scholarly journals The Effect of Using Drama in English Language Learning among Young Learners: A Case Study of 6th Grade Female Pupils in Sakaka City

Author(s):  
Nasser Alasmari ◽  
Amal Alshae’el

English is now the most frequently used language worldwide. In academia, English has become “a hyper central language” millions of students are learning for various reasons. As such, pedagogists, academicians, and language teachers seek new tools and teaching methods to help English language learners reach high proficiency levels. The use of drama as a teaching/learning tool in English language classrooms is one proposed method, justifying this study to investigate the effects of teaching English language through drama, thus deciphering the advantages of this experience and possible challenges it may pose. Data was gathered via an English language test and classroom observations. Results showed that the use of drama develops participants’ language skills, especially the communicative ones such as interactions and conversations, and yields higher proficiency levels as it motivates them to become more engaged in the learning process. These participants also displayed more responsibility and self-reliance; thus, much learning took place. These results confirmed the general claim that introducing drama activities in language classrooms positively supports language acquisition. However, introduction of such a tool presented a few challenges as well, such as the learners’ problems of L1 interference, embarrassment, and inhibition, as well as issues related to the unpredictable and open-ended nature of drama. This paper presents more implications of the findings that necessitate further research to gain a more comprehensive account of drama use in language classrooms and thus overcome the challenges presented.

IIUC Studies ◽  
2016 ◽  
pp. 173-182
Author(s):  
Md Yousuf Uddin Khaled Chowdhury

Brumfit (1979) has suggested that many commercially published ELT materials are little more than ‘masses of rubbish, skilfully marketed’. He perhaps rejects most of the published materials. However, in reality, it is observed that these ELT resources are the only available alternatives in the contexts where infra-structural limitations of language classrooms and the inefficiency of the language-teachers make the goal of language learning and teaching unreachable or unattainable for many of the learners. This paper, through a case study, aims at justifying the use of commercially published ELT coursebooks that are designed and used, considering the limitations and problems of the personally produced materials by untrained teachers. Nevertheless, these materials must consider the local market rather than the global markets so that they meet the needs of the local language learners and instructors. The case study implies that it is the selection or adaptation of the right materials for the specific learners that makes them effective or ineffective. It also suggests that the personally designed or locally produced materials too may make teaching and learning difficult and impossible sometimes.IIUC Studies Vol.10 & 11 December 2014: 173-182


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Badia Muntazer Hakim

Classroom anxiety is a recurrent phenomenon for language learners. There are various factors that cause language anxiety, the most common of which include learners’ excessive self-consciousness and self-awareness concerning their oral reproduction and performance and their peculiar, and quite often misplaced and mistaken, views and beliefs regarding different approaches. Other potential reasons for this problem could include the fear, and the consequent deterrence occasioned thereof, of encountering difficulties in language learning, specifically learners’ individual problems regarding the culture of the target language and the varying social statuses of speakers. The most important fear is, perhaps, the deterrent fear of causing damage to one’s self-identity. Therefore, while needing to paying special attention to language learners’ anxiety reactions, language teachers have a crucial role in helping their students achieve the expected performance goals in the target language. Another factor that could potentially lead to language anxiety is simply the poor command of the target language. This problem could be attributed to linguistic barriers and obstacles language learners encounter in learning and using the target language. In the current study, using a qualitative, semi-structured interview and the focus-group discussion technique, the researcher aims to investigate the factors that contribute to language anxiety among Arab language learners. It focuses on learners both within the classroom setting and without, i.e. in the social context, and recommends a number of approaches to manage and overcome this problem.


2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Seyyed Hatam Tamimi Sa’d ◽  
Fereshte Rajabi

Vocabulary constitutes an essential part of every language-learning endeavour and deserves scholarly attention. The objective of the present study was three-fold: 1) exploring Iranian English language learners’Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLSs), 2) examining language learners’ perceptions of vocabulary learning, and 3) exploring Iranian English language teachers’ Vocabulary Teaching Strategies (VTSs). In total, 145  intermediate learners of English as a foreign language, consisting of 114 males and 31 females aged 15 to 27, participated in the study. The triangulated data were collected using three tools: questionnaires, interviews, and class observations. Sixty-seven learners (31 females and 36 males) filled out a 56-statement questionnaire, adopted and adapted from Takač (2008) and translated into Persian. The questionnaire comprised two parts, enquiring as to the learners’ VLSs and the teachers’ VTSs. The findings indicated that females and males differed significantly in their reported VLSs and their teachers’ use of various VTSs. Additionally, 78 learners were interviewed as to their perceptions of effective and ineffective VLSs as well as VTSs. The findings revealed that the most effective VLSs were reported to be: a) reciting, repeating and listening to words, b) using words, and c) memorising words while the most effective VTSs revolved around: a) explanation, b) repetition, and c) dictation. The observations also confirmed the findings obtained via the questionnaire and interviews. In general, the findings are indicative of the limited repertoire of vocabulary acquisition techniques employed by Iranian EFL learners, hence the need for strategy training in how to acquire vocabulary. 


