Comprehensible Input Research Articles

A Survey on Oral Anxiety of English Majors

Continuous in-depth language research and the rapid development of language teaching deepen people's understanding of the nature of language. The focus of language teaching research for language workers is from how to teach to how to learn, from the learning result to the learning process; from the emphasis on teachers and teaching methods, the study gradually tends to the study of learners, learning strategies and emotions. However, in the daily language learning process, college students have serious anxiety in oral language learning. This study is based on Krashen's comprehensible input hypothesis to alleviate the oral anxiety of English majors. By means of questionnaire, this article gave the pre-designed questionnaire to the respondents for statistical summary and data analysis, so as to confirm the effect of comprehensible input on alleviating college students' oral anxiety.

The Correlation Between Students’ Habit in Watching English Movies and Their Listening Skill at the Second Grade of SMAN 1 IV Koto

This research was aimed to find and describe the correlation between students’ habit in watching English movie (variable x) and their listening skill (variable y). This research was conducted at the second grade of SMAN 1 IV Koto Agam Regency by the reason of there were still a lot of students who thought that listening is a difficult skill to learn and had low score in listening. This problem occurred because the students were still lack of exposure to the English to provide them with a comprehensible input in acquire the language especially listening skill. Moreover, theories said that watching English movies as a habit could be beneficial and could provide an input to develop students’ listening skill. However, there were not all of the students who had watching movie habit got good score in listening. Nevertheless, there were some of the students who had watching movie habit and got good score in listening. The method used in this research was quantitative method with the correlational design. The population of the research was all of the students from eleventh grade at SMAN 1 IV Koto and the sample was consisted of 33 students. The sample was taken by using random sampling technique. The instruments that were used in this research was questionnaire for measuring the students’ habit in watching English movie and listening comprehension test for measuring students’ listening skill. The researcher used Product Moment Correlation to see if there was any correlation between the two variables.The result showed that the value of correlation coefficient (rxy) was 0.223 which means that there was a positive low correlation between the variable x and variable y. Furthermore, the hypothesis testing showed that the index value rxy was lower than the index value of rt (0.223<0.355) which means that the H0 (null hypothesis) was accepted and Ha was rejected. Thus, there was unsignificant correlation between the variable x and variable y. However, this result may have been affected by internal threats. The students used of subtitle while watching movie was quite high which may prevent them to optimally receive the inputs and acquire the language especially listening skill.

Net global warming potential index rather than soil carbon stock change could provide better understanding of the carbon balance in soil systems.

This study was conducted to determine the soil organic carbon (SOC) stock change factor for green manure crops that was developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Tier 2 method and compare this with the net global warming potential (GWP) index that is used to evaluate the contribution of green manuring to global warming. Four treatments were barley (Hordeum vulgare L.; B), hairy vetch (Vicia villosa R.; HV), a barley/hairy vetch mixture (BHV) and a conventional treatment (C). The aboveground biomass of green manure crops was incorporated into the soil on 25 May 2018, 26 April 2019, 29 April 2020, 30 April 2021 and 2 May 2022. Maize (Zea mays L.) was transplanted as the subsequent crop after the incorporation of green manures. SOC stock decreased with green manures, even though carbon input with green manures, including B, HV and BHV, was greater than that with C. The mean value of the SOC stock change factor for green manure crops, including B, HV and BHV was 0.627 and was significantly lower than that of the C. However, the net GWP also decreased with the incorporation of green manure crops, and the mean value of the relative net GWP index across B, HV and BHV was 0.853. These conflicting results were caused by different estimation methods between annual SOC change (△SOC) and net GWP. The estimation of SOC stock change using △SOC suggested by the IPCC method may overestimate the contribution of green manure crops to global warming. The net GWP method with comprehensive input and output of carbon in the soil system could provide a better understanding of the carbon balance in soil systems. In the current study, the comparison of △SOC and net GWP was conducted for at one site of upland soil for 5years. Therefore, further research on estimating the effect of green manure crops on net GWP in various types of soil for longer years should be conducted.

Language acquisition in the theological classroom: A case study in comprehensible input

AbstractLanguages have played a significant role in the shaping of theological and religious leaders. Historically consisting mostly of biblical and ancient languages, contemporary theological education includes the study of modern foreign languages for research and ministerial purposes. If written and spoken communication in a variety of languages is a foundational aspect of the theological classroom, why is it, then, that seminaries and theological institutions give little attention to theories and pedagogies of second language acquisition? This article seeks to expose theological educators to the most significant theory in the study of language pedagogy and provides a case study of a course taught to students in a seminary setting. In addition to scholarly studies, it relies on the influence of autodidactic polyglots, an indispensable source of experience and wisdom in the world of language acquisition. By improving practices around language instruction, the future of theological education can better engage with a multi‐cultural and global society.

