scholarly journals Enhancing English Language Learners’ Conversation Abilities via CA-informed Sitcom Lessons

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 121
Author(s):  
Abdulloh Waedaoh ◽  
Kemtong Sinwongsuwat
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Role Play ◽  
Public High School ◽  
School Students ◽  
Leave Taking

The study investigated the effectiveness of Conversation Analysis (CA)-informed sitcom lessons in enhancing conversation abilities of Thai learners of English. The participants included 42 high school students enrolled in an English for Communication course at a public high school in Southern Thailand. Through 15-week sitcom lessons, they were taught how to construct conversation sequences to accomplish such sequential actions as greeting and leave-taking, dis/agreement, new announcement, compliment, invitation, and request, as well as to collaboratively analyze conversations from the sitcoms and role-play them at the end of each lesson. Before and after the series of lessons, the participants were engaged in role-play conversations that were videotaped for subsequent assessment of their conversation abilities. The findings from both comparative statistical and close single-case analyses revealed significant improvements in all the aspects assessed especially regarding grammar and appropriacy. Therefore, it is recommended that EFL teachers should apply CA principles to teaching English conversation, integrating conversations from authentic materials such as sitcoms to strengthen English language learners’ conversation abilities.

scholarly journals The effect of topic selection on writing fluency among Japanese high school students

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Lin Lubold ◽  
Sarah Forbes ◽  
Ian Stevenson
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Meaning Making ◽  
Writing Fluency ◽  
School Students ◽  
Student Meaning

Written fluency and fluency building activities have been shown to promote linguistic choice and student voice development, increased ability to express ideas using complex grammatical structures and greater intrinsic motivation in English language learners. Since the 1970’s, process-oriented writing has been emphasized, yielding an amplified focus on meaning of student content over linguistic form precision. Current research of writing fluency must delve deeper into questions of student ownership of topic and the outcomes for low-risk activities that support fluency practice and encourage confidence building in students. The purpose of this replication study is to further explore previous findings on the effects of topic selection on writing fluency for high school English as foreign language learners. Building off of the work of Bonzo (2008), this study focused on a timed, non-graded writing activity administered to groups of Japanese engineering students in three departments: mechanical, electrical, and global engineering. The six subsequent samples for each participating student were analyzed using online text-analysis for total and unique word counts, providing data used to perform a t-test. Responses to bi-lingual student questionnaires, with prompts on self-perceived written English ability, self-efficacy and strategies for success while writing, provided additional insight into the facets of fluency. The results of these writing sessions offer both confirmation of and contrast to Bonzo’s original work, demonstrate increased student meaning making, and support the use of free writing activities in English language classrooms as a means by which student written fluency may be improved.

scholarly journals Grammar Errors in the Writing of Iraqi English Language Learners

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 122
Author(s):  
Yasir Bdaiwi Jasim Al-Shujairi ◽  
Helen Tan
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
High School Students ◽  
University Students ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
English Language ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
School Students ◽  
Grammatical Errors

Several studies have been conducted to investigate the grammatical errors of Iraqi postgraduates and undergraduates in their academic writing. However, few studies have focused on the writing challenges that Iraqi pre-university students face. This research aims at examining the written discourse of Iraqi high school students and the common grammatical errors they make in their writing. The study had a mixed methods design. Through convenience sampling method, 112 compositions were collected from Iraqi pre-university students. For purpose of triangulation, an interview was conducted. The data was analyzed using Corder’s (1967) error analysis model and James’ (1998) framework of grammatical errors. Furthermore, Brown’s (2000) taxonomy was adopted to classify the types of errors. The result showed that Iraqi high school students have serious problems with the usage of verb tenses, articles, and prepositions. Moreover, the most frequent types of errors were Omission and Addition. Furthermore, it was found that intralanguage was the dominant source of errors. These findings may enlighten Iraqi students on the importance of correct grammar use for writing efficacy. 

scholarly journals Empowering Teenage English Language Learners Through Creative Projects

2020 ◽  
Vol 2019 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Mari Nakamura
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Private Language ◽  
School Students ◽  
Japanese Students ◽  
Senior High School Students

Research shows that Japanese students’ motivation for English study tends to decline as they move through their schooling and that secondary-level students’ schoolwork-related anxiety rises as they grow older. In this practice-oriented paper, I first discuss the learning background and needs of junior and senior high school students at my private language school. I then describe small-scale “creative projects” that I design and implement with the aim of fostering the students’ intrinsic motivation for English language learning and to improve their confidence in expressing and discussing original ideas in English. The description of a sample project illustrates the project goal, class profile, and project procedure. My reflective comments regarding the effectiveness of the project in achieving the above-mentioned goals are also provided. Finally, the limitations of creative projects and possibilities of further improvements are discussed. 数々のリサーチが日本の中高生の英語学習への意欲は学年が上がるほどに減退し、彼らの学習についての不安は成長とともに高まると示唆している。この実践報告レポートでは、まず筆者の主宰する民間英語教室での中高生の学習状況と彼らが有する独特のニーズを自己決定理論と内発的動機づけに関する理論の観点を通して紹介する。次に、彼らの英語学習への内発的動機を育み、英語で独自のアイディアを表現する自信を高めるために当校で開発、実施している小規模な創造的プロジェクトを解説する。プロジェクトの描写ではプロジェクトの目的、クラス構成と活動手順を示し、プロジェクトが目的を果たす上での効果についての指導者の振り返りコメントも提示する。また最後に、現在の創造的プロジェクトの限界と今後の改善の可能性を述べる。

scholarly journals SITUATED PERSPECTIVES ON THE MOTIVATIONAL TRAJECTORIES OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LEARNING ENGLISH IN RURAL VIETNAM

