Language Curriculum Research Articles

Development of Arabic Language Curriculum Focused on Diversity and Inclusion

This literature review explores the development of an Arabic language curriculum prioritizing diversity and inclusion in an interconnected global context. It aims to formulate a curriculum catering to learners from diverse cultural backgrounds, abilities, and learning preferences, ensuring fair access and meaningful engagement. The methodology involves an extensive literature review, expert consultations, and data collection through surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions. Thematic coding and triangulation facilitate data analysis, revealing the importance of integrating diverse perspectives and inclusive pedagogical approaches. The study emphasizes nurturing an inclusive learning environment that embraces differences and fosters mutual respect. It highlights implications for educators, curriculum developers, and policymakers, stressing deliberate efforts to address diversity and inclusion within Arabic language education. Inclusive practices can effectively address diverse learner needs, promote cross-cultural understanding, and cultivate belonging. This research advances inclusive language education and encourages further exploration in this critical field.

Challenging the monolingual mindset: language teachers’ pushback and enactment of critical multilingual language awareness in Australian schools

ABSTRACT This study critically interrogates dominant discourses and practices in school settings, which reveal the legitimisation and perpetuation of a monolingual mindset. Through the lens of ‘Critical Multilingual Language Awareness’ (CMLA), this research unpacked the experiences and practices of language teachers who implement the New South Wales (NSW) mandated language curriculum and, where possible, create opportunities for adjustments to language syllabi for greater awareness of diversity and plurilingualism. Data was gathered through in-depth semi-structured interviews with four high-school language teachers at independent schools in NSW, Australia. The interview addressed teachers’ proficiency and knowledge of subject matter, their views of the (im)possibilities of the NSW language curriculum for developing plurilingual learners, and perceived challenges that appear to prevent multi/plurilingualism from being at the forefront of Australian language education. Findings revealed that despite teachers’ strong commitment to languages education, they feel discouraged about the limited focus at national and State government levels on consistent and systematic multilingual education. This not only diminishes every effort made by teachers to transform pedagogies for pedagogies for multilingualism but also legitimises a dominant underlying rhetoric of monolingualism that does not adhere to the principles of educating for democratic citizenship.

Perancangan Buku Ilustrasi Interaktif Tentang Aksara Jawa Untuk Siswa SD Kelas 3-6

Javanese script, which is part of Javanese cultural heritage which is important to preserve in the future. However, understanding Javanese script material is still a challenge for most elementary school students, even though it has been taught in the Javanese language curriculum from grades 3 to 6. This is due to its rare use in daily life and the influence of the learning methods applied by teachers. Therefore, there is a need for interactive and fun learning media related to Javanese script. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method by utilizing data from observations, interviews, questionnaires and literature studies. The results of the analysis show that designing an interactive illustrated book based on the story of Aji Saka, which is the story of the origin of Javanese script, can increase children's interest in learning Javanese script. With its interactive features, it is hoped that this book can create an interesting learning experience, engage children's emotions, and help improve their understanding of Javanese script, which will ultimately help in preserving this cultural heritage. Keywords: Javanese Script, Aji Saka, Book Interactive Illustration.

Νέοι εκπαιδευτικοί, νέες συνθήκες και νέα εργαλεία για την εκπαίδευση παιδιών με μεταναστευτικό και προσφυγικό υπόβαθρο

The main objective of the Language Curriculum is to make the educational system responsive to the new conditions that have emerged in schools. Considering the requirements of the Curricula, new learning tools were used in this research and were applied in the context of language teaching at primary schools at the Department of Primary Education, University of the Aegean. These tools included a combination of theories, i.e. Cummins' (2005) theory for the development of Academic Language Proficiency, approaches about New Learning (Kalantzis & Cope, 2005) and Transformative Pedagogy (Cummins, 2005; Kalantzis & Cope, 2013). The aim of the research was for future teachers to learn how to support the multilingual students in schools in critically processing the diverse textual types in the language lessons, thereby achieving both the development of linguistic and communicative competence and the interaction of the school community with the wider society.

