On L2 English Learners’ Formulaic Language Use and Spoken English Fluency

This study explored the distribution of three types of English formulaic language, which involves four categories in L1 Chinese L2 English learners’ speaking performance. In addition, it investigated the relationship between the English learners’ use of formulaic language and their spoken English fluency. A CCA (canonical correlation analysis) was conducted to examine the correlations between two sets of fluency variables (dependent variables) and linguistic variables of English formulaic language use (independent variables). The fluency variable set consists of: (1) temporal indices such as SR (speech rate), AR (articulation rate), MLR (mean length of run), and PTR (phonation time ratio); (2) linguistic variables of English formulaic language like F2R (two-word formulaic sequences/run ratio, B3R (three-word lexical bundles/run ratio), and B4R (four-word lexical bundles/run ratio). These are calculated according to the frequency of the English formulaic language in the speech samples of the participants (n = 86) across three academic levels. The results indicate that the learners’ spoken English fluency is highly related to their use of English formulaic language. Its limitations and future research directions are also discussed.

Factors predicting anxiety and depression symptoms among migrant workers in the Greater China area during the early COVID-19 pandemic: A brief report

This study briefly reported the prevalence and factors predicting anxiety and depression symptoms among migrant workers in the Greater China area. An online survey was conducted between February and March 2020 among Indonesian migrant workers in Macau, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Data from 491 participants were analyzed using a series of hierarchical logistic regression. The prevalence rates for clinically meaningful symptoms of anxiety and depression were 31.8% and 26.9%, respectively. Factors predicting anxiety symptoms were age, marital status, income level, educational level, and Cantonese fluency. Older participants, married, have higher income and education, and are more fluent in Cantonese were less likely to experience anxiety than their counterparts. Factors predicting depression symptoms were age, marital status, English fluency, and Cantonese fluency. Older participants, married, and more fluent in English and Cantonese were less likely to experience depression than their counterparts. Stakeholders should consider these findings in public health planning to make it more inclusive for migrant workers.

The Pragmatics of Aeronautical English: an investigation through Corpus Linguistics / A Pragmática do inglês aeronáutico: uma investigação pela Linguística de Corpus

The ICAO Language Proficiency Rating Scale offers parameters for aeronautical English teaching and assessment focused on oral skills. It assists governments worldwide in assessing pilots and air traffic controllers’ English proficiency, licensing them for international operations. This paper addresses two of the six linguistic areas listed in the Rating Scale, namely fluency and interaction, to understand what conversational elements are present in pilot-controller communications with a view to informing pedagogical material. The analysis is based on a corpus of pilot-controller radio communications in abnormal situations, revealing a more spontaneous code as opposed to the documented Standard Phraseology mandated for routine situations. Corpus Linguistics is the methodology chosen for this investigation, concentrated on the top frequent three-word clusters extracted from the corpus. Investigation of these clusters reveals that fluency and interaction are interconnected and should be considered in a broader perspective that takes into account language in use. To illustrate, ‘we’d like’ and ‘if you can’ are commonly employed as requests in this specific register. The paper concludes by suggesting that learners’ awareness of pragmatic aspects of language is pivotal in the aviation English classroom.Keywords: Plain Aviation English; fluency; interaction; Corpus Linguistics; Pragmatics.Resumo: A Escala de Proficiência Linguística da ICAO oferece parâmetros para o ensino e a avaliação do inglês aeronáutico focado nas habilidades orais. Serve para os governos em todo o mundo avaliarem a proficiência em inglês de pilotos e controladores de tráfego aéreo, licenciando-os para operações internacionais. Este estudo aborda duas das seis áreas linguísticas elencadas na Escala, quais sejam, fluência e interação, para compreender quais elementos conversacionais estão presentes nas comunicações entre pilotos e controladores com o objetivo de subsidiar materiais pedagógicos. A análise se baseia em um corpus de comunicações via rádio entre pilotos e controladores em situações anormais, revelando um código mais espontâneo, diferentemente da Fraseologia Padrão oficial mandatória nas situações rotineiras. A Linguística de Corpus é a metodologia utilizada nesta investigação, concentrada nos mais frequentes blocos de linguagem de três palavras evidenciados no corpus de estudo. A investigação desses blocos de linguagem revela que fluência e interação são interconectadas e deveriam ser consideradas a partir da perspectiva da língua em uso. Para ilustrar, ‘we’d like’ e ‘if you can’ são normalmente empregados como solicitações. Conclui-se sugerindo que a conscientização dos aprendizes sobre aspectos pragmáticos da língua é fundamental na sala de aula do inglês aeronáutico.Palavras-chave: Plain Aviation English; fluência; interação; Linguística de Corpus; Pragmática.

