Foreign Language Classes Research Articles

Longitudinal Study of Foreign Language Boredom Experienced by English Major Students in a Blended English Reading Course

Introduction: Boredom is a negative psychological and emotional experience prevalent in foreign language classrooms. However, it has long been neglected by researchers and foreign language teachers. In this context, the present study investigated boredom experienced by college English majors in a blended English reading course. Research efforts revolved around students’ overall boredom level, gender differences, and dynamic changes in boredom.
 Methodology: This study adopted a quantitative research method, and the instrument was a quantitative questionnaire adapted from the Foreign Language Learning Boredom Scale. A total of 174 EFL learners (60 males and 114 females) in the second year of English majors from a private university in Southwest China filled out the online version of FLLBS in weeks 3, 9, and 15 during the fall semester of 2022-2023 academic year.
 Results: The findings demonstrated that participants’boredom was at a moderate level. Moreover, except in foreign language class boredom at Time 2 and over-challenging or meaningless task boredom at Time 3, there existed no significant gender differences. Finally, a complicated picture was painted regarding the dynamic changes in boredom levels over time, and different patterns were found.
 Conclusion: College EFL learners do feel bored in the learning process, which should not be neglected by language teachers and researchers. This study enriched the research on foreign language boredom and can provide enlightenment to EFL teaching.

Изучение неологизмов студентами неязыковых профилей подготовки: основные направления

The article focuses on the importance of learning the process of neologization of a foreign language for the formation of the linguistic competence of university students. The lexical composition of any language is subject to the influence of various linguistic and extralinguistic factors, since it is a fairly open level of the language system. As a result, new words appear in the language - neologisms. At present, the lexical composition of the German language is expanding quite intensively. The author tries to answer the question: Should students of non-linguistic profiles of training in foreign language classes focus on the problem of language neologization, and if so, how can the study of neologisms be used to form students’ foreign language competence? The purpose of the article is to analyze and clarify the main areas of study of neologisms by students of non-linguistic training profiles in the process of foreign language education. The article highlights the main areas of study by students of neologisms (cognitive, general developmental, educational, educational) and the basic tasks that the teacher solves when studying the processes of neologization of the German language: to raise students’ awareness of the history and culture of the people, to acquaint them with the current changes taking place in the language space countries of the language being studied; use new words as a source of background knowledge; explain to students what are the actual ways of word formation; expand their knowledge of a new phenomenon in the German language - Denglisch. Students will also learn about the activities of the society of fighters for the purity of their native language (Gesellschaft für deutsche Sprache). In conclusion, it is noted that the involvement of students in practical classes in the German language to consider such an interesting linguistic phenomenon as neologization motivates them to learn the language, in general, has a positive effect on the success of the formation of foreign language communicative competence.

Influence of Language Coaching Techniques on Undergraduate Students’ Motivation in the Process of Foreign Languages Teaching at Non-linguistic Specialties

The application of coaching techniques is popular in the worldwide practice of specialist training and is used in various fields. However, the problem of introduction of coaching technniques in foreign languages learning in Ukraine remains insufficiently covered and requires a more detailed study. This paper aimed to study the influence of language coaching techniques (LCT) on undergraduate students’ motivation in the process of foreign language teaching at non-linguistic specialties. The study sought to answer the main research questions: 1.What effect would LCT have on undergraduate students’ motivation to learn foreign languages at Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatiuk National Pedagogical University (TNPU) in Ukraine? 2. How will the students perceive LCT while learning languages? The research employs qualitative methods (scientific observations, analysis of student activity results) to substantiate research theoretical grounds; quantitative metods (testing and self-assessment reviews) to identify the efficacy of LCT, communicative methods (conversations, discussions), and methods of mathematical analysis to do calculations of the collected research data. The conducted experiment involved randomly chosen 62 second-year students of the first (bachelor) higher education level of non-linguistic specialties of TNPU. The study concluded that the applied LCT at foreign language classes during the experiment provided positive dynamics in the growth of students’ motivation to knowledge acquisition. The findings would have practical significance for teachers of foreign languages who want to organize the learning process and make it more effective.

