Linguistics In Language Teaching Research Articles

Assessing vocabulary knowledge in written and signed languages of immigrant DHH learners – examining convergent validity

ABSTRACT Language assessment is a central aspect not only of language education in the general population, but also amongst heterogeneous, low-incidence populations. One such population are immigrant deaf and hard-of-hearing learners (IDML) who are bimodal-multilingual and whose languages development often includes the spoken, written, and/or signed languages of the host country in addition to learners’ home language(s) (Cannon and Marx 2024) [“Scoping review of research methodologies across language studies with deaf and hard-of-hearing multilingual learners.” International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching 62 (2): 1009–1037]. Language assessment with these learners is complicated due to a lack of expected norms for the population and a lack of appropriate instruments for signed languages in general (Pizzo and Chilvers 2019) [“Assessment of Language and Literacy in Children Who Are d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing.” Education Sciences 9 (3): 223]. This is a major issue for both research and pedagogy. In order to address this in the German context, a comparison of available assessment instruments focusing on vocabulary knowledge in written German and German Sign Language was carried out. The aim of this exploratory study was (1) to examine available language assessments, (2) to test them with a small sample representing the target population in order to determine their convergent validity, and (3) to provide recommendations for researchers and practitioners for their use. The results shed light on the potential for existing instruments to provide necessary and useful information for assessment in research and schools.

L7 mastered to nativelike proficiency in adulthood – a case study of simultaneous multiple language acquisition processes challenging Lenneberg’s (1967) critical period hypothesis

ABSTRACT This paper seeks to present the case of successful nativelike proficiency in L7, achieved in adulthood. As a case study of multiple language acquisition processes acquired, both in childhood and adulthood, this study operates in the fields of multilingualism and language acquisition. The author presents her experiences of language acquisition and command of the languages: Mauritian Creole Kreol, French, English, Arabic, Urdu, Italian, and Turkish. The paper is shaped into a narrative as it is stipulated that autobiography can be used as data in linguistics research [Pavlenko (2007). Autobiographic narratives as data in applied linguistics. Applied Linguistics, 28(2), 163–188]. Simultaneous acquisition of five languages, in early childhood, is a phenomenon of success in light of Lenneberg’s theory of Critical Period Hypothesis (CPH) (1967). However, Lenneberg’s CPH is challenged when Turkish is analysed as a chronological L7, acquired successfully in adulthood to nativelike proficiency. This is assessed using an eclectic theoretical framework comprising: the theory of Muñoz on the age of learning languages [(2008). Age-related differences in foreign language learning. Revisiting the empirical evidence. IRAL, International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching, 46(3), 197]; the Dynamic Model of Multilingualism by Philip Herdina and Ulrike Jessner [(2002). A dynamic model of multilingualism: Perspectives of change in psycholinguistics (Vol. 121). Multilingual Matters]; the Factor Model [Hufeisen (2000). A European perspective: Tertiary languages with a focus on German as L3. In J. W. Rosenthal (Ed.), Handbook of undergraduate second language education (pp. 209–229). Routledge], Hammarberg’s [(2017). Becoming multilingual: The macro and the micro time perspective. International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching, 55(1), 3–22] theory on time perspectives. While justifying the shift of status of Turkish to second language, the author discusses the processes to multilingual success in communicative competence [Hymes (1972) On communicative competence. In J. B. Pride & J. Holmes (Eds.), Sociolinguistics. Selected readings (pp. 269–293). Penguin] in the discussed languages.

The impact of text-audio synchronized enhancement on collocation learning from reading-while-listening: an extended replication of Jung and Lee (2023)

Abstract This study attempted to extend Jung and Lee’s (2023. Incidental collocational learning from reading-while-listening and the impact of synchronized textual enhancement. International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching.) study to gain further insight into the pedagogical potential of text-audio synchronized enhancement on L2 collocation learning from reading-while-listening. Eighty-seven Cantonese ESL speakers read two English stories under one of four conditions, i.e., reading-only, reading-while-listening, reading-while-listening with colouring, and reading-while-listening with synchronized colouring. The stories contained 12 target adjective-pseudonoun collocations, and participants’ learning was assessed with immediate and one-week delayed posttests that consisted of recall and recognition tests. Lastly, two participants from each group produced stimulated recall comments. The results revealed that both colouring techniques significantly promoted receptive knowledge about the target collocations in the immediate posttest. Synchronized colouring, in particular, was also effective in improving immediate pseudonoun meaning recall scores and reducing reaction times to collocation recognition tests. Stimulated recalls indicated that synchronized colouring allowed for more uninterrupted processing of the stories in close alignment with the audio.

