English Materials Research Articles

Using Media (Video) to Improve Students’ Speaking Skill in Study Case: Junior High School

Learning media in the digital era must be aligned with technological developments. The learning media chosen must be interesting and attached to students. The video is currently popular with many people, including the students of Junior High School, MTsN 1 Kolpajung Pamekasan. Departing from these reasons, the researchers took the initiative to implement the video as a media for interesting and fun learning in delivering material in English for Junior High School. This study aims to find out how effective the video as media is in improving the speaking skills of students majoring at the MTsN 1 Kolpajung Pamekasan. Qualitative method is used for analyzing the data on performance test, observation and discussion on the implementation that were produced by the students as well as processing on student views regarding the use of video media in learning in English subject especially speaking skill. The result indicated that the use of video media is considered quite effective in developing students' speaking skills. From the results of observations, it shows that there has been an increase in student activity, from an average of 74.7% in cycle one and 82.2% in cycle two, to 86.3 in cycle III, as well as teacher activity in the learning process increasing from 85.7 % in cycle I, 90.3% in cycle II increased to 92.03% in cycle III which stated that video media was an innovation in learning English, which made students more relaxed and enjoyed the teaching and learning process and eliminated the mindset that learning English is difficult.

The Argument of the Matrix Verb Seems in Spec T: The Raised DP or the Given DP

Generative linguists claim that the argument of the matrix verb as in Mary seemed to be innocent is the DP (determine phrase), which is the raised argument of the to-infinitive clause being raised to be landed in the Spec T. However, the current study argues that the DP argument as the subject of the matrix verb seems to be the given DP and this is supported by functional linguistics. The argument in this study is statistically supported by the empirical evidence of international applied linguistic research articles. The data collection was English for Specific Purposes (ESP), which were indexed in the Q1 SCOPUS database. A total number of approximately 250,000 words was derived from 25 applied linguistics research articles, which contained 47 tokens concerning the argument with the matrix verb seem. The data analysis was divided into the framework of syntactic analysis and the quantitative study of inferential statistical analysis. The framework of syntactic analysis follows functional linguistics called the pragmatic discourse of givenness. The statistical analysis in this study was Pearson Correlation in SPSS29. The results showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between the given DP of the matrix verb seem and applied linguistic research articles. The p-value was reported at 0.044. Thus, the hypothesis in this study was accepted. The discussion follows the principle of cohesion and fixed colligations. It is recommended that the hypothesis in this study be tested by other English materials, such as novels and business documents, to contribute to the field.

Raylike Subject Model of Text Deauthorization in Media Genres (in English and Belarusian)

The purpose of the article is to construct a raylike subject model of text deauthorization based on the material of English and Belarusian media texts of information genres with the identification of common and distinctive features. In the result of analysis of the ways in which the subject components of deauthorization structures are located in news articles and interviews using the modeling method, methods of semantic and contextual analysis, the raylike subject model of text deauthorization is constructed, which exhibits similar and distinctive features in the compared English and Belarusian media texts. The characteristics of the analyzed model that are common to the compared media cultures are established: structural and semantic parallelism of deauthorization structures, the presence of similar narrating subject groups, the dichotomy of opinions of specialists and non-specialists. Different features of the analyzed model in the compared media cultures are identified, which relate to the nature of the dominant pragmatic marking and the formal-referential characteristics of the subject components in deauthorization structures. The genre specificity of the studied model in the interview texts is revealed, where a new version of raylike subject model is discovered, in which two collective opinions are contrasted on the principle of «we» vs «strangers», while a number of fortifying discursive signals are used to strengthen the we-position.

