Language Context Research Articles

Systematic review synthesising the effects of study abroad experience on the development of language fluency

ABSTRACT Given the importance of learning contexts in second language (L2) learning, study abroad (SA) has received due attention in the L2 literature, as this context has been proposed to accelerate L2 development. In line with recent efforts to synthesise the effects of SA on L2 learning, the present study reports a meta-analysis of the effects of SA experience on the development of L2 fluency compared to the at-home environment. Our dataset comprised 14 between-group studies, all based on quasi-experimental designs, including a comparison group. The results indicate that the SA context had an overall medium effect (Hedges’ g = 0.65, SE = 0.10, 95% CI [0.44, 0.87]) on the development of L2 fluency compared to its at-home counterpart. We also identified several variables related to learner characteristics and SA programme features and further examined their moderating effects on SA. Based on our findings, an in-depth discussion of how these variables are related to the effectiveness of SA was provided, and recommendations for L2 learners and SA researchers involved in SA programmes were proposed.

Spanish-English Code-Switching and Cognitive Control

Code-switching is the act of alternating between multiple languages within a conversation, common amongst bilingual speakers. The Control Process Model claims that different types of language contexts like code-switching involve different levels of engagement of cognitive control. In studying this phenomenon, prior research has demonstrated that reading code-switched sentences enhanced cognitive control (conflict resolution) on non-verbal trials compared to one-language contexts. The current study investigates how code-switching affects conflict resolution similar to that of the previous study but using more ecologically valid auditory stimuli (speech). Participants are Spanish-English bilinguals in the US who learned both languages before the age of 12. The experiment alternates one-language spoken sentences and Spanish-English sentences. Sentences are interleaved with Flanker trials, congruent or incongruent. Participants respond to the direction of the middle arrow. The prediction made is that both the presence of a code-switch and the type of code-switch modulates the conflict effect. Results show that the presence of a switch and the type of switch matters in modulating cognitive control in bilingual individuals.

The effect of artificial intelligence tools on EFL learners' engagement, enjoyment, and motivation

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools has become increasingly prevalent within higher education and numerous studies have indicated the efficacy of AI applications within the English as a foreign language (EFL) context. Enhancing student engagement, foreign language enjoyment (FLE), and motivation in the field of AI education are significant in promoting effective learning outcomes. The rise of AI in educational settings has led to a paucity of research exploring its impact on various educational constructs. This quasi-experimental research examined the role of utilizing an AI tool, specifically Duolingo, on the engagement of FLE, and motivation of Chinese EFL learners. The present study involved 383 out of 412 Chinese university EFL students, who were assigned to either the experimental or control group. Both groups participated in pre- and post-intervention assessments prior to and following a 12-session intervention. Running a One-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) revealed statistically significant improvements in FLE, engagement, and motivation within the experimental group. On the contrary, the control group demonstrated a minor alteration in the aforementioned variables. AI tools possess the capability to captivate the attention of students and consequently enhance their motivation to actively participate in the educational experience. The results of the study designate that there are significant implications for both teachers and teacher educators concerning the incorporation of AI tools in the EFL classroom environment.

Constructivist Approach to Language Learning: Linking Piaget's Theory to Modern Educational Practice

This study aims to explore the application of the constructivism approach in language learning by connecting Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development with modern educational practices. Constructivism theory emphasizes that learning is an active process in which students build knowledge through experience and interaction with the environment. In the context of language learning, this approach is considered relevant to increase student engagement and support more meaningful learning. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study design, involving in-depth interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. Participants consisted of 10 teachers and 20 students who were selected by purposive sampling based on their experience in applying constructivist learning methods. The results show that the constructivism approach can increase students' active participation, improve critical thinking skills, and provide a more contextual and relevant language learning experience. Teachers who apply Piaget's principles, such as experiential learning, reflection, and collaboration, report increased student learning motivation. However, challenges in implementing this method include time constraints, a rigorous curriculum, and a lack of support resources for project-based learning. The study concludes that although constructivist approaches have great potential in language learning, further support is needed in terms of curriculum flexibility and resources. Recommendations for educators include increased use of technology and project-based teaching strategies to support more interactive and participatory language learning.

