scholarly journals Feasibility of Introducing English as a Partial Medium of Instruction in Iranian Senior High Schools

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-320
Author(s):  
Mohammad Reza Ghorbani
Keyword(s):  
High Schools ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Medium Of Instruction ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
Mixed Methods Design ◽  
Content Area Teachers ◽  
E Mail ◽  
Mathematics And Science

The use of Content and Language Integrated Learning has been increasing in many European countries simultaneous to the use of English as a medium of instruction in the non-Anglophone countries due to globalization and internationalization. Since the 1979 revolution, discussion on English as a medium of instruction in the Iranian formal education has been a taboo. This study aims to figure out the possibilities of introducing English as a partial medium of instruction (EPMI) for mathematics and science at senior high schools. The convergent mixed methods design was used to collect perspectives of students, content area teachers, parents, and administrative staff in Bojnord through e-mail interviews and survey questionnaires. The majority of the interviewees in the qualitative phase as well as most of the students, parents, teachers, and administrative staff in the quantitative phase have supported the possible use of EPMI. The findings of this study suggest future considerations to assist language education authorities in taking decisions to overcome students’ language proficiency constraints while developing efficient and effective programs for CLIL.

scholarly journals Perceived Impact of EMI on Students’ Language Proficiency in Vietnamese Tertiary EFL Contexts

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 7-24
Author(s):  
Thi Hoai Thu Tran
Keyword(s):  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Student Outcomes ◽  
Language Ability ◽  
Medium Of Instruction ◽  
Mixed Methods Design ◽  
Language Competence ◽  
Efl Context ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
Perceived Impact

English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) has been widely adopted at the tertiary level in non-English speaking countries and Vietnam is no exception. Vietnamese universities and the Vietnamese government have anticipated significant linguistic benefits for student outcomes through the implementation of EMI. Using a mixed-methods design of surveys, interviews, and focus groups with students and lecturers at six Vietnamese universities, this study investigates lecturer and student perceptions of the impacts of EMI on students’ language proficiency in Vietnam. The study indicates that both students and lecturers were optimistic about students’ language improvement. This study recommends some implications for students, lecturers, and further research regarding EMI in the Vietnamese EFL context. Among the recommendations to emerge from this study, assessment on students’ language ability before they commence EMI courses and lecturers’ adequate language competence for EMI programs should be considered.

Integrating the Real and Virtual World for Academic Language Education in Second Life

2013 ◽  
pp. 514-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmela Dell’Aria
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Virtual Worlds ◽  
Second Life ◽  
Oral Language ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Oral Language Proficiency ◽  
Is Integration

This chapter focuses on a Second Language Acquisition (SLA) study conducted in virtual worlds that could help teachers in terms of knowledge about acquisition processes, in which technology is integration between formal and non formal education. The research comprises of two studies strongly focused on the development of Italian oral language proficiency. It was held within Second Life® (SL™)1 in order to explore the affordances of public spaces to enhance Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC)2 and to stimulate the oral production through learner’s engagement. Since 2007, a new pilot project, Café Italia, was developed by Carmela Dell’Aria (aka Misy Ferraris) in Second Life®. Starting from theory and research (SLA and Linguistics) the project leads to effective language learning practice. As matter of fact, the research moves to analyze learners’ needs, to give a focus for instruction, to adapt technology to their needs through experimentation, and to evaluate the results.

Introducing integrated language skills assessment at the language department of a Czech university

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 253-262
Author(s):  
Laura Haug
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Integrated Assessment ◽  
Trinity College ◽  
Bachelor's Degree ◽  
Entrance Examination ◽  
Medium Of Instruction ◽  
Biological Chemistry ◽  
High Stakes ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Independent Assessment

Abstract Integrated assessment evaluates language proficiency through tasks that require the test-taker to produce a written or spoken output based on listening or reading comprehension (reading or listening-into-writing or speaking). Since integrated assessment aims at reflecting the communicative and cognitive requirements of academic life and other professions, it is considered a means of assessment that is both authentic and valid. Examples of integrated tests can be found in high-stakes examinations at universities with English as the medium of instruction, and in the standardised high-stakes examinations offered by ETS, Pearson Education and Trinity College London. This report provides an example of integrated assessment in action by describing a currently used integrated test developed at the Language Department of the Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in the Czech Republic. Since 2018, this particular integrated test has served as the entrance examination for Biological Chemistry (EEBC), a bachelor’s degree course delivered entirely in English. By detailing the rationale behind the examination and the design process, this report aims to show that integrated assessment can provide a valid alternative to independent assessment at the tertiary level.

scholarly journals Examination of Support Requests of University Students in Distance Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Proceedings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 74 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Cemal Aktürk ◽  
Ceren Çubukçu
Keyword(s):  
Distance Learning ◽  
University Students ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Learning Management Systems ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Administrative Staff ◽  
Learning Method ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Internet Connection

The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic required changes to be made, especially in formal education processes. In order for the students to stay safe and healthy, many educational institutions switched to the distance learning method for the rest of the semester and continued their education without any intermission. Due to this switch, there has been a rise in the usage of learning management systems, and as a result, students started to encounter technical problems, especially during the exam periods, or they simply wanted to obtain more information about academic or administrative issues. This study used frequency and percentage analysis methods and examined the support request tickets opened up by students during distance education. Resolving the encountered problems quickly and effectively is very important in order to protect the motivation of the learners and ensure their successes. It was seen in the study that the majority of the problems reported by the students were related to internet connection or to the problems occurred during exams. This study aimed to share experiences with the researchers and technical and administrative staff working in this field and to contribute to the current distance learning literature.

