Advanced English Language Research Articles

Navigating the Complexities of Domain Specific English: Analyzing the Influence of Digital Media on the Metacognitive and Linguistic Competence of Management Students

In an increasingly digital world, the role of digital media in shaping the linguistic and metacognitive abilities of management students has become a focal point for academic inquiry. This study aims to explore the influence of digital media on the development of domain-specific English skills among management students, with a particular focus on metacognitive and linguistic competencies. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research examines how exposure to and engagement with digital content tailored to the management domain impacts students' ability to comprehend, analyze, and apply complex linguistic constructs in professional contexts. Quantitative data were collected through standardized language proficiency tests and metacognitive awareness inventories, while qualitative insights were gathered through interviews and focus group discussions. The findings suggest that digital media, when strategically integrated into the learning process, significantly enhances both metacognitive and linguistic competencies, thereby better preparing students for the demands of the management field. The study concludes with recommendations for incorporating digital media more effectively into management education curricula to foster advanced English language skills and critical thinking abilities.

English Vowel Perception in Spanish-English Bilingual Preschoolers: Multiple-Talker Input Is Only Beneficial for Children With High Language Exposure Levels.

This study examines English vowel perception in Spanish-English bilingual preschoolers, comparing bilinguals' perception patterns to those of monolinguals and examining how child internal (age) and external variables (input quantity and input diversity) predict perceptual performance. Sixty children between 3;6 and 5;6 (years;months) of age participated in the study, 28 of whom were Spanish-English bilinguals and 32 English monolinguals. Perception was assessed through a forced-choice minimal-pair identification task in which children heard synthesized audio stimuli (i.e., "sheep" and "ship") that varied systematically along the /i-ɪ/ continuum and were asked to match them with one of two pictures. The data were analyzed with Bayesian mixed-effects logistic regression analyses, modeling responses as a function of continuum step, language background (monolingual or bilingual), age, English exposure (i.e., input quantity), and number of English input providers (i.e., input diversity). The results indicate that, despite displaying nonnative English stop voicing perception in a previous study, the same bilingual children showed English /i-ɪ/ perception patterns that did not differ from those of monolinguals. While age did not predict vowel perception, input quantity and diversity jointly interacted to moderate how well children perceived the /i-ɪ/ contrast. Specifically, diverse input promoted perceptual performance in children who received high levels of English exposure-and who presumably had more advanced English language skills, whereas it limited perceptual performance in children with more limited English exposure and skills. This study shows that bilingual children can show monolingual-like perception patterns for some sounds while displaying nontarget perception for others. This is the first study to demonstrate that language exposure mediates the role of input diversity on speech sound development, suggesting that varied input can be more or less beneficial for speech sound development based on the learner's language learning stage.

Inclusive education: Bridging the gap between online and face-to-face teaching modalities

In the post-COVID-19 era, higher education institutions worldwide are increasingly adopting a blend of online and face-to-face teaching. The pandemic-induced shift to remote learning has prompted concerns about the inclusivity of online education compared to traditional classroom settings. This study aimed to evaluate the principles of inclusive education across both modalities, drawing on the experiences of (85) students from Birzeit University during the second semester of the 2022-2023 academic year. Three courses were examined: Scientific Research Methodology, Applied Action Research in Inclusive Education and Special Education, and Advanced English Language. Following a qualitative approach and descriptive analysis, the study collected data through students' reflective journals, in which they described their experiences with both teaching modes. The analysis was guided by UNESCO's 2017 inclusive education framework categorized into four domains: diversity and alignment in teaching methods, active participation and interaction, accessibility of educational materials and equity and justice. Findings indicated that although students generally perceived face-to-face teaching as more inclusive, there are potential benefits of a blended approach were also acknowledged, suggesting that combining online and face-to-face methods could enhance inclusivity. The study recommended a blended teaching approach to improve accessibility and flexibility, providing options that accommodate students' diverse needs, preferences and impairments. Additionally, it emphasized the importance of equitable access to technology and the internet to overcome barriers in hybrid learning, ensuring that no student is left behind.

