scholarly journals A Survey of the Mixed Use of He/She for Chinese Freshmen in English Majors

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 166
Author(s):  
Yixuan Liang ◽  
Fang Guo
Keyword(s):  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Spoken Language ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Spoken English ◽  
Mixed Use ◽  
English Majors ◽  
Articulatory Phonetics ◽  
English Major ◽  
Research Questions

The mixed use of he/she in oral English is a hot topic in the field of second language acquisition in the past decades and the related study is numerous. However, there are few studies on the misuse of the two pronouns in oral English for English majors in Chinese universities. This study aims to explore the current situation and characteristics of he/she misuse in oral English of Chinese freshmen majoring in English and analyze the factors that cause the misuse, so as to arouse the learners’ awareness of the error. This study focuses on two research questions: (1) What are the characteristics of he/she misuse in spoken English of Chinese freshmen majoring in English? (2) What are the reasons for the misuse? Based on the selected spoken language materials, this study explores the mixing types and error rate of he/she and analyzes the characteristics of the misuse through data. Through the questionnaire, this thesis study investigates the causes of the misuse. It is found that the mixed use of pronoun he/she is serious in the spoken language of English major freshmen, especially the misuse of “she” into “he”. The factors that cause the misuse are complex, involving mother tongue, attention distribution and working memory, pronunciation relationship, transfer of training, and social environment and personal factors, among which the analysis from articulatory phonetics deserves more attention.

scholarly journals An Analysis of Spoken English Errors of Tibetan-English Major Students—Take Qinghai Nationalities University for example

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 41
Author(s):  
Fuchun Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
English Learners ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Spoken English ◽  
Interview Method ◽  
English Class ◽  
Manual Counting ◽  
Grammatical Errors ◽  
English Major ◽  
Junior Students

In order to improve Tibetan-English major students’ spoken English, the analysis of oral English errors is essential. Although English majors have more time and more methods to learn English, like other English learners, they will inevitably make mistakes. But what are the common Spoken English errors made by students in the Tibetan-English class in Qinghai Nationalities University? Are the mistakes they make in spoken English the same as those made by students whose mother tongue is Chinese? Mother tongue affects second language acquisition in a large extent. This research aims to find the main types of grammatical errors committed by Tibetan-English major students in spoken English, and through the language developments and changes of freshmen, sophomore and junior students, give relevant correction strategies and provides teachers with corresponding teaching methods. The main tools used in this research are Xunfei recording tools, Xunfei recording to text tools, Excel chart calculation, Word charts and manual counting. The interview method and the random sampling method are mainly used.

scholarly journals An Investigation of Verb-Forms Errors in the Spoken English of English-Majors and Non-English Majors at Emirates Canadian University College/ U.A.E.

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Mohammed Hamid Al-Ta’ani
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
University Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
First Language ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Spoken English ◽  
Verb Forms ◽  
English Majors ◽  
English Major ◽  
Lexical Errors

This study aimed at identifying the strategies used by University students in learning English as a second language and their weaknesses in the grammatical and the lexical use of the English verb-forms. A total number of (8) university students were interviewed personally. Interviews were taped and each student’s speech was transcribed in order to be analyzed. The grammatical and the lexical errors were categorized and put to further analysis and investigation which explained the reasons and strategies behind their occurrences. The findings indicated that: - the learners’ errors were developmental and they benefited from instructions, most of the frequent errors were due to interference of the first language and the majority of errors were interlanguages errors, simplification and overgeneralization proved to be the most two widely used strategies in learning a second language and the learners’ motivation to communicate may exceed their motivation to produce grammatically correct sentences. A major conclusion of this study is the need of the English-major students for a remedial course in which they may have the opportunity to practice the basic structures of the English Language. Finally, based on the results of this study some pedagogical implications for English teachers and university instructors, curriculum designers and policy makers were highlighted.

