Low Proficiency Level Research Articles

Investigating the Relationship between Working Memory, Semantic Encoding, and L2 Reading Ability Across Proficiency Levels

ABSTRACT This study investigated the relationship between working memory (WM), semantic-encoding (SE) ability, and reading comprehension (RC) within the domain of second language acquisition (L2). 120 L1-Persian EFL learners were placed in three proficiency groups (beginning, intermediate, and advanced) based on their scores on the IELTS test. The participants engaged in a battery of cognitive tasks, including a reading span task, two semantic encoding (SE) tasks (sentence verification task and lexical access task), an L1-recall task, and a reading test. The scores and reaction times obtained from these measures were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA, a correlational analysis, and single regression analyses. The findings revealed significant differences in reading performance and semantic encoding skills across proficiency groups, with large effect sizes. Correlational analyses indicated a significant positive relationship between WM and RC, specifically in the beginner group. Moreover, WM was shown to correlate with the speed of SE in the beginner group, but not with its accuracy. Notably, SE speed correlated with RC performance, particularly under time-constrained conditions at lower proficiency levels. In the intermediate and advanced groups, working memory (WM) showed no correlation with reading comprehension (RC) or semantic encoding (SE). Conversely, both WM and SE speed were identified as strong predictors of L2 reading performance among learners with lower English proficiency. However, the study is not without its limitations, including a relatively small sample size, the absence of qualitative measures, and the potential influence of unassessed reading subskills such as grammar and vocabulary.

Optimizing Whatsapp Features in Improving English Speaking Proficiency: A Classroom Action Research

The problem underlying this study is the low level of English proficiency among students, while the importance of technology in education is increasingly recognized. To overcome this, the study implements a Classroom Action Research (CAR) approach by using WhatsApp features such as voice messages and video calls as media to encourage students to practice speaking. The purpose of this action is to provide opportunities for students to develop their speaking proficiency. This research was conducted through three cycles of action involving the planning, implementation, observation, and reflection stages. Data were collected through pre-tests, observations during cycles one, two, and three, and interviews with students. Data analysis focused on measuring the increase in speaking fluency, reduction in pronunciation errors, decrease in the frequency of pauses, and increase in students' confidence levels, as part of the reflection process in each cycle. The results of the action cycles showed a significant increase in students' speaking fluency. In the first cycle, many students reached 81-90 words per minute, while in the second cycle, the speaking rate increased to 91-100 words per minute. Some students even reached 100-110 words per minute in the third cycle. The frequency of pronunciation errors decreased consistently, and no students showed an increase in the number of errors after the actions in each cycle. The decrease in the frequency of pauses during speaking also indicated an increase in students' fluency and confidence. Overall, the reflections from these CAR cycles indicate that the use of the WhatsApp features is contributes in increasing speaking fluency, reducing pronunciation errors, decreasing the frequency of pauses, and increasing students' confidence in speaking English. However, further action cycles are needed to continue to support students who are still at a low level of fluency and help more students achieve the expected standard.

An AI Chatbot for EFL Writing: Students’ Usage Tendencies, Writing Performance, and Perceptions

Writing plays a crucial role in the development of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners’ language; however, it remains a challenging skill for them to acquire. This study investigated how EFL students at a high school in Northern Vietnam engaged with the Writing Assistant Bot (WAB), an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot designed to support their writing practice at home. Focusing on students’ usage patterns, writing performance, and perceptions, the research included 47 participants, categorized into higher and lower proficiency levels. The mixed-method approach was employed, with chat logs, timed-writing tests, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews. The findings indicated differences in chatbot usage between the two proficiency levels at various writing stages, despite similarities in their focus on specific writing aspects. Lower-level learners predominantly utilized the chatbot during the Planning stage to generate vocabulary and brainstorm ideas, while higher-level learners mainly used it during the Translating stage to elaborate on ideas and refine their language for diverse and coherent expression. The chatbot significantly enhanced writing performance across all aspects: content, organization, vocabulary, language use, and mechanics, for both levels. Students perceived it as a useful and easy-to-use tool.

