scholarly journals A Study on the Relationship between Iranian EFL Learners’ Beliefs and Their Writing Ability

Author(s):  
Javad Javadi ◽  
Shahrokh Jahandar ◽  
Morteza Khodabandehlou
2001 ◽  
Vol 133-134 ◽  
pp. 227-239 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Reza Kiany ◽  
M. Khezri Nejad

Abstract The purpose of this research was to explore the relationship between English proficiency, writing ability, and the use of conjunctions in Iranian EFL learners' compositions. To this end, four research questions were formulated : (1) Is there any relationship between English proficiency of Iranian EFL learners and the extent to which they use particular groups of conjunctions (additive, adversative, causal, temporal)? (2) Is there any relationship between English proficiency of Iranian EFL learners and their writing ability? (3) Is there any relationship between writing ability of Iranian EFL learners and the use of conjunctions? (4) What is the relative importance of the four groups of conjunctions and English proficiency in predicting the writing ability? The study involved 120 male and female English learners of Kish Language Institute studying at different levels: Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced. Two data gathering devices were employed: a NELSON test compatible with English knowledge of the subjects (version 300-A), and two compositions. The topics assigned for the compositions were “Describe your city, Tehran” and “Describe your English teacher". The students wrote the first composition in a session along with taking NELSON and the second one after a two-week interval. In each examination, the subjects wrote a text including about 150 to 200 words. The analyses included Correlation, ANOVA, Chi-square, and Multiple Regression to display the relationship between the above-mentioned variables. The results indicated taht the High group of proficiency has a significant superiority over the Mid and the Mid group over the Low one on the writing scores. The use of Chi-square analysis displayed which level of proficiency or which level of writing use which type(s) of conjuction more. Multiple regression, then, identified which variable(s) are more important or contribute more to writing scores.


Author(s):  
Marco Cancino

Abstract Research addressing the effect of interest on learning has been thoroughly discussed in learning theory (Renninger et al., 2014). From this rich research field, topic interest has been put forward as a relevant variable in learning in general (Hidi, 2001; Renninger, 2009), and in L2 reading comprehension (Brantmeier, 2006; Eidswick, 2009). However, research focusing on the extent of its influence on L2 incidental vocabulary learning has been scarce (Lee & Pulido, 2017). Thus, this study sought to explore the relationship between topic interest and L2 vocabulary learning by asking 55 male EFL learners at a technological university in Chile to read texts in two conditions (high topic interest and low topic interest) and then assessing incidental learning and retention of twenty target words. Results suggest that topic interest influenced the vocabulary gains made by learners, and that the relationship between topic interest and vocabulary learning and retention can be mediated by dictionary look-up behaviour. Findings are discussed with a focus on the pedagogical actions that can increase learner topic interest.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 185-214
Author(s):  
Hanna Kivistö-de Souza

Abstract: This study examined to what extent L1 Brazilian Portuguese (BP) EFL learners are aware of L2 phonotactics and whether there would be a relationship between L2 phonotactic awareness and L2 pronunciation accuracy. The language learners were tested regarding their awareness of L2 onset consonant clusters with a lexical decision task presenting nonword stimuli with legal and illegal onset clusters. L2 pronunciation was measured with a Foreign Accent Rating Task. The results showed that L1 BP participants showed a high awareness concerning L2 phonotactics, not differing from L1 English speakers, t(86)=.20, p =.83. Furthermore, high phonotactic awareness was found to be related to higher accuracy in L2 pronunciation (r= -.46, p <.001). The results suggest that phonotactics should be taught in foreign language classrooms since increasing learners’ awareness might be beneficial for the accuracy of their L2 pronunciation.


Author(s):  
Adel Dastgoshadeh ◽  
Parviz Birjandi ◽  
Kaveh Jalilzadeh

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