The Effect of the Story Completion Technique on Creative Writing Skills

Written works are the most significant tool in transmitting a society's culture to future generations. Therefore, enhancing the effectiveness and usage of creative writing is important. Various methods and techniques are employed in writing education to foster a love for writing from a young age and to aid in producing creative writing works. One such method involves completing unfinished stories. This study aims to demonstrate the effect of the story completion technique on students' creative writing skills. The study was conducted using a pre-test, post-test control group design among experimental studies. The sample consisted of 37 fourth-grade students from a primary school in the Central Anatolia Region, Türkiye with 19 in the experimental group and 18 in the control group. The experimental group was subjected to the story completion technique, while the control group received no special treatment and followed the Turkish language curriculum as planned by the teacher. The interventions lasted for 8 weeks. Data were collected by scoring students' creative writing products using the “Creative Writing Products Evaluation Scale” and were statistically processed using the SPSS software package. In the analysis of the data, the t-test was used for paired comparisons, and significance was sought at the .05 level. The results showed that students in the experimental group, who used the story completion technique, had significantly higher writing scores than those in the control group. Furthermore, it was observed that the writing levels of students in the experimental group improved from medium to good. These results indicate that the story completion technique is effective in enhancing students' creative writing skills.

The role of the target language culture on Arabic learners' fondness for Arabic poetry.

As an important carrier of culture, poetry plays a significant role in deepening language learners' understanding of the target language culture as well as enhancing their language skills; however, the effect of the target language culture on language learners' enjoyment of poetry remains unclear. The study served as an attempt to shed light on the point of whether the target language culture has different effects on high- and low-level Chinese Arabic learners' fondness for Arabic poetry with the use of pictures related to Arabic culture and those not related to Arabic culture. In the current study, 40 Arabic learners (20 high-level and 20 low-level) scored the Arabic poem line based on their fondness for it after viewing two kinds of picture with electroencephalogram (EEG) recording. Frontal alpha asymmetry index as a correlate of approach and avoidance related motivation measured by EEG power in the alpha band (8-13 Hz) was calculated for examining whether the behavioral results of Arabic learners' fondness for poetry are in line with the results of changes in the related EEG components. Behavioral results illustrated that low-level subjects showed significantly less liking for Arabic poetry after viewing pictures related to Arabic culture compared to those not related to Arabic culture. The high-level subjects did not show a significant difference in the level of liking for Arabic poetry between the two cases. FAA results demonstrated that low-level subjects presented a significant avoidance-related responses to Arabic poetry after viewing pictures related to Arabic culture in comparison to viewing pictures not related to Arabic culture; while the FAA values did not differ significantly between the two cases in high-level subjects, which is in line with behavioral results. The findings of this research can benefit teachers in motivating students to learn poetry in foreign language curriculum and also contribute to the literature on the effect of target language culture on language learners' enjoyment of poetry.

IMPLEMENTATION OF ARABIC LEARNING CURRICULUM FOR GRADE VIII AT MTS DARUL ULUM: AN INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDY IN ARABIC EDUCATION

This study is prompted by the pivotal role of the curriculum in shaping Arabic language learning outcomes, necessitating its continuous refinement to align with educational objectives. Employing a qualitative approach with a descriptive research design, the research delves into the Arabic language curriculum for eighth-grade students at MTs Darul Ulum Beraim. The primary objective is to evaluate the curriculum's components, including objectives, content, instructional methods, and assessment strategies. Findings underscore a gap in the curriculum's focus on fostering interactive communication skills, both orally and in writing, with current materials primarily centered on vocabulary and texts related to personal experiences. Consequently, there is a pressing need to revamp the curriculum to prioritize comprehensive language proficiency development, facilitating effective communication in various contexts. This study advocates for curriculum enhancements aimed at equipping students with robust linguistic skills vital for their academic and real-world success in Arabic language proficiency

A study of the intercultural communicative competence and the effects of cultural familiarity on reading comprehension based on ethnicity