Project-based learning in an Eigogaku course

Abstract This exploratory study examines the role of project-based learning (PBL) in an Eigogaku (English linguistics) course for preservice English teachers studying at an English medium college in Japan. Three projects were designed to connect the course modules on phonetics/phonology, morphology, and syntax with language teaching applications. At the start and conclusion of the course, students completed a survey that included an open-ended question about the role of linguistics in language teaching and 29 Likert-scale response items targeting their understanding of linguistic concepts, pedagogical applications of linguistics, their beliefs and values about language teaching and learning, and learner autonomy. Responses to the open-ended question showed an increase in explanations of how linguistics can inform pedagogical practices and increase teacher agency. Responses to the Likert-scale items indicated greater understanding of linguistic concepts, pedagogical practices, and learner autonomy, but minimal change regarding beliefs about language learning and teaching. Implications for these findings and recommendations for future research on linguistics education for language teachers are discussed.

Corpus linguistics in language teaching

Corpus linguistics in language teaching

Role of Linguistics in Language Teaching

Linguists identify the distinctive features of language which make language stands apart from other means of communication. Linguists and Applied Linguists argue that language teachers should be aware of the linguistic theories formulated by both theoretical linguists and applied linguists. Language teachers act as communicators, educators, evaluators and agents of socialization. An awareness of the rules of linguistic theories places them ahead and the transaction process gets facilitated. This paper presents the role of Theoretical Linguists and Applied Linguists in theoretical formulations for language teachings. The paper also examines the theories of language acquisition. There have been discussions at the various levels about the role of linguistics in language teaching in the area of communication, in the inculcation of speaking skills and when the language teacher becomes educator, evaluator and agent of socialization.

A bibliometric analysis of the IRAL over the past six decades

Abstract Using a bibliometric analysis of the publications in the International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching (IRAL), one of the journals with the most extended history in applied linguistics (AL), we combed through three periods of the journal’s development trajectory over 60 years. Specifically, we 1) examined the most frequently discussed topics in IRAL and their evolving patterns; 2) extracted the most highly-cited articles, the sources of citations, the sub-subjects of sources of citations, as well as the most highly-cited references; and 3) calculated the counts of authors in each year and their h-index, and identified the authors and countries/regions that contributed most to the journal. The results provide information on IRAL’s content, impact, and attractiveness, constituting a multi-faceted evaluation of the journal. Meanwhile, the same bibliometric procedures were conducted on Language Learning (LL), which acted as a reference for interpreting the performance of IRAL and identifying the gaps between IRAL and the leading journals in AL. Finally, suggestions for further adjustments and improvements to the journal were discussed.

Acquiring variable commands at home and abroad: Examining optatives and imperatives in L1 and L2 Spanish

Abstract Since many linguistic structures are variable (i. e. conveyed by multiple forms), building a second-language grammar critically involves developing sociolinguistic competence (Canale and Swain. 1980. Theoretical bases of communicative approaches to second language teaching and testing. Applied Linguistics 1(1). 1–47), including knowledge of contexts in which to use one form over another (Bayley and Langman. 2004. Variation in the group and the individual: Evidence from second language acquisition. International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching 42(4). 303–318). Consequently, researchers interested in such competence have increasingly analyzed the study-abroad context to gauge learners’ ability to approximate local norms following a stay abroad, due to the quality and quantity of input to which learners may gain access (Lafford. 2006. The effects of study abroad vs. classroom contexts on Spanish SLA: Old assumptions, new insights and future research directions. In Carol Klee & Timothy Face (eds.), Selected proceedings of the 7th conference on the acquisition of Spanish and Portuguese as first and second languages, 1–25. Somerville, MA: Cascadilla Proceedings Project). Nevertheless, the present study is the first to examine native or learner variation between imperative (e. g. ven ‘come’) and optative Spanish commands (e. g. que vengas ‘come’). We first performed a corpus analysis to determine the linguistic factors to manipulate in a contextualized task, which elicited commands from learners before and after four weeks abroad in Alcalá de Henares, Spain. Their overall rates of selection and predictive factors were compared to local native speakers (NSs) and a control group of at-home learners. Results revealed that the abroad learners more closely approached NS rates of selection following the stay abroad. Nonetheless, for both learner groups conditioning by independent variables only partially approximated the NS system, which was more complex than previously suggested.