Explainable eBook recommendation for extensive reading in K-12 EFL learning

An automatic recommendation system for learning materials in e-learning addresses the challenge of selecting appropriate materials amid information overload and varying self-directed learning (SDL) skills. Such systems can enhance learning by providing personalized recommendations. In Extensive Reading (ER) for English as a Foreign Language (EFL), recommending materials is crucial due to the paradox that learners with low SDL skills struggle to select suitable ER resources, despite ER’s potential to improve SDL. Additionally, determining the difficulty level of ER materials and assessing learners’ progress remains challenging. The system must also explain its recommendations to foster motivation and trust. This study proposes a mechanism to estimate the difficulty of ER materials, adapted to learner preferences, using information retrieval techniques, and an explainable recommendation system for English materials. An experiment was conducted with 240 Japanese junior high school students in an ER program to assess the accuracy of difficulty estimation and identify learner characteristics receptive to the recommendations. While the recommendations did not significantly impact learners’ English skills or motivation, they were positively received. A strong relationship was found between the use and acceptance of recommendations and learners’ motivation. The study suggests that although the system did not increase overall motivation, it has potential to further enhance the motivation of naturally motivated learners.

EXPLORING INDONESIAN EFL PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS’ EXPERIENCES IN AI-ASSISTED TEACHING PRACTICUM: BENEFITS AND DRAWBACKS

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in educational settings is rapidly evolving, presenting both opportunities and challenges for pre-service English teachers. This case study explored three Indonesian EFL pre-service teachers’ experiences in using AI technologies and the implications for their pedagogical practices during teaching practicum. Several AI tools, namely ChatGPT, Copilot, Twee, and Quizizz AI, were used to help the pre-service teachers in planning, creating learning content, and assessing students. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews, reflective reports, and artifacts from the three Indonesian pre-service teachers majoring in English language education joining a teaching practicum program in a local school for 6 weeks. The qualitative data analysis revealed that the Indonesian EFL pre-service teachers saw three essential benefits of AI-assisted teaching practicum: (1) AI assists them with brainstorming and ideation process, (2) AI makes teaching preparation more time efficient, and (3) AI assists them in crafting tailor-made English materials for students. Meanwhile, they also addressed some challenges in the process, namely (1) overreliance, (2) ethical violation, and (3) fabricated and misleading contents.

Internet heuristics in the English language course for junior medical students

Introduction. Teaching of modern Internet heuristics to medical students is presented in fragments or in demand at late stages of training (graduate or postgraduate course of specialization). The aim of the article is to reveal the peculiarities of the heuristic method of teaching in the educational work with professional authentic Internet materials in English for undergraduate medical students. Materials and Methods. The present study was conducted in three stages (February – April 2024) and is based on experimental work made in September 2022 – June 2023 [36]. The entrance survey of students to test the null hypothesis (H0) was conducted using the Anketolog Online Survey Platform. To check the impact of factor α, a univariate analysis was performed in MS Excel. The final questionnaire to test the alternative hypothesis (H1) was conducted using the WebAsk Online Survey Service. The data obtained were analyzed using IBM SPSS (version 23.0). The comparative analysis method was used to develop the necessary professional content of the course. The study involved 80 junior medical students (1st and 2nd year) of English language proficiency level from Elementary (A1) to Pre-Intermediate (A2). Results. It was found that school English-language training does not affect the choice and motivation of medical students of the elementary and threshold levels of English proficiency in studying the professional Internet materials (F = 1.27, p>0.05) The distribution of answers regarding the evaluation of the conducted practical work with professional Internet materials is 40% in favor of training in the skills of working with scientific databases of articles on medical topics, 25% – training in the basics of writing professional texts (articles and abstracts) on medical topics, 20% in favor of training in critical thinking skills in working with professional materials, 15% – training in time management when working with information and correlates between all the studied groups. The obtained data served as a basis for the development of thematic sections of the educational discipline “Introduction to Internet information heuristics”. Conclusion. The results of the experimental study and the design for the academic discipline "Introduction to Internet Information heuristics" developed on their basis contribute to ensuring the level training of medical students in terms of developing skills in working with professional materials in English and allows them to master modern heuristic methods of working with information that are in demand in clinical practice.

