Learning English as a Second Language through Social Media: Saudi Arabian Tertiary Context

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amin Ali Al Mubarak

This paper aims to identify the role of social media in learning English as a second language among Saudi Arabian students. Four year students majoring B A in English at Al Ardh college of Science and Arts for girls in Jazan University were identified as the participants of this study. The instrument of this study is a comprehensive questionnaire, which is constructed in order to explore the students’ perceptions and attitudes on using social media for English language learning. It is found that majority of the participants use social media to enhance their communication skills. Moreover, the result revealed that collaborative learning that are embedded in a social media may help improve learning activities which in turn leads to the success of learning English as a second language. Apart from that, some of the problems encountered when using social media and combined group work in the learning and teaching of English as a second language at Tertiary level are also highlighted. Most importantly, the students agreed that social media has by and large affected in their English language learning skills. 

2012 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-375
Author(s):  
Krystyna Droździał-Szelest ◽  
Mirosław Pawlak

This paper reviews 25 doctoral dissertations on second language acquisition (SLA), English language learning and teaching submitted in Poland in the years 2006–2010. The theses were selected for review on the basis of the recommendations of Ph.D. supervisors from leading Polish universities and they are divided into six groups: learner autonomy, individual differences, language subsystems and skills, culture, assessment and miscellaneous. The dissertations are discussed with respect to their main findings as well as their strengths and weaknesses, and the paper concludes with an overall evaluation of the research in terms of its dominant themes and methodology.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-84
Author(s):  
ABDULLAH AL MAMUN BHUIYAN

In this paper the author focuses on the motivation of Saudi Arabian students in learning English at the tertiary level. To show the significance of motivation in this paper the author uses Gardner’s socio-educational model of SLA. It centers on government initiatives, parents’ inspiration, classroom atmosphere, and teachers’ inspirations at elementary and tertiary levels in English language learning. Here a questionnaire has been used to collect data. The attitudinal scale is used with close-ended questions on a four points Likert scale. In the survey it has been revealed that English should be taught from grade one at elementary level and qualified English teachers are required there. In terms of motivation it has been recognized that family awareness plays a crucial role. It is also found that parents should care about the language efficiency of their children rather than grades in examinations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 2996-3002
Author(s):  
Muhammad Imran Saeed, Et. al.

The present study discusses Muslim religious scholars' attitudes in the sub-continent when it was under British rulers' influence.The study focuses on the causes of religious scholars' indifference and their hostile attitudes towards the English language in the pre-partition era. The data has been collected from various fatawa books written by Muslim religious scholars during the pre-partition period. Researchersanalyse the fatawas (religious decrees) under the paradigm of Islam and English language and attitudes of religious scholars in the pre-partition era.The fatawashas been examined through a content analysis of the text. The study's findings reveal that Muslim religious scholars wereagainst English language learning and teaching to such an extent that they issued Fatawas declaring that learning and teaching English was illegitimate (Najaiz) because they believed that Christian missionaries were against Muslims and Islam. Thefindingsfurther suggest that future English language curriculum planning should considersociety's cultural and religious requirements so that everyone in the community can learn English according to their needs. The study also highlightsculturalharmonyfrom the perspectiveofEnglish languagelearning.


2020 ◽  
Vol V (I) ◽  
pp. 95-103
Author(s):  
Shehla Ilyas ◽  
Abdul Ghani ◽  
Abdul Khaliq

The purpose of current research is to highlight the influence of using modern technology in teaching English as a second language It explains that productivity of pedagogical process can be increased if technology is infused in it tactfully There are several ways in which modern technology can be employed in class like English language learning web sites Mobile assisted language learning computer assisted language learning programs presentation software digital dictionaries chatting and email messaging programs listening CDaudios and watching of English language learning videos and stories Questionnaire was employed to collect the data from 300 students learning English language in various undergraduate programs of two universities of Bahawalpur The findings revealed that most of the students choose the use of technology especially mobile and computers in developing their second language skills The study advises proper training to use various software related to language learning


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramia DIRAR SHEHADEH MUSMAR

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. 