As an academic endeavor in an EFL setting especially in the field of reading comprehension, this study intended to examine intercultural communicative competence (ICC) and the effects of cultural familiarity on reading comprehension based on two specific ethnicities (Turk and Fars). To this end, participants, 130 EFL students majoring in English, were chosen from three universities in Iran. The effects of cultural familiarity on students' reading comprehension were examined by utilizing two types of processes, providing relevant background knowledge and text nativization. These two processes were used as two separate treatments for the members of the experimental groups. Members of both control and experimental groups subsequently received reading comprehension tests. Then, to elicit ICC levels, the participants were asked to complete ICC Questionnaire. The statistical analysis of the data revealed the significantly positive effect of cultural familiarity on the reading comprehension performance of both Turk and Fars experimental groups and no significant difference was observed between the reading comprehension performance and ICC level of the ethnic groups of Fars and Turks. The present study emphasizes the facilitating and positive effect of cultural familiarity on the reading comprehension of specific ethnic groups and suggests that cultural familiarity can be a valuable tool for enhancing reading comprehension and promoting language performance and cultural competence of Iranian EFL learners. Therefore, due to the importance of teaching culture in the field of English language teaching, there should be much more attention to cultural and intercultural matters when designing a language curriculum.

텍스트 분석을 활용한 영어과 교육과정 자료의 문화 차이 연구

This study identified how many cultural attributes are presented through the latest English language curriculum and revealed that cultural attributes should be included in future textbook development. As an analysis material, the 2022 Revised English Curriculum draft (final draft) was selected and an overall text analysis was conducted. Meaningful results were derived. First, the most frequent words are terms that refer to learners or learning. Functional terms for foreign language learning are also generally highly used. However, terms referring to culture are not used. Second, the terms of English subjects and foreign language learning ability are used frequently. Lastly, the cultural terms are used though it does not relatively high. And the terms referring to science and technology or the information field are also included in the top ranks. In conclusion, as a further study, the textbook analysis on English is required by using this method.

Harnessing AI Chatbots for EFL Essay Writing: A Paradigm Shift in Language Pedagogy

In a time when digital technologies are changing educational paradigms, this study delves into integrating Artificial Intelligence chatbots in enhancing English as a foreign language essay writing, marking a significant shift in language pedagogy. With the backdrop of increasing reliance on technology in educational settings, the research foregrounds Artificial Intelligence chatbots’ potential to revolutionise traditional teaching methodologies. This article aims to scrutinise the efficacy of these digital assistants in augmenting the essay-writing skills of English learners, underlining the importance of aligning technological advancements with educational needs. By investigating the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence chatbots into English as a foreign language curriculum, the study highlights their capacity to offer immediate, personalised feedback, fostering a learning environment that supports individual learners’ needs and preferences. The central inquiry revolves around identifying and optimising the mechanisms through which Artificial Intelligence chatbots can contribute to developing writing proficiency among English students. Through a comprehensive review, the paper presents insights into the pedagogical benefits and challenges of using Artificial Intelligence chatbots, including their role in promoting learner autonomy, accommodating diverse learning styles, and providing a safe space for linguistic experimentation. The findings underscore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence chatbots in language education, advocating for a paradigmatic shift towards more interactive, responsive, and learner-centred teaching approaches. This review not only reaffirms the significance of integrating technology into language learning but also opens new avenues for enhancing the educational experiences of English learners

Unravelling the deficit ideologies in English language education in Pakistan: A decolonial perspective

AbstractIn this study the author combines translingualism and raciolinguistic perspectives to analyze the language ideologies and idealized listening/reading subject positions that undergird discourses on English language teaching in Pakistan. Drawing on data from national policy documents, the national curriculum for English, and English proficiency assessment reports, he shows how discourses on English as a medium of instruction, the English language curriculum, and assessment in Pakistan are fraught with deficit ideologies that emphasize a particular view of English proficiency that serves as an imaginary line of demarcation between proficient and deficient English teachers and reinforce linguistic and socioeconomic hierarchies. Instead of reified, Anglo‐normative orientations to English proficiency, the author proposes a translingual orientation that places students' multilingual identities at the center of English language teaching (ELT) practices. He concludes with a call for ELT practitioners and critical language scholars to develop organic links between classroom translingualism and political activism in order to dismantle socioeconomic hierarchies.

