scholarly journals Facebook Activities and the Investment of L2 Learners

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Latisha Asmaak Shafie ◽  
Aizan Yaacob ◽  
Paramjit Kaur Karpal Singh
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
L2 Learners

<p>The article discusses the investment of L2 learners in the English language on Facebook that they portrayed through their Facebook activities. It studied four informants consisted of diploma students in a Malaysian university. The study consisted of 14 weeks of online observation and semi-structured interviews. Data were collected from online observation and semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and Second Cycle Coding. The findings revealed that there were five Facebook activities that were used by L2 learners to improve their English language proficiency: (a) writing posts and comments in English, (b) reading news feeds in English, (c) participating in interest-based Facebook groups, (d) watching movies in English, and (e) communicating with foreign Facebook friends. The most popular Facebook activities were writing posts and comments in English and reading news feeds in English.</p>

scholarly journals Lurking and L2 Learners on a Facebook Group: The Voices of the Invisibles

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Latisha Asmaak Shafie ◽  
Aizan Yaacob ◽  
Paramjit Kaur Karpal Singh
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Online Discussions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
L2 Learners ◽  
Esl Learners

<p>This qualitative research investigates the practice of lurking among English as a second language (ESL) learners in a Facebook group discussion. Lurking is a term used to describe the activity of following and observing any online discussions or activities without contributing to the discussions. Lurkers are often accused of being invisible and passive participants. Facebook groups with international members usually uses English as the medium of communication in their group discussions. It is a norm for L2 learners to lurk in the group. These L2 learners often do not have the required English language proficiency and the confidence to participate actively in the group they join. This study explores lurking behaviours of three participants in learning English in informal Facebook contexts. This study uses a qualitative case study. The study involved three L2 learners who were university students and members of a Facebook group. The study involved online observation and semi-structured interviews with these three participants. Their Facebook accounts and a common Facebook group were observed for 14 weeks, and after the online observation, the participants were interviewed. Data collected from online observation and semi-structured interviewed were analysed and managed using Atlas.ti 7. The study reveals five emerging themes such as that lurkers have poor online communication skills, lack of confidence, learning by lurking, lack of a sense of belonging and lurking is the norm of Facebook groups.</p>

Sudanese Adolescent Refugees: Acculturation and Acculturative Stress

2007 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 160-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gillian Poppitt ◽  
Ron Frey
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Acculturative Stress ◽  
English Language ◽  
Parental Control ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Refugee Children ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Adolescent Refugees ◽  
The Future ◽  
Cultural Rules

AbstractThis study explored acculturation and acculturative stress in Sudanese adolescent refugees living in Brisbane. Twenty Sudanese adolescents participated in semi-structured interviews which revealed that the main source of acculturative stress was related to concern over English language proficiency, issues of parental control and conflicting cultural rules. However, optimism for the future was also evident in all the interviews. The results suggested the need for culture specific counselling practices and ongoing English language and cultural support for Sudanese refugee children in mainstream schools.

scholarly journals QUEER LEARNER IDENTITY AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING IN A THAI CONTEXT

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tinnawat Suebkinnon ◽  
Apisak Sukying
Keyword(s):  
Language Learning ◽  
Identity Construction ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Gender Diversity ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Learner Identity

This study examined the identity construction of queer learners in English language learning and its influences on English language learning. The four participants were male, queer and studied in English majors and English language teaching in a Thai university. Two of the participants were known to the researcher. Semi-structured interviews, field notes, and a digital sound recorder were used for data collection and qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that queer characteristics and marginalized and unequal positions based on gender identity and sexual orientation were two main factors constituting queer learner identity in English language learning. The majority of the participants shared that their queer characteristics were conducive to their speaking skills. Additionally, it was shown that the heteronormative Thai context motivated the participants to pursue English language proficiency. The participants reported that English language proficiency was advantageous for their future success and helped them gain parental and societal acceptance. Moreover, the participants stated that learning the English language would allow them to migrate to English-speaking countries that are welcoming to queer people. The results also indicated that some participants who desire a Western partner viewed English as beneficial to finding a Western man, whom they thought would be more open to gender diversity than Thai men. These findings provide a better understanding of the identity construction of queer learners and its influences on English language learning. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0787/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>

scholarly journals EMI Lecturer Trainers: Reflections on the Implementation of EMI Lecturer Training Course