A fusion scheme for eliminating input interference induced by spelling errors

Spelling errors are a prevalent form of interference that may result from human handwriting or natural language processing systems, such as optical character recognition. This type of interference presents a challenge for natural language processing systems that rely on context-based embeddings to comprehend the exact semantics of a sentence. The proposed fusion scheme is the main focus of this paper, which aims to correct spelling errors in sentences. The scheme employs both the original input and the masked input. The masked input is acquired by utilizing a detection module to mask any spelling errors present in the original input. By utilizing the masked input, the scheme is capable of learning the real sentence semantic information that is not affected by spelling errors. Utilizing the original input can prevent the loss of input information resulting from masking operations. Finally, the utilization of the Kullback-Leibler divergence is employed to establish concordance between the two output distributions within the framework, consequently facilitating the acquisition of comprehensive input information, all while mitigating the influence of spelling errors. Experiments were conducted on two widely used benchmarks. Compared with previous methods, the approach presented herein exhibited superior performance as it achieved improvements on two benchmarks.

A linguistic ethnography of negotiation of meaning in English for medical purposes classrooms

Negotiation of meaning refers to intricate processes through which interlocutors can modify their speech to ensure the production and reception of comprehensible input. This empirical study aimed to thoroughly investigate the multifaceted aspects of negotiation of meaning and identify the influential factors shaping this process during classroom interactions within an English for Medical Purposes (EMP) class at a medical college in Saudi Arabia. Employing an eclectic qualitative methodology that incorporates key principles of Linguistic Ethnography, this research presented a comprehensive analysis of data collected throughout the entire fall semester of the academic year 2020/2021. The rich dataset stemmed from meticulous observations of ten EMP classroom sessions. Findings from this study shed light on the teacher's strategic employment of various techniques, including confirmation checks, comprehension checks, clarification requests, and other forms of repairs, to effectively negotiate meaning in the classroom. Moreover, the investigation underscores the significance of factors such as familiarity with topics, students' proficiency levels, and nature of tasks undertaken, as critical determinants influencing the negotiation of meaning in classroom interaction. By emphasizing the positive and essential role of negotiation of meaning, this study underscores its contribution to optimizing input comprehensibility and enhancing overall classroom interactions.

STUDENTS’ ANXIETY IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS: ONLINE VERSUS ON-SITE CLASSROOMS

As the world continued to grapple with the pandemic of COVID-19, Algerian universities had enforced a transition to a blended teaching approach, requiring both teachers and students to adapt. Accordingly, third-year Licence chemistry students received online and on-site lectures among which English for Specific Purposes lectures. This sudden transition from face-to-face to online teaching had an effect on university students namely at the emotional level which led this research to investigate the impact of both modes of course delivery on students’ affective filter specifically anxiety. A correlational research design was used to understand the relationship between anxiety and the learning environment. Two anxiety tests on online and on-site learning were administered to 16 chemistry students receiving English for Specific Purposes courses. Thus, the current research findings revealed that there is no significant difference in the students’ levels of anxiety whether learning online or in the traditional classroom. These findings necessitate future implications of applying practical techniques and strategies to reduce anxiety in both learning environments to create a suitable and supportive atmosphere that works for better comprehensible input for university students.

Teaching Listening through Comprehensible input: A Neuroscience Perspective

This study used a mixed- method approach to discover how comprehensible input enhances the development of listening skills in Elementary students. To gather data, a survey and audiovisual materials, which included the comprehensible input approach, were used. Results elucidated that the majority of participants showed a positive attitude towards the comprehensible input approach. This state of mind helped them perform exceptionally during the application of the activities with audiovisual materials. Collectively, the results appear consistent with satisfactory comprehension. As a conclusion, students had an optimum performance in the video activities when using comprehensible input, which makes us suggest that comprehensible input materials enhance the development of listening skills in students.

