English Course Research Articles

Didaktiska perspektiv på flerspråkighet i grundlärarutbildningen

This study examines how didactic perspectives on multilingualism and related concepts emerge in primary teacher education at three universities in Sweden. A content analysis of the syllabi for the mandatory courses in Swedish, English, and mathematics in the primary teacher education program focusing on grades 4–6 shows that didactic perspectives on multilingualism were most prominent in the Swedish courses. The extent to which these perspectives are present and made explicit also varies between the three universities, with one adopting a significantly stronger positioning. These differences in how didactic perspectives on multilingualism appear in the syllabi highlight a lack of a common policy regarding the role multilingualism should play in Swedish teacher education.

Unit Teaching Design for English Interpretation Course Based on POA with the Assistance of a Virtual Reality Interpretation Training System

This study introduces the application of virtual reality technology in English interpretation course, as well as the unit teaching design for the course based on the POA. The study first reviews the development history of virtual reality technology and highlights its significant role in driving structural changes in language teaching. Then, this study analyzes the problems existing in current English interpretation course, such as the lack of timeliness in teaching materials, monotonous teaching methods, and single evaluation methods. To address these issues, this study constructs a POA-based unit teaching design for the English Interpretation Course with the assistance of a virtual reality interpretation system.

Students’ Performance and Perceptions of Authentic E-Learning Activities in English Intercultural Learning

The study aims to investigate the influence of implementing nine real e-learning components in an online English intercultural course on improving the performance of vocational college students in China. There were 92 students involved in the course spanning thirteen weeks that comprised various task elements of group discussions, information gathering, online communication, and group reflection on the Chaoxing platform. Data were collected through performance data logging, questionnaires on the perception of authentic learning, and interviews. Qualitative and quantitative data results show that the students have improved their performance, with positive feedback on the life-relevant effect of learning activities. This research provides a humanistic perspective for online intercultural English education as it focuses on the fact that the integration of real-life activities during the English intercultural course is necessary for students' performance improvement

Merging Self-Regulatory Strategies with GTA Pedagogical Practices: Enhancing Student Autonomy and Engagement

Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) play a dual role in higher education, balancing their research responsibilities with teaching duties. This dual identity provides a unique vantage point for GTAs to implement innovative teaching practices that encourage students to utilize self-regulated learning (SRL) strategies. This paper explores how GTAs can adopt teaching practices centered on promoting SRL among students. Drawing on data from focus groups and surveys conducted with five GTAs, the study identifies key techniques—such as reflective journals, peer assessments, and technology-enhanced learning tools—that GTAs can incorporate into their teaching. The intervention was conducted over one semester in an English proficiency course tailored for students with low English proficiency. Findings indicate that these strategies not only enhance student engagement and motivation but also improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The paper underscores the positive impact of SRL on student learning outcomes and discusses how GTAs can effectively integrate and promote these strategies in their pedagogical practices.

Research and Practice of Ideological and Political Reform of Comprehensive English Course in Higher Vocational Colleges from the Perspective of Integration of Competition and Courses

Research and Practice of Ideological and Political Reform of Comprehensive English Course in Higher Vocational Colleges from the Perspective of Integration of Competition and Courses

ChatGPT-Supported Education in Primary Schools: The Potential of ChatGPT for Sustainable Practices

This study aims to evaluate the potential of using ChatGPT at the primary school level from the teachers’ perspective within a sustainability framework. The research was conducted as a qualitative case study involving 40 primary school teachers in Turkey during the 2023–2024 academic year, all of whom had no prior experience with ChatGPT. Data collection tools included semi-structured interview forms and researcher diaries developed by the researchers. The data obtained were analysed using content analysis. The findings indicate that most primary school teachers believe ChatGPT is suitable for primary education and can contribute to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4. Additionally, teachers noted that ChatGPT enriches the teaching process and is user-friendly. These findings suggest potential contributions to SDG 4.1 and SDG 4.2. However, concerns were raised regarding ChatGPT’s potential to provide false information, which may negatively impact SDG 4.7. The study also identified that ChatGPT is particularly suitable for mathematics, Turkish, and English courses. This study’s main contribution is that it shows how ChatGPT can help sustainable practices in primary education by getting teachers more involved and meeting specific curriculum needs. This gives us useful information for incorporating AI tools into education that is in line with SDG 4. It is recommended that training programs about ChatGPT and similar AI-supported tools be organised for teachers and parents.

