Successful Language Learning Research Articles

THEORY AND PRACTICE IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING

Success in language teaching and learning is a multidisciplinary process in which language testing is an important pillar of success beside the other surrounding factors which range from the teaching learning context to the learners and teachers’ personal and educational factors. The aim of the present study is to identify to what extent there is a harmony between the teaching learning context on one hand and the theories and techniques of language testing on the other, and whether there is a matching between these theories of language testing and the practicality of these theories. We believe that there is a great mismatch between theories and practice of language testing as a result of the practices and the necessary expertise and knowledge needed in testing. This situation affects, to a great extent, the experience of language teaching learning process. This paper is a qualitative historical survey on language teaching learning context and theories of testing and language testing in particular. To process the study some related studies and literature will be explored, and some instances of language testing will be used to support this theoretical framework and to confirm our hypothesis that there is a gap between what is taught and what is examined. The study will include its importance, the methodological procedures that will be followed to attain the findings, recommendations and suggestions for future studies to let discussion in this area furthered in the future.

СТРУКТУРА ТА ЗМІСТ ЗДІБНОСТЕЙ ДО ВИВЧЕННЯ ІНОЗЕМНИХ МОВ

This study aims to explore the foreign language (FL) aptitude components as one of the crucial factors of successful language learning. Having conducted the research, the following results and conclusions have been drawn. FL aptitude is defined as individual psychological characteristics which determine and predict the dynamics of mastering FL, that is the rate, speed and progress of learning. The components of FL aptitude include language abilities (phonetic, lexical, grammatical and stylistic abilities), speech abilities (abilities to listening, speaking, reading and writing), communicative abilities, the sense of language, thinking in a foreign language, linguistic creativity, motivation. The sense of language and thinking in a foreign language is considered to be the central abilities in FL aptitude. The structure of FL aptitude forms an integral unity, since it is characterized by the interdependence and interaction of all its components. Moreover, it is closely related to general intelligence. Therefore, it is possible to single out auditory and cognitive abilities which are common for all above mentioned abilities and play a key role in determining the level of their development. These abilities involve auditory differential sensitivity (phonemic awareness and intonation hearing), memory (iconic, echoic, motor, working, short-term, long-term, verbal and the ability of involuntary remembering), verbal thinking and inductive reasoning, cognitive processing speed (the rate of speech, the rate of associative processes and the rate of processing new information). According to the level of FL aptitude development there are three styles of FL learning: communicative, cognitive and mixed. The difference between these three styles lies in the fact that the first style refers to language acquisition and the second and the third styles refer to language learning. Consequently, the direct (natural) methods of FL learning are more appropriate for the representatives of the cognitive style and the indirect methods or the combination of the direct and indirect methods is more beneficial for the representatives of the cognitive and mixed styles. Taking into account the results of our research, we suppose it is expedient to run the tests for revealing and measuring FL aptitude which is normally difficult to observe. It allows the educators to detect the factors which make it difficult for students to learn FL and to find the effective ways to eliminate or relieve them.

ICT and Learning Attitude towards Students’ Academic Paragraph Writing in College Level

The use of technology has been growing rapidly in recent years. The technology applies to support the success of language learning, for example, providing web-based learning, mobile-based learning, educational videos, stimulation, online learning platforms, and many more. Learning attitude also determines to achieve the language learning goals. Then, the complexity of English writing causes the students’ denial to take English writing classes. This study aimed at finding out whether there was a significant correlation among ICT writing. Seventy-one students of the English Education Study Program got involved in this correlational study. The data were gained from primary and secondary sources; those are a 15-item ICT use questionnaire, a 20-item learning attitude questionnaire, and documentation of students’ writing. The findings reported that there was a significant correlation among the three variables statistically since the significant value was 0.006 (< 0.05). The value of adjusted r2 was 0.114 which means ICT use and learning attitude contributed 11.4 % to the students’ English academic paragraph writing.Key words: ICT, learning attitude, academic paragraph writing

Emotional, Behavioral and Cognitive Engagement in Language Learning: The Experience of the Successful Learners