The Correlation between Content Schemata, Linguistic Schemata and Reading Comprehension of Foreign Language Learners

Reading is a complicated process that involves the reader's engagement with the text to develop meaning. Language proficiency is regarded to be more significant and to contribute more to reading comprehension in reading a second language or a foreign language than other aspects. This study is aimed at to measure which of the content schemata and linguistic schemata contributes the most to reading comprehension. The study was carried out in a sample of 35 English students of the first semester at Foreign Language Class in Al-Qolam Islamic Institute Gondanglegi Malang. The data collection involved two instruments, namely self-assessment, linguistic test and reading comprehension test. To achieve the purpose of the present study, the data were analyzed by using simple correlation with the help of SPSS 16. The result of the computation of simple correlation showed that linguistic schemata contribute more to reading comprehension. The effect analysis of the combined predictors and reading comprehension indicating significance at .000. Simple regression correlation calculations required a significance level of less than 0.05. In other words, there was a correlation between content schemata, linguistic schemata and reading comprehension. EFL teaching professionals and other scholars who intend to study relevant subjects in future research are addressed in suggestions made based on the results.

Bilingual school choice and socio-economic segregation: an analysis for Spain based on PISA 2015

ABSTRACT In the academic year of 2004–2005, the Spanish region of Madrid began to implement a bilingual educational programme (MBP hereinafter) in state schools. One of the objectives of this programme was to make the study of a foreign language (English) accessible to students from economically disadvantaged families who cannot afford private foreign language classes. Our study aims to evaluate whether students from a disadvantaged socio-economic background really do have the same probability of participating in the MBP as their more privileged peers. The analysis use the PISA 2015 database which corresponds to the representative sample of the Community of Madrid in Spain, with added administrative information supplied by the Madrid Regional Ministry of Education concerning the identification of bilingual and non-bilingual schools. Using these data, we estimate a logit model directed at identifying which factors explain the choice by students of whether to attend a bilingual state school. The results obtained reveal that the probability of attending a bilingual school is higher for students belonging to socio-economically and culturally better-off households. This suggests that the MBP could be fostering segregation within the state education sector in Madrid.

PECULIARITIES AND PERSPECTIVES OF THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE COMMUNICATIVE COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT IN STUDENTS OF INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract. The article suggests a comprehensive study of the problem of implementing modern methods of students’ foreign language communicative competence development in foreign language classes. It is proven that at the current stage, the emphasis in education is shifting towards the need to form a system of professional competences in the future specialists, which will help them to perform their professional duties efficiently. The authors consider foreign language communicative competence as an integrative personality formation, which has a complex structure and acts as an interaction and interpenetration of linguistic, sociocultural and communicative competencies.
 It is emphasized that forming foreign language communicative competence for future specialists at the current stage of world community development should be considered as a mandatory component of general professional training. It is stressed out that to ensure the effectiveness of the process of foreign language communicative competence development, it is necessary to apply new methodological approaches and determine the pedagogical conditions for their implementation.
 The authors characterize the structure of foreign language communicative competence of students of non-language specialties. In the context of foreign language learning for students of higher education institutions, the concepts of “general competency” and “communicative competency” are distinguished and their components are analysed.
 It is demonstrated that for the effective development of foreign language communicative competence, a foreign language teacher must use the latest teaching methods that combine communicative and cognitive goals. The article also proves the need to take into account the specifics of professional interests within the specialty, i.e., specialized content (special terminology, typical communication situations and genre specifics of professional language), contextual language study of grammatical phenomena, focusing attention on practical language use, etc.

The Role of Digital Technologies in Distance Learning

Purpose. This article is devoted to the analysis of the issues of using digital technologies in foreign language classes in higher educational institutions. The relevance of the paper is explained by the fact that the issue of digitalization of the educational environment attracts the attention of researchers. Therefore, in 2019, the federal project “Digital Educational Environment” was developed, which proposed a plan of measures until 2024 aimed at “creating and implementing a digital educational environment in educational organizations, as well as ensuring the implementation of the digital transformation of the education system”.Materials and methods. New technologies require new approaches to learning, reworking of learning content and development of new principles. Despite the abundance of scientific papers written on this issue, the authors of the article contribute by making a critical review of the existing literature, as well as describing their experience of teaching a foreign language in the era of digitalization, answering the following research questions:1. What digital learning tools are best used in foreign language classes at a university?2. How can a teacher communicate with students in a digital network?3. How to carry out quality control and assessment of knowledge? Research results. The issues stated and solved by the authors are the problems of academic deceit, loss of concentration, adequate assessment of students’ work on digital platforms. Online classes cause difficulties of both organizational and methodological nature. The most common challenges faced by teachers are reduced student involvement in the learning process, increased temptation to academic cheating, and the difficulty of organizing pair and group work. The article provides a thorough analysis of the most popular digital learning tools, identifying their advantages and disadvantages. Also, an algorithm is proposed aimed at solving the main difficulties: methods for increasing students’ interest when working with digital technologies are described, the speech value of educational material is considered, methods for updating typical tasks, correcting each other, responding, and holding attention. This analysis was carried out on the basis of the principles formulated by E. Passov, namely: the speech value of the material, individualization of tasks and novelty. The above solutions allow the teacher to diversify the activities in the classroom and increase the motivation of students without the involvement of special additional means of education.Conclusion. The article also proposes additional platforms and applications that allow you to diversify the types of activities in the classroom and conduct knowledge control. A separate section of the article is devoted to the control of students’ knowledge in the digital environment. Recommendations are presented on how to use additional resources and applications that allow you to create tests and interactive tasks, as well as ways to exercise control without using additional applications.