Identifying English Language Needs of Yemeni Medical Students: An ESP Study at Dhamar University

The present study aims to find out the English language needs of the medical, undergraduate students at Dhamar University from an ESP perspective. More specifically, it seeks to address the following questions: what are the English language needs of the medicines students at Faculty of Medicines, Dhamar University in Yemen?; to what extend do the current ESP courses meet the students' actual needs in the Faculty of Medicine, Dhamar University?; what are the most important recommendations to address the medical students needs in the Faculty of Medicine, Dhamar University?; and what do the medicines students think about the actual needs of medical students in the Faculty of Medicine, Dhamar University? The total number of 48 medicine students participated in the study to answer the prepared questionnaire. The population of the questionnaire is the selected students from the fourth and fifth academic years. The questionnaire data were analyzed quantitively and designed to comprehend the ESP context. The research work investigates the English-related problems the students face while they are studying medicines and, thus, presents solutions and recommendations to overcome such obstacles, bridging the gap between the students' low level of English and the required level at the university where English is used as the language of instruction. The main findings show that the special needs of the medical students such as their limited narrow knowledge of English at Dhamar University are taken into account. The research work shows that the medical students in Dhamar university have low level of English proficiency. Their low, limited knowledge of the English language constitutes an obstacle most students face either in their study or in their occupational careers. The need analysis was figured out to show that all skills and sub-skills are important for the students’ academic studies and target career with special attention to scientific terms and reading aspects. This research study, based on its findings, ends with some recommendations and suggestions to the people concerned of teaching and learning English to the medical students at Dhamar University. It is generally recommended that there is a need to increase the class hours, provide technological equipment, and appoint ESP trained instructors for the efficient teaching of medical English.

ЧАТ GPT ЯК ІНСТРУМЕНТ РОЗВИТКУ ЦИФРОВОЇ КОМПЕТЕНТНОСТІ У ПІДГОТОВЦІ ВЧИТЕЛІВ ІНОЗЕМНИХ МОВ

The rapid digitalization of all spheres of life has made digital competence development among modern foreign language teachers crucial to preparing competitive specialists. Using GPT chat as a primary learning tool, future teachers must anticipate the outcomes of such interactions and design tasks according to a specific algorithm. This research aims to develop digital competence in future foreign language teachers by applying GPT chat within the framework of Task-Based Learning (TBL) for teaching English. The choice of GPT chat is based on its significant didactic potential, the limited methodological approaches for its use in foreign language teacher training, and the low proficiency levels among teachers in utilizing this tool effectively. To build digital competence with GPT chat, an algorithm was designed for student interaction in the context of a communicative situation, such as "Receiving unexpected guests." The novelty of this research lies in the practical development of an algorithm for student interaction with GPT chat to enhance speaking competence through TBL. This approach incorporates real-life, problem-based tasks. Additionally, the research advances the methodology of teaching speaking with the phased use of GPT chat, introduces specific "prompts" for generating instructions, and establishes criteria for assessing speaking skills. The use of GPT chat to evaluate speaking promotes student autonomy. The formulated "prompts" serve to clarify task content, align with learners' speech competence levels, and connect tasks to real-life outcomes. Digital competence development is holistic, achieved by integrating oral communication skills and social abilities

Identifying Key Linguistic Variables of Second Language Speaking Proficiency Using Principal Component Analysis

This study conducted principal component analysis (PCA) to identify key linguistic factors distinguishing the speaking proficiency levels of Korean learners grouped by CEFR classifications. The PCA primarily focused on fluency, lexis, and complexity, with particular emphasis on syntactic complexity. The analysis revealed that PC1 explained the largest variance (31.6%) in proficiency levels, with syntactic complexity—measured as complex nominals per T-unit (CNT)—emerging as the most significant differentiating factor. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed statistically significant differences in CNT across proficiency levels, underscoring its critical role in evaluating grammatical ability. Fluency variables, such as articulation rate, and lexis variables, including lexical diversity, although statistically non-significant, provided valuable insights into learners’ broader proficiency development. The results also indicated that higher proficiency levels were associated with greater use of syntactically complex structures, highlighting the importance of grammatical sophistication in second-language speech. Additionally, learners at lower proficiency levels relied more on simple sentence constructions, which suggests a gradual progression in syntactic complexity as proficiency increases. These findings emphasize the pivotal role of syntactic complexity in assessing speaking proficiency and suggest that incorporating such measures into language evaluation frameworks could provide a more comprehensive and nuanced reflection of learners’ linguistic development. This, in turn, could facilitate the design of targeted instructional strategies and assessments that align more closely with learners’ developmental trajectories, addressing specific gaps in their linguistic skills.

