English Language Learners Students Research Articles

The Effects of Student-centered Teaching Methods on the Motivation of English Language Learning

In recent years, student-centered teaching methods have received increasing attention. Many educators and researchers advocate a shift from a purely teacher-centered approach to a student-centered approach to teaching and learning. The study aims to explore the effects of student-centered teaching methods on the English learning motivation of college students majoring in English in Chinese universities. This study used questionnaires to investigate the effects of four teaching activities (group discussion, presentation, debate, and role-play) on the motivation to learn English. Furthermore, this study reveals the influence of teaching activities on language performance, and explores oral skills, English vocabulary use and English performance in English learning. It is found that the above four activities can improve the motivation of Chinese college students to learn English to some extent. The research results show that applying student-centered teaching methods is conducive to improving the motivation of Chinese college students in English language learning. Selecting teachers' teaching methods is crucial to improve students' motivation to learn English. This paper aims to improve students' motivation to learn English. It gives some suggestions to teachers for four activities, which are speech, group discussion, debate, and role-playing, to improve the effectiveness of teaching and learning. Based on the evaluation from participants, it is suggested that a clear purpose in a teaching activity should be addressed in a teaching context.

Determining professional development needs of school-based agricultural education teachers for working with English language learners

English Language Learners (ELLs) are one of the fastest growing student populations in the United States. However, teachers, including school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teachers, report being underprepared to teach ELLs. Skills needed to teach ELLs were identified and categorized using Coady et al.’s model for preparing effective teachers of ELLs. The purpose of this study was to describe current SBAE teacher perceptions and needs related to strategies for working with ELLs in the agriculture classroom. This was accomplished through a Borich needs assessment using an online survey of [State] SBAE teachers. Less than half of respondents reported receiving training in 37 out of the 41 ELL teaching strategies. The greatest professional development need was communication with ELLs and their parents. The results of this study were consistent with previous research, which reported that SBAE teachers received little training in working with ELL students. When examining teachers’ competence for working with ELL students, there were no teaching and learning strategies where teachers felt more than somewhat competent. Professional development should be provided to help improve teachers’ communication with ELL students and their parents, and teacher preparation programs should provide experiences to allow preservice teachers to work with ELL students.

The Needs of English for Islamic Studies (EIS) in Traditional and Modern Pesantren

This research aims to analyze the needs, English skill levels, and necessities of students in English language learning when undertaking Islamic studies. Designed as quantitative-descriptive, the researchers use survey methodology by distributing questionnaires to students. The results regarding English fluency show that their English competence needs improvement. Their ability needs to be improved in four skills (speaking, listening, reading and writing). In the context of items necessary for English for Islamic Studies (EIS) courses, the results indicate that the students highlight two skills that they see as needed in EIS: speaking and reading.

Seeking Remedy for Improving International College Students’ Reading Comprehension

This report reflects on the findings of one of the projects within a series of research studies in the field of multimodality conducted by the author of the current paper with different samples of participants in the US university settings. The principal investigator (PI) designed this qualitative case study and had it approved by the IRB committee. Vygotsky’s socio-cultural constructivism theory has been found most appropriate to lay the ground for this research as the sample was purposefully assembled of 14 International English language learning (ELL) students newly arrived in the United States from their significantly diverging social and academic backgrounds. The PI’s practical teaching experiences and the results of her previously conducted studies with the other groups of participants urged this researcher to further search for some efficient strategies and means of learning, which might help these specific student populations with their deeper reading comprehension of complicated academic texts they were otherwise struggling to comprehend. As claimed by this investigator, usage of multimodality might have a strong potential to assist the International ELL college students with their reading comprehension. Within this current project, data were collected via participant and site observations, surveys, artifacts in the form of the comprehension tests, and individual interviews with participants. All the data were coded, analyzed, and triangulated aiming to find recurring themes. This research found that participants recognized the visual mode of multimodality most helpful to them, followed by the auditory, and print-based ones. In the surveys and interviews, the participating students outlined a range of multimodal reading comprehension strategies, which they perceived as most efficient while their working on this project tasks. The comprehension test results served as the evidence in support of the interview- and survey-based data. High significance of the findings of this research is in their applicability to the wide populations of the International ELL college students in the US colleges and world-wide.