Exploring social justice dialogues in EFL conversation clubs: discursive moves and affordances

ABSTRACT There has recently been a growing interest in social justice language education, with the goal of challenging entrenched social, cultural and economic hierarchies within educational institutions and the society at large. Contributing to this line of research, the present study focused on an online conversation club that aimed to develop EFL learners’ communicative skills and critical literacy through the discussion of social justice issues which have traditionally been deemed ‘taboo’ and ‘controversial’. Data were collected online via demographic information survey, the recordings of the conversation club sessions, facilitator’s field notes and reflective journals, and student interviews. The results revealed several discursive moves adopted by EFL learners, which mostly revolved around that's our responsibility vs others in relation to environmental issues; and that’s the government’s-job when it comes to themes related to immigration. The findings illustrated the potential of social justice-oriented conversation clubs to foster diverse perspectives and authentic conversation in language classrooms, and to cultivate EFL learners’ critical literacy. The study provides insights into how language educators can integrate social justice issues into the language curriculum in ways that help language learners question their already-existing beliefs and take action for a socially just world.

Comparative Study of the National Test Based on Core Competencies (Sichuan Version) and the New National College Entrance Examination (National Version)

This study aims to comparatively analyze the differences in the Chinese language component between the National Curriculum (Sichuan) based on core competencies and the New National Curriculum for the College Entrance Examination. With the upcoming reform of the “New National Curriculum for Chinese Language in the College Entrance Examination” in Sichuan region in 2025, understanding the similarities and differences between the two is crucial for educational practitioners and students in the region. The research finds that the New National Curriculum places a stronger emphasis on the assessment of core competencies, including language comprehension and application, thinking development and quality, cultural inheritance and innovation. In contrast, the National Curriculum (Sichuan) focuses more on the assessment of basic knowledge and skills. This study aims to provide references for educational practices in Sichuan, assisting teachers and students in better adapting to the requirements of the new college entrance examination.

THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF AN ONLINE FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT TO FOSTER INTERACTIVE ENGLISH LEARNING AMONG SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN INDONESIA

In response to pandemic-related learning loss, the Indonesian government has implemented a new English language curriculum with a focus on holistic assessment. However, the effectiveness of this curriculum relies on innovative teaching practices. This study positions the author as a curriculum engineer who has developed an online formative assessment concept. The aim of this research is to create a formative assessment tool that records student learning processes, promotes interactive English learning, and overcomes traditional pedagogical practices. By recording student learning processes and integrating technology, such as mind mapping and word clouds, students are able to explore, investigate, and generate new knowledge. The study follows a Research and Development (RD) approach and the developed website highlights the two online formative assessment methods. The findings demonstrate that using the online formative assessment tool can enhance students' critical thinking and communication skills while improving their English proficiency. Based on these results, this study recommends that schools integrate formative assessment tools into their English language curriculum to promote interactive learning and overcome traditional teaching practices. The findings of this study are relevant to educators, policymakers, and curriculum developers interested in promoting interactive English learning in a technology-enhanced learning environment. This study expected to be an assessment innovation in the interactive English.

Implementation of Financial Literacy Development Strategies in Elementary School Students

Purpose: This research aims to describe the implementation of financial literacy development strategies for students at SD Negeri 44 Bengkulu City. Methods: Researchers used a qualitative descriptive research design. Data collection techniques in this research include interviews, observation and documentation. The research subjects consisted of the principal, two teachers, fifteen grade 2 students at SD Negeri 44 Bengkulu City, and a coordinator from Bank Bengkulu. The data analysis techniques used by researchers include (1) data condensation; (2) data presentation; (3) drawing conclusions and verification. Results: The research results show that various strategies have been implemented, such as: (1) integration of financial literacy in the Independent Indonesian Language Curriculum Textbook for Class 2, (2) the presence of an honesty canteen, (3) class cash management, and (4) savings activities through Bengkulu Bank. Conclusion: The strategy for developing financial literacy at SD Negeri 44 Bengkulu City has succeeded in increasing students' financial understanding and skills. The implications of the research illustrate the importance of collaboration between schools, parents and Bank Bengkulu to strengthen strategies and integrate elements of financial literacy into the elementary school curriculum.