CLIL technology in teaching the English Language of Journalism

Importance. The scientific problem is identified, which consists in the need to study tools that develop the integrated subject-language competence of graduates of non-linguistic areas of study, which underlies the successful functioning of specialists in the labor market, as well as the purpose of the study is to show the importance of the subject-language integrated approach (CLIL) in the formation of this competence.Materials and Methods. Information about the object of study is given, which are educational materials used in teaching English journalism, as well as answers and speeches by students of advanced English language proficiency. The research methods, including observation, description, analysis and synthesis, are indicated.Results and Discussion. The specific author’s results of the conducted research are presented, including a description of the apparatus of exercises on the topic “Manipulation and psychology” in journalism, as well as answers and speeches of students. It is noted that most of the tasks are focused on obtaining professional knowledge using the English language. A foreign language is more a means than a goal of learning here. The purely linguistic component of the educational apparatus is small. However, during the course of study, relying mainly on the material of a subjectthematic orientation, students develop all types of speech activity (speaking, listening, reading, writing) and form appropriate language skills.Conclusion. It is proved that the most important place in the work on the topic is occupied by the preparation and presentation of the project. It is proved that subject-language integrated training is an effective method in the development of integrated subject-language competence of future journalists.

A Sociolinguistic Investigation of Making Request Among Sudanese learners at Sudan University for Science and Technology

This study aims to understand how advanced English language learners in Sudan employ request strategies. The study’s individuals are university-level English language learners. The testing instrument used is "discourse completion tasks". Following Blum-Kulka et al.’s (1989) classification of request methods, the participants’ replies were examined. Based on the data, conventional indirect techniques are the most utilised type of tactics in both formal and informal cases. The study recommends that advanced English language students know the sociolinguistic aspects of communicative competence, and teachers and lecturers should educate their students that Sentence forming alone cannot establish a conversation. Still, they need to know the social and cultural aspects of communication and other recommendations.

Compliment Responses Among Sudanese Learners at Sudan University for Science and Technology

Speech acts that express and indicate cultural values are compliments. Many of the values represented by means of compliments are possessions, personal appearance, new acquisitions, skills, and talents. It is particularly significant when it comes to social language interactions. According to the data, the most employed strategy types in formal and informal contexts fall within traditionally indirect strategies. Participants’ responses of compliment analyzed by following strategies that conducted by Holmes’ (1986). The result is that, almost all students tend to accept compliment in one way or another. The study recommends that advanced English language students should be aware of the sociolinguistic aspects of communicative competence, and teachers and lecturers should educate their students those conversations cannot be built only with a good sentence structure, but they need to know social and cultural aspects of communication, along with other recommendations.

Strategies for Learning the English Language as Reported by Advanced Language Learners

The goal of this study is to identify the LLSs that successful English language learners are employing to achieve their academic goals. Twenty interpreter students from a Korean graduate school of interpreting and translating took part in the research. Unstructured essay writing was used as a data collection approach on LLSs because it allowed participants to candidly disclose the methods, study routines, and study abroad experiences that contributed to their advanced English proficiency. The reason for this is because free-form essay writing is more accessible to the participants. Several hypotheses and findings regarding the use of different pedagogical approaches were derived from the analysis of the qualitative data. The studies consistently reaffirmed the importance of an organised approach to language learning and regular monitoring of progress, as we emphasized efficacy of metacognitive and cognitive methods like reading aloud and text analysis. A number of other speakers emphasised the significance of paying undivided attention to the linguistic input being received throughout language-learning exercises. The success of learning a foreign language may depend on the learner's autonomy, which manifests itself in self-regulated learning activities, according to the testimony of advanced English language learners in an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) environment. These comments are from EFL students who are learning English as a second language. We look into what this and other findings mean for classroom practise when teaching English as a second language using a strategy-based approach.

Exploring perceptual learning-style preferences of English language non-gainers in computerized dynamic reading assessment

This study presents the results of a sequential explanatory mixed-method approach to investigate the Iranian English language non-gainers of a computerized dynamic reading comprehension test (CDRT) by utilizing a learning style survey. Using an interventionist approach, the researchers used the CDRT software to explore English learners’ perceptual learning-style preferences of non-gainers in CDRT. The study participants were selected from among 24 advanced English language learners attending a reading course at a language institute in Iran. The results of Learning Potential Score (LPS) formula categorized six of the participants as non-gainers of CDRT. They were asked to fill out a learning style survey individually and participate in an interview to express their attitudes toward using the software. The findings revealed some common tendencies regarding field-independency, impulsivity/reflectivity, and metaphoric/literal style preferences supported in learners’ interviews. In this study, learners’ style preferences potentially played an important role in reporting learners’ performance; therefore, it is suggested to consider students’ learning styles in making decisions about their abilities and disabilities in CDRT.