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 249-266
Author(s):  
Cuong Huy Pham
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Practice ◽  
English Language ◽  
School Students ◽  
Situated Perspective ◽  
Learning English

Despite the growing body of research on the complex and contextually contingent nature of language learning motivation, investigations into the motivation of English language learners in rural areas have remained limited. This study explores the motivational constructions of two high school students learning English in rural Southeast Vietnam from a situated perspective. The students, one female and one male, were in their first year at high school and had relatively low levels of English. Data gathering took approximately one and a half years and was based primarily on interviews drawing on a social practice approach and observations. Findings reveal that students developed diverse motivational trajectories resulting from a synergy of social and idiosyncratic elements pertinent to their own learning conditions, interpersonal relationships, and their agentive appraisals of language affordances and learning opportunities available within and across settings. The longitudinal and situated perspective of this study provides insights into the ways in which students’ appraisals of affordances were shaped and reshaped by on-going interactions with significant others as well as by the sociocultural values permeating their agentive practices.

scholarly journals Indonesian Culture Influence Towards English Directive Acts Used by Senior High School Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 156-171
Author(s):  
Tamara Becce Tenridinanti ◽  
Indawan Syahri ◽  
Maribel Casinto Abalos ◽  
Rini Susanti
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Role Play ◽  
School Students ◽  
Illocutionary Acts ◽  
Culture Influence ◽  
English Speaking ◽  
The Common ◽  
Senior High School Students

ABSTRACTIn uttering the English language, especially English directive acts, Indonesian people do not deliver it directly, but they convey it long-winded. It is influenced by the Indonesian culture that tends to convolute in explaining something which is different from the English-speaking culture that speaks straight to the point. The objectives of the study were to identify the common types of directive illocutionary acts and to describe how the Indonesian culture is represented in English illocutionary acts made by the students of SMA Negeri 10 Palembang. The method of the study was descriptive-qualitative. The data was collected from twenty-six participants of SMA Negeri 10 Palembang through the role-play technique. Results of this study showed eight common types of English directive acts: commanding, requesting, suggesting, forbidding, questioning, permitting, encouraging, and wishing. Besides, the resemblance between the Indonesian culture and illocutionary acts has an interconnection shown in culture transfer. In this this study in particular, questioning was the most dominant directive act, and this is because Indonesian people tend to ask first before uttering straight to the point and suggesting was the second most dominant whereas requesting was the least dominant.   ABSTRAKDalam pengucapan bahasa Inggris khususnya bahasa Inggris directive act, orang Indonesia tidak menyampaikannya secara langsung, tetapi menyampaikannya dengan bertele-tele. Hal tersebut dipengaruhi oleh budaya Indonesia yang berbelit-belit dalam menjelaskan sesuatu yang berbeda dengan budaya Inggris yang berbicara langsung ke intinya. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengidentifikasi jenis-jenis ilokusi direktif yang umum dan mendeskripsikan bagaimana kemiripan budaya Indonesia dalam ilokusi bahasa Inggris yang dibuat oleh siswa SMA Negeri 10 Palembang. Metode penelitian adalah deskriptif kualitatif. Pengumpulan data dilakukan pada dua puluh enam peserta SMA Negeri 10 Palembang melalui peragaan role play. Studi ini menunjukkan delapan jenis tindakan direktif bahasa Inggris yang umum seperti memerintah, meminta, menyarankan, melarang, mempertanyakan, mengizinkan, mendorong, dan berharap. Selain itu, kemiripan budaya Indonesia dengan ilokusi memiliki keterkaitan yang terlihat dalam transfer budaya. Dari penelitian ini, bertanya sangat dominan karena masyarakat Indonesia cenderung bertanya terlebih dahulu sebelum berbicara langsung ke pokok permasalahan. Dominasi kedua menunjukkan, dan yang terakhir meminta.  

