The Impact of an Intensive English Reading Course Based on the Production-Oriented Approach on the L2 Motivational Self System Among Chinese University English Majors From a Dynamic Systems Theory Perspective

This article reports on a study that took a Dynamic Systems Theory (DST) perspective to second language (L2) motivational self system (L2MSS). More specifically, it investigated the influence of an Intensive English Reading course based on the Production-Oriented Approach (POA) upon the L2MSS of Chinese university English majorsfrom the DST perspective. To this end, two intact classes composed of 50 students were assigned into experimental group (EG) (N = 23) and control group (CG) (N = 27), who responded to an L2MSS scale before and after the one-semester intervention. Eight and five students were respectively selected using the purposive sampling method from the experimental and control groups for follow-up semi-structured interviews. The quantitative results revealed that the overall and dimensional (Ideal L2 Self and L2 Learning Experience) levels of L2MSS were significantly strengthened over time in the EG while kept stable in the CG. The qualitative results suggested that the enhanced Ideal L2 Self of the participants stemmed from an attractor basin that was deepened by a number of attractors encompassing Output Tasks and Peer Performance. The interview results also showed that the increased L2 Learning Experience of the participants pertained to an attractor basin that was consolidated by an array of attractors containing Output Tasks, Teacher Guidance, Group Discussion, and Peer Assessment. The findings indicated that the attractors at the subjective and social dimensions in the POA-based course collectively worked together to cause changes in L2MSS among the participants. The implications for intervening L2 motivation from a POA approach in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms were discussed.

Authentic Project-Based Learning in Times of Crisis

The shift to an online learning environment during the Covid-19 outbreak has not been conducive enough for either active learning or fair assessment procedures that yield valid results. Accordingly, this research paper aims to investigate the extent to which Authentic Project-Based Learning engages students and hence provides a valid assessment of students’ genuine performance and proficiency during online learning in EFL communication and Intensive English courses. Using a mixed-methods design, the researchers employed the self-completion questionnaires and focus group interviews to collect their data from their 100-purposively –selected participants. The findings showed promising results in terms of engaging students in the learning process, curbing online cheating, and ensuring reliable and valid assessments of students’ performance. These results are significant in providing a pedagogical approach to be adopted by EFL educators during and after the pandemic.

IMPROVING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF GOOGLE MEET TO IMPROVE THE ASPECT AND THE COMPONENT OF SPEAKING SKILL ON THE STUDENTS FROM NON ENGLISH SPEAKING BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study is to investigate how the use of google meet can improve the speaking ability of students of iain Intensive English 1 program Syekh Nurjati Cirebon. This particular research is categorized as action research. These actions are performed in three cycles based on the class schedule. The study involved 35 students. This research data is qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data is obtained by observing the teaching and learning process in speaking classes. Meanwhile, quantitative data is obtained through tests, and questionnaires. The findings suggest that the use of Google Meet terbukti meningkatkan keterampilan berbicara mahasiswa. Therefore google meet is very suitable to be used as online or virtual learning especially in improving students' speaking skills that focus on aspects and components of student speaking skills, but there are some drawbacks that can make learning less effective and less efficient when used as a particular application in the learning and teaching process. Therefore, all educators who use application media such as google meet are able to master and professional in using the application. Hopefully this pandemic ends quickly and we can adjust how the future of education around the world goes forward. For the next researcher, can be focused on the influence of the implementation of google meet application in speaking subjects to the interest of students to improve speaking. Based on this study, researchers found students' enthusiasm is very high in learning to speak, this proves that the google meet application can improve aspects and components of student speaking because it is influenced by increased student motivation during the use of google meet application compared to other applications.

