Academic Language Research Articles

Design And Development of Arabic Language Camp For Postgraduate Islamic Studies

The Design and Development Research (DDR) approach is an increasingly employed research method by education researchers, as it aims to produce a product through specific stages. Therefore, this study aims to explain and detail the design and development aspects of an Arabic language camp called the Academic Arabic Language Camp (KeMBAA), which utilizes the Design and Development Research approach (DDR). This language camp targets the participation of new postgraduate students in the religious studies department at the Faculty of Islamic Studies, National University of Malaysia. Developing and implementing KeMBAA is an effort to design, develop, and execute a product that incorporates DDR elements such as multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approaches, mixed methodologies, cycles, and various other components. KeMBAA aims to provide an Arabic language learning experience in an interactive and enjoyable environment for students who are accustomed to traditional Arabic language teaching methods, which require a new touch through more impactful innovation. This study employs the DDR approach, executed through three main phases: the needs analysis phase, the design and development phase, and concluding with the assessment phase. The study's findings present the key features of KeMBAA, alongside the foundational design principles, as an innovation in Arabic language learning for Islamic Studies students. The framework for developing KeMBAA is expected to serve as a reference for Arabic language teaching innovation, particularly for researchers in Arabic and foreign languages.

From Pen to Pixel

The use of digital technologies in higher education is continually increasing, leading to changes in language use and presumably altering the language skills needed for academic studies. However, scores from high-stakes English language proficiency (ELP) tests used in postsecondary admissions only ensure the prerequisite level of traditional English skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking). Such tests generally do not directly assess technology-mediated language skills (e.g., using online dictionaries and communicating via text message) that likely facilitate successful degree completion for international students. We present results from a needs analysis survey to re-evaluate the English-medium postsecondary linguistic landscape (i.e., update the target language use domain description), to inform ELP admissions tests. We specifically investigate international student (n = 379) and disciplinary instructor (n = 427) perceptions of the importance and frequency of technology-mediated language skills. Results show that student and instructor responses differ on certain technology-mediated skills, such as typing on a smartphone, underscoring the need to consider diverse perspectives in domain analysis research. Findings may inform how digital ELP admissions tests are developed, and how English for academic purposes curricula are designed, in order to better align test/classroom tasks with the academic language skills postsecondary students need.

Are WIDA Test Results Appropriately Reflecting Multilingual Learners’ Language Skills According to ESOL Teachers’ Experiences?

Within the field of multilingual learner (ML) education, ESOL teachers’ voices are often overlooked and underrepresented despite their integral role in developing productive and knowledgeable future citizens. This study sheds light on the experiences of ESOL teachers that administer the federally mandated annual standardized testing created by World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA). It uses focus-group interviews to gather qualitative data from two neighboring school districts in order to gain insight into the WIDA assessments’ reflection of language proficiency. WIDA testing evaluates English language development by measuring academic and social language skills within the four language domains: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. MLs without severe, classified disabilities in grades K-12 participate annually in the Assessing Comprehension and Communication of English State-to-State (ACCESS) assessment by WIDA. Results place students into proficiency categories ranging from entering (a student new to English) to bridging (a near-fluent ML), as defined by the WIDA language proficiency standards. The interviews allowed the ESOL teachers to share their experiences with MLs’ classroom performances in the four testing domains compared to their performances on the online WIDA assessments. The interview data was analyzed and categorized into three main themes based on teacher responses: assessment preparation techniques, common perceptions of the assessment, and proposed changes to improve the assessment. Each of these themes, with their local and national implications, are discussed as they affect the nature of ESOL instruction and assessment.