Peer Disruption and Learning: Links between Suspensions and the Educational Achievement of Non-Suspended Students

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-44
Author(s):  
NaYoung Hwang ◽  
Thurston Domina
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Language Arts ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Fixed Effects ◽  
English Language ◽  
Educational Achievement ◽  
School Students ◽  
Low Achieving Students ◽  
Disciplinary Cultures

To evaluate the net effects of classroom disciplinary practices, policymakers and educators must understand not only their effects on disciplined students but also their effects on non-disciplined peers. In this study, we estimate the link between peer suspensions and non-suspended students' learning trajectories in a California school district where middle and high school students took up to 12 basic skills tests in mathematics and English Language Arts (ELA) over the course of the 2009-10, 2010-11, and 2011-12 school years. We find that Hispanic students, students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, English language learners, students enrolled in special education, and low-achieving students are disproportionately exposed to classmate suspensions. Analyses with student and classroom fixed effects show that student achievement in mathematics increases when their classmates receive suspensions, particularly suspensions attributed to disruptive behavior. We find no association between classmate suspension and ELA achievement. Since these results come from schools in which suspensions are relatively rare events, they may not generalize to settings with draconian disciplinary cultures. Nonetheless, our findings imply that suspensions, when used appropriately, can improve the academic achievement of non-suspended students, particularly for students from vulnerable populations.

scholarly journals The Effect of Computer-Based Self-Access Learning on Weekly Vocabulary Test Scores

2014 ◽  
pp. 217-234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan Dreyer
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
High School Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Urban High School ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Remedial Writing ◽  
School Students ◽  
Online Activity ◽  
Vocabulary Retention

This study sets out to clarify the effectiveness of using an online vocabulary study tool, Quizlet, in an urban high school language arts class. Previous similar studies have mostly dealt with English Language Learners in college settings (Chui, 2013), and were therefore not directed at the issue self-efficacy that is at the heart of the problem of urban high school students in America entering remedial writing programs (Rose, 1989). The study involves 95 students over the course of 14 weeks. Students were tested weekly and were asked to use the Quizlet program in their own free time. The result of this optional involvement was that many students did not participate in the treatment and therefore acted as an elective control group. The resultant data collected shows a strong correlation between the use of an online vocabulary review program and short-term vocabulary retention. The study also showed that students who paced themselves and spread out their study sessions outperformed those students who used the program only for last minute “cram sessions.” The implications of the study are that students who take advantage of tools outside of the classroom are able to out perform their peers. The results are also in line with the call to include technology in the Basic Writing classroom not simply as a tool, but as a “form of discourse” (Jonaitis, 2012). Weekly vocabulary tests, combined with the daily online activity as reported by Quizlet, show that: 1) utilizing the review software improved the scores of most students, 2) those students who used Quizlet to review more than a single time (i.e., several days before the test) outperformed those who only used the product once, and 3) students who professed proficiency with the “notebook” system of vocabulary learning appeared not to need the treatment.

scholarly journals Adolescent ELLs Improve Their Academic English while Learning about the UN Online

Languages ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Miriam Eisenstein Ebsworth ◽  
Chencen Cai ◽  
Lauren McCoy
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
English Language Learners ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Instructional Materials ◽  
Public High School ◽  
Academic English ◽  
Action Research Project ◽  
Design Data

This action research project aimed at evaluating and revising Actionthroughwords (ATW), an online course on language learning through content for high school English language learners. Our multifaceted purpose is to help English language learners in an English language arts class to enhance their academic English language and literacy, while learning online about the work of the UN for health and peace worldwide. A teacher and nineteen students in a public high school bilingual program acted as learner-consultants, with a shift of learners’ roles to one of authority and engagement. Using a mixed design, data came from questionnaires, classroom observation, and interviews with the teacher and eight of her students. All participants responded affirmatively to the ATW site and expressed appreciation not only for the content but also for focused activities to enhance vocabulary development and grammatical awareness. Results showed students’ view of the UN was somewhat positive to begin with and became more positive over time. Participants recommended revision of ATW to make content more accessible through scaffolding and first language support and to offer additional games and videos appropriate for teenagers’ interests and modes of learning. Differentiated instructional materials and strategies integrated with the school curriculum were also suggested for future implementation of the course.

scholarly journals TRANSLATION OF FALSE FRIENDS AMONG B2 LEVEL ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

2020 ◽  
pp. 253-268
Author(s):  
Edina Rizvić-Eminović ◽  
Melisa Bureković ◽  
Adnan Bujak
Keyword(s):  
English Language Learners ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
English Language ◽  
Similar Form ◽  
Implicit Methods ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
School Students ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Correct Translation

This paper investigates how successful B2 level English language learners (ELLs), high school students are in translating a group of most common false friends (FFs) from English to BCS and vice versa and examines whether they are more successful in translating absolute or partial FFs. In line with the classification by Otwinowska-Kasztelanic (2015), false friends are considered to be a class of cognates. They are further sub-classified into absolute FFs, which have the same or similar form and dissimilar meaning in two languages (e.g. eventually, meaning finally in English and eventualno, meaning possibly in BCS) and partial false friends with the same or similar form and one same and another dissimilar meaning. (e.g. argument in English, meaning reason, the same as argument in BSC and disagreement, the meaning for which a different word is used in BCS, rasprava). Due to their deceptive nature, FFs have been researched within different theoretical frameworks - theoretical, contrastive, applied linguistics, semantics, pragmatics and translation studies. By means of a survey and descriptive and inferential statistics, this paper confirms the hypothesis that there is a statistically significant difference between correct translation of FFs from English to BCS and their correct translation from BCS to English. Furthermore, the second hypothesis was also confirmed, namely that the B2 ELLs are more successful in translating partial than in translating absolute FFs. The research results suggest that in teaching FFs as items of deceptive vocabulary both explicit and implicit methods need to be applied

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