THE CONCEPT OF “TIME” IN BASHKIR PROVERBS AND ITS EQUIVALENTS-PROVERBS IN RUSSIAN AND ENGLISH LANGUAGES

The article deals with the problem of similarity of paroemias with the concept of "time" on the material of Bashkir, English and Russian languages. The corpus of semantically equivalent proverbs in the languages under consideration is studied and the typology of interlanguage correspondences is determined. The studied topic of comparing proverbs in the analyzed languages is of considerable interest to linguists, folklorists and culturologists. The problem of the common and the special in the paroemias of different structured languages will determine aspects for further research on the issues of comparing proverbs. The categorization of the concept of "time" (its value, consequence, transience, loss, past, present and future) forms the semantic space and structure of the proverbial picture of the world. The value of human life in time and space is reflected in the paremic phrases and emphasizes the ethnocultural peculiarity of the Bashkir people. The identification of semantic parallels in three languages has practical significance in preserving cultural traditions revealing the national linguistic picture of the world and caring for the value of time.

Reflection of the concept of “SUPERSTITIONS” in the linguistic picture of the world of the Spanish, French, British, Americans and Russians

The article is devoted to studying the specifics of implementation of the concept «SUPERSTITIONS», which is an integral part of the national and cultural identity of any ethnic group, in Spanish, French, British, American and Russian linguocultures in the modern period. The analysis of the language material shows that this phenomenon is widespread in modern Spanish, French, English and Russian. The main function of superstitions - prognostic, predictive - is manifested both at the national and international level. The article examines the content of superstitious views of Spanish, French, British, Americans and Russians, analyzing ways and means for representing the concept of «SUPERSTITIONS» in the linguistic cultures, and highlights the common and distinctive features of this concept in the Spanish, French, British, American and Russian language pictures of the world. The authors of the research used methods such as theoretical literature review, comparative analysis, continuous sampling, as well as observation and generalization. The novelty of the research is to carry out comparative analysis of various aspects of the concept «SUPERSTITIONS» in the material of Spanish, French, English and Russian languages, as well as to identify the dynamics of functional development of this concept in Spanish, French, British, American and Russian world pictures. The study showed that although the grammatical aspects of the expression of the concept «SUPERSTITIONS» are comparable in modern Spanish, French, English and Russian languages, however, there are marked differences in the interpretation of the consequences of the same events and phenomenon in the different linguistic pictures of the world being studied. The results of the study in a practical plane can be used to solve a wide range of problems related to the characteristics of intercultural interaction of Spanish, French, British, Americans and Russians.

Increasing Interest in English Teaching through “Picture Cards” in Class X IPS MA Al-Djufri Pamekasan

This study aims to increase students’ interest in learning English by using picture card media through Classroom Action Research (PTK) method. The subjects of the study were students of class X IPS MA Al-Djufri Pamekasan who experienced low interest in learning English. This research was conducted in two cycles, where each cycle consisted of planning, implementation, observation, and reflection stages. Data collected through observation and questionnaires were analyzed to determine the development of students’ interest in learning. The results showed that the use of picture cards could significantly increase students’ interest in learning. In cycle I, the level of students’ interest in learning was recorded at 60%, which indicated a lack of active involvement and motivation in learning English. After the implementation of picture cards in cycle II, students’ interest in learning increased to 83%. This increase can be seen from the increased participation of students in teaching and learning activities, enthusiasm in discussions, and better ability to understand the material. The application of picture cards proved to be effective in attracting students’ attention and facilitating the understanding of English materials, especially vocabulary and sentence structure. This study is in line with visual learning theory which states that the use of visual media can improve students’ memory and engagement. Thus, the use of picture cards as learning media is recommended for English teachers to improve students’ interest and learning outcomes. Further research is expected to explore the use of other media in foreign language learning.

The Development of E-Learning Material of English for Tourism for Tourism Personnel in Labuan Bajo

The purpose of this study was to create e-learning material of English for tourism personnel in Labuan Bajo. This study was a research and development one. The outcome of this research was learning devices in the form of module. This study refers to Borg and Gall’s development research procedure consisting collecting data, planning, product draft development, expert validation, revision, and field test. There were two kinds of data in this study; qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data was in the form of suggestions from validator regarding module, as well as the results of observation and interview. Meanwhile the quantitative data was obtained from the participant’s result of pretest and postest. The posttest results showed that there was an increase in scores of 37% from the participants' average scores. This showed that materials in the form of module were effective in improving the English language skills of tourism actors in Labuan Bajo. Apart from that, the material in the form of a module has met all the criteria in terms of content feasibility and presentment feasibility by validators who are experts in their fields. Keywords: E-learning, Material, English for Tourism, Tourism Personnel