This study aims at investigating and portraying learners’ engagement with language in the learning process. It further shares the influence of the engagement upon the success of language acquisition. This study is methodologically qualitative. The semi-structured interview is implemented based upon the attempts to elaborate seven main questions and several follow-up questions. The respondents are from Manado, North Sulawesi. They are learners whose score above 500 in TOEFL ITP or equivalence to IELTS above 6.0 as the qualification of successful English language learners. They took the test in different institutions such as the Golden Gate and the British Council. The data are then analyzed and interpreted in triangulation. The research findings showed that the engagement has shaped the success of the learners’ language acquisition. The engagement comes in the forms of emotional, behavioral and cognitive ones. Such engagements take place from the silent period to communicative competence period of acquisition. It is further found out that to ensure the success of language acquisition, the three models of engagement have to be persistently and consistently practiced and developed.

Personality of a Good Language Learner: a Case Study in EFL Context

This case study aims to explore how the personality traits of a good language learner contributed to her success in language learning. Using a case study design, this study involved one student who met the criteria of a good language learner who became a champion of English competitions. This study used the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test and semi-structured interviews to collect the data. The study showed that Meta's extrovert personality was described as talkative, confident, enthusiastic, and assertive. She understood a problem by talking about it and heard others' ideas in solving problems. As a sensing personality, she was objective and made decisions based on logic and facts to decide both sides. As a thinking person, she always worked with plans, and in making plans, she analyzed the pros and cons. She was objective and consistent in doing what she had planned. Her judging personality described how she dealt with their outer world. She had a decided lifestyle that had helped her achieve her goals in language learning by planning her language learning activities.

University Students’ Willingness to Communicate in Virtual Classroom

Shifting from real classes to online classes ideally does not decrease students’ willingness to communicate (WTC) in a language classroom since it is an indication of successful language learning in a virtual class. Given the crucial of promoting students’ willingness to communicate in English online class, the present study analyzed the patterns of university students’ WTC in a synchronous virtual class. With this purpose in mind, 43 students taking English for general purposes were chosen as the sample in this study. To gather the data of students’ WTC patterns, the online class using zoom application was observed by administrating the Coding scheme developed by Chao and Philp. The patterns of the students’ WTC were analyzed and classified into six categorizes based on the scheme. The results of the study reveal that the occurrences and patterns of students’ WTC are affected by different task types given by the lecturer. Thus, it is expected that education practitioners construct virtual learning design providing various activities so that students’ WTC in an online classroom can be triggered and enhanced.

ИЗУЧЕНИЕ И ПРЕПОДАВАНИЕ ЯЗЫКОВ В 8-12 КЛАССАХ В ГРУЗИИ

The integrated approach to learning is advanced as the best to utilize in the Georgia setting as it gives both the learners and their instructors space to query, correct flaws, and generally engage in a constructive discourse. The teaching of grammar and vocabulary, reading and writing, listening, phonology, pronunciation, speaking/oral communication, and pragmatics among other language aspects require distinct strategies to achieve success on the learning behaviour of students. In the context of language learning in the Georgian context, there is a fundamental focus on context and complexity that enables instructors to deal with the crucial triad of learning language that makes it a unique setting. The teachers view instructional methods as a model for professional practice. Teachers and students from different learning environments across Georgia provided data for this research. Simple random sampling was used to provide data for the study. It was used to select the participants as it offers an equal chance of participation. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data from the participants. The questionnaire included both closed and open ended questions to enable the researcher cover great ground on the strategies and styles of teaching and learning language. The teaching and learning of languages in grades eight to twelve in Georgia presents an essential model that can be emulated across other learning environments to attain success in language learning. Nonetheless, there are gaps that need to be addressed to improve the language learning experience of learners.

NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKING TEACHERS (NESTs) AND INDONESIAN ENGLISH TEACHERS (IETs) EFL STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION AND PREFERENCES

This paper explores the roles of Non-Native English Speaking Teachers (NNESTs) in English Language Teaching (ELT) in Indonesia. As many English language learners idolize Native English Speaking Teachers (NESTs) to be a good teacher of English that leads students to the success with their learning, some research show that the success in language teaching and learning is not merely determined by the fluency which native speakers possess. There are a number of factors that should be taken into account to make language teaching and learning successful such as the nature of learners, social context, and cultural background of the learners. These features are, for the most part, owned by NNESTs and thus they potentially make more successful English language teaching and learning than NESTs.

Indonesian Polyglots: Lived Experiences of Adults Learning Languages Online and Beyond the Classroom

Learning languages independently can be more accessible in today’s online environment. Polyglots, who are speakers of more than three languages, take advantage of this online learning environment to learn even more languages in Indonesia. Using transcendental phenomenology, the researchers interviewed these adult learners on their lived experience with online platforms for learning languages not traditionally spoken or used in daily life in Indonesia. Researchers found that the polyglots reported learning many foreign languages through interactive resources, receptive resources, social media, and authentic resources. Importantly, they held positive attitudes towards online learning platforms and their experiences left them with feelings of helpfulness, enjoyability, even bravery. In many cases, these polyglots often used freely available online resources to learn their foreign languages successfully. Implications include the idea that their language learner experience coupled with online opportunities can lead to successful language learning experiences.

Investigating language aptitude in the success of adult second language acquisition

AbstractThe present study was conducted by using mixed methods design to investigate the role of language aptitude in second language acquisition (SLA). The quantitative method involved Hungarian adults (N = 27) of two kinds of schools: a technical school and three different universities. These adults participated in completing the aptitude test called Hungarian Language Aptitude Test (HUNLAT). The qualitative part included an in-depth interview, which was conducted with six participants mainly focussing on their learning habits in order to examine if there is any correspondence between aptitude and language learning habits in this sample. Within this sample, males achieved significantly higher scores on the Grammar analysis task and older students scored significantly higher on three tasks; additionally, they scored significantly higher on the total score of the HUNLAT. Furthermore, those students who scored high on the aptitude test regard themselves to be successful and those who scored low regard themselves less successful language learners. The major pedagogical implication that can be drawn from this particular research is that there are many constructs that may influence language aptitude including language learning habits, motivation, and language learning strategies; thus, EFL teachers may reconsider the role of this construct in SLA.

Motivational Mechanisms Underlying Second Language Achievement: A Regulatory Focus Perspective

AbstractWe tested a theoretical model that integrated regulatory focus, second language (L2) self‐guides, anxiety and enjoyment, eager and vigilant L2 use, and L2 achievement. We collected data from 324 students learning English as a foreign language. Structural equation modeling results showed that (a) the promotion focus positively predicted ideal selves, whereas the prevention focus negatively predicted ought selves; (b) ideal self/own predicted enjoyment positively and anxiety negatively, ought self/other and ideal self/other predicted anxiety positively, and ought self/own positively predicted vigilant L2 use; (c) enjoyment predicted eager L2 use positively and vigilant L2 use negatively, whereas anxiety predicted vigilant L2 use positively; and finally (d) eager L2 use positively and vigilant L2 use negatively predicted achievement. The findings suggest that a promotion‐oriented approach to language learning and teaching might lead to more adaptive motivational, emotional, and behavioral patterns, which in turn contribute to language learning success. Theoretical and educational implications are discussed.

Students’ Perceptions in a Diverse Language Classroom: The Case of One Public University in Indonesia

Diversity in language learning classrooms is important subject to study. Diversity affects students’ viewpoints and their success in language learning. Diversity does not exist without challenges; therefore, the emphasis here explored how diversity appeared and how the students accommodated the diversity to promote learning goals. This paper presented students ' perception of diversity in an English language classroom at one public university in Indonesia. This exploratory study aimed to better understand diversity to meet students’ needs. By conducting a survey, the questionnaire and interview aimed to collect information about (a) demographic data (age, gender, and nationalities), but not limited to students’ level, culture and socioeconomic status, (b) students’ viewpoints about diversity and (c) how to accommodate the differences. The result showed that positive viewpoints referred to cultural awareness, knowledge acquisition and relationship while negative one referred to the difficulty to tolerate differences. Some recommendations are derived from the results.