A CASE STUDY OF NL INFLUENCE IN UNIS FKIP ENGLISH DEPARTMENT STUDENTS' INTERLANGUAGE

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-54
Author(s):  
Irmala Sukendra ◽  
Agus Mulyana ◽  
Imam Sudarmaji
Keyword(s):  
Second Language ◽  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Native Speakers ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Universal Grammar ◽  
Similar System ◽  
The One ◽  
L1 Acquisition

Regardless to the facts that English is being taught to Indonesian students starting from early age, many Indonesian thrive in learning English. They find it quite troublesome for some to acquire the language especially to the level of communicative competence. Although Krashen (1982:10) states that “language acquirers are not usually aware of the fact that they are acquiring language, but are only aware of the fact that they are using the language for communication”, second language acquisition has several obstacles for learners to face and yet the successfulness of mastering the language never surmounts to the one of the native speakers. Learners have never been able to acquire the language as any native speakers do. Mistakes are made and inter-language is unavoidable. McNeili in Ellis (1985, p. 44) mentions that “the mentalist views of L1 acquisition hypothesizes the process of acquisition consists of hypothesis-testing, by which means the grammar of the learner’s mother tongue is related to the principles of the ‘universal grammar’.” Thus this study intends to find out whether the students go through the phase of interlanguage in their attempt to acquire second language and whether their interlanguage forms similar system as postulated by linguists (Krashen).

Revivalistics

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghil'ad Zuckermann
Keyword(s):  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Spoken Language ◽  
Promised Land ◽  
Language Revival ◽  
Revival Movements ◽  
Disciplinary Field ◽  
Multiple Causation ◽  
Cross Fertilization

This seminal book introduces revivalistics, a new trans-disciplinary field of enquiry surrounding language reclamation, revitalization and reinvigoration. The book is divided into two main parts that represent Zuckermann’s fascinating and multifaceted journey into language revival, from the ‘Promised Land’ (Israel) to the ‘Lucky Country’ (Australia) and beyond: PART 1: LANGUAGE REVIVAL AND CROSS-FERTILIZATION The aim of this part is to suggest that due to the ubiquitous multiple causation, the reclamation of a no-longer spoken language is unlikely without cross-fertilization from the revivalists’ mother tongue(s). Thus, one should expect revival efforts to result in a language with a hybridic genetic and typological character. The book highlights salient morphological, phonological, phonetic, syntactic, semantic and lexical features, illustrating the difficulty in determining a single source for the grammar of ‘Israeli’, the language resulting from the Hebrew revival. The European impact in these features is apparent inter alia in structure, semantics or productivity. PART 2: LANGUAGE REVIVAL AND WELLBEING The book then applies practical lessons (rather than clichés) from the critical analysis of the Hebrew reclamation to other revival movements globally, and goes on to describe the why and how of language revival. The how includes practical, nitty-gritty methods for reclaiming ‘sleeping beauties’ such as the Barngarla Aboriginal language of Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, e.g. using what Zuckermann calls talknology (talk+technology). The why includes ethical, aesthetic, and utilitarian reasons such as improving wellbeing and mental health.

scholarly journals Using Production-Oriented Approach in Business English Courses: Perceptions of China’s English-Major and Non-English-Major Undergraduates

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402110165
Author(s):  
Qing Xie
Keyword(s):  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Business English ◽  
Student Groups ◽  
Teaching Activities ◽  
Curriculum Adaptation ◽  
Chinese University ◽  
English Majors ◽  
English Major ◽  
Oriented Approach

In light of pedagogical innovation, this study reports a two-stage survey with 172 participants from English-major and non-English-major programs on their needs of production-oriented approach and perceptions of effective implementation strategies in business English courses at a Chinese university. The results of the study suggest that while the two student groups used different learning methods, both valued communication with native speakers. While the two groups had different needs in business English reading, writing, and speaking activities, they also preferred listening to business news broadcasts. The two groups liked learning in case studies and case-based methodology. Based on the needs, a production-oriented teaching procedure is designed. For teaching activities, the students preferred simulation and role-play. As to their favorite teaching and learning materials, English-majors mentioned English news reading and videos, whereas non-English-majors liked theme-based reading materials. For curriculum adaptation and post-course practice, they suggested using communicative activities and more recent cases. The majority of the groups considered the teaching activities, materials, and activities as effective. Based on the different needs and perceptions, effective and tailored implementation strategies for a production-oriented approach in business English courses for the two student groups at this Chinese university context are suggested. Informed by production-oriented pedagogical theories, the results of the study may have significant implications for business English teaching reform and theoretical development in Chinese universities as well as other cultural and education settings in further innovating and refining the teaching and learning process.

