Motivations to enrol in EMI programmes in China: an exploratory study

A recent interest in English Medium Instruction (EMI) has led to the flourishing of studies that examine motivation in EMI classrooms. Some of these studies tend to compare language learning motivation of students who are and are not enrolled in EMI programmes (see e.g. Doiz, Aintzane, David Lasagabaster & Juan Manuel Sierra. 2014. CLIL and motivation: The effect of individual and contextual variables. The Language Learning Journal 42(2). 209–224; Sylvén, Liss Kerstin & Amy S. Thompson. 2015. Language learning motivation and CLIL: Is there a connection? Journal of Immersion and Content-Based Language Education 3(1). 28–50), showing that EMI learners are typically more motivated than their peers in non-EMI contexts. This has led to the common perception that learners enrol in EMI primarily to improve their English. Yet, there is a dearth of comprehensive studies exploring learners’ reasons behind their enrolment in EMI programmes and how these change throughout their studies. To address this gap, 247 university students from a range of universities across China filled in the questionnaire, which included scales pertaining to reasons for choosing an EMI programme. The data were analysed in SPSS. The results show that enhanced future job opportunities, opportunities for contact with an international community as well as potential gains in learning content and language specific vocabulary are the most strongly endorsed drivers that motivate EMI students to undertake their studies in English. They also tend to pursue their ideal visions of themselves as bilingual professionals and derive pleasure from EMI classes. To a lesser extent, students are motivated by what is expected of them and the actual pedagogy in the language classroom. Their motivation tends to stay stable over their years of study. However, the survey also revealed that not all students are equally motivated and resolved to continue with EMI studies. The findings highlight that, whereas students tend to be strongly motivated, there is a potential to improve the delivery of EMI courses.

In Memorium: Dr. Karen Swan

The community that makes up the Online Learning journal lost a colleague, leader, and dear friend recently. Dr. Karen Swan, a founding member of the Online Learning Consortium and the James J. Stukel Distinguished Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Illinois Springfield passed away on September 5, 2021. Karen was a central figure on the editorial board of this journal and we will miss her wisdom, kindness, and spirit.

EFEKTIVITAS PENGGUNAAN LEARNING JOURNAL DALAM PEMBELAJARAN ONLINE

Learning journal dipercaya efektif dalam meningkatkan hasil belajar mahasiswa. Dalam pembelajaran online apakah penggunaan learning journal juga efektif? Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektifitas penggunaan learning journal dalam pembelajaran online. Desain penelitian menggunakan nonequivalent control group design” tipe posttest only control group design (POCGD). Pengumpulan data menggunakan instrumen tes dan non tes. Instrumen non tes berupa angket yang digunakan untuk mengetahui persepsi mahasiswa terhadap penggunaan learning journal. Instrument tes digunakan untuk mengetahui tingkat pengetahuan mahasiswa terhadap materi perkuliahan. Subjek penelitiannya adalah mahasiswa PGSD Universitas Mataram. Jumlah mahasiswa pada kelas eksperimen dan kelas kontrol masing-masing sejumlah 38 mahasiswa. Data dianalisis menggunakan statistik. Masalah dalam penelitian ini bagaimana pengaruh penggunaan learning journal terhadap hasil belajar mashasiswa? Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penggunaan learning journal tidak dapat meningkatkan hasil belajar mahasiswa. Rata rata hasil belajar pada kelas kontrol lebih tinggi dari pada kelas eksperimen. Penyebab kegagalan dapat diketahui berdasarkan angket responden yang menunjukkan bahwa mahasiswa merasa terbebani dengan adanya learning journal

Developing Guidelines for the Internationalisation of Education Programmes from Sojourners’ Experience using Merriam’s (2009) two-level Analysis.

This study was an impetus from the experiences of two Malaysian students who embarked on a credit transfer programme to Universitas Islam Negeri Walisongo, Indonesia. The programme was to uphold the Internationalisation of Education (ILe) as proposed by a public university in Malaysia. The aim of the study was to explicate the successes and challenges that the students had endeavoured during the programme for 6 months. The methods employed were document analysis and interview. The data were collected via learning journal entries which the students submitted through email to be compiled by the researchers as well as their final report which was submitted at the end of the programme. In order to triangulate the data, they were then interviewed once they came back to Malaysia. The data from both methods were analysed thematically following Merriam’s (2009) two-level analysis. Four themes emerged from the data – experiences, public relations, independence and communication skills. Each of the theme details both successes and challenges. These findings provide input for a draft of guidelines for any faculty or university to conduct a credit transfer programme in the future.

Chants, raps and songs: how they enhance language memorisation

This action research study aims to show how chants, raps and songs can enhance language memorisation in an English as a Foreign Language classroom and what contributes to it. During my second practicum period I collected data through questionnaires, worksheets, observation grids, a learning journal and students’ interviews. These tools helped me understand what is behind chants, raps and songs when teaching a foreign language. I learned that my students loved rhythm, rhymes, repetition, gestures, imitation, body language, intonation and that all of these combined were a booster to language memorisation. There was language appropriation and children were able to recall chants, raps and songs taught in the class through repetition, gestures and rhythm. These contributed to “maximise language pronunciation, intonation, ear training…” (Brewster, Ellis & Gerard, 2002, p.164). They have beats that contribute to language learning through the repetition of chunks, enhancing memory ability.

The Transformation of Learning at Special Schools on The Learning from Home Policy During the Covid 19-Pandemic

The transformation of learning at special schools during the covid-19 pandemic is done at home through the implementation of online learning. The aim of online learning is to provide the best teaching for students with special needs based on their potential and characteristics. The interesting and unique characteristics of students affects the important of management in online learning. Indeed, providing education services remains a top priority which can be done with respect to some components namely: 1) Enhance self-motivation and commitment, 2) Create schedule and learning journal once a week with regards to the characteristics of the students, 3) Collaborate and coordinate with parents and teachers, 4) Evaluate by providing ratings and give rewards to students so that students feel enthusiast during learning at home during in this covid-19 pandemic. The whole component is carried out in an integrated and continuous holistic manner, so that the transformation in the learning process in special schools can be carried out in line with students’ characteristics.