucity of research on whether L1 use can significantly improve the quality of written productions in L2. The present study was therefore designed to peruse this question and find what aspects of writing may improve with L1 use. To this end, the written productions of 36 Persian-speaking intermediate English learners writing an argumentative paragraph were analyzed. 6 of the 12 groups were asked to collaborate in their first language and the others were limited to using the second language in their collaborations. The results of statistical comparisons between the first language and second language groups revealed that L1 use can significantly improve the overall score gained by the L2 writers. It was also found that L1 use improves the quality of L2 written productions in terms of organization/unity, development, structure, and mechanics.

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