Language Learning Programs Research Articles

Cognitive Approach to the Use of Multimedia in Maharoh Kalam Learning

Mastery of speaking skills in learning Arabic often faces challenges related to student engagement and the effectiveness of traditional teaching methods. Conventional teaching methods are usually considered less attractive and unable to meet the learning needs of students effectively. This study aims to explore the use of multimedia based on a cognitive approach to improving students' speaking skills in the Special Arabic Language Learning Program (PKPBA) UIN Malang. Qualitative research methods were used, involving in-depth observations and interviews with students and faculty to collect data on the experience and impact of multimedia use. The results showed that multimedia designed with a cognitive approach significantly improved students' speaking skills, increased motivation, and enriched the learning experience. These findings make an important contribution to cognitive theory by demonstrating the practical application of multimedia in language learning, as well as providing guidance for educators in designing more effective learning materials. This research also emphasizes the need for inclusive technology development, attention to ethics, and the protection of users' data. Keywords: Speaking Skills, Multimedia, Cognitive

Idārah Tanfīdz Barnāmaj Ta’līm Al Lughah Al-‘Arabiyah Litarqiyah Kafāah Al Lughah

Management of implementing the Arabic language learning program at the Al-Muhibbin Islamic Boarding School is a planned process. Because considering the current situation where Arabic has become a necessity for today's society in order to be able to keep up with changing times which are increasingly global and not to be left behind by other countries. Therefore, Arabic language learning programs are very important. This research discusses the management of implementing the Arabic language learning program at the Al-Muhibbin Islamic Boarding School. This research uses a qualitative descriptive method, and data collection is carried out by observation, interviews, and documentation. The results of this research indicate that the implementation of the Arabic language learning program at the Al-Muhibbin Islamic Boarding School is going well. There are two Arabic language learning programs at this Islamic boarding school, namely main activities and additional activities. The main activity in this program is classroom learning. This activity goes through three stages, namely introduction, core activities, and closing activities. Activities are held at 14.00-16.00 and 20.00-22.00. Meanwhile, additional activities are divided into daily activities, namely additional mufrodat and muhadasah al-yaumiyah. The weekly activity is muhadhoroh. The annual activities are FASTABIN and rihlah lughoh. Overall, the management of the implementation of the Arabic language learning program at the Al-Muhibbin Islamic Boarding School reflects a strong commitment to providing useful experiences for the students to improve their Arabic language skills and understanding of religion as evidenced by their enthusiasm when participating in this program, their communication practices using Arabic.

Digital Learning Innovation : Language Collaboration In Tanjungmojo Village

This research aims to develop digital learning innovation through language collaboration in Tanjungmojo Village, where low digital literacy and limited access to quality educational resources are the main problems. Limited foreign language skills among village communities are also an obstacle in keeping up with developments in global technology and communication. To overcome this challenge, the research uses an action research approach by involving the active participation of local communities in the development of digital-based foreign language learning programs. This research was conducted in three main stages: (1) analysis of local needs and potential, (2) development and implementation of a language-based digital learning program, and (3) evaluation of the effectiveness of the program. Data was collected through interviews, participant observation, and questionnaires filled out by program participants and the general public. The research results show that the digital learning program developed succeeded in significantly increasing the participants' digital literacy and foreign language skills. In addition, collaboration between local communities and teaching staff creates an inclusive and sustainable learning environment.The main trends identified in this research include increasing community participation, especially teenagers and young adults, in learning activities, as well as increasing interest in continuing to learn and develop new skills through digital platforms. This research also highlights the importance of community support and technology accessibility for the success of learning programs in rural areas. The MIT-18 KKN program in Tanjungmojo Village involved 97 students with learning methods through bilingual digital films and group discussions, which encouraged high participation and involvement. Despite challenges in content retention and technical limitations, this initiative shows great potential in improving education in rural areas and bridging the existing educational gap.

Reimagining Students’ and Student Development and Support Practitioners’ Experiences in a Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL) Programme at a University in South Africa

This mixed methods study explored the experiences and views of information and communication technology (ICT) students and student development and support (SDS) practitioners who facilitated the English Word Power (EWP) programme, which was used as an intervention to address the students’ poor English proficiency skills at a university of technology (UoT) in South Africa. There is current research on the experiences and views of students and lecturers on computer-assisted language learning (CALL) programmes; however, no studies have been published on the experiences of SDS practitioners on similar programmes in South Africa. This study addresses this gap by providing the voices of SDS practitioners regarding their experiences with a CALL programme. A descriptive and interpretive research design was adopted. Self-report questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used to collect data. The findings from the student questionnaires (n = 99) indicated that the students were enthusiastic about the programme and enjoyed it. The SDS practitioners (n = 4), however, found it problematic to integrate the EWP programme into their regular teaching activities. It is recommended that a CALL programme, which teaches listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, be integrated with regular teaching. Future research should focus on how to integrate CALL programmes into language development interventions that address students’ poor English proficiency.