Polish LGBTQ+-Related Anglicisms in a Language Contact Perspective

Research on anglicisms in Polish has nearly a century-long tradition, yet it was Jacek Fisiak’s 1960s–1980s studies on English loanwords that initiated continuous academic interest in anglicisms, coinciding with more intensive English-Polish language contact in post-war Poland. While English loans have been well-researched in the last four decades, the ongoing intensity of English lexical influence on Polish, yielding not only new loans but also new loan types, calls for further studies, especially in the area of quickly developing professional jargons and sociolects. The influx of English-sourced lexis is reflected in the diversity of semantic fields, whose number has grown from 18 (identified in Słownik warszawski 1900–1927 ) to 45 (Mańczak-Wohlfeld 1995). A semantic field that has been underresearched in studies on Polish anglicisms is the LGBTQ+-related lexis, which has drawn from American English gayspeak, shaped by the post-Stonewall gay rights movement initiated in the 1970s. The language data analysed in this study have been collected in a two-stage procedure, which included manual extraction of anglicisms sourced in a diversified corpus of LGBTQ+-related written texts, published in Polish between 2004 and 2020. The second stage involved oral interviews which served a verification function. The aim of this study is to contribute to the lexicographic attempts at researching English-sourced LGBTQ+-related vocabulary in Polish through its identification, excerption, and classification. Assuming an onomasiological approach to borrowing, we arrange LGBTQ+-related anglicisms on a decreasing foreignness scale to identify the borrowing techniques adopted by the recipient language speakers in the loan nativization process. We also address issues related to the identification and semantics of loans, and sketch areas of research on loan pragmatic functions that need further studies.

Phonological Awareness of L1 Systemic Segmental Contrasts among Advanced ESL Speakers with Varied L1 Backgrounds

The paper explores the phonological awareness of L1 among advanced adult speakers of EFL in the context of L2 pronunciation training. The subjects are students of English with Polish, Spanish, Turkish and Russian L1 background. All subjects have participated in intensive English pronunciation instruction as part of their degree training, in the English Department at the Pedagogical University in Kraków. Two aspects are tar- geted for examination: perception of sound contrasts and awareness of contextual variants in L1, mostly those pertaining to the consonantal and vocalic inventories, all related to their L2 (English) production goals. The material is based on longitudinal examination of course test results over the span of 3 years. The analysis reveals low sound discrimination skills in the subjects’ L1, largely based on letter-to-sound correspondences and inability to see beyond print. Through explicit training in their L2 they become more sensitive to the inventory and the details of their L1 sound system, the awareness they can use to the advantage when targeting L2 sound production.

SELF ASSESSMENT FOR HIGHER LANGUAGE LEARNERS’ AUTONOMY

The objective of this research is to describe how the use of self-assessment could improve learners’ autonomy. This study employed an action research design involving freshmen of English Education Study Program University of Bengkulu as the subject of the research. This action research was conducted in the Intensive English Course. The cycle of research consisted of plan, action, observation, and reflection. The cycle consisted of fifteen meetings covering four themes of materials. During the meetings, students were instructed to do self-assessment guided by the instructor after they have finished learning each theme. The indicator of success for this research was at least 25% students were categorized as having Very High level of autonomy, while the rest were at High level of autonomy. To measure the level of learners’ autonomy, a questionnaire was used. The questionnaire covers nine aspects of autonomy with the total fifty items. It was given to the subject at the end of the cycle. From the analyzed data, it was found that after only conducting one cycle of the action research, the indicator of success in this research was achieved. Hence, there was no need to continue it to the second cycle. From the result, 30% of students were categorized as having Very High Learning Autonomy.

Enhancing Intensive English Program Reading and Writing Courses through Integrated-Skill Activities

In an increasingly competitive global Intensive English Programs (IEPs) environment (Benshoff, 2018), developing courses that efficiently meet student needs and equip students with skills essential for university success is paramount. Many IEPs develop reading and writing (RW) courses around one textbook for reading and another for writing, essentially separating RW skills from listening and speaking skills (Oxford, 2001). However, our university foundation-year program has started to integrate listening and speaking skills with instruction and assessment into RW courses. Instructors have observed what appear to be increased gains in learning when students pre-read, read, discuss, listen to related lectures, present, and then write about academic topics. Students’ writing reveals greater voice as they seem to understand topics more deeply and have developed greater fluency with ideas and terminology and an increased ability to paraphrase, summarize, and synthesize, aligning with findings in related literature (e.g., Horowitz, 1986). This integrated-skill approach also more closely resembles university tasks than the segregated-skill approach does. This article explains the integrated-skill approach, examines its impact on revitalizing IEP RW instruction, and showcases some sample activities. Keywordsreading and writing (RW), extensive reading, integrated-skill approach (ISA), student success, Intensive English Programs (IEPs)