Реализация коммуникативной практики на учебных занятиях по иностранному языку в военном вузе

The foreign language speech of a military specialist is characterized by a limited selectivity of vocabulary, which comes to the question: is it enough for a future officer to possess only a professional terminology base? 
 This article is devoted to the problems of general and professional language training of a military school cadets aimed at the developing a professional communicative competence. 
 The article highlights the systematic approach to the question of using communicative activities in foreign language classes, including non-traditional exercises and tasks for teaching cadets of both linguistic and non-linguistic sections fluent foreign language, in order to prepare future military specialists for effective communication activities at the international level.

Реализация коммуникативной практики на учебных занятиях по иностранному языку в военном вузе

The foreign language speech of a military specialist is characterized by a limited selectivity of vocabulary, which comes to the question: is it enough for a future officer to possess only a professional terminology base? 
 This article is devoted to the problems of general and professional language training of a military school cadets aimed at the developing a professional communicative competence. 
 The article highlights the systematic approach to the question of using communicative activities in foreign language classes, including non-traditional exercises and tasks for teaching cadets of both linguistic and non-linguistic sections fluent foreign language, in order to prepare future military specialists for effective communication activities at the international level.

Языковая подготовка военных специалистов в контексте профессиональной коммуникации

Introduction. The expansion of contacts and interaction with foreign states on security and stability issues increases the requirements for the professional language training of military specialists, their ability to professional communication in a foreign language. The focus on international cooperation obliges military personnel to constantly improve their knowledge, independently master new information related to new types of weapons and military equipment. It is assumed that the language training of military specialists will be effective if it is focused on professional communication.
 The purpose of the study is to identify the attitude of future military specialists to professional communication in the process of language training at a military university.
 Methods and materials. The methodological orientation of this study is integrated approach to teaching foreign languages. During the study, a questionnaire survey of cadets of 3-4 courses of the Ryazan Guards Higher Airborne Command School was conducted. The total number of respondents is 64 people, aged 19-22 years, young men.
 Study results. On the basis of an integrated approach, military terminology is included in the content of foreign language classes, the need to consider the experience of Russian military personnel in military operations, international conflicts and peacekeeping missions is emphasized.
 Scientific novelty. It has been proven that the use of pedagogical technologies for activating and intensifying the activities of students contributes to improving their preparation for professional communication. It is determined that the participation of cadets in project technologies, role-playing games and in the analysis of specific situations focused on the disclosure of their creative potential and the development of the desire for cognitive activity requires them to be more independent and self-organization.
 Conclusion. In the context of escalation of international conflicts, issues of readiness of military specialists for professional communication become more and more urgent. The results of the study can be used to develop individual training trajectories for military specialists.

Japanese Language Learning Awareness and Strategies: A Study on Malaysian Academia

Learning of foreign language has been emphasized in the national Malaysia Education Blueprint 2015 – 2025. Numerous foreign language classes have been offered in Malaysian public universities to drive the initiative. Japanese language has emerged as the most popular foreign language among Malaysian learners due to supportive national policies, frequent interactions between both countries, and positive social perception. Intriguingly, most Malaysian learners have demonstrated basic level of Japanese language. According to our survey, only 1% demonstrated advanced level of writing proficiency, 2.9% demonstrate advanced level of reading proficiency, and 3.8% demonstrated medical and advanced level of speaking proficiency. However, it is unsure whether the lack of awareness or absence of effective learning strategies have contributed to the stalemate. In this study, the level of awareness and learning strategies have been performed on Malaysian academia. The results showed that Malaysian academia lack a consciousness on the available of Japanese language learning resources (2.7238±1.1468). Besides, it is found out digital learning strategy has emerged as the best learning option (p ≤ 0.05) compared to other conventional learning strategies. Based on the results, future studies should investigate the contemporary foreign language learning strategies in the digitalization age.