E-portfolio as an academic writing assessment tool in higher education: Strengths and challenges

This study investigated the use of an e-Portfolio for assessment at a Malaysian public university. Prior to the advent of the Internet, paper portfolios are ubiquitous forms of projects and assessments. However, they have limitations in terms of portability, shareability, and delayed two-way communication between instructors and students about progress. In lieu of paper portfolio, the e-Portfolio was introduced in an advanced English language course at a public university in Malaysia. The novelty of the e-Portfolio’s implementation renders it necessary to seek the insights of those who are directly involved in its use. Therefore, this study aims to explore the perceptions of the instructors and students regarding their use of the e-Portfolio throughout the course. This is a qualitative study whereby the main data collection method involved interviews. The data were imported to NVivo 12, and thematic analysis was used as the primary method of data analysis. A total of three instructors and 18 students participated in this study. The findings reveal that the instructors and students perceived the contribution of the e-Portfolio in the aspects of writing stages, digital artefacts, accessibility, personalised writing experience, feedback and communication, and motivation. The results demonstrate that mutually perceived challenges by the instructors and students were poor Internet connectivity and difficulty adapting to the e-Portfolio. The study highlights the benefits and shortcomings of using the e-Portfolio as an assessment tool for academic writing. This will guide practitioners and researchers to better implement the e-Portfolio in higher education institutions.

Students’ struggles with EMI in Kazakhstani universities

Introduction. Fascination with English medium instruction (EMI) is fast growing in higher education institutions in non-native English-speaking countries, including Kazakhstan. The Kazakhstani government adopted a trilingual education policy in 2007 and the Bologna Process in 2010. Both these initiatives motivated universities to offer academic programmes in the English language. As a result, EMI programmes are offered in over 70 higher education institutions across Kazakhstan. In addition, there are four major Kazakhstani universities which offer academic programmes in English only. Despite the increase in the number of EMI programmes, there is a lack of empirical evidence about the difficulties and challenges faced by students in the EMI programmes.Aim. The present study aimed to investigate the nature, forms, and levels of challenges graduate students face in academic reading and writing in English and the way they cope with these challenges. The study was conducted with graduate students and faculty in 10 selected Kazakhstani universities, which offer academic programmes in EMI.Research methodology and methods. The study is based on a mixed-method design, involving an online survey and semi-structured interviews. The closed-ended questions have been analysed using SPSS software (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). The grounded theory analysis was utilised to scrutinise open-ended questions and interview transcripts.Results and scientific novelty. The study’s results indicated two major challenges faced by graduate students in academic reading and writing: the personal-psychological challenge and sociological challenge. The first challenge includes students’ previous academic backgrounds, exposure, and learning experiences. The second challenge is related to English academic culture and students’ worldviews, concepts, and values about English as a language and medium of instruction. As a result, graduate students experienced a lack of vocabulary, inadequate academic literacy skills, unfamiliarity with academic writing styles in English, and lack of skills to synthesise reading materials.Practical significance. Hence, this study recommends systematising English language programmes across secondary and higher education institutions to help students acquire advanced English language proficiency. Also, the study results suggest that local faculty members should be trained according to international standards in terms of their English language skills and innovative teaching methods.

Designing and Validating English Humor Comprehension Test and Establishing its Relationship with EFL Learners’ Humor Styleand Achievement

Humor is a complex and dynamic mode of communication that serves a number of important social functions.It has been claimed that humor is helpful in the context of learning. The present study aimed at constructing and validating a test to measure learners’ English humor comprehension ability and establishing its relationship with their humor style and achievement. This study is comprised of two phases including the validation of questionnaires and the correlational survey. The participants for the validation phase were 275 Iranian advanced English language learners and for the second part were 210 learners from both genders. This study utilized two tests and one questionnaire which are Preliminary English Test (PET), English Humor Comprehension Test, and Humor Styles Questionnaire (HSQ).The results of confirmatory factor analysis indicated that English humor comprehension test with 19 items and three main sub-constructs (Quantity, manner, and relevance)is a valid and reliable test. In addition, it was revealed that both humor comprehension ability and humor style are positive significant predicators of learners’ language proficiency. Finally, a positive significant correlation was found between humor comprehension ability and humor style.

