Language Education Research Articles

Examining Teacher-Written Conference Abstracts: Rhetorical Functions and Syntactic Complexity Features

This study explored the characteristics of accepted conference abstracts (CAs) written by language teachers for a large-scale national conference on English Language Teaching (Best Practices in Language Education Conference; BEST) compared to those produced by researchers or teacher-researchers for the teaching-oriented strands of a large-scale international conference on Applied Linguistics (American Association of Applied Linguistics Conference; AAAL). The comparative analysis focused on three rhetorical features of the abstracts (move-step realization, embeddedness, and sequence) and move-specific syntactic complexity features. Adopting the CA move/step framework of Yoon and Casal (2020a), we examined rhetorical functions and syntactic features in 60 abstracts from each conference: all BEST abstracts and the abstracts accepted to the two pedagogy-oriented strands of the AAAL conference. Our findings generally indicate prominent differences between BEST and AAAL writers in their use of moves, steps, and embedded steps. They also show differences between the two groups in terms of the use of some syntactic measures, such as the length of sentences and the use of complex nominals. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the characteristics of the CA genre and provide insight into language teachers’ research literacy with a focus on CA writing, which may be useful for the development of evidence-based CA writing guidelines for teachers.

我抓在手里捏成棉花糖，什么烦恼不能忘: Learning Mandopop lyrics to promote bilingualism and biliteracy development

ABSTRACT Guided by heritage language and translanguaging theory, this ethnographic case study explores how a young second-generation Chinese American student used Mandopop lyrics to enhance her heritage language learning at home. Over six months, the mother, also the researcher collected 61 audio recordings of the student’s readings and singing of Mandopop, as well as translingual conversations between them. Supplemented with the researcher’s field notes, the analysis revealed significant improvements in the student’s pronunciation, Mandarin word recognition, oral language skills, and vocabulary. These improvements subsequently increased her oral translingual practices. Additionally, discussions about Mandopop lyrics enhanced the student’s higher-level thinking and understanding of her heritage culture. Overall, Mandopop lyrics effectively promote the student’s bilingual and biliteracy development. This study underscores the role of Mandopop lyrics in incorporating deep cultural elements, fostering bilingualism, and enhancing biliteracy. By engaging with Mandopop, the student connects with her heritage culture and improves her linguistic abilities in a meaningful and enjoyable way, highlighting the potential of music as a valuable tool in heritage language education.

THE IMPACT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ON LANGUAGE LEARNING

This article explores the significant impact of artificial intelligence (AI) oneducation, particularly in the field of English language learning. By exploring current advances in artificial intelligence technology, including natural language processing and machine learning algorithms, the article highlights how AI-based tools and applications are revolutionizing the way Englishis taught and learned. In addition, the article discusses potential challenges and ethical considerations associated with the integration of AI into education, emphasizing the importance of responsible and inclusive implementation. Overall, this article highlights the changing role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of English language education, providing in sight into its benefits, opportunities, and implications for students and teachers.

Trends and Prospects of Language Education Research Using Generative AI : Focusing on Topic Modeling and Keyword Analysis

The purpose of this study is to analyze the latest research trends in language education using artificial intelligence, focusing on the potential and prospects of generative artificial intelligence in this field. To achieve this, academic journals and dissertations published on the Korea Citation Index (KCI) and the Academic Research Information Service (RISS) were thoroughly searched to collect subjects for research, which were then analyzed using statistical methods and LDA-based topic modeling techniques. The analysis showed a significant increase in research, with 92 studies emerging after the development of ChatGPT 3.0 in 2023, predominantly focusing on the use of generative AI. The majority of these studies were focused on the Korean language, followed by English and German. Keyword analysis of the 92 academic documents using topic modeling techniques revealed that terms such as ‘education’, ‘generation’, ‘utilization’, ‘artificial intelligence’, and ‘learning’ were most frequently used. Based on these findings, the study examines practical examples of generative AI use in language education both domestically and internationally, explores its potential in the educational field, identifies challenges when utilizing generative AI in language education, and proposes solutions to address these issues.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Ten Years on Positive Psychology in Foreign/Second Language Education (2012-2022)

This bibliometric study examines the research trends, productivity, publication, and citation patterns of positive psychology in the field of foreign/second language education by analyzing 137 documents retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database between 2012-2022. Data analysis was conducted using various scientometric software, including MS Excel and Biblioshiny. Results reveal that the first publication on this topic appeared in 2012, with a major increase observed in 2021-2022, with the highest number of publications (N = 41) in 2022. The highest number of citations (n = 528) were observed in 2018. China was found to be the most productive country (N = 106), while Japan had the highest citation impact (N = 63). The most cited document received 198 citations. The study also found that the most frequently used word was "emotion" and the trending topic was positive psychology. The most productive university affiliation was found to be Birkbeck University of London in the UK.