Optimizing EFL learning: exploring the role of learner background factors and the nuances of their effects on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation among university students in a mixed-methods study

IntroductionMotivation is a driving force behind man’s behavior which has led to many psychological studies throughout the world. Moreover, it is the fuel for successful learning. While intrinsic motives provide the internal rewards, extrinsic motivation supplies the required external rewards to keep the engine of learning running. Knowing the factors which impact intrinsic/extrinsic motivation helps educators target their efforts at a higher level and make more informed decisions.MethodThis study intends to examine how intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation may be influenced by demographics including learners’ background factors of major, age, and occupation and to determine the relationships that may exist between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. To this end, an explanatory sequential mixed-methods research was conducted at one of the public universities in Shiraz on the majors of Elementary Education, Educational Affairs, Social Studies and Theology, and the Arabic language which were selected through cluster sampling. These students were having their English courses at the university. Based on Krejcie and Morgan’s formula for sample size, a questionnaire was administered to 100 participants to collect quantitative data. Moreover, semi-structured interview sessions were conducted with one fourth of the participants.ResultsUsing Multiple Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Pearson correlation, we found that learners’ background factors of age, field of study and professional status did not affect intrinsic nor extrinsic motivation. However, significant and positive relationships were found between intrinsic motivation and total motivation index, and between extrinsic motivation and total motivation index. Qualitative data obtained from the interviews were analyzed using a thematic analysis. The results of the interviews showed some new illuminating trends as revealed from the participants’ responses and it was found that most interviewees followed intrinsic motives and considered motivation as a factor of great significance.ConclusionIn the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context in which our study was conducted, instructors can follow more similar classroom motivational techniques and strategies since neither type of motivation was influenced by the variables of different major, age and occupation. Though many studies have shown that EFL learners are more extrinsically motivated in comparison with ESL ones, our study revealed that participants were more intrinsically motivated. Thus, this study may be replicated in other educational contexts such as an ESL context. The study can also be repeated in some universities in which other educational systems such as coed education is used to see the possible similarities and differences. Motivation is the important stimulant to impel the learners to achieve their learning goals; thus, it should receive sufficient attention in various educational settings.

Estrategias instruccionales efectivas para desarrollar habilidades de escucha en adolescentes con TDAH

Introduction: Natural interactions and understandable linguistic input are essential to build attractive conditions for acquiring the English language. Effective exposure to language, both oral and written, is essential to understanding and producing a language. However, developing listening comprehension skills can be challenging for students with ADHD due to difficulties in attention, behavior, and cognition, as well as the unique characteristics of the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) context. Objectives: In this regard, this research aims to document effective instructional strategies to improve listening skills among high school students with ADHD. Methodology: To this end, an exploratory-deductive qualitative research design was applied through an extensive review of the literature. Data were collected from 60 academic sources and analyzed using a neurolinguistic and pedagogical approach using a constant comparative coding method. Results: The results suggest that, to guide students with ADHD in developing English listening competencies, language instructors must build a learning environment that includes simplified inputs and content, clear instructions, multisensory conditions, and student-centered instruction based on individual needs. Conclusions: Simple, linguistically rich, engaging, and multisensory environments facilitate learning for students with ADHD and can have an impact on their overall academic performance and language development. Study Area general: Education. Specific area of study: English as a Foreign Language. Type of study: Literature review.

A mixed-methods investigation into complex components of multilingual international students' self-regulated learning in English as a foreign language context: A social cognitive perspective

Self-regulated learning serves as a fundamental framework for understanding the cognitive, motivational, and emotional dimensions of learning. Recently, a growing body of studies on such cognitive processes appears in multilingual populations. Applying a mixed-methods approach, this study examined the key components of the self-regulated learning process among 233 multilingual international students in China, specifically within the context of English as a Foreign Language learning. Qualitative data was analyzed through Pearson's correlation analysis, structural equation modeling, and path analysis, while semi-structured interviews were conducted to further confirm the results of the qualitative data analysis. 15 students were purposefully selected through purposive sampling to participate in follow-up interviews. Within the framework of social cognitive theory, the findings revealed that metacognition, motivation, self-efficacy, and feedback loops are the primary components of self-regulated learning. Additionally, path analysis confirmed that the four factors are positive predictors of self-regulated learning proficiency of multilingual international students in China. The interview outcomes further validated the integral role of these primary components in the self-regulated learning process within the context of multilingual study. This study underscores the significance of incorporating translanguaging backgrounds into teaching strategies and language policy. Findings may offer some insights for multilingual international students, language teachers, and language policymakers in the field of Chinese language instruction.