Language Learning Strategies Used by Art School ESL Learners

Language Learning Strategies (LLSs) are important in learning a language especially in learning second and foreign language. Many studies on LLSs have been conducted by scholars around the world that prove the significant impact of employing LLSs in acquiring a second language. In Malaysia, English is regarded as a second language and learnt formally in school as an academic subject from 7 to 17 years old. This paper aims to investigate LLSs used by ESL learners who are artistically talented in an art school. This study is a survey and the data were gathered by administering the Strategy Inventory Language Learning (SILL) questionnaire by Oxford (1990). The questionnaire was given to 77 pupils who are 16 and 17 years old. They study in an art school in Malaysia and they have different talents in arts. They are considered as artistically talented to be enrolled in art school. The data were analysed descriptively. The finding shows that the most employed LLSs by art school ESL learners areMetacognitive Strategy and the least employed LLSs are Compensation Strategy. Most ESL learners in Malaysia are very dependent on teachers and have difficulty in achieving a certain level of fluency. They are not aware of their self-ability to govern self-learning. That is why LLS is very important as it effectively improves learners’ proficiency in acquiring the second language. Both teachers and pupils need to be aware of the learners’ ability and preference in choosing suitable LLSs. Since most of the previous researches focus on successful and good language learner, more studies need to be carried out to help and guide less successful learners to be at the same par as a good language learner.

Interactive methods of teaching foreign languages to adults

The article analyzes the scientific resources in Pedagogics of Ukrainian and foreign scholars who have carried out their research in the field of adult education; the meaning of “adult education”, “andragogy”, “adulthood” have been defined. Theoretical issues of teaching foreign languages to adults have been analyzed, the main factors that influence the effectiveness of foreign language acquisition have been clarified and the essential principles of teaching adults have been structured. The article singles out the distinctive characteristics of an adult learner, highlights some approaches to their classification and presents a few of them in more detail. In terms of adult learning organization the role of a teacher and his main objectives have been outlined. It is stated that the key role of a teacher is that of a facilitator and moderator. Apart from that the article represents the classification of teacher roles in the process of teaching foreign languages. Furthermore, the content, organization and conditions of interactive learning have been outlined and classification of interactive techniques which are appropriate to language learning have been described. The main attention is drawn to the principle of group collaboration that is defined by the authors as a favourable environment for successful language learning. The possible results of interactive studies are outlined and a few examples of its methods and forms are offered. The methods represented in the article contribute to the effective teaching and learning processes and possess a clear structure, functions and benefits. Such methods as case-study, role-plays and project have been researched. The role of modern technologies in education is depicted from other scholars’ perspectives. However, the part which they play, multimedia techniques in particular, to improve adults’ language skills is not diminished by the authors of the article.

Фасилітативні вміння майбутніх учителів іноземної мови: характеристика та структура

The article defines the essential characteristics and structure of facilitative skills of future foreign language teachers. In modern science, there is a large number of effective approaches to teaching foreign languages, but the communicative one can be considered as the most relevant. It has been proven that successful acquisition of foreign languages through the communicative approach requires the use of modern educational technologies and facilitative skills by future foreign language teachers. The activity of a facilitator, which is successfully used in psychology, adapted and applied in the educational process, in particular in the process of teaching a foreign language, has been considered. It has been determined that the main task of a future foreign language teacher-facilitator is to convey the idea of successful language learning, individual information retrieval and personal changes that directly affect the learning process. It has been proven that facilitation of the process of learning a foreign language promotes creative assimilation of information, the formation of critical thinking and cooperation with students. In order to make facilitation successful, a foreign language teacher must have such skills as providing support for students, understanding their inner world, interaction and assistance in learning a foreign language, as well as be friendly, create the atmosphere conducive to self-education and self-expression.