Implementation and Effectiveness Evaluation of Project-Based Learning in Business English Courses

Implementation and Effectiveness Evaluation of Project-Based Learning in Business English Courses

Exploring EFL Students' Creativity and Engagement with AI Chatbot in Web-Based English Course

This research explores the role of AI-based chatbot tools in promoting creativity and engagement among English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students in web-based English material development course. A qualitative research design was employed, involving in-depth interviews and observation checklists. The research was conducted at the English Education Faculty in Parangtambung of Universitas Negeri Makassar, with data collection spanning from May 12, 2024, to June 9, 2024. Participants included five undergraduate students from the 6th semester based on their familiarity with AI chatbots. The subjects of this research were undergraduate students enrolled in the English web-based material development course. Specifically, five students with prior experience or familiarity with AI chatbots were chosen to provide detailed insights through interviews and observations. The findings indicate that AI chatbots significantly encourage creativity among EFL students by providing a safe space for language experimentation and immediate feedback. Students reported increased engagement and enjoyment in their learning process. The research concludes that while AI chatbots can effectively foster creativity and engagement, careful integration and continuous monitoring are necessary to maximize their educational benefits.

An Empirical Research on Application of Mind Mapping to Business Comprehensive English Course

This research is to explore the effectiveness of applying Mind Mapping to the course of business comprehensive English for students at Sichuan University of Arts and Science. In addition, this research collects students’ feedback on the administration and further application of mind mapping. A total of seven assignments of mind maps were submitted to Xuexitong (an online app) in the teaching practice of the course named Business Comprehensive English by students from two classes of business English major in one academic year. Then, a questionnaire was distributed online, and 72 students responded to the questionnaire. Analyses Findings were based on the 72 respondents’ feedback. The findings show that the vast majority of students hold a positive attitude towards the application of the mind mapping, for it has proved to be an effective way to facilitate their understanding of the structure and main idea of articles. Meanwhile, what needs to be improved is the guidance the teacher gave them about how to apply mind mapping in their studies. Recommendations on the application of mind mapping to other courses of English major and future research are put forward in the end.

Implementing of College English Course Based on a Production-Oriented Approach Combined with a Critical Thinking Process to Enhance the English Writing Ability of Non-English Major Students at Xi’an University

Background and Aims: University foreign language education is crucial in China’s higher education, holding a significant role in promoting the development of students’ knowledge, abilities, and comprehensive qualities. College English, a compulsory foundational course for the majority of non-English majors, plays an irreplaceable role in talent cultivation. The purpose of this research was: (1) to compare students’ English writing ability before and after implementing a College English Course based on a production-oriented approach combined with a critical thinking process. (2) to compare the students’ satisfaction after implementing the College English Course based on a production-oriented approach combined with a critical thinking process with the criterion set at 3.51. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 non-English major first-year students (one class) from Xi’an University were investigated. They were derived from the cluster random sampling method. The research instruments were (1) a College English Course based on a production-oriented approach combined with a critical thinking process and its six lesson plans, (2) an English writing ability test paper with a reliability of 0.931, and (3) a student’ satisfaction questionnaire with a reliability of 0.792. Data were collected and analyzed by means, standard deviation, t-test for dependent samples, and t-test for one sample. Results: After implementing College English Course based on a production-oriented approach combined with a critical thinking process in the classroom, the research results were as follows: (1), the student’s English writing ability post-test scores (M=41.08, SD=4.41) were higher than the pretest scores (M=37.08, SD=4.46) at a statistical significance level of 0.05 (t=45.61, p<.05). (2) The students’ satisfaction (M=4.44, SD=0.63) with the College English Course based on a production-oriented approach combined with a critical thinking process was high level. Conclusion: The College English Course based on a production-oriented approach combined with a critical thinking process has a significant effect on enhancing the English writing ability of non-English major students at Xi’an University. Students are satisfied with the developed College English Course based on a production-oriented approach combined with a critical thinking process.

A Study of the Blended Teaching Model for Oral English under the Production-Oriented Approach

Abstract: With the rapid development of the Internet, the blended teaching model has gradually become more and more popular. In response to this trend, this paper explores how to improve college students oral English skills under the blended teaching mode of online and offline. Moreover, Considering that nowadays many students can only understand knowledge but find it difficult to apply knowledge, this research will be guided by the Production-Oriented Approach to explore new ideas for improving students' productive ability. The study selects the first chapter of Book 2 of Fluent Oral English Course (Second Edition) as the teaching content and adopts a blended teaching method, which includes online pre-class warm-ups, a combination of online and offline teaching during class, and online homework submission after class. To be mentioned, the teaching process is structured around the principles of motivation, enabling, and assessment. It is hoped that this research will provide valuable references for future studies on the blended teaching model guided by the Production-Oriented Approach and offer inspiration for enhancing oral English instruction.