2021 ◽  
pp. 185
Author(s):  
Ksenia Volchenkova ◽  
Elizaveta Kravtsova
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Teaching Methodology ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Student Centered ◽  
Self Reflection ◽  
Training Course ◽  
Training Courses ◽  
Internationalisation Strategies

Universities in non-native English-speaking countries strive to increase the number of international students using EMI as one of their internationalisation strategies, “being caught up in the rush to offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes through the medium of English” (Macaro et al. 2018, 37). This has resulted in an unprecedented demand for EMI lecturers to acquire both improved English language proficiency and new teaching methodology skills (Gay et al. 2020). The research, however, evidences the lack of published materials for the development of EMI lecturer training courses (Costa 2015; Dafouz 2018; Gay et al. 2020). Moreover, the literature on hands-on practice with respect to the experience of those involved in EMI lecturer training is scant. Thus, here, the authors offer an outline of an EMI lecturer training course and provide an analysis of the experience of eight EMI lecturer trainers from three leading Russian universities that conducted EMI training courses in the academic years 2017-2019. Semi-structured interviews and pre-and post-course surveys show that EMI trainers encounter difficulties which are psychological, methodological and linguistic in nature, these being low English language proficiency of EMI lecturers, their insufficient knowledge of pedagogical strategies, their lack of self-reflection and feedback and their resistance to active learning techniques and a student-centered approach. The findings of this study will be useful for EMI lecturer trainers since the study highlights potential challenges and practical advice on how to increase training efficacy.

Framing Syllabi For Developing English Language Proficiency Bridging Gaps In English Teaching At The Tertiary Level

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 9-13
Author(s):  
C. MONSINGH DANIEL
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Career Advancement ◽  
English Language ◽  
Global Market ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Tertiary Level ◽  
English Teaching

The English Language holds primacy in several levels of employment. This has drawn appeal towards the language as a valuable tool towards having an edge in ones skill set. Capitalizing on the image that English builds for ones employability and career advancement has become a trend set by employer and employee alike. It does indeed have its appeal in a global market, but its demand is due to the inability of educational institutions to provide verifiable and considerable output in students who are proficient in the English Language. Therefore the search for candidates with quality English skills is rather sparse in number. Attempts are of course made by academicians to change this reality but not to the level of a massive turnabout.

A study of Importance of English Language Proficiency in Hospitality Industry and the Role of Hospitality Educators in Enhancing the Same Amongst The Students

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arati Prabhu ◽  
Prachi Wani
Keyword(s):  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Hospitality Industry ◽  
English Language ◽  
English Language Proficiency ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Hotel Management ◽  
Innovative Teaching ◽  
Teachers And Students ◽  
Teaching Learning

The study is undertaken to understand the importance of English language skills in the Indian hospitality industry, and the gaps therein. It studies the challenge as it exists in Pune city, and how AISSMS College of Hotel Management & Catering Technology has attempted to address the issue(s). The study aims at gathering primary information by means of questionnaires. It sheds light on the gap between existing and desired standards of English proficiency. It also highlights the attempts by the three important stakeholders in order to address the issue. Though, attempts are made from the industry, teachers and students, it is recognized that joint efforts need to be made to tackle the problem collectively and from all sides. It is an urgent calling for innovative teaching learning practices and encouraging sound develop initiatives and commitment. The primary data is across the cross section of Pune hoteliers, teachers and students of the college. The findings reflect the importance of English as the universal medium of communication, and its importance in rendering quality service and importantly.

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