The differences of Semantics of Common Words between Arabic and Urdu and its Impact on the teaching of the Arabic language

Arabic language is a family member of Semitic languages whereas Urdu is the member of Indo-European Languages. The Arabic language though is not from the same language family but amazingly it provides much of its share through alphabets, words with its meanings and pronunciation. These features of both languages have provoked to study it under the contrastive linguistics through semantic study of commonly used words. This research is a semantic study of commonly used words in both languages of different language family along with the applied linguistics in Language teaching. There are large numbers of Arabic words that are used in Urdu language and there are significant numbers of words that are used in different meanings, this change in meaning led to change in semantic field. This research paper also study the effect of semantic change of these words on Arabic Language teaching to the Pakistani students whose native language is Urdu. This study will also reveal the reasons of errors during language learning with the help of semantic study if commonly used words.

The Utility Extent of Linguistics to Language Teaching: An Experimental Evaluation

<p>To approach the very questions <em>how</em> and <em>how far</em> linguistics helps language teaching, we have to examine, analyze and evaluate them critically from various view-points. During the Second World War, the importance of linguistics in language teaching was noticed forthwith for the first time. Linguistics and language teaching have the same subject matter to deal with. Though linguistics is the scientific study of language, it has some specific role to play in the process of language teaching from the earlier to the modern times. Stephen Pit Corder (1975:143) says, “… the relevance of theoretical linguistics to language teaching is indirect and it is not the task of a theoretical linguist to say what relevance it may have. This is the field of applied linguistics.” According to the American linguist Noam Chomsky and some others, applied linguistics has a direct relationship with language teaching which is a pragmatic process and cannot take place in a total isolation. It takes help from various related sources and fields such as general, educational and social psychology; sociology, social anthropology and so on. Here, linguistics provides a language teacher with effective tools. However, as Dwight Bollinger says (1975a:22), “Language teaching is not linguistics, any more than medicine is chemistry….” So, the aim of this paper is to show the role of linguistics in teaching both foreign languages and any first languages or mother tongues.</p>

Linguistics in language teaching: the case of Finnish and Hungarian

This paper discusses the role of various linguistic sub-disciplines in teaching Finnish and Hungarian. We sketch the profile of the two languages, including difficulties in learning and teaching them, and the context in which they are taught in the UK. Using examples from our own teaching, we argue that a linguistically oriented approach is well suited for less widely used and less taught languages as it enables students to draw comparative and historical parallels, question terminologies and raise their sociolinguistic and pragmatic awareness. A linguistic approach also provides students with skills for further language learning.

Improving method-in-use through classroom observation

Method-in-use (Nunn, Describing classroom interaction in intercultural curricular research and development, University of Reading, 1996, International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching 37: 23–42, 1999) is a description of the method actually being enacted through classroom interaction in a particular context. The description is primarily a tool for improving classroom teaching and learning, first by establishing what is in place and then by considering what could be adjusted to improve learning. The description emphasizes the use of discourse to enhance learning, considering (1) teachers' and students' roles in classroom interaction, (2) types of discourse input and creation (3) types of holistic pedagogical activities and (4) types of discourse outcomes. As a situated concept, method-in-use combines well with classroom observation when the latter has the aim not of evaluation but of improving second language acquisition in context. What is being enacted in the classroom with and through language is then at the centre of a renewal process. The exploitation of the original fourpart classroom model for deriving a teacher's method-in-use is briefly exemplified using observation data from two contexts before considering observation data from a third context, the Iran Language Institute in Tehran, in more detail. Once an adequate description has been achieved providing situated local knowledge, improvement of the local situation can be attempted in relation to de-contextualized conceptual knowledge of the method concept (Richards and Rogers, Approaches and methods in language teaching, Cambridge University Press, 1986) or SLA principles (Ellis, Asian EFL Journal 7: 9–24, 2005).

Input perspectives on the role of learning context in Second Language Acquisition. An introduction to the special issue

Article Input perspectives on the role of learning context in Second Language Acquisition. An introduction to the special issue was published on June 1, 2011 in the journal International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching (volume 49, issue 2).

The Relationship between Linguistics and Language Teaching

The problem of linguistics in language teaching has been discussed for many years in SLA. Researchers try to find out the relationship between linguistics and language teaching. In this paper, the author gives her own opinion about their relationship on the basis of some linguists’ theories and attempts to show the implication of linguistic theories on the practice of language teaching.

Language learning, cognition, and interactional practices: An introduction

Article Language learning, cognition, and interactional practices: An introduction was published on March 1, 2009 in the journal International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching (volume 47, issue 1).

Doing second language acquisition research: An introduction

Article Doing second language acquisition research: An introduction was published on September 1, 2008 in the journal International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching (volume 46, issue 3).