Exploring the Effect of Language-related Academic Emotions on Foreign Language Achievement: A Systematic Review and Meta Analysis

Language-related academic emotions, especially foreign language anxiety (FLA) and foreign language enjoyment (FLE) have been widely explored, and foreign language boredom (FLB) has gradually attracted more and more attention. Previous research has examined the relationship between language-related academic emotions (FLE, FLA, and FLB) and language performance, but the findings have been inconsistent. By synthesizing the existing literature, we aim to provide a clearer understanding of the relationship between these emotions and language performance. Thirty-nine studies with 130 independent samples from 9 countries and 91,405 participants were included in our meta-analysis. The results show that FLE has a positive impact on foreign language achievement(r=0.339), while FLA and FLB have negative impacts (r=-0.259 and r=-0.288, respectively). FLE emerges as the most significant factor affecting foreign language achievement. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression analysis were performed to examine potential moderators, revealing that age and linguistic differences do not have a significant impact on this relationship, but education level and the type of achievement measure play a crucial role in mediating the effects of FLE and FLA on language achievement. The findings provide evidence for the effectiveness of language-related emotions on language achievement and have important implications for language learning research and practice.

Who Has Authority over Their Knowledge? A Case Study of Academic Language Use in Science Education

Who Has Authority over Their Knowledge? A Case Study of Academic Language Use in Science Education

Academic register anxiety? – How language ideologies influence university students’ oral participation

Abstract This paper deals with the registers of spoken language in university classes, their prestige, and the language ideologies linked to them. I will show that, due to these ideologies, the academic registers can trigger strong emotions that hinder oral participation. Previous research on language anxiety has revealed that formal situations are an important trigger. Therefore, the academic context is an interesting research site for language or register anxiety, as it offers a range of highly formal communicative situations. Academic language can be conceptualized as a set of distinctive registers that must be acquired by students. However, it is seldom made explicit which linguistic competences are expected and that their acquisition is a process. This might trigger feelings of anxiety in the classroom, especially for students who perceive themselves as not mastering these registers or who have already experienced unbelonging or exclusion due to their linguistic repertoire. Based on qualitative interviews with students from a German university, I will show that proficiency in the academic registers is often perceived as competence and knowledge in the respective discipline. This ideology together with other factors can lead to less or no oral participation in class.

Teaching note-taking in EMI: an experimental study in Economics and Business Administration

Abstract Learning to take effective notes is particularly difficult for non-English-native university students enrolled on English Medium Instruction (EMI) courses. However, time and cost constraints mean that many universities provide no support in English for academic purposes or academic skills. One solution to this problem would be to work closely with subject lecturers to develop training that can be delivered within the framework of the EMI content courses themselves. We developed a pilot programme for training students to take effective notes in English and applied it within the context of a first-year content course in Economics and Business Administration at a Spanish university. The students improved on several measures from the pre-test to the post-test, and provided positive feedback. They particularly appreciated learning how to build outlines, simplify information, and use abbreviations and symbols. Questionnaire responses indicated that they had found the training useful and appreciated the possibilities for direct application of the new skills acquired in their other EMI courses. Further research on how to train students in academic language competences within the ecologically valid setting of the EMI classroom itself could include support with subject-focused academic writing and speaking skills.

Examining The Foundations Of Academic Books: A Longmanian Analysis Of The Oxford Eap Elementary/A2 Student Book

This article delves into the analysis of the Oxford EAP Elementary/A2 Student Book using the analytical framework developed by M.H. Longman. The focus lies on comprehending the structure, content, and learning objectives embedded within the textbook. Through the Longmanian framework, various aspects such as clarity, consistency, relevance to learning objectives, variation in material presentation, and student engagement are evaluated. The analysis aims to provide insights into how the book is designed and utilized in educational contexts, thereby enhancing its effectiveness in supporting student learning at the Elementary/A2 level in academic language contexts. Additionally, the integration of language skills and academic skills within the book is explored to assess its role in preparing students for success in English-speaking academic environments at university level.