The Teacher’s Strategies in Teaching English Productive Skills

The purpose of this research is to found out the strategies applied by the English teacher in MAN 01 Kubu Raya. This research also has a purpose to identify how the teacher apply the strategies in the planning phase also in the implementation phase. The research is using descriptive qualitative method with observation and interview to collect the data. The subject of the research is one teacher in MAN 01 Kubu Raya. The research found the strategies that the teacher use is divided into two phase such as planning and implementation. In the planning, the teacher applying the strategies such as identifying situational factors, establishing learning goals, creating feedback and assessment procedures, choosing teaching or learning activities, and integration. In the implementation phase, the teacher used different strategies in teaching speaking and writing. In speaking, the teacher used discussion, simulations and role play, presentation, and question and answer with the addition of summarization, meanwhile, in teaching writing, the teacher used the strategies make a lesson visual, summarization, collaborative learning, modify vocabulary, sentence combining, study of models, and provide comprehensible input. This is showing that the teacher is using strategies in teaching English productive skills. The researcher concluded that the teacher strategy that had been used by one of the teachers at MAN 01 Kubu Raya already existed and the steps used by the teacher when teaching productive skills were very clear and could be found in the lesson plan and in the classroom.

Multiple-input streams attention (MISA) network for skeleton-based construction workers' action recognition using body-segment representation strategies

With the rapid growth of deep learning algorithms, graph convolutional networks (GCNs) have become a common choice for skeleton-based human action recognition, boasting impressive performance. However, existing GCN-based models often rely on physical human body connections, which may not suit complex construction tasks involving various body parts and hand movements. To address this concern, the human body is modeled in this paper through topological graphs at varying levels, designed based on body-segment strategies. A multiple-input streams attention (MISA) network is introduced, incorporating GCN and temporal convolutional network (TCN) components to enhance the body-structure topology graph of GCNs with more comprehensive input graphs. Additionally, two-modality motion data and three attention blocks are integrated to capture more discerning features. Finally, experimental results using the Construction Motion Library (CML) dataset demonstrated the superiority of the developed method, reaching approximately 84.94% recognition accuracy.

Addressing Multilingual Learners’ Language Needs Through Engaging Inquiry-Based Science

This article presents an overview of a 3-year series of workshops on teaching and providing multilingual learners (MLs) with access to science by utilizing effective language development strategies. The workshops were delivered to primary teachers in California and included three different modules: (a) Think and Question Like a Scientist, (b) Observe and Record Like a Scientist through Science Notebooking, and (c) Argue Like a Scientist. The activities showcase effective, research-based second language acquisition (SLA) strategies, including providing comprehensible input via paraphrasing, using visual and media resources, gestures, and the student’s native language, and modeling tasks. Additionally, scaffolding academic language through personal dictionaries, sentence frames, and native language support constitutes some of the ideas shared. Detailed descriptions highlight the “how” of addressing the needs of MLs at a variety of proficiency levels.

Modelling Specific Energy Requirement for a Power-Operated Vertical Axis Rotor Type Intra-Row Weeding Tool Using Artificial Neural Network

Specific energy prediction is critically important to enhance field performance of agricultural implements. It enables optimal utilization of tractor power, reduced inefficiencies, and identification of comprehensive inputs for designing energy-efficient implements. In this study, A 3-5-1 artificial neural network (ANN) model was developed to estimate specific energy requirement of a vertical axis rotor type intra-row weeding tool. The depth of operation in soil bed, soil cone index, and forward/implement speed ratio (u/v) were selected as the input variables. Soil bin investigations were conducted using the vertical axis rotor (RVA), interfaced with draft, torque, speed sensors, and data acquisition system to record dynamic forces employed during soil–tool interaction at ranges of different operating parameters. The depth of operation (DO) had the maximum influence on the specific energy requirement of the RVA, followed by the cone index (CI) and the u/v ratio. The developed ANN model was able to predict the specific energy requirements of RVA at high accuracies as indicated by high R2 (0.91), low RMSE (0.0197) and low MAE (0.0479). Findings highlight the potential of the ANN as an efficient technique for modeling soil–tool interactions under specific experimental conditions. Such estimations will eventually optimize and enhance the performance efficiency of agricultural implements in the field.

Approaches to Building AC and AC–DC Microgrids on Top of Existing Passive Distribution Networks