War and peace in public health education and training: a scoping review

BackgroundArmed conflict and war are public health disasters. Public health action has a crucial role in conflict-related emergencies and rehabilitation but also in war prevention and peace promotion. Translating this into public health training and competencies has just started to emerge, especially in Europe.MethodsWe conducted a Scoping Review to map and identify the role of public health education and training of public health workforce relating to the prevention of war and promoting peace, as reflected in the scientific literature. We searched in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Embase, Web of Science Core Collections as well as the reference list of included material in English, German and Polish. Focusing initially on the European region, we later expanded the search outside of Europe.ResultsWe included 7 publications from opinion pieces to an empirical assessment of curricula and training. The educational programs were predominantly short-term and extra-curricular in postgraduate courses addressing both public health professionals in conflict-affected countries as well as countries not directly affected by war. Publications focused on public health action in times of war, without specifying the context and type of war or armed conflict. Competencies taught focused on emergency response and multi-disciplinary collaboration during emergencies, frequently drawing on experience and examples from natural disaster and disease outbreak management.ConclusionsThe scientific discourse on competences in public health education for times of war and for the promotion of peace, predominately focuses on immediate emergency response actions. The prevention of war and the promotion of peace are missing foci, that need to feature more prominently in public health training. Public Health Education and training should ensure that war prevention and peace promotion, as well as public health action in times of war, are included in their competencies for public health professionals.

DEVELOPING DIGITAL GENDER-INCLUSIVE TEACHING MODULE FOR TENTH GRADERS IN THE INDONESIAN ELT CONTEXT

Gender stereotypes and gender issues exist in English materials. Research investigating gender stereotypes in English learning materials in the Indonesian ELT context revealed gender issues focusing on male dominance. A need analysis was conducted at SMK Negeri 1 Gedangan to examine the current needs and conditions in the school environment. The result showed that gender bias and stereotypes exist in English materials. This research aims to develop gender-inclusive teaching module of Kurikulum Merdeka (Independent Curriculum) using AADIE for tenth grade students. An ADDIE research design serves as a guidance in developing the digital teaching module in this research. The expert validation resulted in a final score of 55 out of 100 which means the product is good to use with some minor revisions. After the revision process, the product was implemented to class X AK 1. The results of the product implementation showed good results in students' understanding of gender inclusiveness in reading and speaking skills. TPACK as a framework is used in this research since it helps teachers to combine content, pedagogy, and technology to create effective learning. Multimodal and scaffolding frameworks allow product development to fulfil students' and teachers' needs.

Using Canva in Creating and Designing E-Module for English Language Teaching

The utilization of learning material via the use of technology is interesting. Visual, audio, and audiovisual learning mediums are all options. Memorable and simple-to-understand learning activities may be created using appealing learning material. This study simulates Canva in making and designing an e-module in English material. This research is descriptive qualitative. The analysis shows that Canva is an online graphic design tool that allows educators to generate a variety of creative products such as e-modules of teaching materials. This app can be used to design learning media with attractive templates, and a varied presentation of shapes, images, colors, and letters. To use the Canva app, we create a Canva account on canva.com, choose a template for design, design (insert elements), choose a background, edit the background, add texts, upload images/audio/videos, insert links, download or share designs e-module. Canva is a site that offers both free and paid (freemium) access to a wide variety of design tools and options. Canva has provided 'graphics capabilities for users who 'cannot or are not good at designing' by providing various templates ranging from lawyers, elements (icons, photos, lines, illustrations), text with various fonts, and 4) backgrounds. So, the 'material' has been presented and the users just have to create it. Teachers/lecturers may find Canva to design learning media and develop instructional material. By using Canva, teachers/lecturers can teach material, knowledge, creativity, and skills that will be obtained for students, so that this media can also be used in various areas of their lives.

Barriers and proposed solutions to at-home colorectal cancer screening tests in medically underserved health centers across three US regions to inform a randomized trial.

