English-speaking Nations Research Articles

Mapping research on International Student Mobilities in higher education: Achievements and the agenda ahead

In this comprehensive review, we analyzed nearly 10,000 publications indexed in the Scopus database over the past seven decades using bibliometric analysis and science mapping visualization techniques to delineate the scholarly discourse on International Student Mobilities (ISM) in higher education and uncover significant trends. The findings reveal that the field has a long history with remarkable growth since 2005. English-speaking nations dominate knowledge production, but European and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries have also made noteworthy contributions. Co-citation analyses highlight the interdisciplinary nature of ISM research, drawing from diverse disciplines across psychology, social sciences, and the humanities. Eight prominent thematic strands underpin the foundations of ISM research, with a strong emphasis on exploring international students’ social, emotional, and cultural adaptation within university settings. Implications drawn from these trends provide a nuanced perspective for navigating the terrain of ISM in higher education, offering guidance for future research and policy considerations.

Empowering English Language Learners: Harnessing AI for Enhanced ESL Education

This paper looks into how studying English as a second language (ESL) might be made easier and more enjoyable by using artificial intelligence (AI). We look at cutting-edge tools like chatbots and smart apps that help kids learn at their own pace. There are challenges to be addressed, though, such making sure that these resources are equal and accessible to all. We also go over how AI can assess your English skills and give you instant feedback so you can get better. We'll also look at how virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to simulate an English-speaking nation while teaching. It's similar like setting out on a language adventure without ever leaving your chamber! Lastly, we offer a sneak peek at potential future developments for AI in ESL, such as utilizing ever-more cutting-edge technology to impart English in ever-more creative ways. Everyone stands to gain from more efficient, interesting, and customized AI-based English language instruction.

Impression / Expression

In this paper, I will ponder my connection with printmaking not only as a professor, artist, and researcher but also as a Spanish speaker who is interested in the fact that Spanish-speaking and English-speaking nations use different expressions to refer to this artistic discipline. In addition, I will reflect on how these expressions could interfere with the way I relate to my creative process. I will not go deeply into specific linguistic studies, just enough observations to make my point.

Exploring the Impact of Learning English on Shaping Saudi EFL Learners’ Identities

Language learners’ identities are no longer constant and stable but complicated, conflicting, and multidimensional (Darvin & Norton, 2023; Norton, 1997). Its users’ identities format language and those identities are dynamic because students engage in many discourses and negotiate their positions within diverse communities of practice. The main aim of this mixed-methods study is to explore how learning the English language impacts Saudi students’ identities and what factors contribute to it. To achieve these purposes, the study randomly recruited a sample of 60 male and female college-level students studying for a Bachelor of Education. in English language at Majmaah University’s College of Education – Saudi Arabia- were randomly recruited to complete online questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with five male and five female high-achieving EFL English as a foreign language learner. The results showed that knowing English is highly valued in Saudi Arabia and essential to securing a good job and achieving personal financial success. The research participants expressed positive perceptions of the English language, native English speakers, and the culture of English-speaking nations, showing that they possessed both intrinsic solid and extrinsic motivational orientations. The outcomes of the interviews and questionnaires indicated that most respondents still needed to create a new foreign-language identity.

A Content Based Analysis of Cultural Depictions in English Textbook

The role that culture plays in teaching English as a global language is complicated by the language's widespread usage in a variety of international situations. Using a well-known paradigm of cultural representation in ELT textbook design by PCTB for grade 9, this study focused on a content analysis of four categories: objects, practices, viewpoints, and persons. The researcher has used qualitative research methods and content analysis as a tool for the analysis. Cultures, which are made up of a society's behavioural patterns that include details about common daily activities and rituals. The variety of foreign cultures that were depicted in these textbooks was obviously unbalanced. This is explained by the fact that the cultures of English-speaking nations are normal in comparison to other civilizations across the globe. It is believed that using English as an international language can help students become more proficient in cross-cultural communication and improve their intercultural competency.If writers of instructional materials focus more on the significance of global culture, this can be made achievable. By using content analysis method the research has evaluated the content of the textbook.