Interconnection of perfection and success in learning foreign languages

The article deals with the relationship between perfectionism in the academic environment and foreign language learning. After defining the basic concepts (the three-dimensional model of perfectionism, its components, the multidimensional perfectionism scale by P. Hewitt and G. Flett), the results of the current related research conducted abroad and in Russia are briefly presented. The literature review allowed us to formulate a research question: Are the foreign language and its level of proficiency (on the Common reference levels) related to the degree of perfectionism and its components?In search of an answer to this question, an empirical study was conducted (sample size 213 participants). Using objective statistical methods, it was found that, in general, there are no statistically significant differences between students studying different languages and students at different levels. However, differences in the degree of perfectionism between A2 level and neighboring levels attract attention in terms of the effect sizes. For individual components of perfectionism, the levels of Basic user (A1 and A2) differ most from other levels.The presented results can be useful both for foreign language teachers and for scientists dealing with the success of language learning and the factors affecting this process.

Psycholinguistics in Arabic Learning: History and Urgency

This study is expected to minimize the stigma attached to the students’ minds about the complexity in the structure and grammar of Arabic, as well as the difficulty of finding the Arabic equivalent in Indonesian. These difficulties can be resolved through psycholinguistic understanding. This study tried to describe solutions to problems in learning Arabic as a second language based on a psycholinguistic perspective. This article offers three principles that guide successful language learning. They are principles of education, psychology, and linguistics. This study used a qualitative method with a library research. The main references included books, journals, articles, proceedings, and researches related to the role of psycholinguistics in Arabic learning. The results of psycholinguistic studies are widely used to understand students’ second-language learning in formal education. The scope of psycholinguistics has proven to be very beneficial for language learning.

Paths to Learning Second Languages in Finland

This article is concerned with comparative approaches to second language instruction and second language choices in Finland and describes the challenge of preserving Finland’s language and culture while facing the globalization process. The article discusses the success of Finnish second language learning and aims to investigate how Finnish and English as second languages are taught and learnt in Finland compared to other countries as well. The goal of this study is to discuss issues related to teacher training and its role in second- or even third language acquisition. We articulate the following research questions: How does the English-language teaching line serve the international families? How does Finland develop successful teaching practices and what problems of implementation does it face? What are the challenges of teaching the pupils’ mother tongue and a second language (L2) (Finnish, Swedish, English, Russian etc.) at different levels of education? What are the differences between acquiring a Finnish or an international degree concerning adult education? The methodology chosen for this article is a comparative study and it is used to showcase the differences between the Finnish and English second language instruction in Finland. In regard to the theoretical framework to second or foreign language acquisition, learning and teaching, I embrace linguistic, cognitive and sociocultural frameworks and approaches

EFL Learners’ Language Learning Strategies: Field Specialization and Gender

Learning strategies are considered capable of greatly helping learners improve their proficiency in English and assist them to be more independent. The purpose of the study is to investigate language learning strategies used by secondary school students in Indonesia related to their field of specialization and gender. One hundred and eighty-six eleventh grade students from one of senior high schools in Pekanbaru, Indonesia participated in the survey. This was conducted using the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) adopted from (Oxford, 1990) and the Strategy Questionnaire (SQ) adopted from Embi (2000). The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and an independent sample t-test. The findings show that the most frequently used strategy is metacognitive and affective, followed by cognitive and compensation strategies. The least frequently used strategies are social and memory strategies. Besides, it was also found that there were significant differences in the use of strategies between natural and social science students, and there were no significant differences between the two groups of students based on their gender. The study implies that students are aware of language learning strategies, however students still need to be trained to be a successful language learner.

LEARNER – CONTENT INTERACTION IN AN ONLINE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING COURSE IN VIETNAM

Interaction plays a critical role in both traditional and online learning processes. For online learners of English, interaction with course content is especially vital because it provides them with necessary knowledge in language competence and contributes to success of online learning. This paper presents the findings of a study about learner-content interaction in an online English learning course implemented at a university in Vietnam. The study findings reveal that the learners’ online time-on-task, average grades and test scores decreased as the units went. There was a correlation among these three variables, but the online learning grades and tests did not predict offline study results. The study recommends a stronger integration between online and offline learning (blended) for overall success in language learning