scholarly journals Exploring the Causes of Listening Comprehension Anxiety from EFL Saudi Learners’ Perspectives: A Pilot Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Otair ◽  
Noor Hashima Abd Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Preparatory Year ◽  
High Level

Anxiety is an important factor in foreign language learning. Very few studies have been done on English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Saudi students in listening classes. Therefore, this pilot study was aimed at exploring the causes of listening comprehension anxiety from EFL Saudi learners’ perspectives at Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia. The pilot study involved two students who were selected based on the following criteria: 1) Only Saudi male undergraduate students who enrolled in Preparatory Year Program (PYP) at Majmaah University would be involved in this study, 2) The students who had studied or lived in native English speaking countries would be excluded. The researcher used pseudonyms to refer to the participants as Mohammad and Ismail. This study employed a qualitative case study research design. The data were collected through Semi-structured interviews with the participants. The interview sessions were audiotaped and transcribed. The results show that the participants experienced a high level of anxiety when doing the listening comprehension tasks. Three main causes of listening comprehension anxiety emerged from this study: 1) the problematic nature of listening comprehension, 2) the classroom atmosphere, and 3) the low English proficiency of the students.

Effects of Listening Comprehension Anxiety from Saudi EFL Learners’ Perspectives

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Ibrahim Oteir ◽  
Noor Hashima Abd Aziz
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Listening Comprehension ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Listening Skill ◽  
Low Performance ◽  
High Level

Anxiety has been an important topic of discussion in foreign language learning. Listening comprehension anxiety can have negative effects on learners’ performance. Therefore, this paper aims at exploring the effects of listening comprehension anxiety on Saudi English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners at Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia. This qualitative case study research design involves 15 participants. The findings show that the learners experienced high level of listening comprehension anxiety in their listening classes. Three main themes emerged from the interview data in relation to the effects of listening comprehension anxiety from the learners’ perspectives: 1) personal effect: losing concentration, feeling depressed and avoiding listening skill classes, 2) social effect: isolating oneself from others and showing bad behavior, and 3) academic effect: getting low performance and achievement.

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 ESP SPEAKING STRATEGIES AND FOREIGN LANGUAGE ANXIETY IN HIGHER EDUCATION CLASSROOM

1970 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 181-203
Author(s):  
Милевица Десимир Бојовић
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Language Anxiety ◽  
Foreign Language Anxiety ◽  
High Anxious ◽  
Medium Level ◽  
Anxious Group

The study examines the undergraduate students’ perceived use of foreign language speaking strategies, their levels of foreign language anxiety, and the potential relationships between them. Two instruments were used in the study—Inventory of Speaking Strategies in a Foreign Language, based on the instrument Strategy Inventory in Foreign Language Learning, and Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale. The results showed that students’ overall perceived use of speaking strategies in English as a foreign language for specific purposes was frequent. The findings also revealed that the students’ foreign language anxiety was at a medium level; individual performance anxieties remained at the same medium levels. A few differences were found between the low-anxious and high-anxious groups on the speaking strategy use: the former uses circumlocutions and synonyms when stuck with a word in English more frequently while the latter is paying attention more often when someone is speaking in English. The results also suggest that the medium-anxious group uses gestures when unable to think of a word during a conversation in English less frequently than the low-anxious group.

scholarly journals An Investigation into the Benefits of the Intercultural Approach to EFL Learning and Teaching: A Case Study of Taif University, KSA

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir H. Abdalla
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Language Education ◽  
First Year ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Efl Students ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Preparatory Year ◽  
Study Participants

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential benefits of using the intercultural approach to teaching English as a foreign language in the preparatory –year programme (male branch), Taif University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The intercultural approach is considered a viable means of foreign language education that seeks to address issues of culture in foreign language learning and teaching and how best to address them. Hence, this study intends to explore the attitudes of first year EFL Taif university students to the potential benefits of the intercultural approach to EFL. A sample of 200 EFL students participated in the study. Participants’ views on the topic of the study are collected via a questionnaire the researcher designed and administered to the participants. In addition, the views of 50 EFL instructors teaching in the preparatory programme were gathered by a questionnaire regarding the topic researched. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the collected data.

Indonesian parental perspectives of international school partnerships involving millennial learners

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 106-119
Author(s):  
Ahmad Bukhori Muslim ◽  
Herli Salim ◽  
Sri Setyarini
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Community Involvement ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
International School ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
School Partnerships ◽  
International Partnership ◽  
Parental Perspectives

Despite being long-standing practice among schools across the world, most studies on international school partnerships focus on its benefits and challenges as perceived by teachers and students. Little emphasis has been given to parental perspectives and support, particularly among low-income families. With the increase of community involvement in education, how this partnership program may benefit the foreign language learning of millennials has become a matter of increasing concern among parents. This qualitative study explores Indonesian parents’ perspectives of international school partnerships between Indonesian and Australian schools, and how these partnerships support the learning of English as a foreign language and technology utilization. Results from questionnaires and semi-structured interviews indicate parental belief that the program reviewed is an authentic approach to foreign language learning and an appropriate mode of technology-based self-expression. To facilitate their children’s learning of English and development of cross-cultural understanding, most parents, despite economic limitations, are willing to support their children’s involvement in the international partnership that is the focus of this study.