Integrating Chinese Culture Into Language Curriculum: Teaching Chinese Culture to International Students in China

Integrating Chinese Culture Into Language Curriculum: Teaching Chinese Culture to International Students in China

The Improving Student’s Vocabulary through Rewriting English Song Lyric “The Shawn Mendes Foundation Playlist”

The research investigates the efficacy of using English song lyrics, specifically drawn from Shawn Mendes' album "The Shawn Mendes Foundation Playlist," to enhance vocabulary skills among tenth-grade students at SMA Negeri 1 Comal. Employing a quantitative experimental approach, the research involved 70 students divided into experimental and control groups, undergoing pre-tests and post-tests to gauge vocabulary improvement. Results indicated a significant enhancement in vocabulary scores among students in the experimental group exposed to the treatment of rewriting English song lyrics. Conversely, the control group exhibited mixed outcomes, with some students experiencing declines, while others maintained or slightly improved their scores. Despite encountered difficulties in comprehending song lyrics and articulating ideas, proposed solutions included frequent exposure to English songs and active engagement in predicting song meanings. The findings underscore the potential of utilizing song lyrics, particularly from popular albums, as a valuable pedagogical tool for fostering vocabulary development in English language learning settings, thus advocating for their integration into language curricula.

Perceptions and practices of technology usage in English language curriculum implementation among instructors and students in Somaliland higher education institutions

This study aimed to investigate how instructors and students in Somaliland’s higher education institutions perceive and utilize technology in implementing the English language curriculum. The study involved 93 English language instructors and 377 students from both public and private universities. The instructors and students were selected using available sampling and proportionate stratified random sampling techniques respectively. Data was collected through a survey questionnaire and analyzed quantitatively using mean, standard deviation, one-sample test, independent samples t-test, and linear regression. The findings indicated that both instructors and students had low perceptions of the benefits of technology in English language teaching, and instructors had limited experience in implementing technology-supported curriculum. However, the study revealed a strong relationship between technology usage and successful curriculum implementation. Therefore, it was recommended that instructors and students receive training on educational technology awareness and practical application to enhance the English language curriculum implementation.

Applying the MSMLP model in advancing language teaching and learning: a longitudinal case study on soft skills development

Language is a dynamic phenomenon that transcends mere verbal expression. In the educational setting, and particularly language teaching and learning, understanding the processes that underlie communication is crucial for effective pedagogy. The Multi-Stratal Model of Language Processing (MSMLP) emerges as a neurolinguistic framework that not only dissects the complexities of language processing but also offers a multifaceted perspective through which language education can be advanced, moving beyond traditional linguistic boundaries by integrating social, cultural, emotional, gestural, and linguistic components. The study unfolds by examining the foundational linguistic strata, emphasizing the integration of pragmatics, morphosyntax, semantics, and phonology into a more holistic language curriculum. Social dimensions, encompassing sociolinguistic variables, social context, and conversation analysis, are explored, guiding educators to incorporate these elements into their teaching methodologies. The longitudinal case study focuses on soft skills development among first-year English students at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities in Sfax, emphasizing real-world scenarios and comprehensive assessments. The iterative approach assesses the curriculum’s impact on students’ soft skills, highlighting MSMLP’s applicability in language teaching and curriculum design. The study advocates for embracing the MSMLP, fostering a holistic language teaching approach to prepare students for effective communication in diverse real-world contexts, and unraveling the profound connection between language and the expression of thoughts and feelings beyond explicit verbalization.

Awareness of Language Learning Strategy Use of the ESL Students of Rural Telangana

Language learning strategies are methods that help users improve their English proficiency. We conducted a survey of 3012 rural students to assess their awareness of communication strategies in English. The survey revealed that students from rural areas in Telangana struggle with English proficiency, which affects their professional performance. Previous research has shown a link between language learning strategies and proficiency. Therefore, it is important to investigate the strategies used by these students and create an intervention program to teach them language learning strategies explicitly. The study suggests incorporating specific strategies into the undergraduate English language curriculum to enhance proficiency in professional settings.