scholarly journals Understanding the Learning Challenges of English-Medium Instruction Learners and Ways to Facilitate Their Learning: A Case Study of Taiwan Psychology Students’ Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 321-340
Author(s):  
Tzu-Ling Hua
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Global Education ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
English Language ◽  
First Year ◽  
Pedagogical Practice ◽  
English Medium Instruction ◽  
The One ◽  
Psychology Course

English-medium instruction (EMI) has become a global education phenomenon in recent decades, especially in higher education. However, its implementation is still facing criticism. On the one hand, learners are welcoming the envisaged benefits of preparing them with professional content knowledge and English language proficiency to compete in the new global economy; on the other hand, they are reluctant to take the courses because of the challenges and difficulties EMI creates. Meanwhile, EMI lecturers are concerned about students’ inability to survive, or better still thrive through EMI learning. EMI lecturers are experts in their professional domain but are not trained or prepared to teach EMI courses yet. This qualitative study examines the perception of first-year undergraduate students taking the EMI foundation psychology course in Taiwan, focusing on their perspectives of factors facilitating or hindering their EMI learning, and their suggestions for improving the situation. The results not only point out what kinds of teaching practices contribute to challenges for EMI learners in their learning process but also the underlying reasons and the pedagogy practice that students suggest can be used to improve the situation. Insights provided by this study can be used to assist EMI lecturers in examining their pedagogical practice and expand their knowledgeability about pedagogy. They can also be used as a way forward for assisting in the development of EMI teacher training and professional development, and the implementation of EMI.

Personal and Professional Perceptions

2017 ◽  
pp. 74-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna M. Velliaris ◽  
Janine M. Pierce
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Bachelor's Degree ◽  
First Year ◽  
Pedagogical Practice ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Professional Experiences ◽  
Entry Requirements ◽  
Personal Level

This chapter is focused on the Eynesbury Institute of Business and Technology's (EIBT) Diploma of Business pathway, as business-related programs are most common in the Australian pre-university Higher Education (HE) sector. EIBT's diplomas are deemed equivalent to the first-year of the corresponding Bachelor's degree at the partner university for ‘international' students who did not reach direct entry requirements due to their English language proficiency and/or previous academic results. While many sessional academic staff work cross-institutionally, there are few occasions for associating with fellow EIBT colleagues on a personal level and equally few to learn about the professional experiences that have contributed to their pathway teaching philosophy and/or pedagogical practice(s). The author-researchers decided to undertake a period of self-reflection and composed their own narratives to story the notable differences between teaching in a pathway school compared with mainstream university.

scholarly journals Bridging the Gap for English Language Testing Study in Fiji: Proposing an Evaluation of the Writing Proficiency Level of Pre-first Year and Post-first Year Undergraduate Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Prashneel Ravisan Goundar
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Language Testing ◽  
First Year ◽  
Quantitative Methodology ◽  
Writing Proficiency ◽  
Proficiency Levels

Language testing is a complex field of study as there are various factors that need to be taken into account when preparing and assessing the students’ language proficiency. However, it plays a pivotal role in society. With the results of language tests used for immigration purposes, university entrance qualifications as well as employment opportunities. Scholars attest that it is obligatory for language teachers to constantly ‘assess their students’ oral and written performances’, and the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR) offers a variety of oral and writing scales which provide the ‘opportunity for a common standard’. This paper argues the significant gaps that are yet to be address in a language testing research and highlights why a study needs to be conducted in Fiji with the university students. The article discusses applying a quantitative methodology thus, a longitudinal research design to conduct a language testing study on writing proficiency levels of undergraduate students; compare the writing proficiency levels of pre-first year and post-first year university students by using academic essay tests of the same cohort; and finally determine undergraduate students’ progress (or lack of) in written English over the course of their program.

scholarly journals 28. How Much Language Do They Need? The Dilemma English-Medium Universities Face When Enrolling English as an Additional Language Students

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Von Randow
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Academic Language ◽  
Subsequent Development ◽  
First Year ◽  
Domestic Students ◽  
Language Background ◽  
Language Needs ◽  
Post Entry

Although international and domestic students applying to English-medium universities may well meet the minimum language entry requirement, recent research indicates that this level of language proficiency often does not provide students with the means to cope effectively with their academic studies (Barthel, 2007; Elder, 2003; Read & Hayes, 2003). To resolve this dilemma our major, multicultural New Zealand university is addressing the problem through implementation of the Diagnostic English Language Needs Assessment (DELNA), a post-entry programme administered to all first-year undergraduate students, regardless of their language background. We use the diagnostic outcomes to guide individual students with particular needs to appropriate forms of academic language enrichment. This paper outlines DELNA’s history and administration, student responses to the assessment and the subsequent development and uptake of language support options.

A longitudinal study at an English medium instruction university in Turkey: the interplay between English language improvement and academic success

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Doğan Yuksel ◽  
Adem Soruç ◽  
Mehmet Altay ◽  
Samantha Curle
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Academic Success ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Content Learning ◽  
English Medium Instruction ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Academic Content

Abstract This article reports a quantitative empirical study that investigated whether English language proficiency increases over time when studying academic content through English Medium Instruction (EMI). It was also investigated whether an increase in proficiency predicts EMI academic achievement. Student English language test score data and Grade Point Average (GPA) data were collected from a public university in Turkey. Two academic subjects were compared: Business Administration (a Social Science subject, n = 81) and Mechatronics Engineering (a Mathematics, Physical and Life Sciences subject, n = 84). Results showed that in both subjects, English language proficiency statistically significantly improved over a four-year period of studying through English. Furthermore, this improvement predicted EMI academic achievement; meaning that the more proficient students became in English, the higher they achieved in their EMI academic studies. This provides evidence for policymakers, EMI practitioners, and language professionals around the world that English does improve when studying academic content through English, and that this improvement has a positive effect on content learning outcomes. Implications of these findings, and suggestions for further research are discussed.