The Role of Technology in Facilitating EFL Learning: A Case Study Approach

This research investigates how digital tools and resources are integrated into English as a Foreign Language (EFL) education to enhance learning outcomes. The study employs qualitative through interviews, questionnaires, and classroom observations. Interviews with 6 lecturers and 74 students as the samples provide in-depth insights into their experiences and perceptions. Classroom observations offer real-time evidence of how technology is used in practice, highlighting both its benefits and obstacles. Data is analyzed using thematic analysis for qualitative, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the role of technology in EFL learning at the English Language Learning and Education Study Program of University of Pahlawan Tuanku Tambusai during February to June 2024. The results show that the use of technology has been positively perceived by both students and lecturers, who recognize the ability to make learning more accessible, interactive, and tailored to individual needs. The widespread use of tools such as language learning apps, online resources, and multimedia presentations has contributed to more effective and enjoyable learning experiences. Despite these benefits, the research also identified significant challenges, including technical issues, inconsistent access to devices, and varying levels of digital literacy among students. These challenges sometimes hinder the seamless integration of technology into EFL learning. The technology has greatly contributed to the success of EFL learning at Universitas Pahlawan Tuanku Tambusai, addressing the challenges identified will be crucial for maximizing its potential. By investing in better support systems, infrastructure, and training, the university can further enhance the effectiveness of technology in fostering English language proficiency among its students.

EMPOWERING LANGUAGE LEARNING: THE CRITICAL ROLE OF MODERATORS IN DUOLINGO’S GERMAN DISCUSSION BOARDS

Asynchronous discussion boards provide learners with an online platform to collaborate and communicate. This study aims to investigate the pivotal role of moderators in managing and enhancing the dynamics of asynchronous discussion boards in Duolingo’s German language learning environment. There are nearly nine million individuals who use Duolingo to learn German. This study implemented netnography to examine six moderators on Duolingo German language discussion boards. From an initial potential pool of 12 participants, two participants were chosen at random from three levels of engagement: high, moderate, and lower, for a total of six moderators. Moderators who commented at least 150 times were considered highly engaged; those with at least 25 comments were moderately engaged, and those with fewer than 25 comments were lower engaged. Data collection involved analyzing comments posted between 2013 and 2022. The study examined the frequency of comments, number of language badges, German course level, total posts, and years using Duolingo. However, activities occurring ‘behind the scenes,’ such as deleting inappropriate comments and providing feedback to developers, were not analyzed. The analysis covered 26 discussion boards, with five boards per participant, except for one user. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns in moderator behavior and its impact on learner engagement. This methodology supported the investigation of how Duolingo German moderators oversee asynchronous discussion boards, allowing us to analyze and understand the evolving needs and engagement levels of learners within this online community. The results of the netnography showed that there were three themes. The findings support past research, which suggests the moderator role extends beyond mere oversight, providing management of online discussion boards, contributing significantly to the success of language learning programs, and enhancing the overall learning experience.

Idarat Barnamij Ta’lim al-Lughah al-‘Arabiyah fi al-Muassasah al-Dauriyah Markaz al-‘Arabiyah Pare Kediri

The background of this research is based on the importance of effective management in Arabic language learning programs, especially in language course institutions that play a significant role in developing Arabic language proficiency in Indonesia. Markaz Arabiyah Pare Kediri is recognized as one of the leading centers for Arabic language learning, but in-depth research on the management of its programs remains limited. Therefore, this study aims to analyze and evaluate the management of the Arabic language learning program at Markaz Arabiyah, focusing on effectiveness, curriculum relevance, and innovation in teaching methods. The research method used is a qualitative approach with a case study design. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with administrators, teachers, and students, as well as direct observation and document analysis related to program management. The data analysis techniques include data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing/verification. The objective of this research is to understand the management of the Arabic language learning program at Markaz Arabiyah, including its planning, organizing, implementation, supervision, and evaluation. The research results indicate that the program management at Markaz Arabiyah Pare has successfully created a conducive learning environment that supports the enhancement of students' Arabic language proficiency. However, some aspects need improvement, such as aligning the curriculum with global needs and enhancing the quality of teacher training.