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Waheeb S. Albiladi

The growing popularity of authentic materials provides English language teachers with more resources to practice the real language in language classrooms (Guo, 2012). However, integrating these types of reading materials can be difficult and time-consuming even though there are many benefits to using them to teach language learners how to read. Real-life based texts, which are not specifically designed for educational purposes have been recognized by many educators to be effective and interesting materials. The purpose of this study was to explore language learners’ perceptions about the benefits and challenges of using authentic materials in English reading classes. The study involved 16 adult English language learners enrolled in an intensive English program. Observations of reading classes and semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. Results indicated that the use of authentic materials leads to many social and academic benefits, such as increasing students’ motivation and their cultural awareness. Findings also suggest that the use of authentic materials are encouraged as they bring the sense of authenticity and reality to the language classrooms.


2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
Alex Josef Kasula

With the current trends in our globalized society, there is a clear increase in multilinguals rise; however, the understanding of multilingual identity and policy towards education stays relatively the same. Recent investigation in multilingualism in the US has shed light on the positive impacts of alternating policy in language education with regard to a greater understanding in how translanguaging and identity impact the language learner and language learning policies (Garcia & Wei, 2013). The following article describes the development of an online multilingual literary magazine, Olowalu Review, that aimed to provide English language learners in an English-only language policy a space to translanguage. Thus, having the opportunity to develop and express their multilingual identities. Goals and the development of the magazine are described in terms relating to current multilingual theory. While the outcomes and findings reveal how Olowalu Review enabled multilinguals to foster and exercise multilingual identities and skills, raise multilingual awareness, and act as an important multilingual artifact through an analysis of written submissions and interviews with authors. Pedagogical implications are discussed to empower language teachers, learners, or artists to develop the same or similar project for their own local, national, or global community. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 550-557
Author(s):  
Ainul Azmin Md Zamin ◽  
Nor Azrul Hardi Adzmi ◽  
Maslawati Mohamad

Purpose of the study: This study aims to investigate how the use of songs in English language classrooms could aid tertiary students to increase their verb vocabulary repertoire. Methodology: This quantitative study was carried out among diploma students from a local university in Malaysia. The students were exposed to various English songs during their English lessons. Pre-test and post-test were conducted in this study. Main Findings: The use of songs can increase vocabulary acquisition among English language learners at tertiary level. The use of songs is able to provide a fun way of picking up new words. Applications of this study: The findings of this research indicate that English language teachers of tertiary students should use English songs as classroom activities to facilitate their students’ language learning and motivate them in acquiring new English vocabulary. The findings of this research are useful for university policymakers, teachers, and students. Novelty/Originality of this study: In this research, the use of English songs from contemporary genres, such as Western or Islamic songs can be an effective way to promote language learning.


SOLID ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 32
Author(s):  
Lalu Isnaeni Rahman

        ABSTRACT                                                    This Journal was intended to find out what students’ learning strategies at the non-English Department at ASM MATARAM. The case study method was used to approach the research data of 15 students at secretary class. The researcher collected the data through observation, taking notes and interviewing in one semester. Then, the researcher selected, simplified and organized the raw data which refer to the research problem being investigated.The findings of the research found that, ten of the students said that they started to learn English through experiences. To their case, they learn English by making chance to find opportunity with foreigners. And also, they always listen and repeat difficult words every single day. They listen to the songs that they do like. To them, repeating words loud is an effective way to get the good pronunciation. They also have got course to add their knowledge and make an English community to make them remember the words that they have through speaking activities.Keywords: Language Learning Strategies, Successful Learner 


Author(s):  
Joy Egbert ◽  
Reima Abobaker

There are still many aspects of language learning that are not well explained, but second language acquisition theories provide evidence for under what conditions language is learned. Key among these conditions is the opportunities that students have for input, output, social interaction, and feedback. Teachers have control over the types of opportunities that language learners have in their classrooms, and it is important that these opportunities are engaging so that learners take advantage of them and therefore learn. Technology, used to support engaging language tasks, can help this to happen. This chapter addresses the links between second language acquisition theory and engaging opportunities for young learners in language classrooms, and it explores uses of technology that can support both.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 99-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christy M. Rhodes ◽  
James Coda

For adult English language learners, the English language classroom provides a space for students to examine cultural as well other identities. However, discussions often center on racial, rather than sexual identities. In addition, attention to how adult English language instructors engage in classroom practices that focus on sexual identities is often limited. This article examines how adult educators in English language classrooms feel regarding the inclusion of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer (LGBQ) topics and materials into their curriculum and instruction. Through a web-based survey, teachers described their beliefs, practices, and challenges in creating lessons and responding to student questions in ways that broke down heteronormativity in the adult English language classroom. Findings add to the limited knowledge of how teachers in post-secondary, English language classrooms create and support a culturally responsive learning environment regarding sexual identities.


Author(s):  
Nancy Lewis ◽  
Nancy Castilleja ◽  
Barbara J. Moore ◽  
Barbara Rodriguez

This issue describes the Assessment 360° process, which takes a panoramic approach to the language assessment process with school-age English Language Learners (ELLs). The Assessment 360° process guides clinicians to obtain information from many sources when gathering information about the child and his or her family. To illustrate the process, a bilingual fourth grade student whose native language (L1) is Spanish and who has been referred for a comprehensive language evaluation is presented. This case study features the assessment issues typically encountered by speech-language pathologists and introduces assessment through a panoramic lens. Recommendations specific to the case study are presented along with clinical implications for assessment practices with culturally and linguistically diverse student populations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document