Investigating the Effect of Role-Play Activity With GenAI Agent on EFL Students’ Speaking Performance

Role-play activities are considered a useful instructional design in enhancing the speaking performance of foreign language learners. However, in the traditional classroom context, learners may not readily have access to interlocutors for role-play activities. In this study, we proposed a designed method that integrated the GenAI agent into role-play activities and conducted a quasi-experiment at a Chinese university. A total of 53 Chinese students in an English course were assigned to an experimental group ( n = 29) that engaged in role-playing with a GenAI agent and a control group ( n = 24) that engaged in role-playing with their class peers. The results showed role-play activities with GenAI could facilitate students’ speaking performance, and one-way ANCOVA showed there was no significant difference in speaking performance improvement when compared with traditional role-play activities with peers. Moreover, the paired-sample Wilcoxon test showed that the treatment students had significant intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy improvement, which were higher than the control group. The findings provide important implications for the design and implementation of GenAI-integrated role-play activities for foreign language speaking learning.

Language Learning Motivation in Post-Secondary Courses: English, German, Spanish, Japanese, and Multilingualism

This study explores the motivational profiles of students enrolled in language courses at the post-secondary level, emphasizing the role of the ideal multilingual self. A sample of 280 learners across English, German, Spanish, and Japanese courses participated in the research. Drawing from the L2 Motivational Self System framework and integrating the concept of the ideal multilingual self, the study utilized a questionnaire to investigate the sources of language learning motivation. The findings revealed English and German as the predominant language choices, primarily influenced by external factors such as academic requirements and societal expectations. In contrast, learners engaged in less commonly taught languages, particularly Japanese, demonstrated heightened intrinsic motivation and a more explicit ideal multilingual self-concept. This trend highlights the significance of multilingualism in shaping learners' motivational profiles, with learners of less commonly taught languages expressing a stronger inclination towards linguistic versatility and proficiency. Moreover, the study revealed a positive correlation between speaking multiple languages and the aspiration for multilingualism, suggesting that learners with multilingual backgrounds are more inclined toward embracing linguistic diversity. These findings contribute to understanding the dynamic relationship between language choice, motivational factors, and the ideal multilingual self-concept in the context of post-secondary language education.

Needs Analysis for Designing English Course for Tourist Police in Mandalika Special Economic Zone

In the era of globalization and increasing international travel, effective communication in English has become a fundamental requirement for individuals working in various professional fields.The objectives of this research are to find out the authentic tasks and authentic texts that needed to be included in designing English for the tourist police in Mandalika Special Economic Zone (Mandalika SEZ), and to know how the design of the English course for tourist police in Mandalika Special Economic Zone (Mandalika SEZ) to improve language skills in their workplace. The subjects of the study are five tourist police officers who are fluent in English from 15 Tourist Police officers who work in the Mandalika Economic Zone. The techniques used to collect the data are observation, interview, questionnaire, and focus group discussion. The data analysis technique follows Miles and Huberman’s model (reduction, data display, conclusion drawing/verification, and syllabus design). The syllabus encompasses a total of seven key authentic tasks tailored to enhance the officers' communication and operational capabilities in various scenarios. These tasks include: Communicating During Emergencies, Giving Directions, Conducting Safety Checks, Conflict Resolution, Writing Reports, and Providing Assistance. In conclusion, the English syllabus for tourist police officers in Mandalika SEZ is carefully crafted to meet their needs through practical tasks, relevant materials, and effective assessment methods. This design enhances both language skills and real-life problem-solving abilities, serving as a valuable model for future training and improving the overall service quality and efficiency of the officers.

Curriculum Assessment Reform for Convention and Exhibition English

Convention and Exhibition English is a typical course in English for Specific Purposes (ESP). With Chinese business activities increasing, there is a growing demand for convention and exhibition-related talents, since most businesses are in connection with these events. To cultivate competent graduates, Guangdong Technology College has tried replacing traditional written test with a video in the assessment of students’ performance after their learning of this course to stimulate practice and self-exploring. Role play in the videos can inspire students’ interest in this field and build up their confidence in English. This article will introduce the background information on the development of the course, the necessity of its reform, and how it has been implemented. This paper aims to attract attention to the creative reform of teachers and hopes to contribute to more studies on ESP teaching for the better cultivation of English talents that the growing Chinese economy requires.