College Students’ Academic Online Engagement, Creative Self-Efficacy, Self-Regulation and Wellbeing During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic forced students’ learning to shift rapidly to an exclusively online environment. This led to an increase in issues such as anxiety and stress that may have negatively impacted student wellbeing. The present study was designed to investigate college students’ creative self-efficacy, self-regulation, and online academic engagement in relation to their wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study utilized a survey method to analyze data from 461 respondents, examining the academic, psycho-social, and demographic factors associated with changes in students’ wellbeing during COVID-19. The results show that the changes in students’ wellbeing during the pandemic were significantly and positively related to their engagement in e-learning, self-regulation, and creative self-efficacy. Students’ engagement in e-learning and self-regulation was significantly changed by students’ gender and academic grade levels. Race was a significant predictor of creative self-efficacy. Engagement in e-learning and self-regulation scores were highest among English Language Learners (ELL) students. Freshman students scored the lowest in creative self-efficacy. Compared to athletic students, non-athletes reported significantly higher engagement in e-learning, self-regulation, and creative self-efficacy. Discussions and recommendations are presented based on the results.

SIPPS Impact on English Language Learners Reading Success

This mixed-methodology study explores the impact of the Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Sight Words (SIPPS) program on the reading success of English Language Learners (ELL) at a Title 1 public school in the Southeastern United States. The literature review emphasizes the importance of educator training and professional development, understanding the foundational reading skills needed for ELL students, and the positive impacts of small group instruction on reading success. The paper concludes that early literacy experiences are critical for language development in children and that the ability to read can provide a multitude of opportunities for ELL students.

Assessment Evolution: Crafting Diagnostic Tests to Empower the Independent Curriculum in English Education at MTs Negeri 5 Brebes

Diagnostic tests are essential in the English language curriculum for Class VII at MTs Negeri 5 Brebes, especially within the framework of an independent curriculum. This research, employing a Research and Development approach and adapting the ADDIE model, aimed to explore the implementation, design, and development of these tests. Engaging 32 students, the study focused on the feasibility of diagnostic tests for 'My School Activities' material, utilizing the V Aiken formula for data analysis. The research revealed that while diagnostic tests under the independent curriculum align with previous curricula (KBK, KTSP, 2013), they uniquely emphasize cognitive and non-cognitive diagnostics. The design of these tests is detailed, starting from Phase D English learning outcomes to validation of test question instruments. Notably, the development of the diagnostic test model proved effective for use in Class VII English subjects, as evidenced by high validation results, achieving a V score of 0.81 in the range of 0.80-1.00. This comprehensive model includes aspects such as the independent curriculum structure, English language learning, differentiated learning, teaching aids, and assessment methods. The study underscores the importance of diagnostic tests in identifying individual learning needs, thus supporting differentiated learning and enhancing the overall educational experience for students in English language learning.

Gamified VS Non-gamified Speaking Assessment for EFL in Higher Education

Students of the eighth basic level must have an A1 level. After developing their speaking skills, a speaking assessment needs to be given to students in the class to know how good their speaking skills are. This research aimed to compare the gamified and non-gamified speaking assessments to the speaking scores of students. This research used an experimental design with a quantitative approach. The participants of this research were the students of STKIP PGRI Trenggalek English Language Learning Students chosen by purposive sampling technique. The instrument of this research used pre and post-test to determine the increase and difference between the two groups. The data collected were analyzed using SPSS software. The results showed that when the students’ speaking skill was assessed utilizing gamified speaking assessment, it was easier for students to increase their score. This research result could provide a contribution to the basic literature on utilizing gamified speaking assessments to motivate students. Thus, they can enhance their speaking skill, leading to an increased speaking score.