Guessing Meaning Strategies and Arabic Reading Comprehension Ability Among Chinese College Students

Guessing word meanings is vital for acquiring deep reading and adequate text comprehension, as the study implies that the cross-sectional approach quantitatively assesses the effect of guessing meaning strategies on Chinese university Arabic students' reading performance. There was significant evidence of the perfect relationship between the mastery of the guessing meaning strategy and the improvement of reading comprehension scores presented through the analysis of Chinese universities' data (r = 0.306, p < 0.01). It shows the vital importance of these approaches in raising reading skills. Students are well-positioned to carry out word investigation in terms of the etymology or roots of words, whether they are antonyms, synonyms, or synonymous phrases that help them deduce the meanings of words they are not familiar with and find out the meanings or explanations systematically in their reading. Guessing meaning strategies should be used in the Arabic language teaching curriculum in China to ensure that Arabic instructors can make learning enjoyable, thus value learning and acquiring language competencies. Additionally, different language contexts should be examined by future research to know the educational benefits and implications of these strategies.

Translating and Re-narrating Short Story Moral: Mediating Public and Meta Narratives

Objectives: This study explores the role of translation in mediating the morals of short stories by examining the differences in how messages are communicated through meta and publicly elaborated narratives. Methods: The study employs a contrastive content analysis method to compare the impact of public and meta-narratives on the reception of short stories by Jordanian elementary school students. These short stories aim to either reinforce existing values or introduce new ones. Results: The study shows that public narratives are effective in reinforcing pre-existing values, while meta-narratives are effective in introducing new values when translation is used as a mediating tool. The study also emphasizes the significance of the narrative dimension of meaning, as no statistically significant differences were found between fourth and seventh genders. The differences were limited to meta and public narration. Conclusions: The study concludes that the translators must employ different strategies when reinforcing, challenging, or introducing a new interpretation based on their understanding of the target language's context and culture. For example, the importance of recycling might serve as a reminder in one society and as a novel concept in another.

“I don’t speak correctly”

The aim of this paper is to describe the linguistic attitudes of Galician speakers in Costa da Morte towards their own variation of the language. Although Costa da Morte is a region where people predominantly use Galician, rather than Spanish, in their everyday lives, they often have a negative attitude towards the non-standardised version of Galician they speak. This article examines the sociocultural context of the Galician language and explores how attitudes are influenced not by another dominant language system, but by the emergence of a prestigious standard version of the language.

IMPROVING STUDENTS’RESEARCH COMPETENCE IN TEACHING THE KAZAKH LANGUAGE

The article discusses the enhancement of students’ research competence within the context of teaching the Kazakh language. Developing learners’ research skills is becoming a significant factor in higher education system. This research seeks to undertake a detailed examination of students’ attitudes toward the Kazakh language, identify existing obstacles, and design effective strategies to assist the development of research competency within the context of Kazakh language and culture studies. This study examines both foreign and local studies to provide a methodology for teaching languages and culture. It also attempts to promote a successful integration of research approaches into the learning process for Kazakh language acquisition. This study paper applies a qualitative method, using semi-structured interviews, to collect thorough data on students’ opinions and experiences with developing research abilities while learning the Kazakh language. The methodology intends to explore the many features of competence, language acquisition issues, and the significance of research activities in improving students’ language proficiency.

Discrimination Against Non-native English Speakers in the English Language Teaching Profession: Evidence from Internship Advertisements

Despite the non-native English-speaking teachers’ (NNESTs) movement, the literature documents widespread discrimination against NNESTs particularly in hiring discourse in English as a foreign language (EFL) contexts. The present study aims to shed light on another aspect of this discrimination in EFL internship advertisements by investigating the ideal interns’ qualifications and requirements as well as the characteristics of internship locations and fringe benefits attributed to the internship positions. To this aim, 13 international advertisements were chosen as the corpus of the study from the Premier TEFL website and were thematically analyzed. The results pointed to the native speaker fallacy in internship advertisements as all the programs required the candidates to be native speakers of inner-circle English-speaking countries or hold academic degrees from these locations. Additionally, a variety of selling strategies and marketing tactics such as the description of landscapes and outdoor activities along with a diversity of fringe benefits were utilized to attract native speakers. The results are discussed in the light of native speaker dominance in the profession and the ways to fight against this legacy. Finally, the paper ended with the implications the study has for various stakeholders including native English-speaking teachers (NESTs) and NNESTs themselves.