Beyond (Ethno)linguistic Determinism: Diverse Approaches to Nationalism in Habsburg-Austrian Schools

Abstract Research on the nexus between education and nationalism in the Habsburg Empire has often focused on the role that language may have played in top-down nationalization processes and the popular dissemination of national thought. According to contemporary nationalist logic, undergoing education in a certain language of instruction also entailed the internalization of nationalist values inherent to its corresponding nationalist movement. The present article argues that the Habsburg educational experience was much more contingent, and draws attention to the diversity of pedagogical approaches towards nationalism and nationality that could be encountered in Austrian schools during the last five decades of Habsburg rule. By using examples from German- and Slovene-language textbooks, it shows that sociopolitical, temporal, as well as institutional factors played an important role in determining the practical values and attitudes towards the nationalism that students encountered during their school years. With systematic empirical studies remaining rare, further research will be necessary to gain a fuller insight into the complexities of the Habsburg education system and its potential effects on popular collective identity formation.

USE OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY IN TEACHING AND LEARNING ON STUDENTS PERFORMANCE IN MATHEMATICS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF RWANDA

This study explored the impact of English language proficiency on students performance in Mathematics in Kirehe Districts public secondary schools. It aims to assess students English skills in math classes, identify challenges stemming from language barriers, and determine the correlation between English proficiency and math performance. The research involved 336 students, from which 183 respondents, including head teachers, teachers, and students from four schools, were selected through purposive and random sampling methods. A descriptive research design using both quantitative and qualitative approaches was adopted, with data collected via questionnaires, interviews, and observations, then analyzed using SPSS version 21. Findings revealed that 76.5% of students understood basic math terms in English, while 89.7% felt confident discussing challenges in math. However, 81.8% struggled with complex instructions due to unfamiliar vocabulary. Anxiety about using English was noted by 86.8% of students, and 94.1% reported difficulties with lengthy word problems. The study found a significant correlation between teachers English skills and student performance, participation, and learning independence. Recommendations include prioritizing access to English resources, providing teacher incentives for language skill enhancement, and using clear, concise language in instruction. Further research on the relationship between English proficiency and students attitudes toward Mathematics is suggested.

The Politics of Memory: NLP Models as Liberating Artifacts

The main argument of this article is that natural language processing (NLP) projects of Indigenous African languages can be understood as an effort to restore and preserve Africa’s memory in the digital. Language has always occupied a particular place in the African decolonial imaginary. Several African states embarked on processes of Africanisation of postcolonial institutions in their respective national contexts. One of the main features of this project in many African countries was the restoration of African languages in education and public service. Taking a social constructivist approach rooted in science and technology studies and looking through the analytical lens of decoloniality in Africa, I conceptualise NLP models of Indigenous African languages as liberating artifacts. I mobilise decolonial theory to look at language as a technology that can be used to dis-member and re-member the African subjects of their memory of being as people. The coloniser erased the memory of the African subjugated by cutting off their linguistic connections and instead planted the European memory. From this perspective, decolonisation can be understood as a process of re-memberment that can be achieved through the return of the languages of those whose humanity has been denied or questioned. In this sense, NLP projects offer instances of the digital that represent spaces of restoration and negotiated digital futurities. I contend that these digital spaces in Africa are social spaces of contestation about what common investments should be made, what collective futures are desirable and what are the perceived material consequences of such shared imaginations.

BOOK REVIEW: TEACHER DEVELOPMENT FOR IMMERSION AND CONTENT-BASED INSTRUCTION

This review provides a concise overview of the book "Teacher Development for Immersion and Content-Based Instruction” by Laurent Cammarata and T. J. Ó Ceallaigh, published in 2020 by John Benjamins Publishing Company. The review highlights its significant contributions to the understanding of global language immersion programs. The book, which features significant input from respected scholars, focuses on filling the knowledge gaps regarding teacher development in the context of language immersion and content-based training. The book consists of seven chapters that address various subjects, including teacher language awareness, the development of professional identity, and the difficulties encountered by immersion educators. The review acknowledges the book's thorough approach but points out a possible omission in distinguishing between Content-Based Instruction and Content and Language Integrated Learning The review suggests that the book is a great resource for educators, academics, and policymakers. The extensive examination of both theory and practice renders it an invaluable resource for individuals engaged in language instruction and research.