scholarly journals Constraints on innovation in English language teaching in hinterland regions of China

2020 ◽  
pp. 136216882097985
Author(s):  
Neil Murray ◽  
Antony J. Liddicoat ◽  
Gavin Zhen ◽  
Penny Mosavian
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
English Language ◽  
Time Pressure ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Eastern China ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Political Influence ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Chinese Government

Since the start of the twenty-first century, English has come to be seen by the Chinese government as a linchpin of its continued economic and political influence. Its resultant efforts to promote innovation in English language teaching align with the aspirations of a population, many of whom regard competency in English as a determiner of opportunity and success in their careers, and thus a vehicle through which to provide a good quality of life for themselves and their families. However, despite government-driven initiatives to improve English language education, change has been slow to materialize, especially outside of the main urban areas of Eastern China. Here, we report on a study that sought to explore the constraints governing attempts by teachers of English to innovate in universities located in some of the so-called ‘hinterland’ regions of Southwestern China. Key determinants that emerged, and which we discuss, included time pressure and competing priorities; scepticism towards new ideas; lack of investment in resources; the primacy of the textbook; students’ language proficiency; and opportunities for professional development. Together, these findings indicate the need for a change of culture if innovation is to be welcomed, both in principle and in practice, as a driver of positive change in the teaching of English in these universities. Teachers, their line managers, and university senior managers need to feel willing and able to engage freely in constructive and informed discourse, and in doing so consider recalibrating institutional priorities, thereby helping reconcile the pressures and tensions currently experienced by English language teachers and which impede progress.

‘I'm Telling You … The Language Barrier is the Most, the Biggest Challenge’: Barriers to Education among Karen Refugee Women in Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 126-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula G. Watkins ◽  
Husna Razee ◽  
Juliet Richters
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
English Language Education ◽  
Barriers To Education ◽  
Refugee Women ◽  
Education Participation ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact

This article examines factors influencing English language education, participation and achievement among Karen refugee women in Australia. Data were drawn from ethnographic observations and interviews with 67 participants between 2009 and 2011, collected as part of a larger qualitative study exploring the well-being of Karen refugee women in Sydney. Participants unanimously described difficulty with English language proficiency and communication as the ‘number one’ problem affecting their well-being. Gendered, cultural and socio-political factors act as barriers to education. We argue that greater sensitivity to refugees' backgrounds, culture and gender is necessary in education. Research is needed into the combined relationships between culture and gender across pre-displacement, displacement and resettlement and the impact of these factors on post-immigration educational opportunities. Training is needed to sensitise educators to the complex issues of refugee resettlement. The paper concludes with recommendations for service provision and policy.

scholarly journals English foreign language teaching anxiety of Indonesian pre-service teachers of undergraduate internship program

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 222
Author(s):  
Huyi Intan Sari ◽  
Choiril Anwar
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Time Management ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Negative Evaluation ◽  
Teaching Anxiety

Anxiety is a topic mostly investigated in the field of foreign language education. Unfortunately, the main focus of the studies on the aforementioned topic has primarily been provided in relation to anxiety suffered by students not teachers. Anxiety in speaking English while teaching has been proven to be a separate obstacle to the success of the language teaching and learning. This still happens to teachers who even have years of teaching experience. This study aims to investigate the English language teaching anxiety as experienced by the pre-service teacher at the department. The FLTA questionnaire consisting of 27 out of 45 items was adopted to collect data. Since this study was carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic, the questionnaire was distributed to the participants via email. The analysis was then made by implementing the qualitative descriptive approach and simple quantification to support the description. The results show that there were five factors of anxiety occur during the program. They were teaching inexperience, self-perception of language proficiency, fear of negative evaluation, lack of student�s interest, and difficulty with time management. These findings are expected to become a reference for the efforts of developing an internship preparation program.

scholarly journals A Cross-Departmental Approach to Supporting Students with a Disability Affecting Foreign Language Acquisition

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franziska Lys ◽  
Alison May ◽  
Jeanne Ravid
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Foreign Language Study ◽  
Foreign Language Requirement ◽  
Language Requirement ◽  
Important Objective

Abstract In order to enhance mobility, competitiveness, and opportunities for work, the European Union lists the ability to communicate in a foreign language and to understand another culture as an important objective in their language education policy. Knowledge of a foreign language is also an important objective for many American universities, which require students to study a foreign language as a prerequisite to graduate. Students with documented disabilities affecting the learning of a foreign language or students with poor foreign language learning skills, therefore, pose a significant challenge, since a foreign language requirement may prevent such students from graduating unless universities are willing to make special arrangements such as having students graduate without fulfilling the requirement or letting them take substitution classes. The question of what to do with such students is at the heart of this article. It describes how one mid-sized private university with a two-year language proficiency requirement has approached the problem to ensure that policies are implemented fairly. Rather than pulling students out of the foreign language classroom, the university succeeded in keeping students engaged with foreign language study through advising and mentoring across departments

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document