A Study Focusing on Applying Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) Methods into English Vocabulary Teaching for EFL Learners

2021 ◽  
Vol 08 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yilin Huang ◽  
◽  
Sohani Gandhioke ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Second Language Acquisition ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Learning Task ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
English Classes ◽  
English Class ◽  
English Major ◽  
Research Findings

To solve the problem of Chinese EFL students’ passive and ineffective vocabulary learning, task-based language teaching (TBLT) methods were introduced to English classes at a university. With TBLT, students interacted with each other by using English, especially English words learnt, in order to fulfil the tasks designed by teachers. Based on second language acquisition theories, students were able to understand input and produce output during this process. This paper focuses on using TBLT in English vocabulary teaching in three non-English major classes of a Chinese university, involving the use of some word games. The word games’ features, organization, and a skill set built through those games, will be discussed. In terms of methodology, an online questionnaire survey was conducted among 93 university students from the three classes. Also, results of the students’ before-task and after-task word quizzes on Moodle platform and exam paper results were analysed. The research findings showed that students enjoyed playing word games in the English class and benefitted from it, in terms of language development and building skills. This paper recommends teachers to use TBLT in English vocabulary teaching and learning, as it is practical and can assist in EFL learners’ vocabulary acquisition.

The Trajectory of an Undergraduate Researcher

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-147
Author(s):  
Andrea Bresee ◽  
Joyce Kinkead
Keyword(s):  
Research Methods ◽  
Undergraduate Research ◽  
Methods Course ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Research Experiences ◽  
Undergraduate Research Experiences ◽  
English Majors ◽  
English Major

Abstract This article focuses on the progress of an undergraduate English major on the scholarship continuum outlined by Laurie Grobman (2009). The student engaged in authentic research in a research methods course for English majors, a class that also meets a university requirement of “quantitative intensive,” and she completed two research projects of note. Her journey has implications and significance for faculty in designing undergraduate research experiences.

scholarly journals A Research on Reading Strategies among Non-English Major Postgraduates

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Yang
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Study ◽  
Reading Strategies ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Reading Speed ◽  
Reading Strategy ◽  
English Teaching ◽  
English Majors ◽  
English Major ◽  
Long Time

<p>As a very important skill both in English teaching and learning, reading strategy has been emphasized at home and abroad for a long time. Many scholars and teachers make research on undergraduates of English major or non-English major. However, the postgraduates are often neglected. Actually, it is also imperative to make a study among postgraduates of non-English majors, getting the information of their use of reading strategies and giving some useful suggestions to them. Therefore, this paper makes a quantitative study among 40 postgraduates from College of Mechanical Engineering in Chang’an University.This study shows that postgraduates of non-English major in Chang’an university do not frequently use reading strategies to improve their reading speed and proficiency. And there is a big difference between the successful learners and unsuccessful learners in terms of the use of reading strategies.</p>

scholarly journals An Investigation into Students’ Agentic Engagement in Online English Listening Learning

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 409
Author(s):  
Yanxiu Dong ◽  
Suli Liu
Keyword(s):  
Course Design ◽  
Current Situation ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Learning Platform ◽  
English Majors ◽  
English Major ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Low Motivation

This paper provides a comprehensive review on the current situation of non-English major students’ agentic engagement in online English listening course. The paper aims to investigate students’ low motivation in doing their online listening homework. Paper questionnaires and SPSS 22.0 were used to analyze the results. 46 freshmen and 43 sophomores of non-English majors participated in this research. It has been found that the agentic engagement of non-English majors is low and freshmen’s average agentic engagement is higher than sophomores’. Besides, it doesn’t have significant correlations with students’ scores in online weekly tasks. The research findings indicate the importance of raising teachers’ awareness of student agentic engagement, and a more effective e-learning platform is required. At last, with the results of this investigation, the current study provides some suggestions for future English listening course design.

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