텍스트 마이닝 기법을 활용한 국어교육 평가 연구의 동향 분석

Objectives This study analyzed KCI-registered academic articles using text mining techniques to interpret the trends of research related to language education evaluation. Methods For this purpose, a total of 206 articles from January 1, 2000 to July 15, 2024 were collected from RISS and KCI, and after supplementing the abstracts, data preprocessing was performed, and finally, a total of 1,955 words were targeted for topic modeling and network analysis. Results As a result of the analysis, 10 topics were extracted and themes were extracted by topic. The themes of each topic in the research on Korean language education assessment are: improvement of Korean language teaching through assessment, school-centered Korean language assessment system, theoretical approaches to the content of Korean language assessment, development of Korean language assessment items, domain-specific characteristics and content of Korean language assessment, Korean language writing assessment, process- oriented Korean language assessment, national-level Korean language academic achievement assessment, importance and implementation of Korean language performance assessment, and assessment expertise of Korean language teachers. Conclusions The research on assessment in Korean language education tends to focus on changes in Korean language assessors' perspectives and teaching innovations, the characteristics of assessment in different areas of Korean language, research centered on writing assessment, the expansion of national-level assessment to unit school-level assessment, and theoretical research on assessment in Korean language education based on practicality.

Unveiling the Dynamic Mechanisms of Generative AI in English Language Learning: A Hybrid Study Based on fsQCA and System Dynamics

The burgeoning development of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) has unleashed transformative potential in reshaping English language education. However, the complex interplay of learner, technology, pedagogy, and contextual factors that shape the effectiveness of GenAI-assisted language learning remains underexplored. This study employed a novel mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) and system dynamics (SD) modeling, to unravel the multi-dimensional, dynamic mechanisms underlying the impact of GenAI on English learning outcomes in higher education. Leveraging a sample of 33 English classes at the Harbin Institute of Technology, the QCA results revealed four distinct configurational paths to high and low learning effectiveness, highlighting the necessary and sufficient conditions for optimal GenAI integration. The SD simulation further captured the emergent, nonlinear feedback processes among learner attributes, human–computer interaction, pedagogical practices, and ethical considerations, shedding light on the temporal evolution of the GenAI-empowered language-learning ecosystem. The findings contribute to the theoretical advancement of intelligent language education by constructing an integrative framework encompassing learner, technology, pedagogy, and context dimensions. Practical implications are generated to guide the responsible design, implementation, and optimization of GenAI in English language education, paving the way for learner-centric, adaptive learning experiences in the intelligence era.

Exploring the Digital Transformation of Generative AI-Assisted Foreign Language Education: A Socio-Technical Systems Perspective Based on Mixed-Methods

This study investigates the complex dynamics and impacts of generative AI integration in foreign language education through the lens of the Generative AI-assisted Foreign Language Education Socio-Technical System (GAIFL-STS) model. Employing an integrated mixed-methods design, the study combines qualitative case studies and hybrid simulation modeling to examine the affordances, challenges, and implications of AI adoption from a multi-level, multi-dimensional, and multi-stakeholder perspective. The qualitative findings, based on interviews, observations, and document analyses, reveal the transformative potential of generative AI in enhancing language learning experiences, as well as the social, cultural, and ethical tensions that arise in the process. The quantitative results, derived from system dynamics and agent-based modeling, provide a systemic and dynamic understanding of the key variables, feedback loops, and emergent properties that shape the trajectories and outcomes of AI integration. The integrated findings offer valuable insights into the strategies, practices, and policies that can support the effective, equitable, and responsible implementation of AI in language education.

Including adults and peers through translanguaging in literacy activities

ABSTRACT Translanguaging in reading activities in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) can result in child engagement, language learning and the development of multilingual identities. Few studies have explored the engagement of very young children and languaging when they participate in activities with both educators and parents. The present study therefore investigates the ways in which educators in two daycare centres and parents jointly supported children when the parents read in the home language as well as the children’s engagement and interactions. The observational and interview data were collected in Luxembourg where a multilingual education policy is in place in ECEC. The findings show that the parents used the home language on its own or together with the instructional language which, in turn, resulted in different emotional and instructional support and impacted children’s engagement and interactions differently. While the opportunities to hear and speak a home language other than the institutional one resulted in most children performing their multilingual identities, children only engaged with content, interacted with the parent, educator and peers, and included them when the adults translanguaged. The findings suggest that children and parents can benefit from collaborative reading events when the adults draw on children’s multilingual repertoires.