Exploring the ‘White men’ dominance of senior leaders in premium international schools

ABSTRACT By 2022 there were over 13,000 private schools worldwide classified as delivering a non-national curriculum in English outside an English-speaking nation. Reports on the diversity of senior leaders of the “premium traditional international school” has always revealed a Western men bias although little has been reported about race. We report on the body of “premium non-traditional international schools”, those belonging to a branded, corporate, profit-driven grouping where we hypothesised that a greater diversity might exist with regard to sex and race. Our survey of the websites of 247 schools belonging to 10 major groupings reveals, from photographic evidence, that 88% of senior leaders are White, and 64% are White men. This finding is very similar to a recent report into diversity among the premium traditional sector. We explore this situation and offer for discussion two sets of possible reasons. An unwritten truth pertains that the recruitment of senior leaders is biased towards White men, whilst at another level the uncertainty, risks, and commercialisation of the field might be more attractive to White men. Both lead to a situation that is rarely questioned or discussed.

The Lived Experiences of Global Citizenship Education by Asian-Muslim Teachers Attending A Professional Development Program in the USA

Following the initiation of the Madrasah Education Program (MEP) in 2004, the government of the Philippines has historically promoted the liberal education of Muslim citizens. Filipino-Muslim teachers have been trained and equipped to preserve the core principles of Islam in public schools in all regions of the Philippines. However, the MEP does not provide specifically for the professional development of Filipino-Muslim teachers who want to work at schools in other English-speaking nations. In the USA, professional development programs have been developed specifically to help Asian-Muslim teachers grow into globally and culturally engaged citizens. The present phenomenological study focuses on the lived experiences of seven Asian-Muslim teachers who, in 2022, attended a professional development program abroad in the USA. A thematic analysis was conducted to interpret the transcripts of their conversations recorded at a focus group meeting. Emergent themes were extracted which highlighted the benefits to individual teachers. These benefits included: adapting to new lifestyles, becoming more flexible, becoming more confident, developing an open mind, obtaining a deeper understanding of social interactions and teaching in the English language in a culturally different environment, reaffirming their own cultural beliefs and values, and developing attitudes that involve tolerance and respect for the values and beliefs of other cultures. The overall conclusion is that the participation of Asian-Muslims in a professional development program abroad in the USA opened up new opportunities to promote the ideals of Global Citizenship Education. The practical implications are that institutions in the Philippines organizing professional development for teachers should ideally provide opportunities for Filipino-Muslim teachers to travel abroad and help them grow into globally competent citizens. Keywords: Global Education, Internationalization, 21st Century, Action Research

Developing Fluency In Spoken English To B2

Oral fluency is a skill that requires constant practice in an ESL classroom in order to make meaningful development. In general, when we discuss fluency, we are referring to the ease with which pupils speak, their speech rate, their pauses, and the language they can easily create in between. In an ideal scenario, the greatest method to learn to speak English effectively is to be exposed to the language on a daily basis through frequent discussion with English speakers on a range of themes. Regretfully, hardly many English language learners get the chance to practice speaking in a situation that is genuinely immersive. It is astonishing how many foreign students, who have low English proficiency despite spending years in an English-speaking nation, come home. They frequently discover that a large portion of the student body speaks their language in their town. They might not be having as many opportunities as we might think to use English outside of the classroom as a result. This just serves to emphasize how crucial it is to give students frequent opportunity to speak in class. This article focuses on how educators may provide kids these kinds of chances in the classroom to help them become more confident and fluent. When it comes to supporting students in improving their oral fluency, there are a few factors to take into account. [1:36]

The Effectiveness of Wordwall in Enhancing Students’ Engagement and Motivation in Literature Classes

In order to enhance students’ engagement and motivation, the integration of technology into instructional environments is becoming increasingly fundamental. In this context, Wordwall is utilized for English Letters students in Universitas Sanata Dharma. This study investigates the effectiveness of Wordwall—an online tool applying gamification principles in non-game contexts—to enhance English Letters students’ learning engagement and motivation in literature classes. Wordwall is chosen among other platforms since it is free to use and students do not need to login to the platform. Therefore, it is deemed to be practical. This study uses quasi experimental post-test design. The population of this study is the students of Introduction to Literature and Culture of English-Speaking Nation of English Literature Class batch 2022. Both groups took a pre-test and post-test and the results were compared to see the variance in the results. Each group received one lesson per week for four weeks as part of the treatments. Lastly, the data were analysed using independent sample t-test with SPSS version 25. The findings indicated that integrating Wordwall into Literature classes had a notable impact in motivating students to actively engage in the learning environment. Employing gamification quizzes in literature classes emerged as an innovative agent to engage students’ interest in reading and interpreting literature works. In addition, the enjoyable and friendly competitive nature in Wordwall also facilitated the students to understand the literature texts better. Importantly, the lecturer may also monitor the students’ progress from the results of the quizzes presented in ranks, leaderboards, or statistics.