Bilinguals outperform trilinguals in implicit language aptitude: the mediating role of selective attention

ABSTRACT A mounting number of individuals engage in the simultaneous learning of multiple foreign languages. Prior research has underscored the advantages of bilingualism on foreign language aptitude (FLA). However, the impact of multilingual experience on the constituents of FLA, namely explicit language aptitude (ELA) and implicit language aptitude (ILA), along with the cognitive mechanisms underlying these effects, remain less explored. This study seeks to fill this gap by examining the potential multilingual influence on FLA constituents and the possible mediating role of cognitive abilities such as selective attention and working memory. Our research involved 82 Chinese college students, aged between 17 and 24, equally distributed into two cohorts: Chinese-English bilinguals and Chinese-English-Japanese trilinguals (41 per group). The results showed that bilinguals outperformed trilingual learners in terms of ILA performance, with selective attention fully mediating the relationship between multilingualism and ILA. This work is pioneering in identifying the crucial role of selective attention in linking multilingualism and ILA, thereby advancing our understanding of the cognitive underpinnings of the relative bilingual efficiency in language aptitude. The insights are invaluable for educational practice, suggesting that language learning programmes should be designed to optimise cognitive resources in multilingual learners.

Use of the Alice Visual Programming Environment in Programming Education : A Descriptive Case Study

The process of learning a programming language is seen as complicated, especially for those who first start to learn programming language. For this reason, visual programming tools have begun to be used in educational environments. Visual programming tools purpose to concretize abstract programming language concepts. Alice program is one of the visual programming tools. The aim of this study is to determine the effects of the Alice program on programming learning in the education environment. The study group was 18 freshman students enrolled in the Object Based Programming I course at the vocational school computer technology department. The study lasted 8 weeks, with 4 hours each week. The teaching was realized on Gagne’s nine events of instruction model. At the end of the teaching process, two focus group interviews were conducted with the students to determine the obstructing and facilitating factors in using the Alice program. This study was utilized a descriptive case study. The data were analyzed by using the content analysis. When the results were examined; It was seen that the Alice program makes learning the basic code concepts easy and understanding programming logic, and increases the desire to learn programming. However, it was stated that the practicality of writing code could not be improved because code could not be written in the Alice program. It is thought that employing the Alice program is beneficial for enhancing comprehension of programming logic.

AI-driven English Language Learning Program and Academic Writing Integrity in the Era of Intelligent Interface

AI-driven English Language Learning Program and Academic Writing Integrity in the Era of Intelligent Interface

Exploring the Role of Generative AI in Second Language Education: Insights for Instruction, Learning, and Assessment

Artificial Intelligence (AI), broadly speaking, refers to the efforts to program computers in order to mimic human understandings and problem-solving abilities (Voss, 2024). Recent developments in Generative AI utilize large volumes of available training data that allow users to prompt AI-powered tools to automatically produce specific content (e.g., text or images) (Vajjala, 2024). As an innovative technology, Generative AI is reshaping many fields, including second language education (Ji et al., 2023; Zou et al., 2023). At the same time, it has sparked discussions about its seemingly obvious advantages and potential pitfalls (Voss et al., 2023). Many students, educators, and researchers have embraced Generative AI in their everyday practices. There are numerous Generative AI-powered language learning chatbots, tutors, programs, and tools freely available and widely used in language learning contexts around the world.

"I Love to Write My Story": Storytelling and its role in seniors' language

This article examines the role of storytelling as an arts-based educational approach in an older-adult immigrant language-learning program. As a special group within the adult language-learner population, immigrant seniors benefit from educational strategies that emphasize recognition of life experience over knowledge accumulation, which is a common goal of more traditional educational approaches. We present a small study of a storytelling class held within the English Conversation Program at the University of British Columbia Learning Exchange. Based on compelling results, we argue that storytelling is a powerful strategy that not only facilitates language learning, but creates a safe, inclusive learning community.