English Course Program in Karang Indah Village, Mandastana District

Currently, students still have relatively low English proficiency. This causes the improvement of English skills to be done to obtain maximum results. One of them is the English Course Program in Karang Indah Village, Mandastana District. Karang Indah Village as the location for the implementation of the English Course Program makes it specific compared to other villages in Barito Kuala Regency. Research Objective: To describe the English Course Program in Karang Indah Village, Mandastana District. This study uses a qualitative approach with a descriptive method. The collection techniques in this study are Observation, Interview, and Documentation. The instruments in this study are the researcher himself assisted by interview guidelines, recording tools, and stationery. The data analysis techniques in this study are in the form of data reduction, data presentation and conclusion drawn. Test the validity of the data used by credibility tests, transferability tests, and dependability. Research results: In its implementation, the English Course Program in Karang Indah Village, Mandastana District has several stages, namely the planning stage and the implementation stage of learning activities. The planning stage includes: tutor/teacher training, course participant registration, cost plan, learning location, learning plan. Meanwhile, the stage of implementing learning activities includes: making learning implementation plans, learning materials, learning media, learning methods, and assessment of learning activities. The existence of the English Course Program in Karang Indah Village is expected to improve the quality of human resources through English language skills.

Students' Perceptions of Lecture-style Classes and Reading Journal Activities in College General English

The purpose of this study is to examine how the self-directed learning of writing a reading journal helps students learn English compared to lecture-style classes and how students perceive these two types of classes. 145 first-year students participated in the study. The class consisted of a lecture with news articles in the first half and activities involving the reading of articles or books and the writing of a reading journal in the second half. In week 15, students filled out a questionnaire to investigate how these two types of classes helped them in their studies. The results showed that lecture-style classes were helpful for 75.86% of the students and that the activities related to reading and writing a journal were helpful for 79.81% of the students. Grammar was mentioned most frequently for lecture-style classes, and improvements in writing, reading, and vocabulary learning were mentioned often at a similar rate for the reading journal activities. Thus, writing a reading journal was found to be a useful activity to improve students’ reading and writing abilities. 71.03% answered that the reading journal activities were more helpful than lecture-style classes, and self-direction was found to be the greatest factor that contributed to the improvement of their English skills. This is because a considerable number of students mentioned keywords such as ‘direct,’ ‘self,’ and ‘alone.’ 26.21% answered that lecture-style classes were more helpful to them. Also, the frequent mention of ‘explanation’ showed that the instructor's explanation helped such students more than when they were learning on their own. The results of this study reveal that self-directed learning of reading journal writing is more beneficial to students' English learning than conventional lecture-style classes. Based on these results, this study suggests that activities involving individual reading and reading journal writing should be properly introduced into college general English courses, and that the ratio of lecture-style classes and self-directed learning should be adjusted in consideration of the students' English proficiency levels.

The Utilization Of Homework Videotaping To Enhance The Students’ English Speaking Skills

Enhancing students' oral proficiency is a key objective of English courses, and one effective pedagogical approach is assigning video-based homework that features English conversations aligned with the curriculum. English language students encounter numerous challenges when attempting to enhance their speaking abilities. One limitation is the restricted amount of time available for in-class practice. One possible homework assignment is to create video recordings. This offers a chance for students to enhance their creativity and boost their self-assurance as the homework encompasses various elements of oral assignments, such as productivity, intention, challenge and authenticity. Hence, this webinar aims to disseminate knowledge on the specific teaching methods and procedures that teachers can implement when utilising this instructional approach. The purpose of this webinar was to provide the teachers, instructors and practitioners in the field of English education with an interactive forum for discussion. Participants will have the chance to share their experiences and ask questions, which will lead to a fruitful exchange of knowledge. Engaging in activities can yield fresh perspectives and impart useful skills that are immediately applicable to the classroom or other educational setting.

Exploration of Diversified Assessment Models for Business English Courses

As one of the important courses in majors such as international trade and business management, the assessment method of Business English directly affects students' learning enthusiasm and the cultivation of practical application ability. The traditional single assessment method often focuses on the memorization of theoretical knowledge and test-taking skills, and ignores the assessment of students' practical application ability of Business English. Therefore, it is particularly important to explore diversified assessment models to comprehensively and objectively evaluate students' business English level. This paper aims to explore the construction and implementation of diversified assessment models for Business English courses. By analyzing the problems existing in the current assessment methods, this paper proposes the necessity, design principles and specific implementation strategies of diversified assessment models, in order to provide a reference for the teaching reform of Business English courses.

The Pathways of Ideological and Political Education Integrated Throughout Business English Curriculum from the Perspective of Fostering Virtue

Fostering Virtue is the Fundamental Task of Education. Based on this fundamental task, universities should improve the teaching design of every course in various disciplines, integrating ideological and political education into them. This article explores the basic pathways for implementing ideological and political education in Business English courses from the perspective of fostering virtue. These pathways include establishing and dividing course groups for ideological and political education, exploring ideological and political elements to find corresponding material for integration, and innovating teaching methods to strengthen the effect of moral education. This article provides new ideas for integrating ideological and political education into Business English courses in universities.