Science Advisory to Governments and Regional/Sub-Regional Organizations in West and Central Africa

Science advice to governments and regional and sub-regional organizations in West and Central Africa has been reviewed. The objectives were to analyze its evolution and characterize the sources of advice. During the colonial period, it was by the colonial administrations and for their needs. At independence, in general, the new nations (particularly French speaking) entered into agreements with the former colonial powers to develop science, technology and innovation capacity for sustainable development. English speaking nations sought more partners outside the colonial experience. Colonial research institutes were increasingly transformed into national research institutes/institutions with national development mandates. Governments increasingly turned to science advice from consultants, inter- ministerial committees, advisory bodies, ad hoc experts’ groups, or a combination of these. Regional/sub-regional organizations sought advice from consultants, ad hoc technical experts’ groups, advisory bodies or a combination of these. Increasingly, science advice is delivered by Africans. Science advice by science academies is most rigorous. The arrival of more science academies, with varying links with governments, indicates that evidence-based science advice is growing in the region.

Framework for Cloud Computing Adoption in the Malaysian and Libyan Hospitality Industry

Cloud computing, a paradigm that provides on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources, is revolutionizing various sectors. Cloud computing supports the hospitality industry by offering scalable, on-demand resources that enable streamlined operations, personalized customer experiences, and cost-effective infrastructure management. This paper provides a comprehensive explanation to address the challenges associated with cloud computing adoption in the Malaysian and Libyan hospitality industries while focusing on providing a comprehensive framework for successful cloud computing adoption in the hospitality industry. It also provides literature and definitions with regard to the desired variables. It proposes a conceptual framework that can be applied within Malaysian and Libyan hospitality industries. The conceptual framework explains technological factors, organizational factors, environmental factors, perceived usefulness, and perceived ease of use, with respect to cloud computing adoption decision.

FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ENGLISH TEACHERS AND CULTURE EXPLORERS: AN INSIGHT INTO THE BENEFITS OF WATCHING ENGLISH MOVIES WITH SUBTITLES FOR UNIVERSITY FRESHMEN

For English learners, learning about the cultures of other English-speaking nations is incredibly helpful. They benefit from having the chance to comprehend the cultures associated with the language they adore in addition to improving their English study skills. One step in this process of culture research is watching English-language movies, which is made much simpler by the use of subtitles. Through the investigation of first-year students' attitudes and opinions, this research aims at exploring and reflecting on the function of English movies with subtitles in teaching and studying English at the university level and pointing out the difference between two types of subtitles, in terms of how they can facilitate English teaching and studying. To conduct this research, the quantitative method was used, with the help of a survey questionnaire.

Semantic changes in the diachronic perspective from the viewpoint of ethnic experience categorization in the English language

The article considers semantic changes in English words as certain movements in accordance with figurative schemes within the framework of the conceptual structure of the word and lexical categories. We believe this aspect to be relevant as the traditional approach to semantic changes of words in the diachronic perspective does not reveal the mechanism of transition from one meaning to another. In terms of cognitive linguistics, it is possible to more profoundly describe the phenomenon of recategorization in the English word semantics in the diachronic perspective and understand the essence of these changes. The scientific novelty of this study is the evaluation of semantic changes in the vocabulary of the English language from the standpoint of categorization, which is considered within the framework of diachronic changes influenced by a variety of external, extralinguistic factors, including the level of the development of civilization, culture and thinking of the English-speaking nation. We have provided rationale for the hypothesis that every shift of the meaning towards “improvement” or “deterioration” in the diachronic perspective will depend on the direction of the movement (to the core or periphery) of the word conceptual base: deterioration of the meaning is often associated with its movement towards the periphery, and improvement - with its movement to the core. The expansion and narrowing of the meanings of words is associated, respectively, with the movement from its part to its whole and from its whole to its part in the conceptual structure of words. In each specific case, the language selects the optimal way to change the value. This is the theoretical significance of our research. The possibility of using research materials in courses in the history of the English language, linguistic and cultural aspects of the English language, lexicology and stylistics of the English language determines the practical significance of the study.