The process of building microgrids on top of existing passive distribution networks warrants a multi-criteria analysis. Besides the calculation of the investment outlays needed for the modernization of distribution networks, such an analysis covers an assessment of the technological and economic effects of building microgrids. The resulting effects depend on the topology and configuration of distribution networks, specific microgrid features, the choice of the current type for the entire microgrid or its individual parts, the methods of connecting distributed energy resources (DERs), the availability and maturity of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, and other factors. Comprehensive input data allow for designing an optimal microgrid configuration, but the main technological and economic effects are determined by the algorithms of operation and the parameter settings of the automatic control system (ACS) and the protection system. The known approaches to designing microgrids focus on addressing basic tasks while minimizing the investment required for their implementation. The above is fully justified when constructing new microgrids, but building microgrids on top of existing distribution networks, given the uniqueness of their topology and configuration, does not allow the use of standardized solutions. The development of approaches to the design of microgrids under such constraints, with minimized investment in the modernization of existing distribution networks, is an urgent task. The use of different types of current for individual microgrid segments determines the choice of the particular ACS and protection system, which depends on the availability of information and communications technology infrastructure. This article contributes a review of approaches to designing AC and AC–DC microgrids so as to maximize their technological and economic effects. We review techniques for analyzing the existing distribution networks aimed at choosing the type of current for the entire microgrid or its individual parts, the optimal points for the connection of microgrids to distribution networks, and the mix and capacity of DERs, with such choices informed by the conditions of the switching devices and information and communications technology infrastructure. This article presents the results of the analysis of approaches to choosing the optimal configuration of microgrids, microgrid ACS, and protection system, with an evaluation of the technological and economic effects subject to the minimization of investment in the modernization of the existing distribution networks.

BOOK REVIEW: ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING LEARNERS

The content of this book is intended to address difficulties about teaching technique limits and instructor flexibility when teaching English as a Foreign Language (EFL) to DHH students. This book focuses on conceptual overviews of the importance of inclusive English learning for all students, especially DHH pupils. The authors give two parts of primary research reports on the use of various English learning strategies for DHH learners in diverse circumstances, as well as theoretical studies on approaches to learning strategies appropriate for DHH learners from various perspectives. The initial chapter in this book examines comprehensive input strategies and treatments, including a review of the principles and theories that serve as the foundation for language learning for students with special needs. In the second section, the authors present some research findings on the circumstances and outcomes of teaching EFL to DHH learners.

The potential of renewable electricity in isolated grids: The case of Israel in 2050

Power generation is one of the main resources for emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases. Thus, emissions can be seriously regulated if the electricity sector could be driven by renewables. Of special interest are cases with an isolated grid such as Israel, with extensive work already carried out in the past on the evaluation of renewable electricity in this country. Yet, it appears that the methods adopted previously were not rigorous enough to reflect the true potential. The current work is an attempt to deal with this challenge by implementing comprehensive input data collection, as well as detailed performance and energy management modeling. The main goal of the current study is to evaluate the energy mix, together with the required storage capacity, that would allow maximum penetration of renewables into the Israeli grid in 2050. The total electric demand in 2050 is evaluated as 183.3 TWh. The resources of interest are fossils, solar energy (both photovoltaics and agrivoltaics), onshore and offshore wind, sea waves, and organic waste. The total installed power from renewables is evaluated as 180.6 GW. The energy storage capacity is mostly relying on the technology of Vehicle to Grid (V2G), and with the help of additional stationary batteries and several pumped hydroelectric plants, the total capacity is estimated as 216 GWh. However, owing to the uncertainty in future storage technologies, larger capacities are considered as well. The performance model (PM) used in the analysis of solar and wind plants is the System Advisor Model (SAM). To match the electric generation and demand, an energy management system (EMS) model was developed. The EMS is controlling the hourly fossil power to maximize the renewable share on an annual basis while ensuring full supply to consumers (no power outage). Economic evaluation is excluded in the current analysis. It was obtained that renewables share between 80.1% and 99.5% may be achieved, depending on the scenario. The annual energy dumping is between 4.9% and 46.1% and the fossil plants’ annual capacity factor is between 0.4% and 13.6%.

Analysis on The Graduate Students’ Fossilized Mispronunciation at Pascasarjana Universitas Negeri Makassar

This article investigated and examined the fossilized mispronunciation on consonant and vowel sounds made by English graduate students in Pascasarjana Universitas Negeri Makassar. This research employed qualitative descriptive design with purposive sampling technique taking Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course at Pascasarjana Universitas Negeri Makassar as the subject of this research limited to the students who have an English Bachelor degree as their previous academic background. The data were collected by using classroom observation and interview and analyzed by transcribing the Zoom recording of learning process. The results of this research showed that (1) There were 3 fossilized mispronunciation in vowel sounds (/ə/, /i/, /ɒ/) and 5 fossilized mispronunciation in consonant sounds (/z/, /v/, /θ/, /dʒ/, /tʃ/). Based on these findings, it considers that the fossilization can be avoided by reinforcing the comprehensive input from the lecturers and motivating the students to pay more attention to their pronunciation.