At-home colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is an effective way to reduce CRC mortality, but screening rates in medically underserved groups are low. To plan the implementation of a pragmatic randomized trial comparing two population-based outreach approaches, we conducted qualitative research on current processes and barriers to at-home CRC screening in 10 community health centers (CHCs) that serve medically underserved groups, four each in Massachusetts and California, and two tribal facilities in South Dakota. We conducted 53 semi-structured interviews with clinical and administrative staff at the participating CHCs. Participants were asked about CRC screening processes, categorized into eight domains: patient identification, outreach, risk assessment, fecal immunochemical test (FIT) workflows, FIT-DNA (i.e., Cologuard) workflows, referral for a follow-up colonoscopy, patient navigation, and educational materials. Transcripts were analyzed using a Rapid Qualitative Analysis approach. A matrix was used to organize and summarize the data into four sub-themes: current process, barriers, facilitators, and solutions to adapt materials for the intervention. Each site's process for stool-based CRC screening varied slightly. Interviewees identified the importance of offering educational materials in English and Spanish, using text messages to remind patients to return kits, adapting materials to address health literacy needs so patients can access instructions in writing, pictures, or video, creating mailed workflows integrated with a tracking system, and offering patient navigation to colonoscopy for patients with an abnormal result. Proposed solutions across the three regions will inform a multilevel intervention in a pragmatic trial to increase CRC screening uptake in CHCs.

Enhancing online cataract surgery patient education materials through artificial intelligence

ObjectiveTo assess the feasibility of using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve readability of online cataract surgery patient education materials (PEMs) in English and Spanish. ParticipantsWebsites with information dedicated to educating patients about cataract surgery. DesignComparative cross-sectional study. MethodsThe first 50 patient-oriented websites containing PEMs related to cataract surgery were identified through online search. Website authorship was categorized as an institution, private practice, or medical organization. Websites were assessed qualitatively for information accuracy, the presence of narrative video content, and multilingual availability. Readability of PEMs was assessed using five validated reading formulas. A natural language processing platform was used to simplify PEMs in English and Spanish. Converted PEMs were reassessed for readability and accuracy. ResultsA total of 32 institution, 7 private practice, and 11 medical organization sites were included. The overall average original reading grade level was 11.68 ± 1.59. After conversion, overall reading grade level improved to 7.94 ± 0.82 (p < 0.01). The first 10 results had better readability (10.40 ± 1.59) and reading ease (57.51 ± 9.24) compared to the subsequent 40 results (11.99 ± 1.43; p = 0.01; 47.64 ± 8.59; p < 0.01). Converted simplified Spanish text had an average reading ease score of 61.17 ± 5.39 (8–9th grade level). Native Spanish text reading ease improved from 57.41 ± 5.24 to 71.78 ± 5.24 (p < 0.01) following conversion (7th-grade level). ConclusionAI conversion can enhance the readability of online PEMs on cataract surgery, while maintaining accuracy and content integrity, thereby improving accessibility and comprehensibility for a wider audience.

Investigating best practices for teaching reading recount text in the context of ESP

This research investigates the implementation of best practices in teaching reading recount texts within the context of Social Care education at a vocational high school. Recognizing the challenges in conventional learning materials for English for Specific Purposes (ESP) students, this research aims to explore how an English teacher's innovative approach to teaching reading recount text in the field of Social Care. A descriptive qualitative design was employed to describe how the teacher implemented the best practice in teaching reading recount text in the Social Care major. Data collection involved observation and interviews with the English teacher responsible for the Social Care major. The study was conducted at SMK Roudhatul Jannah, chosen for its newly introduced Social Care major in the Indonesian vocational education system. The analysis of the data collected revealed that the teacher's best practice involved focusing on biographies of notable figures in Social Care. The manual creation of biographies allowed the teacher to address the specific needs of the students, fostering engagement and practical application of knowledge. The research concludes that the teacher's proactive approach in manually creating biographies of notable figures not only addresses the limitations of conventional learning materials but also demonstrates a commitment to providing relevant content aligned with the student's major. The findings underscore the importance of ESP teachers adopting innovative teaching methods that resonate with students' specific needs, so it can be beneficial for their future careers.