The Effect of YouTube on Speaking and Listening Skills of Students

In an English as Foreign Language context like Saudi Arabia, university business students face a difficult challenge to speak in English and to understand what is spoken. The students don’t have the opportunity in their daily life to listen to native speakers in or outside the classroom, but they are expected to listen to the text book audios in the classes spoken by the native speakers of English. Therefore, the difficulty rises in Listening and Speaking Skills Course as the students are not exposed to the British accent. In order to solve this problem, the researcher used YouTube videos spoken by the native speakers in the experimental group, and the control group just had the normal practice of listening to only the textbook audios. The researcher adopted quasi-experimental design with pretest and posttest in both control and experimental groups and analyzed the performance of the students using SPSS and Excel. The study proved that the results of experimental group improved significantly in their listening comprehension skills and performed better in their presentations than the control group. In the English as Foreign Language contexts, where business students fail to have exposure to the native accent of English, YouTube videos can make a great contribution in improving their listening and speaking skills.

EFL Teachers’ Beliefs and Practices on the Use of Questions in Mozambican Secondary Schools

In this study, the use of questions in a Mozambican English as a Foreign Language context is explored as a technique to develop communicative and critical thinking skills in secondary school students. Therefore, a qualitative approach was adopted using a phenomenological design which allowed the use of classroom audio recordings and semi-structured online interviews for data collection, based on Lowery’s (2005) questioning framework. The results revealed that English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers in Mozambican public secondary schools are aware of open and closed questions, which they claim to use for checking understanding. However, in practice, they often use open-ended, rhetorical, and procedural questions found in Lowery’s framework. These teachers ignore the relevance of using integrating, confirming, valuing, as well as feeling questions, which foster learners’ communicative skills. These results have strong implications for the decision EFL teachers make on the selection of questions for their classes, as well as the impact of such practices on the students’ outcome at the end of the course or year. Therefore, further studies should be conducted to understand the students’ abilities in the use of English as a result of such practices. In addition, similar studies in Mozambican higher education should examine whether EFL teachers under training are prepared to use questions in class.

Investigating Google Sites in the intensive and extensive listening classroom in EFL context: Implementation and students’ perspectives

Numerous scholarly investigations have been conducted on students' perceptions of implementing Google Sites in various learning environments, including English as a foreign language (EFL) context. However, some existing research lacks specific exploration of the use of Google Sites in both intensive and extensive listening classrooms in tertiary education. This study aims to investigate the implementation of Google Sites in that specific listening classroom. This case study involved twenty-two first-year students in English language education at one of the public universities in Bandung, Indonesia. Data were collected through classroom observation, students' reflection, and semi-structured interviews, and they were analyzed thematically using NVivo as a helping tool. Results indicate that, according to the implementation and the ease of using Google Sites in their listening classroom, students generally hold positive attitudes towards Google Sites, finding it beneficial to improve their listening skills along with their creativity. Conversely, some students experience challenges that evolve around poor internet connectivity, accessibility, and adjustability of the website. This study promotes Google Sites as an alternative learning tool to assist both teachers and students in meeting their learning objectives in a fun and creative way.

Media Coverage of Smog in Punjab: A Comparative Study of Urdu and English Dailies

This research explores the media coverage of smog in Punjab, with a specific focus on Faisalabad city, employing a qualitative research methodology guided by the social learning theory. Smog, a pervasive environmental concern, poses significant challenges to public health and the ecosystem. Understanding how media, in both Urdu and English languages, frames and disseminates information about smog is essential in addressing this pressing environmental issue. The study's central objective is to investigate how language and cultural context influence media portrayals of smog in Urdu and English dailies within the Faisalabad region. This research endeavors to uncover the factors contributing to media narratives surrounding smog. Employing qualitative research techniques, the study seeks to discern the underlying dynamics that influence the framing of smog-related issues in the media, ultimately contributing to more informed environmental discourse and policy initiatives in Punjab.