Νέοι εκπαιδευτικοί, νέες συνθήκες και νέα εργαλεία για την εκπαίδευση παιδιών με μεταναστευτικό και προσφυγικό υπόβαθρο

The main objective of the Language Curriculum is to make the educational system responsive to the new conditions that have emerged in schools. Considering the requirements of the Curricula, new learning tools were used in this research and were applied in the context of language teaching at primary schools at the Department of Primary Education, University of the Aegean. These tools included a combination of theories, i.e. Cummins' (2005) theory for the development of Academic Language Proficiency, approaches about New Learning (Kalantzis & Cope, 2005) and Transformative Pedagogy (Cummins, 2005; Kalantzis & Cope, 2013). The aim of the research was for future teachers to learn how to support the multilingual students in schools in critically processing the diverse textual types in the language lessons, thereby achieving both the development of linguistic and communicative competence and the interaction of the school community with the wider society.

Adolescent English Learners’ Awareness of Disciplinary Writing and Academic Language in Science Classrooms: The Affordances of a Register-Functional Perspective

ABSTRACT This article reports findings from a study that investigated English learners’ (ELs’) developing awareness of disciplinary writing and academic language in science courses in a U.S.-based high school. Based on an analysis of writing samples, this case study first introduces the situational and linguistic characteristics of two science writing tasks in forensics and oceanography. The author then explores ELs’ developing understanding of science writing and academic science language via ethnographically oriented interviews. Informed by the Register-Functional perspective and Academic Literacies frameworks, the analyses demonstrate higher EL sensitivity to vocabulary, but not grammatical structures yet. Writing practices in science classes shape ELs’ understanding of disciplinary writing in unexpected directions. The situational analysis of writing and ELs’ perspectives provide a systematic approach for understanding learner needs in writing and integrating language into content instruction. Implications for EL education in science and teacher collaborations are provided.

Connecting collaborative practicums to beliefs: The development of nonnative student teachers’ self-efficacy in native-nonnative trainee collaboration

This qualitative study aimed to fill a research gap by examining the development of self-efficacy beliefs among nonnative-speaking student teachers (NNSTs) in teaching languages other than English. Situated in an international teacher education program for Chinese as a second/foreign language, this study explored the impacts of collaborative practicums on the self-efficacy beliefs of 17 NNSTs while they worked with 28 native-speaking student teachers (NSTs). The collaborative tasks included peer discussions, microteaching, peer observations, and peer feedback. The NNSTs' reflective essays were collected as primary data, supplemented by peer discussion and microteaching videos and peer feedback questionnaires. Using a qualitative methodology that integrated emotion coding and thematic analysis, the study revealed that all four tasks positively influenced NNSTs' self-efficacy beliefs by satisfying their professional engagement intentions. However, tasks involving verbal interactions between NNSTs and NSTs had adverse effects on NNSTs' self-efficacy beliefs, attributed to the limited academic language proficiency of NNSTs and the unsympathetic reactions and linguistic superiority displayed by NSTs. Finally, a three-phase collaborative practicum framework was proposed for language teacher education programs involving mixed native and nonnative trainee groups. This framework highlights the importance of developing inclusive interventions to foster the mutual recognition of nonnative-speaking teachers' values.

The Effects of General Anesthesia on Infants and Children's Later Development: A Comprehensive Systematic Review

The relationship between pediatric neurodevelopment and general anesthesia has been the subject of numerous investigations, yet consensus remains elusive. Objective: This review aims to explore the connection between anesthesia and child development. We conducted a thorough search of Google Scholar, PubMed, and ProQuest databases from January 2000 until March 2024, using relevant search terms such as “Adolescent,” “Anesthesia, General/ adverse effects,” “Child,” “Child Development / drug effects,” and “Preschool” resulted in 40 out of 1572 studies for reviewed. The review focused on assessing the impact of general anesthesia on children's development, excluding studies involving children with significant comorbidities or lacking unexposed controls. Two coders independently evaluated the studies, adhering to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews criteria. Our analysis of 40 primary studies unveiled a broad spectrum of outcomes regarding the impact of general anesthesia on infants and children's subsequent development. Across cognitive domains, anesthesia altered academic achievements, IQ, and language proficiency. Sensory responses were diverse, with anesthesia affecting manual dexterity, balance, and sensory performance uniquely. Psychosocially, it influenced behavior, social skills, and neuropsychological disorders, while neurodevelopmental concerns were also identified. In summary, the effects of general anesthesia on various developmental domains underscore the need for cautious consideration in medical practice. This review revealed cognitive decline, diverse sensory impacts, and increased behavioral issues, anxiety, and neurodevelopmental disorders associated with general anesthesia. Understanding these effects is crucial for implementing effective prevention and management strategies to mitigate long-term complications.