Vocabulary of reading materials in English and French L2 textbooks: A cross-lingual corpus study

Foreign language (L2) textbooks and specifically the reading materials they are constructed around constitute an essential source of input for learners. However, many questions remain about the lexical characteristics of L2 textbook reading materials. This study assesses (1) their vocabulary demands by means of vocabulary loads, (2) the representation of higher- and lower-frequency words, and (3) the extent to which words are repurposed across texts. A corpus was compiled containing the reading materials from three English and three French textbook series used across all six grades of Flemish secondary education to determine whether widely observed differences in learners’ out-of-school exposure (which is high for English but low for French) somehow impact the lexical characteristics of the materials. To analyse the corpus, a custom lexical profiling system was built in Python. Results show (1) a fairly consistent build-up in vocabulary loads in the English materials but not in the French materials, (2) the absence of 20–30% of the 5000 most frequent words (flemmas) in the English and French materials, respectively, and (3) limited potential in both L2s for reencountering words across texts, with ca. 50% of all introduced lexical items being used exclusively in one text.

‘엄마표 영어’ 담론 분석: 토픽모델링과 감성분석의 적용

This study was conducted to analyze the discourse on “Mother-guided English” using data from online parenting communities. To analyze the themes of the discourse on “Mother-guided English,” the topic modeling technique based on the LDA algorithm was applied, and KoGPT2 was used for sentiment analysis. As a result of the topic modeling analysis, 16 topics were derived and categorized into four main themes: “Concerns related to Mother-guided English,” “Mom's study and solidarity for Mother-guided English,” “Teaching methods and effects of Mother-guided English,” and “Educational materials for Mother-guided English”. The sentiment analysis showed a tendency toward positive sentiment overall. The application of sentiment analysis to the 16 topics revealed that positive sentiment predominated in topics such as “Concerns about Mother-guided English teaching methods,” “Mother-guided English progress,” “How to start Mother-guided English,” “Formation of Mother-guided English study groups,” and “Formation of practical English project solidarity.” On the other hand, topics such as “Concerns about choosing between Mother-guided English and other English teaching methods” and “Level tests” showed a tendency toward higher negative sentiment. The research results can expand academic discussions necessary for supporting English education for children’s parents and provide foundational data needed to develop related educational policy alternatives.

A Holistic Needs Analysis for Developing Critical Reading Material to Enhance EFL Reading Proficiency

This study delves into the development of critical reading material for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) reading classes through a comprehensive need analysis. Employing the Four D model encompassing defining, designing, developing, and disseminating, the research process unfolded in distinct phases. The initial phase involved a preliminary investigation at the English Language Education Department of Muhammadiyah Purworejo University to discern students' challenges within real-time learning contexts. Subsequently, a prototype of the needs analysis was formulated based on the findings from the preliminary study. Validation of this needs analysis occurred through consultation with two experts and field testing to ascertain the questionnaire's efficacy. The validation process revealed a high feasibility rate (85%) in assessing students' needs. Additionally, a preliminary field test involving 30 students from the English Language Education Department at Muhammadiyah Purworejo University was conducted to evaluate the questionnaire's practicality. The outcomes of the needs analysis served as a foundational framework for the development of critical reading materials, subsequently utilized in EFL reading classes.

Yabancı Dil Eğitiminde Özel Amaçlar için Geliştirilen Materyallerin Psikoloji Öğrencilerinin Motivasyon ve Tutumuna Etkisi

The current research aims to explore the psychology students’ motivation and attitudes toward using developed English for Specific Purposes (ESP) materials in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. A mixed method study was conducted with 60 pupils from the Psychology Department taking ‘General English’ course. Treatment lasted for 12 weeks. As the data collection tools, the “Motivation Questionnaire for Learning English” and Interview Questions were used. Data tools were administered both at the beginning and end of the study. Quantitative data were analysed through the SPSS program. Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used to measure the significance of instruction. Qualitative data, obtained from the semi-structured interview, were analysed through thematic content analysis. As the findings of the research indicate after the use of the ESP material, the motivation of the students towards learning English increased and participants developed positive attitudes toward the developed material as well as learning English.