The impact of video dubbing app on chinese college students’ oral language skills across different proficiency levels

Oral language skills (OLSs) are essential for English language learners, but challenges remain in developing OLSs, especially in English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) contexts where traditional teaching methods struggle to effectively engage students. In order to maneuver effective methods to improve Chinese students’ OLSs, the present study explores the use of an English video dubbing app in language learning tasks and investigates its effectiveness in improving OLSs. A mixed-methods approach was used to provide a robust and comprehensive empirical study, including two groups of learners with different proficiency levels. Results from pre- and post-tests, students’ reflection papers, and interviews indicated that the students’ high level of engagement in the dubbing tasks led to significant improvements in students’ OLSs. Particularly in speaking, significant improvements were observed in pronunciation, intonation, fluency, grammar, and lexical use. The study also examined the relationship between the learners’ English proficiency levels and their learning outcomes. The results showed that dubbing tasks had a more significant impact on improving pronunciation for students with lower proficiency levels, while those with higher proficiency levels showed greater improvements in fluency and grammar and lexical use. Pedagogical implications were discussed based on the findings.

Socialization of the Content Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) Program in Learning

This article discusses the application of the Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) approach to improve English language skills in Indonesia, especially in rural areas. The low level of English proficiency in Indonesia, as reported by Education First (EF), shows that this ability is still a major challenge, especially in schools with limited resources. In the Community Service (PKM) activity carried out at Madrasah Aliyah Arrahman Nasol Cikoneng Ciamis, the CLIL approach was introduced through a seminar to policy makers and teachers, with the aim of improving the effectiveness of English language learning. The PKM method consists of three main stages: initial assessment, seminar implementation, and evaluation. The results of this program show that CLIL, which integrates language learning and academic content, not only increases students' motivation but also creates a supportive learning environment. Thus, CLIL has the potential to be a sustainable learning strategy to overcome barriers to teaching English in rural settings and improve students' English language skills.

Children's Individual Differences in the Responses to a New Method for Physical Education.

Children's fundamental movement skills (FMS) require planned and guided interventions to develop appropriately. We investigated the effect of a novel Physical Education (PE) method to develop children's object control, locomotor skills, and motor competence. Further, we examined children's trainability, i.e., their differential responses to the new method, and identified low and high responders to the intervention. The study lasted three months and included six to seven-year-old children in two groups: control (the current, official PE program; n = 38) and experimental (the new method; n = 52). Twelve FMS [object control (OC), locomotor (LO)] were reliably assessed using the Meu Educativo® app. Using a mixed-effects model, results showed that the experimental group experienced greater changes (p < 0.05) than the control group in OC and LO. Positive individual changes were more frequent with the new method, but children showed a similar pattern in their interindividual variability in both methods. There was a greater reduction in the number of children with lower proficiency in the experimental group. In sum, the new PE method proved superior to the current, official one. Individual responses to the new method showed considerable variation, highlighting the need for personalization in teaching strategies and necessary support for children with lower proficiency levels, ensuring that no child is left behind in their motor development process.

Impact of rubrics on students’ self-assessment and overall performance in an EAP writing course

This study investigates the impact of rubric use on students’ self-assessment and overall performance in an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) writing course. Recognizing the complexity of academic writing, which requires substantial guidance and effort, the research examines how rubrics can help align students’ self-assessments with instructor’s and / or program expectations. The study involved six students from diverse cultural and academic backgrounds who participated in multiple rounds of rubric-related assessments and following reflective activities. The findings suggest that consistent use of rubrics can significantly enhance students’ understanding of writing criteria, improve the correlation between student and instructor evaluations, and consequently lead to better writing outcomes. However, certain challenges such as lower proficiency levels, time constraints, or lack of interest / motivation may limit students’ ability to fully comprehend and utilize rubrics effectively while performing a writing task. The research highlights the need for clear and measurable rubric descriptors to support students’ comprehension, additionally to providing multiple writing samples for reference and allowing adequate practice time. These insights contribute to the ongoing discussion on rubric effectiveness in General English Language Teaching (General ELT) and EAP settings, offering practical suggestions how to improve academic writing instruction and bridge the gap between students’ performance and instructor’s and/ or program expectations.

