Undergraduate Students’ Attitudes Towards Learning English in Rural University Branches in KSA: A Case Study of Al-Kamil's Branch

The present study was conducted to assess and investigate the attitudes of the Preparatory Year students towards leaning English at rural branch of the University of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. The author endeavours to examine and measure the University students’ opinions and perceptions regarding the importance of Learning English. He also attempts to explore the areas of difficulties in foreign language Learning within the rural context of AlKamil College of Sciences and Arts (Makkah, Saudi Arabia). 75 randomly selected students (40 male and 35 female) participated in this study project. In this study, the researcher opted for a mixed research method. For quantitative data collection a five-point Likert scale questionnaire was adapted from Gardner’s ‘Attitude Motivation Test Battery (AMTB) along with a silent interview for a qualitative data collection in order to assess the participants’ attitudes and perceptions regarding learning English. Overall, the results reveal that students in rural university branches in Saudi Arabia hold positive attitudes towards learning English and they are constantly attempting to improve their language proficiency. This study also explores the different obstacles impeding the students’ sought progress in language learning along with the possible solutions that may enable them to use and practise English in a more spontaneous way.

Language learning strategies used by Indonesian learners in IELTS

This study investigated the frequently used language learning strategies (LLS) by Indonesian learners in learning English for a high-stakes exam, IELTS. In addition, differences in the LLS use among participants with different proficiency were examined. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected by using an online survey by utilizing Oxford’s Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) as the instrument. Sixty-one Indonesian adult learners who had taken IELTS were involved in this study. Their IELTS score indicated their proficiency levels. Data analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). It involved a descriptive analysis to find the frequency and an independent samples t-test to see the LLS use based on proficiency. The findings revealed that the participants used various LLS in learning English for IELTS. The most frequently used strategies were metacognitive, followed by cognitive, compensative, social, affective, and memory strategies. Meanwhile, the independent samples t-test showed that the difference in the LLS use among participants with different proficiency was not noticeable. Reflecting on the results, it is proposed that English teachers in Indonesia may start growing their learners’ awareness of LLS benefits and teach them to use them properly in their learning English for IELTS.

“Teaching Strategies and Techniques to Motivate Students Learning English in the Preparatory Schools – Qatar”, an Action Study

Educational process has a great impact on the motivation of the learners, and these incentives (motives) are under the control of the teacher who directs the educational process. Accordingly, this action research is carried out to examine the effectiveness of certain teaching/ learning strategies and techniques applied for grade nine students chosen from Fatima Al-Zahra Preparatory School- Qatar to raise their motivation for learning English language. The findings show that external motivations (extrinsic) are among the most important factors in the success of learning English language, which are compensatory factors in the absence of the spontaneous desire to learn that language. The selected students have undergone varieties of active learning strategies, resources and tensive use of modern technology. The methods that are implemented in this study, include the designed questionnaire and the official exams sheets conducted on the targeted students. However, both qualitative and quantitative approaches are used to analyze the data. The present study shows that the students are academically weak in English language, not well motivated to learn English, the learning strategies, resources, and techniques utilized in the classroom proved to be effective to motivate the students and are reflected on the academic performance of the students. Therefore, the data analysis of the success ratio among the targeted students has shown an increase from 41.5% to 91.5% after the application of new strategies and techniques.

Potential Changes in Saudi Students’ Motivations and Attitudes towards Learning English as a Foreign Language after Immersion in an L2 Learning Environment

This study traces potential changes in the motivation of Saudi students studying English as a second language (L2) in the UK. It investigates whether the beliefs and motivations of these students have changed during their learning experience, and identifies the pedagogical implications of such change for English teaching, not only to Saudi students in the UK but also to Saudi students enrolled in Saudi higher education institutions. It aims to identify the reasons behind changes in motivation as well as the impact these may have on students’ attitudes towards learning English as a foreign language (EFL). Data from questionnaires, interviews, and observations are used through three phases of the English academic programme. The study subjects are newly arrived Saudi students (three PhD students and 29 Master’s students) studying in four different universities in the UK under the fields of Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, and Translation. The conceptual framework is based on Dörnyei’s L2 Motivational Self System Theory and Dörnyei & Ushioda’s motivation and L2 self-framework. Changes in motivation are usually accompanied by changes in students’ classroom involvement, attitudes towards the target language, and positive or negative impacts on the students’ outcomes and language competencies. Similar to other types of learning, L2 learning cannot take place in a vacuum. The present study has various contributions to the field of SLA. First, it validates earlier studies about the issue of motivation in linguistics, attitudes towards language, and changes in one’s self-identity as an outcome of language development. Second, it serves as an addition to the body of knowledge pertaining to motivation and attitude of Saudi students towards English as L2 and the important role of culture in this process. Further, it serves as an important contribution to how Saudi students’ L2 acquisition is understood using Dörnyei's L2 Motivational Self System.

EFL Learners’ Pedagogical Views on the Online Social Networks in EFL Classrooms

This present study aims to explore EFL learners’ pedagogical views towards the utilization of online social networks in EFL classrooms. It specifically elaborates the EFL learners’ preferences of online social networks for learning English. Moreover, the EFL learners’ English skills enhanced by utilizing online social networks were also investigated. Ten EFL learners participated in the qualitative study which employed observations and interviews in collecting qualitative data. The results show that the learners’ preferences include Facebook, blogs, WhatsApp, Twitter, podcasts and Instagram. The learners’ English skills improved include listening, writing, reading, and speaking. In conclusion, online social networks are not only designed for general communication among EFL learners, but also for engaging EFL learners to work collaboratively in learning English via online environments.

STUDENTS ATTITUDE IN LEARNING ENGLISH CONVERSATIONS

English conversation is an important lesson for Senior High School students in order to face the globalization effects. Many students considered English conversation as a controversial lesson through their positive and negative attitudes toward it. This study aimed to investigate the types of attitudes of the Senior High School students in learning English conversation, to describe the realization of the attitudes of Senior High School students in learning English conversations, and to explain the reason of the attitude which Senior High School students realized in the ways they are. The subjects of this study were 20 students consisting 12 females and 8 males at the age of 16-18 years old. The data were collected by observations and interviews then were analyzed using Interactive Models. The result showed that positive and negative attitude in learning English conversations, five types of realizations, and the reasons of the students realized their attitudes i.e. the language loyalty, language pride, and awareness of language norms. It was concluded that the students’ attitude varied as to positive and negative ones and realized in numerous manners affected by several factors. Keywords: Discourse Markers, Students Interactions, Nonformal Education, Conversation

Multilingual Youth Perspectives on Humanizing Core Practices

In this chapter, the authors draw upon the teaching practices multilingual youth identified as important to their learning in the classroom, to add to the field's understanding of core practices for teaching multilingual learners. This qualitative study highlights various strategies that secondary immigrant multilingual youth recommend teachers use when supporting learning in the classroom, some that bolster the existing research base on learning English as an additional language, and others that were relatively new contributions based on youth perspectives. A close examination of the multilingual youth perspectives and experiences has implications for creating and sustaining humanizing and equitable pedagogical practices in the classroom.