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
Ria Herwandar ◽  
Denny Azhari Safryono

<p><em>Abstrak</em><strong> – Penelitian ini memiliki judul Evaluasi Cambridge International Primary Programme Siswa SD Al Azhar pada Mata Pelajaran Sains dalam Bahasa Inggris'. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengidentifikasi tingkat pemahaman dan kelancaran dalam melakukan ujian sains yang berisi bahan ESP / EAP. Hasilnya sangat tak terduga menjanjikannya. Siswa telah mencapai hasil yang baik di semua bidang ilmu pengetahuan seperti biologi, kimia, fisika dan penyelidikan ilmu pengetahuan dan telah terbukti bahwa siswa di usia tua bisa belajar dan memperoleh bahasa kedua dan bahasa pertama di dasar kesetaraan sekitar tiga belas tahun. Oleh karena itu, peserta didik muda harus intensif bahasa Inggris dalam membantu mereka mengembangkan pelajaran sekolah lainnya dalam kurikulum utama Inggris.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong><em>Kata Kunci – </em></strong><em>Science enquiry, biologi, kimia, fisika, ESP/EAP</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em>Abstract –</em><strong> This research has a title of ‘Evaluation Cambridge International Primary Programme for Pupils of Al Azhar in  Science’. The purpose of the research is to identify their level of understanding and fluency in doing science examinations which contains ESP/EAP materials. The results have been unexpectedly promising. The pupils have achieved good results in all areas of science such as biology, chemistry, physics and science enquiry and it has been proved that pupils in the age of around thirteen years old could learn and acquire second language and first language in equal basis.  Therefore, Young learners should be intensively exposed to excellent English language learning in helping them developed other school subjects within the English primary curriculum.</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><strong><em>Keywords </em></strong><em>– Science enquiry, biology, chemistry, physics, ESP/EAP</em>


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
Zulfikar Zulfikar

Using mother tongue (L1) in a foreign language (L2) classrooms is inevitable. Despite the debate over the adequacy of using L1 in the teaching of L2, this paper argues using L1 in the classroom does not hinder learning, and that L1 has a facilitating role to play in the classroom and can help L2 learning and acquisition. This paper shows that L1 is an inseparable part of language teaching, and it has several functions for both the students and teachers in English language learning and teaching. Therefore, those who believe L1 has a minimal role to play in the teaching of a foreign language are invited to think again of its role and contributions it makes to the fields of language learning and teaching.


2020 ◽  
pp. 145-165
Author(s):  
Inmaculada Garnes-Tarazona

Second language teaching and learning has experienced a change towards the use of mobile technologies inside and outside the classroom. The goal of this article is twofold: to compare and evaluate three different commercial English language learning apps (Duolingo, Babbel, and Busuu) that cover the four skills (speaking, writing, listening, and reading), and to analyze the learning theory supporting their design. These applications include in their homepage the option of interactive learning with friends. However, as this article shows, each app offers a different level of interaction and collaboration. The theoretical framework for this analysis is grounded on Vygotsky's Socio-cultural theory.


2015 ◽  
pp. 1950-1970 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Alhinty

The emergence of multi-touch screen tablets has increased the opportunities for mobile learning, as the unique capabilities and affordances of these devices give them an educational advantage over other mobile technologies. Tablets are progressively finding their way into classrooms and transforming modes of learning and teaching. However, research on educational applications of this digital tool, particularly with reference to foreign-/second-language acquisition by young beginner learners, is still limited. In this paper, the use of various tablet applications (apps) to support mobile English-language learning by children as beginners is discussed. The apps are classified into five main categories: communication, content-access, productivity, interactive and storage. The educational affordances of each category are presented and explained, with examples. This typology provides insight into the educational uses of tablet apps for English language learning, and has implications for research in the field of classroom practices and beyond.


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