Frustration Gap Bridging: A Second Look at Vocabulary Proficiency with the Yes/No Test

This research advances the scrutiny of the Yes/No test's (Meara: 1990) efficacy in evaluating vocabulary proficiency among language learners of high, middle, and low proficiency levels, focusing on its capability to mitigate the frustration commonly encountered by this demographic. As highlighted in the recent investigation (Goetz, 2023), the Yes/No test prompted respondents to signify their word familiarity through binary choices. Yes, they know a word, and No, they don’t. Involving a paltry 56 English language learners of lower proficiency to determine if the test's impact on enhancing vocabulary skills had merit, it was found that contrary to the anticipated outcomes, the test did not yield significant advancements in students' performance on subsequent unit tests compared to their counterparts who were not subjected to the Yes/No test. This absence of tangible benefits, combined with the test's failure to deliver a contextualized and nuanced comprehension of vocabulary, raises questions regarding its efficacy as a pedagogical tool for vocabulary enhancement. Nevertheless, the results did not dismiss the Yes/No test's potential utility. For this study, a second look will address two critical shortcomings: the limited sample size and the absence of a diverse range of proficiency levels among participants. This inquiry reevaluates the Yes/No test's capacity to effectively navigate the intricacies of language acquisition, proposing a more in-depth investigation into whether this binary and straightforward approach could indeed be beneficial or whether it underscores the imperative for a more holistic and contextually aware method in language instruction by expanding the sample size and including more proficiency levels. Questions remain regarding the efficacy of the Yes/No test. Is it optimally utilized as a straightforward, standalone tool, or should it be considered within the broader spectrum of comprehensive, context-sensitive learning strategies? This inquiry invites a nuanced evaluation of the test's role in language acquisition. It challenges researchers and practitioners to contemplate whether its simplicity is a virtue in isolation or if its true value emerges when integrated with a holistic approach to learning.

ВИКОРИСТАННЯ ВІРТУАЛЬНОЇ ЛАБОРАТОРІЇ LABSTER ДЛЯ ВИВЧЕННЯ ХІМІЇ В ТЕХНІЧНОМУ УНІВЕРСИТЕТІ

Immersive virtual labs represent a digital paradigm in education that meets the needs and preferences of today’s students. The main advantage is the ability to conduct laboratory and practical work in the physical absence of educational equipment or the inability to use it, which is especially important in the context of martial law restrictions in Ukraine. The article analyzes the experience of using the Labster web platform, which provides virtual laboratory simulations of natural sciences. The virtual laboratory was used in the educational process of Lutsk National Technical University when teaching chemical disciplines in the autumn semester of the 2023-2024 academic year. The virtual simulation tasks "Introduction to Groups of the Periodic Table" were offered to students as an alternative option for extracurricular independent work. 146 1st year students were registered, of which 99 (67.8%) completed the test, and 47 (32.2 %) partially passed it. The results of the surveys are presented, the first was conducted immediately after work, the second was a questionnaire on the comprehensibility of the content and the perception of the usefulness of Labster modeling – about three weeks after the completion of the Labster simulation. Based on the analysis of the answers of students, the main advantages of using a virtual laboratory are established - gaining new educational experience, improving the knowledge and digital skills of students. Virtual simulations increased students' engagement and confidence. The advantage of working in a virtual laboratory is personalized learning. The main obstacles to using Labster are highlighted: low level of English proficiency (Labster does not involve the use of Ukrainian content) and insufficient digital skills to navigate in the virtual space. It is recommended to use virtual simulations not as a substitute for classroom practical exercises, but as a modern tool to supplement them.