Abstracts: Reading & writing

Abstracts: Reading & writing

Abstracts: Language learning

07–533Anh Tuan, Truong & Storch Neomy (U Melbourne, Australia; neomys@unimelb.edu.au), Investigating group planning in preparation for oral presentations in an EFL class in Vietnam. RELC Journal (Sage) 38.1 (2007), 104–124.07–534Bada, Erdogan & Bilal Genc (U Çukurova, Turkey; erdoganbada@gmail.com), An investigation into the tense/aspect preferences of Turkish speakers of English and native English speakers in their oral narration. The Reading Matrix (Readingmatrix.com) 7.1 (2007), 141–150.07–535Beasley, Robert (Franklin College, USA; rbeasley@franklincollege.edu), Yuangshan Chuang & Chao-chih Liao, Determinants and effects of English language immersion in Taiwanese EFL learners engaged in online music study. The Reading Matrix (Readingmatrix.com) 6.3 (2006), 330–339.07–536Campbell, Dermot, Ciaron Mcdonnell, Marti Meinardi & Bunny Richardson (Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland; dermot.campbell@dit.ie), The need for a speech corpus. ReCALL (Cambridge University Press) 19.1 (2007), 3–20.07–537Chambers, Andrea (Insa de Lyon, France; andrea.emara@insa-lyon.fr) & Stephen Bax, Making CALL work: Towards normalisation. System (Elsevier) 34.4 (2006), 465–479.07–538Chan, Alice (City U Hong Kong, China; enalice@cityu.edu.hk), Strategies used by Cantonese speakers in pronouncing English initial consonant clusters: Insights into the interlanguage phonology of Cantonese ESL learners in Hong Kong. International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching (Walter de Gruyter) 44.4 (2006), 331–355.07–539Crabbe, David (Victoria U Wellington, New Zealand; david.crabbe@vuw.ac.nz), Learning opportunities: Adding learning value to tasks. ELT Journal (Oxford University Press) 61.2 (2007), 117–125.07–540Elia, Antonella (U Naples, Italy; aelia@unina.it), Language learning in tandem via skype. The Reading Matrix (Readingmatrix.com) 6.3 (2006), 269–280.07–541Feuer, Avital (York U, Canada), Parental influences on language learning in Hebrew Sunday school classes. Language, Culture and Curriculum (Multilingual Matters) 19.3 (2006), 266–277.07–542Griffiths, Carol (AIS St Helens, Auckland, New Zealand; carolgriffiths5@gmail.com), Language learning strategies: Students' and teachers' perceptions. ELT Journal (Oxford University Press) 61.2 (2007), 91–99.07–543Hamid, Md. Obaidul (U Dhaka, Bangladesh; obaid_hamid@yahoo.com), Identifying second language errors: How plausible are plausible reconstructions?ELT Journal (Oxford University Press) 61.2 (2007), 107–116.07–544Hauck, Mirjam (The Open U, UK; m.hauck@open.ac.uk), Critical success factors in a TRIDEM exchange. ReCALL (Cambridge University Press) 19.2 (2007), 202–223.07–545Hellermann, John (Portland State U, Portland, Oregon, USA; jkh@pdx.edu) & Andrea Vergun, Language which is not taught: The discourse marker use of beginning adult learners of English. Journal of Pragmatics (Elsevier) 39.1 (2007), 157–179.07–546Hwu, Fenfang (U Cincinnati, USA; hwuf@ucmail.uc.edu), Learners' strategies with a grammar application: The influence of language ability and personality preferences. ReCALL (Cambridge University Press) 19.1 (2007), 21–38.07–547Karlsson, Leena (Helsinki U, Finland; leena.karlsson@helsinki.fi), Felicity Kjisik & Joan Nordlund, Language counselling: A critical and integral component in promoting an autonomous community of learning. System (Elsevier) 35.1 (2007), 46–65.07–548Karlström, Petter (Stockholm U, Sweden; petter@dsv.su.se), Teresa Cerratto-Pargman, Henrik Lindström & Ola Knutsson, Tool mediation in focus on form activities: Case studies in a grammar-exploring environment. ReCALL (Cambridge University Press) 19.1 (2007), 39–56.07–549Kim, Yongho (Korea National U of Education) & David Kellogg, Rules out of roles: Differences in play language and their developmental significance. Applied Linguistics (Oxford University Press) 28.1 (2007), 25–45.07–550Liaw, Meei-Ling (National Taichung U, China; meeilingliaw@gmail.com), Constructing a ‘third space’ for EFL learners: Where language and cultures meet. ReCALL (Cambridge University Press) 19.2 (2007), 224–241.07–551Matsuzaki Carreira, Junko (Tsuda College, Japan), Motivation for learning English as a foreign language in Japanese elementary schools. JALT Journal (Japan Association for Language Teaching) 28.2 (2006), 135–157.07–552Mozzon-McPherson, Marina (U Hull, UK; M.Mozzon-Mcpherson@hull.ac.uk), Supporting independent learning environments: An analysis of structures and roles of language learning advisers. System (Elsevier) 35.1 (2007), 66–92.07–553Napier, Jemina (Macquarie U, Australia), Effectively teaching discourse to sign language interpreting students. Language, Culture and Curriculum (Multilingual Matters) 19.3 (2006), 251–265.07–554Reinders, Hayo (U Auckland, New Zealand; system@hayo.nl), Supporting independent learning environments: An analysis of structures and roles of language learning advisers. System (Elsevier) 35.1 (2007), 93–111.07–555Stracke, Elke (U Canberra, Australia; Elke.Stracke@canberra.edu.au), A road to understanding: A qualitative study into why learners drop out of a blended language learning (BLL) environment. ReCALL (Cambridge University Press) 19.1 (2007), 57–78.07–556Stroud, Christopher (U West Cape, South Africa; cstroud@uwc.ac.za) & Lionel Wee, Anxiety and identity in the language classroom. RELC Journal (SAGE Publications) 37.3 (2006), 299–307.07–557Taguchi, Naoko (Carnegie Mellon U, USA), Task difficulty in oral speech act production. Applied Linguistics (Oxford University Press) 28.1 (2007), 113–135.07–558Webb, Stuart (Japan), The effects of repetition on vocabulary knowledge. Applied Linguistics (Oxford University Press) 28.1 (2007), 46–65.07–559Yihong, Gao, Zhao Yuan, Cheng Ying & Zhou Yan, Relationship between English learning motivation types and self-identity changes among Chinese students. TESOL Quarterly (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) 41.1 (2007), 133–155.07–560Xuesong, Gao (U Hong Kong, China; Gao@hkusua.hku.hk), Strategies used by Chinese parents to support English language learning. RELC Journal (SAGE Publications) 37.3 (2006), 285–298.07–561Zhenhui, Rao (Jiangxi Normal U, Nanchang, China), Understanding Chinese students' use of language learning strategies from cultural and educational perspectives. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development (Multilingual Matters) 27.6 (2006), 491–508.