ENHANCING PUBLIC SPEAKING TO ENGLISH FOR YOUNG LEARNERS VIA EXTEMPORANEOUS SPEECH: A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH USING SPEAKING EVALUATION CRITERIA

This study explores the enhancement of public speaking skills in English for young learners through the implementation of extemporaneous speech techniques, utilizing a comprehensive approach guided by speaking evaluation criteria. Extemporaneous speech, which requires speakers to deliver presentations with minimal preparation, fosters critical thinking, quick organization, and engaging delivery skills essential for effective public speaking. By employing the Oxford Evaluation Criteria, which assesses key components such as the oral introduction, body of speech, summary, attire, performance, audience engagement, creativity, and use of sources, this study provides a structured framework for evaluating and improving these abilities. The research compares the performance of a control group using traditional speaking methods with an experiment group practicing extemporaneous speech. Results indicate that the experiment group shows significantly higher achievement, demonstrating enhanced fluency, coherence, audience engagement, and creativity. These findings suggest that integrating extemporaneous speaking into language learning programs can substantially improve young learners' public speaking proficiency, making it a valuable approach in educational settings.

Improving Modern Pondok Students' Arabic Language Skills in Indonesia: Language Institutions as Language Improvement Central

Islamic boarding schools, or pesantrens, have long played a significant role in the educational landscape of Indonesia, particularly in fostering religious and linguistic knowledge. This research focuses on three modern Islamic boarding schools in Indonesia: Al-Junaidiyah Biru in Bone Regency, IMMIM Putra Makassar in South Sulawesi, and Darussalam Gontor in Ponorogo. Central to the study is the role of the Language Improvement Centre (LIC) at these institutions, which demonstrates crucial innovations in Arabic language learning. The research employs a qualitative method. Data were gathered through interviews with educators, observations of classroom practices, and analysis of curriculum documents. This methodology provided a comprehensive understanding of the LICs' impact on Arabic language education. The study identifies several key functions of the LICs: a) designing Arabic language learning programs that align with the skills students are expected to master; b) conducting regular and organized assessments of students' Arabic language proficiency; and c) developing new teaching approaches based on these assessments. These roles collectively contribute to a robust enhancement of Arabic language learning within the pesantrens. The findings highlight the LICs' effectiveness in fostering a rich and innovative Arabic language learning environment. This research underscores the importance of these centers in the broader context of Islamic education in Indonesia. Future research could explore further innovations introduced by LICs and assess their long-term impacts on students' proficiency and engagement with the Arabic language.

Research on image recognition of tomato leaf diseases based on improved AlexNet model

Aiming at the problems that the traditional image recognition technology is challenging to extract useful features and the recognition time is extended; the AlexNet model is improved to improve the effect of image classification and recognition. This study focuses on 8 types of tomato leaf diseases and healthy leaves. By using HOG and LBP weighted fusion to extract image features, a tomato leaf disease recognition model based on the AlexNet model is proposed, and transfer learning is used to train the AlexNet model. Transfer the knowledge learned by the AlexNet model on the PlantVillage image dataset to this model while reducing the number of fully connected layers. Keras deep learning framework and programming language Python were used. The model was implemented, and the classification and identification of tomato leaf diseases were carried out. The recognition rate of feature-weighted fusion classification is higher than that of serial and parallel methods, and the recognition time is the shortest. When the weight coefficient ratio of HOG and LBP is 3:7, the image recognition rate is the highest, and its value is 97.2 %. From the model performance curve See, when the number of iterations is more than 150 times, the training set and test accuracy rate both exceed 97 %, the loss rate shows a gradient decline, and the change is relatively stable; compared with the traditional AlexNet model, HOG + LBP + SVM model, and VGG model, improved AlexNet model has the highest recognition rate, and it has high recall value, accuracy, and F1 value; Compared with the latest convolutional neural network disease recognition models, improved AlexNet model recognition accuracy was 98.83 %, and the F1 value was 0.994. It shows that the model has good convergence performance, fast prediction speed, and low loss rate and can effectively identify 8 types of tomato leaf images, which provides a reference for the research on crop disease identification.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING PROGRAM BASED ON ISLAMIC PERSONALITY VALUES FOR EARLY CHILDREN

This research aims to explain the implementation of an English language learning program based on Islamic personality at Islamic playgroups in Kudus and to know the obstacles in practicing the English language based on Islamic personality. This research uses qualitative research. Techniques in collecting data are done by interviews, observation, and documentation. The result of this research is the program has been implemented according to the training curriculum at every stage. The trainers transfer their knowledge, practice English pronunciation, and give an example to the participants in using the right English language based on the Islamic personality. Then, the teachers practice the new English words based on Islamic personality in each playgroup. Through habituation, example, conditioning, and clarity of sanctions for violations of rules carried out professionally in a formal education environment based on Islamic values, children will be able to apply Islamic values in a pleasant atmosphere. The limited school time to practice pronunciation will cause children in Islamic playgroups to be less focused on practicing the English language based on Islamic personality. However, the efforts to overcome obstacles can be done with supportive non-verbal language by using thumbs up, applause, smile, handshake, and so on.