Jizz in birdwatching activity and clinical practice: how it works and why?

The world “jizz” is part of the language of birding in the English-speaking nations. It’s meaning is combination of characteristics which identify kind of a bird, but this characteristics may not be distinguished individually. Jizz is described as embodied way of seeing that instantaneously reveals the identity of a birds species, suspending the laborious and meticulous study of an diagnostic characteristics. In medicine there is an idea of “clinical intuition” - making judgments and clinical diagnoses without clear awareness of consecutive stages of reasoning. Intuitive decision making has been found in some cases to improve decisions and eventually lead into better performance than analytic deliberation. Can a certain sudden conclusions that appear in minds of both birdwatchers (about bird species) and medical doctors (established diagnosis), based on the use of an incomplete set of information, be accurate? And how we can use this similarity to understand process of formulating medical diagnoses? In this paper we discuss the phenomena of jizz and “clinical intuition” in the light of theory of brain as a tool of making predictions. According to this view the primary function of the brain is to make predictions about the word, rather than laborious analysis of the stimuli coming in from the environment at each successive moment. That theory according to us can explain both Jizz observed by birdwatchers and clinical intuition in medical practice.

Directives in COVID-19 government guidance: An international comparison

The importance of language to changing public behaviours is acknowledged in crisis situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic. A key means of achieving these changes is through the use of directive speech acts, yet this area is currently under-researched. This study investigates the use of directives in the 2020 COVID-19 briefings of four leaders of English-speaking nations, Jacinda Adern, Boris Johnson, Scott Morrison, and Nicola Sturgeon. We developed a classification system including 16 directive types and used this to compare directive use across these four leaders, examining directness and forcefulness of directive use. The analysis finds Sturgeon to be the most prolific directive user and also to have the highest reliance on imperatives. Johnson, meanwhile, has a preference for directives involving modal verbs, particularly with first- and second-person pronouns. In contrast, Ardern and Morrison show a higher use of indirect directives, normally thought to be a less effective strategy. While Ardern often combines this strategy with judicious use of imperatives, this is not seen in Morrison's COVID-19 briefings. These findings tend to confirm earlier, more impressionistic evaluations of the communication styles of these leaders but also suggest other avenues for research on directive use. We conclude with implications for political crisis communication and analysis of directives in crisis communication.

Teachers in ‘international schools’ as an emerging field of inquiry: a literature review of themes and theoretical developments

ABSTRACT This review article identifies the trends and developments regarding teachers in international schools from 1998 until 2022. International school teachers as a group are worthy of study as the number of schools delivering a curriculum in English outside of an English-speaking nation has grown considerably in recent years. Amidst continuous statistical growth there has been major structural changes as the arena has attracted a local middle class and the attention of commercial entities. As a result, the profit driven ‘non-traditional’ arena is now the dominant one, centred upon The Asia-Pacific and the Middle-East. This literature review analysed 69 peer-reviewed academic journal papers with regard to their thematic focus, methods, and theoretical frameworks. Three distinct phases of literature can be identified, with a sociological lens appearing after 2012 and a major period of growth beginning in 2015, and a large number of research gaps can be identified.