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.

Gender and Language

2021 ◽  
pp. 161-177
Author(s):  
Didem Koban Koç
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
The Other ◽  
First Year ◽  
Teaching Program ◽  
Linguistic Features ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Meanings

The present study investigated gender differences in the use of linguistic features as well as the social meanings attached to those differences. Academic essays, written by 44 (22 male, 22 female) first-year undergraduate students enrolled in the English Language Teaching program at a government university were analyzed with respect to the use of linguistic features (adjectives, empty adjectives, intensifiers, linking adverbials) as well as the number of words and sentences used by the students. The results showed that, in comparison to males, females used more adjectives, intensifiers, and words. Males, on the other hand, used more empty adjectives and linking adverbials than females. Based on the results, pedagogical implications are discussed, and recommendations are provided in order to increase teachers' awareness of gender differences and improve students' writing skills.

scholarly journals MALAYSIAN STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR INTERACTIONS IN UK SEMINARS

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 384-405
Author(s):  
Zurina Khairuddin ◽  
Zulaikha Khairuddin ◽  
Nadia Ibrahim
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
International Student ◽  
English Language ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Educational Background ◽  
First Year ◽  
Verbal Interactions ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Academic Cultures ◽  
Malaysian Students

Background and Purpose: Coming from different social and academic cultures, students may exhibit perceptions which are in contrast to the convention of the targeted culture. Hence, this study aims to explore how first-year Malaysian students perceive their interactions in UK seminars.   Methodology: Employing qualitative research method, nine Malaysian students were chosen based on two criteria: they have to be first-year students and registered in content modules in UK university. The data were collected from interview and focus group discussion, and the audio-recordings were transcribed and analysed utilising thematic analysis.   Findings: The participants of this study perceive their interactions differently. Semek, Enot, Fatin, Ammar, Ming and Izlin mentioned that they responded during seminar discussion if they were nominated by the tutor and most agreed that they did not ask questions because information was provided to them or they could ask the tutor or their friends after the seminar. Fatin however disagreed and asserted that students should ask questions if they did not understand the academic content well. Qaisara, Puspa and Semek also shared that their lack of English language proficiency influenced their lack of contribution which was not the case for Fatin and Ming. Being marginalised as an international student was one of the reasons Semek did not contribute to the seminar discussions in contrast to Qaisara who felt the need to contribute.   Contributions: The findings of this study suggest that academic institutions should be flexible in encouraging students to be engaged in seminars as coming from different educational background, these students may require additional help to socialise in academic setting and consequently become expert members.   Keywords: Malaysian students, students’ perceptions, students’ interactions, UK seminars, verbal interactions.   Cite as: Khairuddin, Z., Khairuddin, Z., & Ibrahim, N. (2020). Malaysian students’ perceptions of their interactions in UK seminars.  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 5(2), 384-405. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol5iss2pp384-405

scholarly journals How recorded audio-visual feedback can improve academic language support

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 71-90
Author(s):  
Michelle Cavaleri ◽  
◽  
Satomi Kawaguchi ◽  
Bruno Di Biase ◽  
Clare Power ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Visual Feedback ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
English Language ◽  
Academic Language ◽  
Language Support ◽  
Writing Practices ◽  
Quality Feedback ◽  
The Impact

Providing effective, high quality feedback that students engage with remains an important issue in higher education today, particularly in the context of academic language support where feedback helps socialise students to academic writing practices. Technology-enhanced feedback, such as audio and video feedback, is becoming more widely used, and as such, it is important to evaluate whether these methods help students engage with the feedback more successfully than conventional methods. While previous research has explored students’ perceptions of audio-visual feedback, this paper seeks to fill a gap in the literature by examining the impact of the audio-visual mode on undergraduate students’ engagement with feedback compared to written-only feedback. Evidence from an analysis of feedback comments (n = 1040) and corresponding revisions as well as interviews (n = 3) is used to draw conclusions about the value of providing audio-visual feedback to help students revise their writing more successfully. In line with multimedia learning theory (Mayer 2009), it is argued that the multimodal format, conversational tone, verbal explanations and personalised feel of audio-visual feedback allows for a more successful engagement with the feedback, particularly for students with a lower level of English language proficiency.

scholarly journals Test-Taking Strategies and Reading Comprehension: A Correlational Investigation

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 155-165
Author(s):  
Fadi Al-Khasawneh
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Placement Test ◽  
Test Taking ◽  
Proficiency Level ◽  
Data Collection Process ◽  
Test Taking Strategies ◽  
Efl Students

There is an increasing interest of studies investigating the correlation between Test-Taking Strategies (TTSs) and reading comprehension achievement among EFL learners. The relationship between the aforementioned variables is still unclear and more studies are needed on this area. The major concern of this study is to examine the correlational relationship between the use of test-taking strategies and reading comprehension. The sample of this study included 64 undergraduate students majoring in English language in King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia. The present research employed three instruments for data collection process; English Language Placement Test was used to distribute students according to their proficiency level, two reading passages taken from TOEFL reading comprehension tests, and a questionnaire adapted from Cohen and Upton (2007) asking about TTSs. The results of the present study illustrated that Saudi EFL students used test-taking strategies at a moderate level. There was no statistically significant correlation between test-taking strategies use and students’ achievement in reading comprehension test. There was also no significant differences between test-taking strategies and students; achievement in reading comprehension attributed to language proficiency level. Some pedagogical implications for EFL teachers were presented and discussed.

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