Performative practices in teaching a foreign language in higher education

Performative practices in teaching a foreign language in higher education

Examining Teacher and Student Beliefs in Poetry Education: A Systematic Review within TESL Contexts

This systematic review investigates the intersection of teacher and student beliefs in poetry education within TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) programs. It synthesizes studies examining how these beliefs influence pedagogical practices, student engagement, and overall learning outcomes in poetry instruction. Utilizing the PRISMA methodology, the review identifies and analyzes 32 peer-reviewed articles published between 1982 and 2024. Findings indicate that teachers' beliefs about poetry significantly shape instructional approaches, often impacting students' attitudes toward the genre. Teachers who view poetry as an essential tool for fostering creativity and cultural understanding tend to implement it more actively in their curricula, enhancing student engagement. Conversely, students often perceive poetry as challenging due to its linguistic complexity, leading to anxiety and disengagement. The review also highlights discrepancies between teacher expectations and student experiences, particularly in assessment-driven environments where poetry is seen as secondary to core language skills. The study concludes that a more collaborative approach to poetry education—integrating student perspectives—can foster more positive attitudes and better align teaching practices with student needs. This research contributes to the broader discourse on literature education in TESL, offering insights into how poetry can be effectively integrated into language instruction to improve both educational outcomes and cultural literacy.

OPTIMALISASI PEMBELAJARAN BAHASA INGGRIS DI SEKOLAH LUAR BIASA (SLB) YAYASAN BIF MELALUI KURIKULUM MERDEKA

This research investigates the implementation of the Merdeka Curriculum in teaching English at special schools (SLB) in Mojokerto, specifically focusing on students with special needs. The study aims to identify opportunities and challenges in optimizing English language learning for students with disabilities. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach, data was collected through interviews, observations, and documentation. The findings reveal that the Merdeka Curriculum, which emphasizes independence and diversity in learning, plays a crucial role in enhancing the quality of English language education in SLBs. It fosters an inclusive learning environment that caters to the unique needs of each student, empowering them to become active participants in society. However, the research also highlights challenges, such as the need for adequate teacher training, resource availability, and effective implementation strategies. Overall, this study provides insights and recommendations for improving English language instruction in special schools, advocating for a more inclusive and equitable educational framework.

Processing of Machine Translation Errors by Korean Learners of English: An Eye-tracking Study

The present study investigates second language (L2) processing of machine translation (MT) errors in Korean-to-English translations using an eye-tracker. Twenty-five Korean learners of English participated in an Acceptability Judgment Task in which they had to rate the accuracy of Korean-to-English translated sentences while their reading times, fixations, and revisits were recorded. The effect of proficiency level (high vs. low), six error types, and language (English vs. Korean) on the participants’ responses and reading measures were examined and analyzed. The findings indicate that high-proficiency learners demonstrated a clearer differentiation between accurate and inaccurate translations and were better at recognizing errors related to proverbs and subjects, while low-proficiency learners exhibited a higher number of revisits and fixations especially when processing subject-related errors. These findings highlight the importance of proficiency level in shaping how learners process MT errors and have important pedagogical implications for MT-assisted language instruction.

Language teacher self-efficacy beliefs for pronunciation instruction

Abstract Studies on language teachers’ self-efficacy (LTSE) have gained attention in recent years; however, limited research has explored LTSE in specific domains of language instruction, particularly pronunciation. The present study employs a domain-specific survey to measure English as a second language (ESL) teachers’ self-efficacy in pronunciation instruction (PI) in Canadian classrooms. Data from the survey and follow-up interviews were analyzed to explore ESL teachers’ overall self-efficacy beliefs, relationships with language, and pronunciation proficiencies. The findings reveal that ESL teachers in Canada generally report high levels of self-efficacy for teaching pronunciation. While the correlation between general language proficiency and self-efficacy was not significant, the correlation between their pronunciation proficiency and self-efficacy for teaching pronunciation was significant, even though it falls below the benchmark for small effect size.

Exploring the Types and Causes of Pauses in Students’ English Oral Presentations

This study examines the types and causes of pauses in students’ English presentations at a Senior High School in Gorontalo, Indonesia, with a focus on understanding how pauses affect fluency in public speaking. Drawing on Schroeder and Sonderegger (2014), the study explores the relationship between pause occurrence and speech rate in both spontaneous dialogues and read speech. The study provides insights into how pauses function in natural speech and the factors that influence their frequency and type. Specifically, it categorizes pauses into two primary types: silent pauses and filled pauses. This research analyzes the frequency and nature of pauses during classroom presentations. The study involved ten 12th-grade students, who were observed during their presentations, with data collected through audio recordings, questionnaires, and direct observations. The findings revealed a total of 84 pauses, with 45 silent pauses and 39 filled pauses. Silent pauses were more frequent, often resulting from students struggling to recall words or organizing their thoughts. The study identified several factors contributing to pauses, including nervousness, concerns about grammar, and lack of vocabulary. The results suggest that pauses are not only a natural aspect of speaking but also indicative of underlying psychological and linguistic challenges. This research has implications for language instruction, highlighting the importance of addressing anxiety, improving vocabulary, and reinforcing grammar to help students enhance their fluency and confidence in public speaking.

A Study on Instructors' Perceptions of Regionally Connected Korean Language Education

A Study on Instructors' Perceptions of Regionally Connected Korean Language Education