Podcasts as a means of pedagogic university students’ universal competences development at foreign language classes

The article analyses future pedagogues’ universal competences that can be developed at foreign language classes at pedagogic university. As a result of the abovementioned universal competences components analysis the conclusion that foreign language podcasts can be a means of their development, is made. Having studied Russian and foreign methodology researches, the author gives the definitions to the term “podcast”, she indicates the websites where a foreign language teacher can find podcasts for its classes; she describes various types of podcasts that can be employed to develop students’ language and speech skills which are the elements of universal competences expected to be developed at foreign language classes. The stages of working with podcasts that were tested in the process of experimental teaching the students of three pedagogic university faculties were characterised in the article. At English classes, students first listened to authentic and educational podcasts, offered by the teacher, with subsequent creation of their own podcasts, their demonstration and assessing each other’s results using the criteria devised by the teacher. The author provides examples of podcasts that can be offered to students while discussing various topics. At the end of the article the questionnaire results of students participating in listening and creating podcasts are given, the conclusion about the advantages of podcasts as a means of teaching a foreign language is made.

THE PECULIARITIES OF AESTHETIC EDUCATION OF CADETS OF HIGHER EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS OF THE MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS IN THE PROCESS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING

The purpose of the research is to determine pedagogical approaches to aesthetic education of first-year cadets at foreign language classes/ In this article the necessity of taking into account the peculiarity of first-year cadets’ aesthetic education during scheduled foreign language educational activities is analyzed; both the relevance and importance of aesthetic education as the basis of moral experience and affective culture enrichment and the means of correcting values of a forming personality are grounded. It is stated that examining cadets’ aesthetic preferences let heed cadets’ individual needs scrupulously in the framework of mass foreign language teaching and ensure not only building cadets’ general cultural competences but also foreign language skills promoting professional interaction. The methods of participant observation, questionnaire, qualitative and quantitative analysis are used. They let reveal the main motives for cadets’ learning foreign languages and also array their aesthetic preferences. It is concluded that the culturological approach plays a particularly important role in aesthetic education implementation at foreign language classes.

Educational potential of problem-based learning as a pedagogic technology in the structure of higher education

The article considers the method of creating a problem-oriented environment in foreign language classes at a higher education institution as topical technology that develops students’ universal and professional competences, contributes to a deeper understanding of the studied material and the application of the knowledge in practice than in the experience of classical education. The questions of technological principles of this pedagogic technology are studied and the advantages and disadvantages of its implementation are analysed. The article aims to explore the theoretical side of the issue and exhibit the possibilities of this concept of making higher education classes with the possibility to conceptually change the learning process, namely radical rethinking of the teacher – student roles and the overall academic content of their collective activities.

THE IMPACT OF HYBRID ELT ON EFL TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AT SECONDARY SCHOOLS DURING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak contrived change in various sectors, forcing the education sector to adjust and modify the daily conduct of teaching and learning in schools. This research highlights modifications done by schools as they have applied Hybrid Learning (HL) as an adjustment in the learning-teaching process. This study asked EFL Teachers and Students from thirty different schools in Surabaya and Sidoarjo in English Foreign Language (EFL) classes to complete the survey about how Hybrid Learning is implemented in their classes. This research analyzed the responses by using the descriptive design. Teachers' and students' responses about the changes in teaching instruments they used, school facilities to support their classes, period of adjustments, and their preference to choose either HL EFL to compare to conventional EFL class is collected through a survey. Their result shows that 1) Adjustments require a short period for students and teachers. 2) School facilities to support EFL HL classes. The study implies that conducting HL in emergencies requires adjustments. Thus, sufficient preparation from authorities is needed.Â

Formation of Tolerance in Foreign Language Learning through the Study of Media Texts

The article is devoted to a topical issue in modern methods of foreign language teaching at university, i.e. the development of critical thinking among students within the framework of the subject “Media Languageˮ. The authors present an analysis of the views of Russian and foreign researchers on such concepts as critical tolerance, cultural identity, cross-cultural competence, etc. Students of linguistic areas of training today experience particular difficulties in overcoming language and cultural barriers when analyzing information from foreign-language media. The study substantiates the ways in which the teacher organizes the student's cognitive activity in practical foreign language classes, which helps to gain experience in working with a foreign-language journalistic text in the conditions of intolerant behavior of foreign-language media in relation to Russia. The article summarizes the practical experience of teachers and proposes an algorithm of text analysis, consisting of several steps. This type of work involves the analysis of the text in accordance with certain tactical guidelines, which allows you to formulate your own point of view according to a given speech situation. The authors give proof of the educational value of this algorithm of work, underlining that such approach to learning helps to form a tolerant position towards representatives of other cultures and the skill of respectful dialogue within a multicultural community.