Meningkatkan Keterampilan Berbicara Melalui Permainan Tradisioanal “Cublak-Cublak Suweng” di Madrasah Ilmu Al-qur’an Tembelang Jombang

This research aims to describe the application of speaking skills through the traditional game cublak cublak suweng as well as the advantages and disadvantages of this game in improving Arabic speaking skills. In this research, the researcher used descriptive qualitative research by explaining the stages of implementing the cublak cublak suweng game in Arabic speaking skills and the steps of the game. With this cublak cublak suweng game which makes female students more enthusiastic and active in learning, the female students' speaking skills tend to improve because they are more confident in expressing their opinions using Arabic with more fluent makhorijul letters than before and correct intonation. Meanwhile, the advantage of implementing this game is that female students are more enthusiastic, focused and active while learning speaking skills. On the other hand, the disadvantage of implementing the cublak cublak suweng game is that the sound of female students' laughter and cheering can disrupt the implementation of learning in other classes, and this game is still not considered a language learning program, but only as a distraction.

Skills, Confidence and Challenges in Speaking English among Indigenous College Students

The study tried to assess the skills, confidence, and challenges in speaking English among indigenous people college students and utilized descriptive research method. 526 indigenous college students from the public and private institutions of the second district of Oriental Mindoro were involved in the study. Results showed that the majority of respondents were female and within the 18-24 age bracket, with the largest proportion of Buhid Mangyan tribe. Most of the respondents demonstrated consistent performance across all speaking skills and often performed the statements in all the indicators in vocabulary, followed by fluency, grammar, and pronunciation. The respondents often showed a prevalent confidence in speaking English, particularly in familiar settings such as home and school, reflecting a positive attitude towards English communication within their community. The respondents often encountered frequent and equally pronounced difficulties in speaking English, spanning academic, personal, and social domains, demanding comprehensive strategies to alleviate these challenges and enhance their English communication skills effectively. It was observed that there was a significant difference in students’ skills, confidence, and challenges in speaking English when grouped according to profile and based on the test conducted, it was found out that females from the Buhid tribe studying in private and belonging to the 3rd level have better assessment than others. English speaking skills of indigenous students are closely related to their English-speaking confidence and challenges. The study revealed that the better the skills and confident in speaking English, the more challenges they experienced. Therefore, a language learning program was put forward to help indigenous college students enhance their English speaking skills to reduce the challenges they might encounter to attain confidence in speaking English.

Analysis of English Learning Needs for Travel Bureau Students in Bali, Indonesia

The tourism industry in Indonesia, especially Bali, has developed rapidly in recent years. This drives the need for skilled workers in the tourism sector, including good English language skills. This research aims to analyze the English language learning needs of students majoring in Travel Bureaus in Bali, Indonesia. This research uses quantitative and qualitative methods. Data was collected through a survey of 100 students majoring in Travel Bureau and in-depth interviews with 10 lecturers and 5 tourism industry practitioners. The research results show that students majoring in Travel Bureau have a high need to improve their English language skills, especially in the aspects of speaking, listening, and reading. This need is driven by the demands of work in the tourism industry, where English is widely used to communicate with foreign tourists. This research provides an overview of the English language learning needs for students majoring in Travel Bureaus in Bali, Indonesia. The findings of this research can be used to develop English language learning programs that are more effective and relevant to the needs of the tourism industry.

Intensive Listening and Cutting-Edge Strategies Unlock Language Mastery

The primary objective of this research study is to examine the implications of intensive listening techniques on language acquisition and comprehension skills. The Research examines different methods, resources, and technology applications supporting successful language acquisition. The theoretical framework includes Krashen's Input Hypothesis and the Comprehensible Output Hypothesis, emphasising the crucial importance of authentic language input. Various platforms, such as podcasts, YouTube, and ELA resources, are crucial for establishing captivating and immersive language environments. There is a strong emphasis on the responsible integration of AI and technology in education, focusing on ensuring fairness and transparency. Implementing metacognitive strategies, problem-solving techniques, and learner autonomy are fundamental to successful intensive listening practices. Additionally, the study recognises the impact of native languages on language acquisition and considers educators' diverse responsibilities in promoting oral proficiency. The Research has identified several promising areas for further investigation, including neurocognitive correlates, intercultural communication, motivation, and technology integration. The study provides practical insights that can assist educators, curriculum developers, and language learning programs in creating engaging and genuine listening activities that promote linguistic proficiency and effective communication.