L2 motivational self-system as predictors of out-of-class willingness to communicate

Empirical studies have long proven the link between speaking and second language learning. Despite its importance in determining one’s success to master the target language, willingness to communicate (WTC) is not always high even among motivated and advanced English language learners. This often leads to them not taking the opportunities to engage in verbal activities that are beneficial for them as language learners. The present study seeks to identify the relationship between L2 motivational self-system (the ideal self and the ought-to self) and out-of-class WTC. It draws on a quantitative research design that involved a sample of 111 pre-service ESL teachers in Malaysia. Two major findings were identified. First, even though proficient, their level of out-of-class WTC was only satisfactory not high as expected. Second, the ideal self was the stronger predictor of their out-of-class WTC. This supports previous findings on the role of ideal self in learners’ willingness to communicate. Based on the findings, the present article ends with a pedagogical suggestion.

Non-native EFL teachers’ email productionand perceptions of e-(im)politeness

AbstractThe present study investigates the nature of email requests to faculty produced by non-native speaker (NNS) teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL), the importance attached by these teachers to linguistic forms designed to achieve email politeness and status-congruence, and the extent to which perceptions and evaluations by the NNS teachers and native-speaker (NS) lecturers might differ with regard to these emails. The study found that the non-native speaker teachers (NNSTs) evidenced a developed sense of sociopragmatic knowledge in high imposition L2 requests for action, and employed politeness strategies that were indicative of a concern to maintain social and face relationships in virtual consultations. It is argued that despite their advanced English language proficiency, the teachers’ reliance on directness, excessive formality, and lengthy grounders could still put them out-of-status and render their emails as pragmatically inappropriate. The study further confirmed significant differences in how the two groups perceive appropriateness and politeness in direct and unmodified student email requests to faculty. Overall, while the NSs judged the emails primarily according to their content and, to a lesser extent, according to their form and framing devices, the NNSTs focused almost exclusively on form and framing devices (in/formality, in/directness, nature and extent of mitigation, opening/closing moves, forms of address).

Technical Adequacy of a Spelling Curriculum-Based Measure for English Language Learners in the First Through Third Grades

This study represents an initial examination of the potential of word dictation (WD), a form of curriculum-based measure, to identify risk in writing for young English language learners (ELs). The sample included 73 ELs with beginning to advanced English language proficiency in the first to third grades attending schools in one U.S. Midwestern school district. This district used an English-only model of instruction and students completed two forms of WD in the fall, winter, and spring. The criterion measure, a common English language proficiency assessment, was administered in the winter. Results indicated that WD maintained similar reliability and validity coefficients between the ELs in this study and previous studies with the general population. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

Twitter and reflection: tweeting towards deeper learning

ABSTRACT Student reflection is commonly thought to be associated with enhanced learning, especially when it involves connecting course learning to personal experience. In this mixed-methods study, we viewed 670 reflective tweets from 105 students in advanced English language courses at a private university in Latin America to measure the relationship between the depth of reflection of student tweets and their learning as demonstrated through their exam scores. We also applied a survey to capture students’ self-perceived ability to write deep reflections and the extent to which they believe this helped them succeed in the course. The result of regression analysis revealed a correlation between deeper reflections and better performance on student exams. We also found that students tended to overestimate their abilities to write deep reflections as the majority of tweets were more superficial. Furthermore, many students did not see a direct connection between their reflective practice and their final grade in the course but viewed reflection positively in terms of contributing to their learning.

“Wisely, and slow. They stumble that run fast”: Learner-Friendly Shakespeare in an EFL Classroom

This paper discusses a learner-friendly and student-centred approach to introducing Shakespeare for less advanced English language learners in the university-level EFL classroom. Shakespeare becomes welcome material when the input is comprehensible and enjoyable. In this light, the teaching should first start with the story rather than the language. After hooking students by recounting stories from Shakespeare, the teacher needs to familiarise them with the authentic language through activities carefully designed to initiate them into the language. In approaching the content of Shakespeare’s plays, the students are asked to relate themselves to the world of Shakespeare through active methods advanced by the RSC and the world that students already know. Raising language awareness in learners rather than being taught the language, the students become less frustrated while learning to appreciate Shakespeare.