scholarly journals Analyzing Foreign Language Test Anxiety among High School Students in an EFL Context (Note 1)

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 190
Author(s):  
Esim Gursoy ◽  
Tuba Arman
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Test Anxiety ◽  
Test Validity ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Teaching Methodology ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
School Students ◽  
Affective Factors

<p>With the increasing need to learn languages as a result of globalization there is a great demand on the part of the learners to communicate in a second/foreign language, which is also supported downwards by the governments and upwards by the parents. Among the many aspects of foreign language learning, affective factors are researched a lot as they are dependent on contexts, individual differences, cultural background, teaching methodology etc., which cause a variation in the results. The current research focuses on test anxiety as one of the major affective factors. Thus it aims to identify the level of test anxiety and its relationship with gender, grade level, and academic achievement. Moreover, the causes of test anxiety were investigated according to students’ own perceptions. A test anxiety scale and semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather the qualitative and quantitative data. The overall results showed that the participants had a moderate level of test anxiety. Females were found to be more anxious than males only in some aspects; low achievement scores provoked test anxiety with regard to a few items, and 9<sup>th</sup> graders were found to be more anxious than the 10<sup>th</sup> graders. According to participants’ own perceptions, test validity, time limit, teacher attitudes, test techniques, proctors, length of the test, testing environment and clarity of test instructions were the causes of test anxiety.</p>

Affective aspects of student authoring for foreign language learning

ReCALL ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
OFELIA R. NIKOLOVA
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Control Subjects ◽  
Level Of Satisfaction ◽  
Experimental Subjects ◽  
High Level ◽  
Experimental Group

This study compares the attitude toward instruction of two groups of participants: control subjects who used a multimedia instructional module for French created by the researcher, and experimental subjects who created their own module. Quantitative data did not yield statistically significant differences in their attitudes. In the light of additional qualitative data, possible reasons for this result are discussed: high level of satisfaction with the novelty of instruction for both groups; computer problems, lack of adequate orientation, lack of real outlet for the module and difficulty of the texts for the experimental group. Included are conclusions and recommendations for further research.

scholarly journals Feedback: understanding strategies and impact on EFL learning and teaching contexts

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-65
Author(s):  
David Felipe Espinosa Torres ◽  
Iván Camilo González Bejarano ◽  
Juliana Moreno Restrepo
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Feedback Strategies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Minimal Research

Feedback is a powerful tool that has a significant influence on student success. Its meaningful impact on learning and teaching processes has been well-documented. However, there is minimal research concerning the impact of feedback strategies on foreign language learning. This article seeks to provide a theoretical and practical understanding of the impact of feedback on foreign language teaching and learning processes. This is done through a case study research conducted in a private institution in Bogotá, Colombia. The evidence demonstrates that the feedback strategies used and the manner in which they are administered influence their effectiveness. Three main strategies were observed and analyzed: corrective, motivational, and developmental. This article concludes with a suggestion to make feedback an explicit policy of teachers’ education programs in the country.

scholarly journals THE USE OF MULTIMEDIA LINGUISTIC LABORATORIES IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING (THE CASE STUDY OF «TRANSLATION» SPECIALTY)

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 201-211
Author(s):  
Володимир Миколайович Манько ◽  
Людмила Іванівна Хіценко
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
The Future ◽  
Computer Classrooms ◽  
High Level

The research is devoted to the experimental verification of the effectiveness of multimedia language laboratories in foreign language learning (on the example of the specialty «Translation»). The study represents the capabilities of multimedia language laboratories in the foreign language learning and the advantages and disadvantages of their use. The article discusses the concepts of “multimedia technologies” as digital delivery of content using more than one medium which influences several perception channels of information, and “multimedia linguistic laboratories” as computer classrooms equipped with E-Presenter, multimedia projector, interactive whiteboard and peripheral equipment. Multimedia presentations, electronic studies manuals and Internet access are used to provide the future interpreters with necessary knowledge for doing translation. Modern multifunctional computer software gives the future interpreters the opportunity to form the competence in listening. The use of Skype and Viber helps to develop communicative skills providing communication and cultural interaction with native speakers. MLL’s software and hardware complex provides teachers with a powerful toolkit that helps to create, edit and save tests, conduct tests and collect results, quickly assess and comment on the answers. The statistical calculations confirmed that the implementation of multimedia technology in the educational process, the correct and systematic use of MLL in the foreign language learning, can not only diversify learning process, but also help the future interpreters to achieve a high level of the foreign language competence. The use of MLL revealed a number of methodological advantages over traditional ways of teaching. The authors see the prospects for further research in the creation of appropriate pedagogical conditions for implementing information and communication technologies in the process of training future interpreters.

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