Challenges of EFL Course Retaking: Toward a Model for Remedial Reading

Course retaking brings pivotal challenges for learning institutions all over the world. This urges many academicians to investigate the reasons why students retake courses. Therefore, this article identifies the micro and macro challenges associated with retaking a reading course. It also generates a remedial reading model for English as foreign language (EFL) contexts. Data was collected from reading course specifications, course report, and focused group discussions with six experienced language instructors at the preparatory year program of a Saudi university. Using grounded theory, the qualitative data was analyzed through thematic analysis. The findings revealed a complex web of challenges associated with different stakeholders: the course retakers, language instructors, administration, and retakers’ families; all of them share the challenge of time constraints, especially after the shift from two to three semesters. At the micro level, course retakers struggle with poor foundational skills and demotivation, focusing on passing exams. They also lack exposure to English and seldom invest office hours for help. Language instructors struggle with learning materials, demotivation, and assessment. At the macro level, students’ families contribute to maximize these challenges. A gap exists between the intended learning outcomes and student levels and admission criteria. These challenges collectively hinder course retakers’ reading skills. The study generates a five-pillar bridging model that integrates learning outcomes, exam-oriented teaching strategies, simplified reading materials, technology-assisted reading, and motivational strategies to foster EFL remedial reading. The study recommends some pedagogical implications for remedial reading classes.

Using Duolingo in Teaching and Learning Vocabulary: A Systematic Review

This systematic review examines the extant literature on the efficacy of the Duolingo application for vocabulary development in instructed second language (L2) contexts. Drawing on several empirical studies, the review synthesises findings related to (a) the comparative effectiveness of Duolingo versus traditional pedagogies, (b) the impact of Duolingo on learner motivation and engagement, and (c) practical implications for classroom integration. While the majority of evidence attests to measurable gains in receptive vocabulary knowledge, the findings must be interpreted with caution due to methodological limitations, including small sample sizes, short intervention periods, and construct underrepresentation. The motivational appeal of Duolingo's gamified interface emerges as a prominent theme, corroborated by self-report data. However, the limited research employing psychometrically robust motivational measures precludes definitive conclusions about the temporal stability and transferability of this motivational effect. Theoretically, the provision of individualised feedback aligns with interactionist theories, yet the restricted opportunities for the negotiation of meaning raise doubts about the depth of lexical engagement. Pedagogically, the reviewed studies advocate the careful integration of Duolingo as a supplementary tool within formal instructional contexts. However, optimal implementation strategies remain unspecified, necessitating further classroom-based research employing mixed-methods designs. Significant gaps are identified, including the lack of investigations into the differential impacts of Duolingo's features, vocabulary transfer to authentic communication, and the development of self-regulated learning strategies.

Examining the psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 among young urban South African women

BackgroundValid, reliable, and easy-to-administer scales are crucial for identifying mental health conditions, especially in LMICs where such scales tend not to be validated. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the psychometric properties and factorial structure of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 in a sample of young women in Soweto, South Africa. MethodsThe PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were administered to 6028 women aged 18–28 years old. Cronbach's alpha, Mokken scale analysis, and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were used to provide support for the internal consistency and construct validity of these scales. ResultsBoth scales demonstrated good internal consistency (α = 0.81 for PHQ-9 and α = 0.84 for GAD-7). Internal consistency reliability was further supported by positive inter-item correlations and item-by-scale correlations for all items on both measures. CFA of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 showed a reasonable fit for the 1-factor model and 2-factor models (depression and anxiety with somatic and cognitive subtypes). LimitationsThis study was limited to young African women in urban Soweto who were proficient in English, which may affect generalizability. Differences in language or cultural context may impact the accuracy and applicability of these scales to other African populations. ConclusionThe PHQ-9 and GAD-7 are valid and reliable for identifying psychological distress in the studied population. Despite showing good psychometric properties, further diagnostic assessment is needed to confirm clinical diagnoses. The scales are useful for identifying those at risk but not a substitute for comprehensive diagnostic evaluations.

The Development of Past Tense Forms in Albanian Native Speakers and Learners of English as a Second Language

This study explores how Albanian learners acquire tense-aspect systems, focusing on two distinct groups: adult learners of English as a Second Language (ESL) and young native speakers of Albanian. Drawing on the Aspect Hypothesis (AH), which asserts that the aspectual properties of verbs play a key role in the acquisition of tense-aspect distinctions, the research aims to determine if these learners exhibit universal patterns in their development. Data was collected through written tasks, narrative exercises, and demographic questionnaires from Albanian bachelor’s students and children in grades 2-5. The analysis reveals that Albanian ESL learners demonstrate more variability and complexity in their past tense use, while young native speakers show a more systematic and predictable pattern, consistent with AH predictions. The study provides new insights into how the Aspect Hypothesis operates across different age groups and language contexts, offering valuable recommendations for improving teaching approaches and curriculum design for Albanian ESL learners.