English for Islamic Philosophy: A Development of Digital Dictionary of English Loanword

PurposeThe aim of this research was to investigate the suitability of loanwords to the needs of students majoring in Islamic philosophy, analyze the design interface of the English loanword dictionary application, and understand how they access and use the dictionary. MethodThis study made uses of Research & Development design, a research method used to produce a work or product. The first stage is the preliminary research stage, followed by the product development stage, then the model validation stage, the trial effectiveness stage, and finally, the dissemination or publication and product socialization stage. The research engaged the students and the lecturers as the key informant taken randomly from the Islamic philosophy study program. The data were analyzed qualitatively using the concept of friendly android bilingual dictionary.Results/findingsThe research findings indicated that an English loanword dictionary with comprehensive features was highly beneficial for Islamic philosophy students. This dictionary helped students to understand the terms, and use them in their contexts of Islamic philosophy. The application's user-friendly features enhanced accessibility, with a clear home screen and intuitive navigation.ConclusionThe study concluded that the loanword app played significant role in helping students understanding Islamic philosophy terminology. Future research could explore the app's impact on students' academic performance, language proficiency, and critical thinking skills.

Evaluating Students’ Engagement in Feedback through an Academic Literacy Approach

In the context of higher education, the development of academic literacy is crucial in enhancing students' ability to use academic language for critical thinking and information analysis. This ability serves as the foundation for effective academic writing skills. This study highlights the challenges faced by students in the Faculty of Education at Lambung Mangkurat University regarding academic literacy, including difficulties in explaining the background of the problem, formulating research objectives clearly, and developing coherent arguments. Furthermore, the importance of academic literacy practices in a social context is emphasized, where students need to identify valued communication practices within specific disciplines. The research findings indicate that learning activities are still focused on learning objectives that overlook academic literacy practices. Therefore, it is essential for educators to provide constructive feedback to students to help them develop an academic identity that aligns with teachers' expectations.

Examining Performance on an Integrated Writing Task from a Canadian English Language Proficiency Test

Many English language proficiency (ELP) tests used for university admissions and placement now include integrated writing tasks that require examinees to use external sources when writing. Integrated writing tasks improve test authenticity and impact, but they raise several validity questions, such as what academic language skills they engage and whether performance on these tasks varies with examinee ELP level. This study addresses these questions with reference to an integrated writing task from the Canadian Academic English Language (CAEL) Test that involves reading, listening, and writing in academic contexts. Responses by 59 students to one of the CAEL integrated writing tasks are analyzed in terms of various grammatical, discourse, sociolinguistic, strategic, content, and source use aspects and compared across ELP levels (high and low) and score levels. The findings indicate that both ELP level and score level had significant effects on most writing features examined in the study, except for syntactic complexity. Additionally, except for syntactic complexity, all writing dimensions examined in the study were significantly associated with writing scores. The findings and their implications for the validity argument of source-based writing tasks are discussed.

Podcasting as a form of assessment: increasing student motivation in academic English-speaking assessment

This research paper explores podcasting as a viable assessment technique in current academic English language teaching pedagogy. The study was done with two 3rd-year university classes who created the podcast in groups of four as an academic English-speaking exam with the goal being to enhance the student’s intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, through self-determination theory, to assess the students’ speaking skills. Motivation is the core concept of this study, and it aligns with current trends in technology and a desire among students for speaking assignments to reflect real-world practices. Critique on the podcast as a form of academic English-speaking assessment was given in the form of questionnaire surveys and interviews with students from the selected classes, with the results presented giving evidence that podcasting is a suitable alternative method in assessing university student’s academic speaking skills. It was seen to increase motivation, enhance self-efficacy, and encourage speaking in a suitably congenial environment.