한국 대학생 영어학습자의 외국어 불안감 및 학습전략에 대한 수준별 분석

This study analyzed the relationship between foreign language anxiety and language learning strategies among EFL learners at different English proficiency levels. The study involved 195 participants and examined the correlation between their levels of foreign language anxiety and their use of learning strategies through a Google survey, followed by in-depth interviews. The findings revealed that learners at high proficiency levels exhibited moderate language anxiety, and metacognitive strategy was found to be the most effective in managing anxiety at this level. At the intermediate level, cognitive strategy significantly helped reduce foreign language anxiety. Learners at low proficiency levels displayed higher anxiety, particularly regarding test and communication, but social and metacognitive strategies were effective in alleviating this anxiety. These results underscored the critical role of targeted learning strategies in mitigating foreign language anxiety, offering valuable insights for educators in developing instructional methods or educational content that apply affective filter strategies according to proficiency levels to enhance language acquisition.

Saudi Students’ Reluctance to Engage in English Communication: Critical Issues and Considerations

Teaching English as a foreign language is an important aspect of global education. Yet, a common pedagogical hurdle for EFL instructors is fostering students’ confidence in spoken English, an essential skill for cross-cultural communication and collaboration in today’s interconnected world. Therefore, the paper aims to examine why Saudi EFL students may experience comparable challenges in speaking English, akin to those faced by students in other EFL settings. A comprehensive literature review was carried out, exploring speaking reluctance across diverse contexts, including the Saudi EFL setting. The paper adopted an alternative approach to address students’ reservations about speaking. Diverging from the conventional emphasis on motivations and anxiety as primary contributors to speaking reluctance, this study delved deeper, highlighting the underlying conditions that lead to reduced motivation and heightened anxiety. The review’s findings revealed that conditions including, students’ unreadiness, lack of relevance, artificial and limited learning environments, fear, lack of self-confidence, and low proficiency level are critical sources of anxiety, lack of motivation, and interest. The paper concluded with a thorough discussion of potential implications for language instructors, educational administrators, teaching methodologies, theoretical frameworks, and future research directions, all directed toward overcoming speaking reluctance among Saudi EFL students.

Peer Tutoring Approach and Academic Performance of Pupils: An Experimental Study

This study examined the effectiveness of peer tutoring on the academic performance of Grade 2 pupils at Gabi Central Elementary School in Gabi, Compostela, Davao de Oro, for the school year 2023-2024. Utilizing a quasi-experimental one-group pre-test post-test design, the research focused on pupils who underwent a structured peer tutoring intervention in English. Initial assessments indicated a low proficiency level categorized as "Did Not Meet Expectation." Post-intervention, there was a significant improvement in proficiency, achieving a "Very Satisfactory" performance nearing the "Mastery Level." The statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in the academic performance of pupils before and after the intervention, underscoring the positive impact of peer tutoring. This improvement highlights the potential of peer tutoring to address learning deficiencies, foster engagement, and enhance academic outcomes among young learners. The study underscored the importance of adopting collaborative learning strategies to support diverse educational needs. The findings suggest that peer tutoring is an effective educational approach, benefiting both tutors and tutees by enhancing understanding, promoting active learning, and building a supportive classroom environment. This research contributes to the body of knowledge advocating for peer tutoring as a valuable tool in educational settings, particularly in regions with limited access to additional academic support at home. The study recommends further exploration of peer tutoring's long-term benefits and its application in other academic disciplines to generalize its efficacy.

THE FEATURES OF TEACHING RUSSIAN TO CHINESE STUDENTS IN GROUPS

This article discusses the challenges and solutions for teaching Russian as a second language to students in China. It analyzes Russian and Chinese language teaching materials and identifies the factors that contribute to the low level of proficiency among Chinese students. The article proposes several solutions, including taking into account cultural differences and adopting teaching methods similar to those used in Chinese educational institutions.

