scholarly journals Selected Determinants of Pronunciation Anxiety

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-113
Author(s):  
Małgorzata Baran-Łucarz ◽  
Jang Ho Lee
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Detrimental Effect ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Studying Abroad

Empirical research shows that language anxiety has a detrimental effect on foreign language learning and its use. Several studies suggest that anxiety related to mastering and using foreign languages is skill-specific. This study examined pronunciation anxiety and attempted to determine its significant correlates. The included factors ranged from learning experiences with native-speaking teachers, previous studying abroad experience, and enjoyment of learning the target language, to willingness to communicate in the target language. A questionnaire was administered to two groups of EFL learners of different majors and different self-perceived levels. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses for both groups showed that willingness to communicate in English was the strongest determinant of pronunciation anxiety, while foreign language enjoyment the second meaningful correlate, but only in the case of the group whose self-assessment of general proficiency in English was lower.

Examining fluctuations in the WTC of Japanese EFL speakers: Language proficiency, affective and conditional factors

2020 ◽  
pp. 136216882097782
Author(s):  
Rintaro Sato
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Language Proficiency ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Willingness To Communicate ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Stimulated Recall ◽  
Sense Of Security

Willingness to communicate (WTC), which plays a crucial role in second or foreign language learning, has a dynamic and complex nature, fluctuating during communicative events. This study examines how the situational WTC of four Japanese speakers of English as a foreign language (EFL) emerges and fluctuates, focusing on the roles of language proficiency and affective and conditional factors. Low-intermediate and advanced speakers were engaged in an interactive, communicative activity with an interlocutor. All utterances were recorded, transcribed, and analysed and combined with the qualitative data from participants’ self-ratings and a stimulated recall interview after the activity to assess fluctuations in WTC. The findings indicate that levels of WTC are influenced differently between low-intermediate and advanced speakers. Although the WTC of all speakers was negatively affected when they sensed a lack of English proficiency, low-intermediate speakers were affected by interest in the topic, influence of interlocutors on sense of security, and self-confidence, while opportunity to talk about oneself and one’s opinions contributed to the WTC of advanced speakers. It is suggested that teaches of EFL should be considerate of these factors that can affect EFL learners’ WTC.

scholarly journals OCENA WŁASNYCH ZDOLNOŚCI UCZNIÓW UZDOLNIONYCH JĘZYKOWO W POLSKICH SZKOŁACH PONADGIMNAZJALNYCH

Neofilolog ◽  
2018 ◽  
pp. 219-230
Author(s):  
Joanna Sobańska
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Talented Student ◽  
Linguistic Skills

An exceptionally linguistically talented student should have all the predispositions to be multi-linguistic. The reason is that such skills, at least potentially, assume high predispositions to learn all foreign languages. And even though the process of language learning and its efficiency depends on many other factors, one of them is the assessment of one’s skills and potential by the linguistically talented student. The aim of the article is to present convictions of students identified as linguistically talented with respect to their skills and achievements concerning foreign language learning. A large part of the paper deals with the presentation of theoretical aspects related to linguistic skills and a short analysis of selected factors that influence the development of linguistic skills in students, in particular the assessment of own skills and possibilities by students (self-assessment).

scholarly journals INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTABILITY IN COOPERATIVE LEARNING: MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO PRODUCE SPOKEN ENGLISH

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
Puji Astuti ◽  
Jayne C. Lammers
Keyword(s):  
Cooperative Learning ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Communicative Competence ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Spoken English ◽  
Individual Accountability

The contribution of cooperative learning (CL) in promoting second and foreign language learning has been widely acknowledged. Little scholarly attention, however, has been given to revealing how this teaching method works and promotes learners’ improved communicative competence. This qualitative case study explores the important role that individual accountability in CL plays in giving English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners in Indonesia the opportunity to use the target language of English. While individual accountability is a principle of and one of the activities in CL, it is currently under studied, thus little is known about how it enhances EFL learning. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a constructivist grounded theory analysis on participant observation, in-depth interview, and document analysis data drawn from two secondary school EFL teachers, 77 students in the observed classrooms, and four focal students. The analysis shows that through individual accountability in CL, the EFL learners had opportunities to use the target language, which may have contributed to the attainment of communicative competence—the goal of the EFL instruction. More specifically, compared to the use of conventional group work in the observed classrooms, through the activities of individual accountability in CL, i.e., performances and peer interaction, the EFL learners had more opportunities to use spoken English. The present study recommends that teachers, especially those new to CL, follow the preset procedure of selected CL instructional strategies or structures in order to recognize the activities within individual accountability in CL and understand how these activities benefit students.     

scholarly journals Identification of Language Learning Beliefs among Saudi EFL Learners

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eidah Abdullah Al-malki ◽  
Eidah Abdullah Al-Malki
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Target Language ◽  
English Language Learning ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Language Learning Beliefs

It is argued that positive yet realistic beliefs are source of success as language learners whereas negative or unrealistic beliefs can be an impediment to successful language learning. This empirical survey identifies Saudi English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ beliefs through Beliefs About Language Learning Inventory (BALLI) developed by Horwitz’s (1987). The Arabic version of the questionnaire has been administered and 118 Saudi EFL learners from a Saudi university returned the questionnaire. The research questions set for this survey include what beliefs Saudi EFL learners have towards the difficulty of foreign language learning, foreign language aptitude, the nature of language learning, learning and communication strategies and motivation and expectations for English language learning. The results reveal that the participants bear high English language learning aptitude and believe that it is easier to learn it in childhood. No strong relationship in learning subjects like science and math and English language was reported. The participants also believe that for quick and successful language learning, it is imperative to practice the target language extensively. A positive trend is that Saudi EFL learners have been extremely positive and encouraging towards their chances of achieving communicative competence and do not have any unnecessary inhibition in speaking English.

TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES AT THIRD-YEAR STUDENTS IN POLAND

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olena Ivashko
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Educational Needs ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
Language Learning Strategies ◽  
Third Age ◽  
The Third

The article tackles the problem of teaching foreign languages to seniors. The general trends in FL education for the third-age learners are outlined. The institutions in which seniors can study foreign languages in Poland are enumerated. The psychological, physiological, methodological and social peculiarities of teaching a foreign language to the third agers are analyzed. Special emphasis is laid upon educational needs of the Third Age learners. Some language learning strategies which help seniors’ foreign language learning are suggested.

Machine Translation for EFL

Relay Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 228-235
Author(s):  
Paul J. Moore ◽  
Phil Murphy ◽  
Luann Pascucci ◽  
Scott Sustenance
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Machine Translation ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Technical Developments ◽  
English Language Institute ◽  
Changing Role

This paper reports on an ongoing study into the affordances of free online machine translation for students learning English as a foreign language (EFL) at the tertiary level in Japan. The researchers are currently collecting data from a questionnaire, task performance, and interviews with 10-15 EFL learners in an English Language Institute in a university in Japan. The paper provides some background on the changing role of translation in language learning theory and pedagogy, before focusing literature related to technical developments in machine translation technology, and its application to foreign language learning. An overview of the research methodology is provided, along with some insights into potential findings. Findings will be presented in subsequent publications.

Towards a Model of Learner Variation in Autonomous Foreign Language Learning

1979 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. S. Rodgers
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learning Systems ◽  
Design Model ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
The Third ◽  
Short Piece ◽  
Language Needs

My intent in this short piece is to provide a context for consideration of learner variables in foreign language learning. I first propose a question set outlining the major issues, as I see them, arising in the design of learner-based foreign language learning systems. I then present a simplified three-part design model comprising knowledge considerations (language needs assessment), instructional considerations (learning access alternatives) and learner considerations (characteristics of learners). A review of some recent work in the first two of these prefaces the discussion of the third, learner considerations. A brief state of the art report on research in learner variables is followed by some speculation on next directions in the determination and description of learner variables within a general design model for learning foreign languages.

scholarly journals EXTENSIVE READING IN L2 LEARNING: CURRENT TRENDS AND FUTURE POSSIBILITIES

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Made Frida Yulia
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Extensive Reading ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Current Trends ◽  
Foreign Language Reading ◽  
L2 Learners ◽  
L2 Learning ◽  
Language Exposure

Due to the minimum language exposure that EFL learners have, one recommended way to promote interest in foreign language reading is through Extensive Reading. This kind of reading has gained popularity over the years, ever since it was introduced to the realm of foreign language learning. Extensive Reading has been shown to bring a lot of benefits for L2 learners in many respects, and, consequently, it has been implemented in a variety of contexts. This paper aims at revisiting Extensive Reading along with its pertaining principles. In addition, it attempts to scrutinize a number of recent studies conducted in the area of Extensive Reading to discover current trends and possible areas which are open for further exploration. 

scholarly journals Foreign Language Learners’ Attitudes and Perceptions of L1 Use in L2 Classroom

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maram S. Almohaimeed ◽  
Huda M. Almurshed
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Target Language ◽  
Advanced Learners ◽  
English Classes ◽  
English Class ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions ◽  
Preparatory Year

Whether to avoid learners’ first language (L1) or to make use of it in the second language (L2) classes is a controversial issue. Some studies have challenged the effectiveness of the monolingual approach to foreign language learning. This study investigates Saudi university learners’ attitudes and perceptions towards incorporating their L1(Arabic) in English class. This study also sheds light into the relationship between students’ perceptions and proficiency level in the target language. To this end, Gaebler's questionnaire (2014) was administered to 60 female learners studying in the preparatory year at a Saudi university. They were from three different English proficiency levels. The results showed that advanced learners hold a negative attitude towards the use of L1 in their English classes, whereas elementary and intermediate learners generally perceive the judicious use of their L1 positively.

scholarly journals NATIONALLY ORIENTED FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING IN THE CONTEXT OF THE LINGUO-DIDACTIC PARADIGM OF THE 21ST CENTURY

2020 ◽  
pp. 37-48
Author(s):  
N. Zaichenko
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Foreign Language Teaching ◽  
Foreign Languages ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Subject Matter Content

The article deals with modern views on the concept of “nationally oriented foreign language teaching”, presented in the linguo-didactic discourse of domestic and foreign scholars of the last decades. The author reveals and characterizes its evolution as one of the basic concepts of Russian and Ukrainian language education as foreign languages. It is found that they relate to the subject matter, content, and operational components of this phenomenon. There are significant changes in the views of scholars on taking into account students’ native language in teaching these languages by speakers of languages with different systems. There is a growing interest in didactic and linguistic data processing of the analysis of Chinese and Russian (Ukrainian) languages and their practical implementation. In terms of content, priority is given to culturally oriented and ethno-psychological aspects of mastering foreign language in a monocultural and multicultural educational environment. The innovative approach to this issue is also manifested in the increasing attention of researchers to the peculiarities of cognitive, mental and educational activities of Chinese-speaking students, formed by the national linguistic and methodological tradition, which is radically different from the national communicative and active lingvodidactic paradigm and needs appropriate methodological correction. Prospects for further study of the issues raised in our investigation are related to the research of a number of “new” terms in the terminological field of the basic concept of “nationally oriented foreign language learning”, as well as from the normative and codification side.

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