A Feasibility Study on the Application of Metaverse in Foreign Language Teaching

Since the beginning of the new century, with the continuous improvement of Internet technology, online education has gradually become a major trend of educational reform in the future. .The new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak since 2019 has accelerated this process of change. At this point, Metaverse, which allows users to experience new experiences beyond the boundary between reality and virtuality, began to gain attention. This study aims to find out the current status of metaverse use in Korea, analyze the characteristics of three platforms, ifland, and Zepeto on metaverse, and present the possibility of using metaverse according to the class goal and class character in foreign language education based on the experience of applying it to actual foreign language classes. As a result of the study, classes using the Gattern platform were the most and relatively effective, and due to the nature of the ifland platform, it will be available for presentation classes, and the Zepeto platform will be used as a platform relatively suitable for comparison and events rather than subject classes. In addition, through curriculum innovation, students

Psychological aspects of experiencing war stress by students when learning a foreign language

The article deals with the psychological aspects of experiencing war stress by the students when learning a foreign language. Teaching students in Ukraine nowadays is associated with a high degree of stress. This especially applies to learning a foreign language, which already involves a certain level of stress, as it requires performing a significant number of interactive tasks, constant communication and involves foreign language acquisition. In order to research this issue, the authors analyzed the main approaches to the study of stress in modern psychology as well as physiological and mental state of students while learning a foreign language for specific purposes. The article outlines the didactic and psychological features of foreign language learning and its principles. During practical foreign language classes with students, we conducted an empirical study using the method of included longitudinal observation, chosen in order to avoid psychological traumatization and retraumatization, as well as providing emotional support in educational environment that is familiar to them. As a result of the study, three groups of students have been distinguished according to the way the stress symptoms are revealed: manifestations of minor, moderate and severe stress. The authors analyzed characteristics of their cognitive activity while learning a foreign language and motivation to study. The article presents the author's model of a person's psychological reactions to stress which proves that stressors can affect the human body and mental health in two ways, causing both emotional exhaustion and personal growth, leading to the enrichment of life experience and helping to find meanings in life.

The Implementation of Video Dubbing in Enhancing Students’ Pronunciation at a High School in Vietnam

Pronunciation lessons have frequently been overlooked in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes for a variety of reasons. As a result, many EFL students always struggle to communicate with confidence due to their bad pronunciation. The researcher carried out this study with a view to examining the impacts of using video dubbing in improving students’ pronunciation in EFL classrooms. This study was a classroom action research and employed 40 students (15 females and 25 males) at Luu Nhan Chu High School in Dai Tu district, Thai Nguyen Province. After 4 sections in which students were required to dub 4 videos, the data were collected through pretest, posttest, and teacher’s observation. The research utilized both quantitative and qualititive approach to analyze the data. The results revealed that video dubbing really brought about the improvement in Luu Nhan Chu students’ pronunciation skill and they had positive attitude toward the implementation of video dubbing in teaching pronunciaton. This research gave awareness about the importance of English learning and facilitate students to improve their speaking, especially in pronunciation. It is hoped that other researchers can use this research as an additional reference to conduct further research in the same field, certainly with different materials and samples.

Digital plurilingual pedagogies in foreign language classes: empowering language learners to speak in the target language

ABSTRACT While studies have shown benefits of plurilingual pedagogies on students’ experiences learning languages, more research is needed to examine how these pedagogies can be enacted in foreign language programmes in digital environments. Moreover, prioritising oral engagement has been an urgent need among teachers who use synchronous platforms such as Zoom to teach languages. This article reports on a multiple case study with three teachers – English, Spanish, and French – and 17 students in Brazil. Five plurilingual strategies were implemented in their language courses: cross-linguistic comparisons, cross-cultural comparisons, translanguaging, translation for mediation, and pluriliteracies. Inductive analysis of weekly classroom observations (N = 15) and deductive analysis of individual teacher interviews were conducted to find similarities across the three language courses. Results show that digital plurilingual pedagogy mobilised students’ entire repertoire (not L1 only), encouraged them to speak in the target language, awakened nonlinguistic semiotic resources, and enhanced plurilingual and pluricultural awareness beyond geographical boundaries. Given its multimodal nature, digital plurilingual pedagogy can facilitate oral engagement differently compared to face-to-face instruction.