We Have to Talk About Something: Why NOT Talk About the Curriculum? A Guide to Embedding Language Interventions in Curricular Content.

Children with developmental language disorder frequently have difficulty with both academic success and language learning and use. This clinical focus article describes core principles derived from a larger program of research (National Science Foundation 1748298) on language intervention combined with science instruction for preschoolers. It serves as an illustration of a model for integrating language intervention with curricular content delivery. We present a five-step model for a speech-language pathologist and other school professionals to follow to (a) understand the grade-level core curriculum objectives; (b) align intervention targets with the curriculum; (c) select a therapy approach that aligns with both goals and curricular content, and (d) methods for implementing the intervention; and (e) verify that both the intervention and the curriculum have been provided in accordance with best practices. We apply this model to the Next Generation Science Standards, a science curriculum popular in the United States, and to grammar and vocabulary interventions, two areas of difficulty for children with developmental language disorders, though it would be possible to extend the steps to other curricular areas and intervention targets. We conclude by discussing the barriers and benefits to adopting this model. We recognize that both speech-language pathologists and teachers may have limited time to implement language intervention within a general education curriculum, but we suggest that the long-term benefits outweigh the barriers.

Strategie uczenia się słownictwa specjalistycznego

CLIL (Content Language Integrated Learning) is defined as the integration of specific content with language learning objectives. In higher education, it refers to the simultaneously teaching academic content and language skills in a given language. The core concept revolves around the use of a second/foreign language to acquire knowledge, while while concurrently enhancing language skills and vocabulary, including the acquisition of new specialist terms. Developing the lexical subsystem as a an integral component of linguistic competence is particularly important in the process of linguistic reception and production. Vocabulary learning strategies prove invaluable in this context. The discussion on the strategy of learning lexis in a foreign language appeared in the academic literature at the end of the last century. Previously, this matter was addressed in research on learning strategies and communication strategies. In academia, knowledge of professional vocabulary and terminology is indispensable for mastering specialist content taught in a second language. Learners must not only grasp the meaning of concepts, but also employ them with precision. So how do students learn new specialist vocabulary, and which lexis learning strategies do they use? This article aims to present the results of my own research on the application of specialized vocabulary learning strategies by students of economic sciences.

Development of a multilingual online course with the language support for teaching physics in English

<span lang="EN-US">Distance education offers an alternative to traditional teaching methods, particularly online courses. During the pandemic, the role of information and communication technologies in the field of education has increased and is used to organize both synchronous and asynchronous learning. However, not all information and communication technology (ICT) tools and platforms provide the necessary functionality for developing online courses in the direction of language integration. This article discusses the issues of creating a multilingual online course of physics in English with the necessary language support and additional functions for the development of students’ academic language. The study used such methods as a survey, focus groups, analytical and descriptive methods, and empirical research. The key features of the developed course are the use of various types of content and methods for assessing both subject and language knowledge and skills. The presented survey results, data on summative assessment (SE), and trial testing show the effectiveness of the developed course modules. The conclusions and results described in the article will be useful to teachers of natural sciences in general education and private schools, especially those using international programs, deputy directors, as well as teachers who teach their subjects in a second or third language.</span>

Design principles for post-PELA discipline-specific language programs

In this paper, we present and illustrate four principles used to develop discipline-specific academic language tutorials for students who enter university with low levels of academic language proficiency. The tutorials are part of a university-wide language support program following a post enrolment language assessment (PELA). The principles respond to recent arguments about the importance of post-PELA language support being integrated into the overall university curriculum, being directly relevant to students’ needs, and being discipline and context specific. Drawing on sociocultural theories of language learning, we outline each principle and then illustrate them with practical frameworks and activities used in academic language development tutorials at a university in Australia. We also provide a discipline-specific language development tutorial plan that incorporates all four principles. These principles will be of interest to practitioners both in English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) centres and in university language programs planning discipline-specific language development activities.