Diagnostic Assessment In Implementing Curriculum Merdeka On Senior High School

This research aims to examine the implementation of diagnostic assessment in the independent curriculum at SMA N 1 Sitiung. This research utilizes a Descriptive method with a Qualitative approach. The participants in this study are two English language teachers in the E phase at SMAN 1 Sitiung. Data were collected from these two English language teachers through audio-recorded interviews. The researcher employed nine research questions using indicators from the diagnostic assessment implementation stage to understand how assessment is conducted by English language teachers. Based on the research findings, it was discovered that diagnostic assessment plays a crucial role for teachers in identifying students' weaknesses and challenges. In terms of implementation, it aligns with the procedures for applying diagnostic assessment to students in English language learning. However, based on data collected through teaching modules, diagnostic assessment results for students, and interview transcripts, it was found that teachers are effectively applying diagnostic assessment in accordance with the existing procedures to identify weaknesses and measure students' abilities.

Exploring the Influence of the Environment on Students’ Second Language Acquisition: A Comprehensive Psycholinguistic Study

Al-Maliki 2 Sukodono Islamic Boarding School employs a distinctive approach by implementing a bilingual education system using both English and Arabic languages. However, in this regard, there are several obstacles, namely lack of students’ enthusiasm, inconsistency, lack of interest and family support, as well as limited facilities. Therefore, to address these issues, a concept is introduced that every student who wishes to become a member of that community is required to use the same language, either English or Indonesian. Furthermore, the reserach aims to demonstrate various types of motivation that can be employed by educators, institutions, and parents. Al-Maliki 2 Sukodono Islamic Boarding School implements bilingual education, incorporating both English and Arabic for communication. However, throughout this process, several barriers hinder the students, such as a lack of interest in foreign languages and inadequate support from families with no foreign language background. This research explores the process of acquiring English as a second language for students and emphasizes the significance of the environment in second language learning. Data can be collected through speaking or writing tasks, where participants are asked to generate specific language. This aids in understanding the language production process, planning, and decision-making involved in selecting words and sentence structures. The findings of this research are expected to assist schools and non-formal institutions as organizers in identifying motivational approaches that can be applied to students in English language learning. Ultimately, this can lead to improved quantity and quality of students’ English language proficiency, fulfilling Indonesia’s workforce demands.

Study on the Effectiveness of Picture Series Method in Improving the Writing Ability of Recount Text for Junior High School Students

This article discusses the importance of developing recount text writing skills for junior high school students in English language learning. In the 2013 curriculum, English language skills are very important in preparing a generation that can compete globally. However, writing skills often receive less attention, and students tend to write only because the teacher commands them. The picture series method is an effective approach to improving the ability to write recount texts. This method involves a series of pictures to help students string past events into a structured narrative. The results showed that the picture series method can increase students' learning motivation, overcome barriers in writing, and strengthen teacher-student relationships. This research uses a literature review approach and field research at SMP Negri 4 Pematang Siantar to collect data on the effectiveness of the serial image method in improving the ability to write recount texts. Through literature analysis and observation of students, it was found that most students showed interest and enthusiasm in using the serial image method. A total of 81% of students succeeded in writing recount texts with the help of this method. In conclusion, the picture series method is effective in overcoming the problem of students' writing ability and improving learning interaction. This article suggests that teachers use the series picture method to learn to recount texts to create a more interesting and creative learning environment for junior high school students. This method can help students develop better thinking skills, emotional responses, and writing skills.

Preservice Special Education Teachers’ Perceptions of Field Experience with English-Language Learner Students

In the United States, students are increasingly diverse in their academic and linguistic abilities. The specialization of teaching professionals has been the primary method used in order to respond to this increase. Programs for these professionals have largely been siloed along the dichotomous groupings of students identified in law, namely, disabled/nondisabled or English proficient/nonproficient. However, the reality of students is much more complex and interdisciplinary approaches present an opportunity for meeting the realistic needs of all students. This study used a one-time, open-ended survey to gather the perceptions of four preservice special education teachers who worked collaboratively with students identified as English-Language Learners (ELL) and their teacher. These perceptions were analyzed in light of recent literature calling for increased collaboration among professionals in special and bilingual education.