Abstracts: Applied linguistics

07–637Banerjee, Sudipta (C-DAC, India; subhakanp@yahoo.com) & B. Mullick, Word sense disambiguation and WordNet technology. Literary and Linguistic Computing (Oxford University Press) 22.1 (2007), 1–15.07–638Cao, Deborah (Griffith U, Brisbane, Australia; d.cao@griffith.edu.au), Inter-lingual uncertainty in bilingual and multilingual law. Journal of Pragmatics (Elsevier) 39.1 (2007), 69–83.07–639De Vega, Manuel (U La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain), Mike Rinck, José M. Díaz & InmaculadaLeón, Figure and ground in temporal sentences: The role of the adverbs whenandwhile. Discourse Processes (Erlbaum) 43.1 (2007), 1–23.07–640L'Haire, Sébastien (U Geneva, Switzerland; sebastien.lhaire@lettres.unige.ch), Fipsortho: A spell checker for learners of French. ReCALL (Cambridge University Press) 19.2 (2007), 137–161.07–641López-Varela Azcárate, Asunción (U Complutense Madrid, Spain; alopezva@filol.ucm.es), Didactic patterns for electronic materials in the teaching of interculturalism through literature: The experience of the research group LEETHi. ReCALL (Cambridge University Press) 19.2 (2007), 121–136.07–642Ming-Ming, Pu (U Maine at Farmington, USA), The distribution of relative clauses in Chinese discourse. Discourse Processes (Erlbaum) 43.1 (2007), 25–53.07–643Oakes, Michael (U Sunderland, UK; michael.oakes@sunderland.ac.uk) & Malcolm Farrow, Use of the chi-squared test to examine vocabulary differences in English language corpora representing seven different countries. Literary and Linguistic Computing (Oxford University Press) 22.1 (2007), 85–99.07–644Truscott, John (National Tsing Hua U, China; truscott@mx.nthu.edu.tw), Optionality in second language acquisition: A generative, processing-oriented account. International Review of Applied Linguistics in Language Teaching (Walter de Gruyter) 44.4 (2006), 311–330.

Language learning

Language learning