Extensive Reading And Dictionaries An Approach To vocabulary acquisition To meet contextual requirements For Advanced English Language Learners

Fully understanding the message delivered in written English or Spoken English will save a lot of time for the readers as well as the lisnters to have the comprehension of the information conveyed..The use of appropriate words that represent what the writer or the speaker has in his mind has the potential to enable the readers or the listeners to take the required messages in the shortest possible time. With representivve vocabulary that are used to meet contextual requirements will guarantee a message to reach its required object. Correct use of words will create fully meaningful messages to their readers as well as listeners. By extensive reading and use of monolingual dictionaries, a learner will gain the vocabulary acquisition

Legitimate bilingual competence in the making: Bilingual performance and investment of Korean-English bilinguals

Because global migration and mobility have increasingly blurred boundaries, questions of authenticity have become more complex than ever, and the issue of what constitutes “real” versus “fake” language practices and language users has become increasingly important. The newly emerging images of imposters associated with bilingualism and transnationalism have put bilingual and multilingual language users in a fragile position, where bilingual displays can summon the damaging image of inauthentic bilingualism and frame them as imposters who try to articulate their alleged modernity by mimicking other “reals.” Focusing on the issue of authenticity, this ethnographic study explores how Korean-English bilinguals navigate and respond to the newly emerging images of imposters associated with bilingualism and transnationalism. In particular, I examine the case of 20 South Korean graduate students in the USA who have both advanced English language proficiency and native Korean language proficiency. Because they are in a relatively advantageous position in being able to flexibly use both the Korean and English languages and to employ a variety of linguistic resources, their bilingual practices and performance provide an excellent example of the ways in which bilingual language users locate their social positioning through the selective production of ideological representations or language registers associated with images of inauthentic bilingualism. The findings highlight the agentive role of bilingual and multilingual language users in participating in the reconfiguration of what counts as legitimate bilingual competence and performance, and in making a very calculative investment in distancing themselves from particular types of language registers, language competences, and models of personhoods associated with inauthentic Korean-English bilinguals. These findings present a challenge to traditional research in the fields of second language studies, and applied linguistics, and urges researchers to look at the actual language practice of bilingual users who actively participate in the process of developing sense-making discourses.

Reliability of the Spanish version of the wheelchair skills test 4.2 for manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury

Study design: Cross-sectional.Objectives: The majority of people with a spinal cord injury (SCI) are dependent on wheelchair for their mobility. Approximately, 36% of wheelchair users reported that obstacles such as curbs, uneven terrain, flooring surfaces and thresholds were barriers to mobility. Several studies have shown that assessment and training of wheelchair skills leads to improvements in those skills. The purpose of our study was to translate the Wheelchair Skill Test (4.2) and its report form into Spanish and then determine the inter-rater reliability of the WST 4.2 for manual wheelchairs operated by their users.Setting: Rehabilitation Unit, FLENI Institute, Buenos Aires, Argentina.Methods: The translation was performed by a physical therapist with advanced English language skills and specialized in the treatment of SCI subjects. We administrated and video-recorded the WST 4.2 manual Spanish version in 11 SCI subjects. Two physical therapists received specific training for administering the test and scoring the record. The reliability of the total percentage WST score were statistically quantified by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).Results: ICC values for Interrater were 0.998 (p < .0001). 17 out of the 32 skills had a 100 percentage of agreement. Percentage of agreement in the three skills that presented less rating agreement was 73%, 81 % and 82 %, respectively.Conclusion: The results show that the Spanish version of WST 4.2 is a reliable assessment tool to evaluate the skills capacity of spinal cord manual wheelchair users.Implications for rehabilitationWheelchair users require a proficient management of various wheelchair skills to achieve maximum independence in daily life. Determining which wheelchair skills should be addressed during the rehabilitation process is of great importance for their correct training. The WST 4.2 is an appropriate assessment tool to determine the functional capacity of wheelchair users.Making available the WST 4.2 in the Spanish language and demonstrating its reliability in this language allows its use in the Spanish-speaking world. A reliable wheelchair skills test is needed in the Spanish language.

Role Reversals: A Case Study of Dialogic Interactions and Feedback on L2 Writing

Much scholarship on second language writing feedback has focused on teacher-L2 writer dialogic interactions. Many of these studies, however, adopt the concept of scaffolding (Hyland & Hyland, 2006) which in its application could be considered a deficit model as the teacher addresses linguistic limitations of the learner. This study explored reversing these roles, drawing on the Bakhtin (1981) concept of dialogism to explore feedback interactions where the L2 writer and I (the researcher) were both developing understanding. An 11-week participant-researcher case study sought to examine the role of dialogic interactions in which I had more advanced English language skills, but had less extensive knowledge about the content, while the participant was developing (an already advanced) English proficiency, but held critical knowledge in the content area. Results showed that dialogic interactions facilitated the linguistic revisions of the participant’s writing by contributing to the participant’s increased awareness of audience, and also providing her a channel, through speech, to clarify text excerpts that I struggled to understand in writing.