Hypertension Among Asian Americans: Associations With Measures of Acculturation

We examined the association between multiple measures of acculturation and objectively measured hypertension among three Asian American groups. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 584 Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese adults. Acculturation was measured by years in the U.S., English fluency, and self-rated identity. Hypertension prevalence was 29.1%. Individuals who self-rated as “bicultural/westernized” were less likely to have hypertension as compared to those who self-rated as “Very Asian”. In the subgroup analysis, significant association between acculturation as measured by self-rated identity and hypertension was only observed among Chinese participants. Future research can benefit by acknowledging the multidimensional effects of acculturation on hypertension.

The Macedonian Fake News Industry and the 2016 US Election

ABSTRACTDuring the 2016 US presidential election, Americans were exposed to an onslaught of disinformation on social media. Many of the most viral posts originated from Veles, a small town in central Macedonia. During fieldwork in Veles, where we interviewed several residents and disinformation creators, we found that the epicenter of this viral phenomenon was Mirko Ceselkoski, an autodidact social media expert, teacher, and mentor to Veles’ fake news operators. We interviewed Ceselkoski and registered and attended his online course—the same course numerous Veles residents took offline. Our research confirms (1) the pivotal role Ceselkoski had in the creation of this industry; (2) the economic motivation driving the fake news disseminators; and (3) the manner in which the mostly young people in their early twenties with little English fluency were able to generate so much traffic and disseminate so much disinformation.

VLOG AS LEARNING MEDIA TO TRAIN ENGLISH FLUENCY AND PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILL

The collaboration of technology and media can have positive effects on teaching and learning. In modern teaching traditions, teachers must include technology into their teaching and must be able to select a suitable media so they can deliver lessons in the classroom effectively and can achieve the learning goal. This study is going to explore and elaborate the effectiveness of incorporating technology in learning process by using a media to get more engaging learning situation and to know its impacts to the students’ learning achievements, especially to their fluency and public speaking skill. To be specific, this study is trying to implement Video Blog (Vlog) as learning media in English speaking subject. The results of the observation show that, training students’ fluency and public speaking by implementing Vlog as learning media give positive impacts to the students. Vlog increases students’ encouragement in speaking. Vlog can provide fun and enjoyable learning process and it can build confidence.

A Flawed Promise

Asynchronous online learning has increased access to education for millions of people in developed nations, and the next step is to expand educational access for billions more in developing countries. The problem is that flaws in asynchronous delivery will result in unacceptably high failure rates for students with limited English fluency and different educational backgrounds. There will also be cultural issues that inhibit student success in asynchronous delivery. This chapter reviews the limitations of asynchronous learning and discusses synchronous solutions that can improve student success and satisfaction by reducing isolation and improving student support.

Teaching and learning English language - motivation

Learning a new language can be difficult, so teaching a new language inherently comes with great obstacles. To effectively teach English to someone new to the language, you have a lot to understand, including the basics of the English language, how speakers acquire a new language, and how to motivate students to succeed when they are struggling. The focus on this paper is on the basics of how to get started, including taking a hard look at how to access the motivations of new students, how to use their previous language and cultural background to your advantage, and how to get them started on the path to English fluency.

Gone, Baby, Gone

The author’s premise is that the voice industry will not return to the United States. Reflecting the analysis presented in previous chapters, this chapter offers a dim prognosis for those who wish to bring call center jobs “back home.” As the author notes, the value proposition simply isn’t there. Countries such as India and the Philippines offer labor that is both cheap (relative to the West) and skilled enough (when it comes to English fluency). The Philippines in particular has emerged as a call center “nirvana,” as a stable labor market assemblage in which firms find workers and workers find jobs offering strategic and sustainable solutions to their dilemmas.