0212 Insufficient Sleep and Behavioral Health in the Military: A 5-Nation Perspective

Abstract Introduction Insufficient sleep (< 7 hours per night) degrades both health and performance and constitutes a risk to military mission success. Accordingly, militaries across the globe are increasingly focusing on sleep management, including the role that leaders play in fostering and promoting a healthy sleep culture. In the present study, we assessed survey data from the militaries of five nations on: 1) sleep behavior, 2) the relationship between sleep behavior and mental health, and 3) the role leaders play in improving service member sleep. The goal was to determine the extent to which insufficient sleep, its link to behavioral health, and the role of leaders were relevant in militaries across allied English-speaking nations. Methods Data from five nations: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States were assessed. Each nation administered a survey to a military sample, including questions on sleep problems (e.g., Insomnia Severity Index) and mental health. In addition, some countries assessed how first-line leaders addressed sleep in their units using items from the sleep leadership scale. Each data collection differed in terms of scope, setting, and objective. Results Insufficient sleep (< 7 hours per night) was reported by 34.9%, 67.2% and 95.4% of survey respondents from the New Zealand Defence Force, Canadian Armed Forces, and the US Army, respectively. Those reporting shorter mean sleep durations also reported fewer sleep difficulties, likely reflecting higher sleep pressure from chronic sleep loss. Across all five nations, sleep problems (e.g., difficulty falling asleep) were positively correlated with behavioral health symptoms (e.g., depression and anxiety symptoms). Importantly, leader engagement in promoting healthy sleep was positively correlated with sleep duration and negatively correlated with sleep problems and behavioral health symptoms. Conclusion Insufficient sleep is pervasive in the militaries of the nations included in the present study – a finding that has serious implications for the behavioral health and resilience of service members, and more broadly for the overall effectiveness of these military forces. Across nations, militaries should attend to these risks and examine ways that first-line leaders can promote healthy sleep in their service members. Support (if any) Department of Defense Military Operational Medicine Research Program

The Role of Consent and Motivations in Sext Dissemination.

Sext dissemination (i.e., the online sharing of sexually explicit images) has the potential to result in legal, social, and psychological harms. Recent research has shown that this behavior can be consensual or non-consensual in nature; yet little is known about how motivations or attitudes may differ between these forms, or with gender. This study is based on a cross-sectional online survey investigating consensual and non-consensual sext dissemination and associated demographic, behavioral, attitudinal, and psychological factors. Participants were 2,126 cisgendered adults aged 18 to 30 years (M = 22.97, SD = 3.21, 55% women, 45% men), resident in Western, English-speaking nations, particularly Australia. Around 10% of respondents reported disseminating texts, and of these, only 19.8% indicated they had permission for this, with no differences across gender. When sexts were disseminated "to gossip," this was significantly more likely to be non-consensual. There were no significant differences between consensual and non-consensual dissemination in subjective attitudes or norms toward dissemination, nor levels of psychological distress. Women were more likely to non-consensually disseminate sexts that had been received as unwanted or unwelcome. Consensual dissemination was weakly associated with being sexually active and having given consent to having one's own images disseminated. We discuss implications for future research regarding consent, and relationship and sexuality education.

Planning for Play? A Systematic Literature Review

Play has well-established physical and mental benefits for people of all ages. Urban spaces, such as parks, provide important public arenas in which to play. But to what extent do planners or planning scholarship focus on facilitating play? Our systematic literature review of 3,800 articles in nineteen academic planning journals returned 126 articles related to play. We found that the planning for play literature is an emerging discourse overwhelmingly focused on children and the physical design of urban spaces in predominantly English-speaking nations. The study identifies gaps in the planning for play literature and outlines recommendations for future research.

‘I’ve Become a Lot Tougher’: Expatriate Teachers’ Experiences of Precarity and Resilience in Non-Traditional International Schools in China

Abstract The arena of education known as ‘international schooling’ has grown enormously, from a body of 2,500 schools in 2000 to almost 13,500 by 2022. By 2019, China had emerged as having the most schools delivering a non-national curriculum in English outside of an English-speaking nation. The arena continues to be dominated by British and North American educators. One enduring aspect of workplace reality is the short-term contract, normally of between two and three years. The field is acknowledged to be inherently precarious and insecure, with high levels of turnover, and a bleak ‘negative’ lens of imagination has always persisted. This paper focuses attention on the lived experiences of expatriate teachers among the growing body of ‘non-traditional international schools’ that might be best termed ‘Chinese Internationalised Schools’. Through in-depth phenomenological interviewing of six expatriate teachers, the reality of ‘short-termism’ was examined. Whilst the findings highlighted, as expected, the negative aspects of short-term employment, the findings also identify many positive outcomes. These include opportunities for developing resilience, agency, and reinvention. This offers scope for a new vision, based upon the accumulation of ‘resilience’, which helps to explain the continuous growth of the arena despite the presence of precarity.