Speech Rate and Young EFL Learners’ Listening Comprehension

Speech rate is one of the salient characteristics that speakers modify their speech for second or foreign language learners to gain more comprehensive input (Krashen, 1987). For young EFL learners, a slower speech rate can be a critical factor that helps them properly process linguistic input and increase self-confidence in listening comprehension. The present study investigated the effect of speech rate on listening comprehension performance among young EFL learners in Taiwan. Sixty-six junior high school students from two homogeneous classes participated in two elementary-level listening comprehension tests. All participants took the first test at the delivery rate of 116 words per minute (wpm) set by Taiwan’s General English Proficiency Test. In the second test, the two classes of participants were examined at two slower delivery rates—98 wpm and 58 wpm, respectively. Results reveal a facilitating effect of the slightly slower speech rate of 98 wpm on the participants’ listening comprehension; however, slower speech does not make a significant difference at the much slower rate of 58 wpm. The results of the study are then discussed, and implications are drawn.

ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ ГІПОТЕЗИ ВХІДНОГО МАТЕРІАЛУ ДЛЯ ВИКЛАДАННЯ АНГЛІЙСЬКОЇ МОВИ У ЗАКЛАДАХ ВИЩОЇ ОСВІТИ

This article explores the comprehensible input hypothesis, which proposes that language acquisition occurs when learners are exposed to language that they can understand but that is also slightly beyond their current level of comprehension. The authors provide an overview of the theory including the role of hypothesis and interaction in language learning. The article goes on to offer practical advice on how to implement the theory in classroom language teaching, including the use of authentic materials and interactive exercises. The authors emphasize the importance of creating a student-centered classroom atmosphere that encourages communication and interaction in the target language. This includes providing students with opportunities to work with authentic materials and practice speaking through meaningful tasks. The authors also emphasize the importance of support, which involves providing students with guidance as they work on understanding and producing language. This may include providing definitions, examples and explanations of new vocabulary and grammatical structures, as well as feedback. The article discusses the role of the teacher in facilitating language acquisition through the use of materials adapted to the level of proficiency. This involves the use of a range of teaching strategies, including task-based learning, form-based learning, and error correction. The authors conclude by emphasizing the importance of continuously analyzing and evaluating students' progress to ensure that they are receiving the appropriate level of assistance and support.

Study on irradiation embrittlement behavior of reactor pressure vessels by machine learning methods

A reliable irradiation embrittlement model of reactor pressure vessel (RPV) is critical to the safe operation and life extension of nuclear power plants (NPP). In this study, 474 datasets from NUREG/CR-6551 and 6 machine learning (ML) methods were adopted to accurately predict the irradiation embrittlement behavior (ΔRTNDT) of RPV with comprehensive input factors involving irradiation conditions and metal composition. The GBDT model has the best prediction performance. The calculated result by GBDT model is close to those of JEAC-4201 and ASTM E900-15. Cu content is the most sensitive factor for ΔRTNDT, followed by neutron fluence. This work demonstrates a successful application of ML in promoting NPP safety and RPV materials design.

A Qualitative Phenomenological Investigation of Pre-university English as a Second Language Learners’ Experiences in Malaysia

This research study explicitly analyses pre-university learners’ individual learning experiences of English as a second language in a public university in Malaysia. In an attempt to gauge participants’ individual learning experiences, this study drew from Skinner’s (1957) behaviourism, Krashen’s (2020) nonnative language acquisition and Vygotsky’s (1974) sociocultural theories of learning. The behaviourism theory puts forth that learning a second language is a mechanical process which relies heavily on habit formation (Skinner, 1957). Krashen’s (2020) nonnative language acquisition and Vygotsky’s (1978) sociocultural theories, on the other hand, posit that a new language is naturally and effortlessly acquired through social interactions that require cognitive reasoning (Vygotsky, 1978). The qualitative findings received from one to one unstructured interviews were analysed in relation to the aforesaid theories. The findings revealed that informants studied English for university admission and that their sociocultural environment inhibited them from speaking the language outside the classroom. Discerning that the conventional teaching of English would not help them to attain their goal, informants though asserted to experience a drop in motivation throughout their English course, established an artificial linguistic environment for them to receive comprehensible inputs of English from various sources. Four out of five informants affirmed their preference to learn English in English speaking nations to be able to practice English in the wider community, while one underlined his/her preference for non-English speaking nations due to the fear of having difficulties in understanding accented English and of being laughed for his/her poor command English by native English speakers. Frequent addition of the linguistic suffix ‘lah’ from Bahasa Malaysia was added to standard English by local informants, leading to the creation of a hybrid landscape. Pedagogical implications for second language teaching and learning are raised alongside a revision of the structure, content and teaching strategies of existing English as a second language course.