Challenges Encountered by Secondary School Teachers in Teaching English Language: The Case of Micheweni District

This study investigated challenges encountered by secondary school teachers in teaching English in public secondary schools of Micheweni District. The study was guided by three specific objectives; to explore challenges related to English language instructional materials, to investigate pedagogical challenges in teaching English, and to examine challenges related to the nature of the students in learning English. A qualitative research approach under a multiple case study design was employed with 36 participants. Focus Group Discussion and interviews were used in data collection. Data were analyzed through content and thematic analysis and presented through quotations and narrations. The findings revealed that the major challenges related to English language instructional materials were shortcomings of English language curriculum content, poor access to ICT facilities which include absence/scarcity of ICT tools, and lack of skills to access ICT tools as well as absence/scarcity of instructional materials. Pedagogical challenges in teaching English were ineffective teaching/learning environment, students’ low level of English Language Proficiency, high teaching load among English language teachers and students’ negative attitude towards learning English. Also, the study found that the nature of students affects teaching/learning English language therefore, teachers should be very careful to find the best teaching strategies regarding individual learning styles. The study concluded that if these challenges were dealt with, English language teachers would teach effectively and students would perform better in their examinations

Comparing pragmatic abilities across multiple languages in adults with ADHD: Insights from a self-report questionnaire

ABSTRACT Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is associated with pragmatic language impairments in children, but less is known about the communicative abilities of adults with ADHD, especially when using a second or third language. In this study, we developed a questionnaire to collect self-report measures of a set of pragmatic skills in a person’s first, second and third language, comparing adults with and without an ADHD diagnosis. One hundred seventy-nine multilingual adults with (N = 91) and without ADHD (N = 88) completed the survey. As predicted, adults with ADHD reported more pragmatic difficulties than the control group. More specifically, people with ADHD showed pronounced impairments in regulating their behaviour in spoken interactions in the form of excessive talking, frequently interrupting others, and speaking without thinking first. Notably, these types of hyperactive and impulsive behaviours were significantly reduced when people with ADHD communicated in a second or third language. For pragmatic difficulties related to inattention such as concentrating on a conversation, both groups tended to be more inattentive in their third language compared to their first and second language. The understanding of non-literal language was only affected by ADHD in the first language and was generally more taxing in a language with lower proficiency levels. Our study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of how ADHD affects different kinds of communicative abilities in multilingual adults. It also has implications for clinical practice, highlighting the importance of assessing symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in a person’s dominant language.

Development of LKPD Based on Higher Order Thinking Skills using Canva in Combination Material

In the present era of digital technology, students are expected to possess metacognitive abilities that are closely associated with Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS). The significance of creating Learning and Teaching Materials (LKPD) based on HOTS to enhance the metacognitive capacities of high school students. This study is a qualitative descriptive research aimed at describing the process of generating LKPD based on HOTS using combination materials. The LKPD was created using Canva. The stages employed are the preliminary and prototyping stages. The data was gathered through the conduct of tests and conducting interviews. The participants in this study consisted of students from SMA Negeri 1 Indralaya Utara who possessed high, moderate, and low levels of mathematical proficiency. The HOTS-based LKPD, created using Canva, undergoes expert evaluation for validation in terms of content, construct, and language. The outcomes of the review are used to modify the LKPD until it is officially validated by the expert. Subsequently, the efficacy of the legitimate LKPD was assessed on the research participants. The trial results are given in a qualitative manner to assess the feasibility of using HOTS-based LKPD. This study generates Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)-based Learning and Teaching Materials (LKPD) that are both valid and practical.

ASSESSING VOCABULARY LEARNING STRATEGIES (VLS) ACROSS DIVERSE PROFICIENCY LEVELS

This research paper explores the application of Vocabulary Learning Strategies (VLS) between low level of proficiency students from faculty of Business Management and high level of proficiency students from faculty of Computer Science. This research paper employs quantitative approach where data were collected using purposive sampling from a sample of 71 participants representing various proficiency levels of English language in a public university in Melaka, Malaysia. To gauge learners’ awareness and application of VLS, a survey adapted from Alahmadi’s (2019) version of Schmitt’s (1997, 2000) Taxonomy of Vocabulary Learning Strategies Questionnaire (VLSQ) was administered to participants. Findings revealed that there are significant differences of VLS utilization among English language learners of various proficiency levels where students with high proficiency levels display better strategy awareness and application contrasted to the lower proficiency level of English language learners. Thus, from these results, it is pertinent for educators to modify vocabulary instructions and strategies to boost vocabulary attainment among different proficiency levels in English language learning settings.