The effect of blended learning model in improving English foreign language learning students’ achievement

Higher education institutions are researching and adopting pedagogical approaches to meet the changing needs of education in response to various challenges, especially with Covid19 and E-learning is one of these modes. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of this new model (mixed education) in the English language on Third-year English foreign learners' achievement and their attitudes toward using it. It compares the results of various ways of teaching and students' attitudes toward their use. The case study is used as a research design. The participants of the study were 30 students, the questionnaire was designed to confirm the study's validity and reliability, and quantities were used to analyze the data. The findings have shown that there were positive towards using blended learning. The study recommends further research into the use of blended learning in higher education. Keywords: Blended learning; EFL Learners; E-learning; face-to-face learning; students’ achievement; higher education.

They Are Talking, But Is It Productive? Exploring EFL Students' Small Group Talk

AbstractCurricular innovations in English language programs have placed increasing emphasis on providing opportunities for students to speak in the classroom, often through communicative group activities. However, despite decades of advocacy for small group talk, a rigorous conception of the quality of talk in these groups is lacking, particularly in the ways students productively use talk to meet curriculum objectives. This paper presents an analytic framework for characterizing the productive use of small group talk, exploring data collected from English language learning students in a South Korean university. Findings demonstrate the students' talk developed in the robustness of the talk repertoires, the collaborative nature, and the connections of their talk to course outcomes. This paper closes with a discussion exploring English language students' talk, challenging current understandings of students' talk abilities by pushing beyond simple communication in a foreign language and towards productive small group talk.

The Differential Experience and Educational Outcomes Among Two Cohorts of English Language Learning Students

This study examined the differential experience and educational outcomes among two English Language Learning (ELL) student cohorts, namely holders of a high school diploma and individuals who did not complete high school. Our analysis of 39 interviews with ELL respondents demonstrated that premigration experience; personal qualities; interactions at home, in school, and in the community; as well as peer influence, have shaped the differing experience and inequitable educational outcomes of ELL students. The findings brought attention to the areas of support for all ELL students, including quality classroom instruction, explicit and structured ELL education, supplementary academic and literacy programs, responsive psychosocial support, and access to positive mentors. Keywords: ELL students, educational experience, educational outcome Cette étude a examiné les différentes expériences et résultats scolaires de deux cohortes d'étudiants apprenant l'anglais (ELL), à savoir les titulaires d'un diplôme d'études secondaires et les personnes qui n'ont pas terminé leurs études secondaires. Notre analyse de 39 entretiens avec des répondants ELL a démontré que l'expérience antérieure à la migration, les qualités personnelles, les interactions à la maison, à l'école et dans la communauté, ainsi que l'influence des pairs, ont façonné l'expérience différente et les résultats scolaires inéquitables des étudiants ELL. Les résultats ont attiré l'attention sur les domaines de soutien pour tous les étudiants ELL, notamment un enseignement de qualité en classe, une éducation ELL explicite et structurée, des programmes académiques et d'alphabétisation supplémentaires, un soutien psychosocial adapté et l'accès à des mentors positifs. Mots clés : étudiants ELL, expérience éducative, résultats scolaires

English Language Learning Students Second Language Acquisition: Cognitive Factors and Supporting Strategies

Second language acquisition is learning a second language after a first language is already established. Cognitive load means the amount of information that working memory can hold at one time. As working memory has limit capacity and could be influenced by various factors, instructional teaching should avoid overloading it. This paper analyzed three cognitive factors which significantly influence English language learning (ELL) students in the process of their Second language acquisition (SLA). Second language acquisition a highly influenced by negative language transfer between Chinese and English. Redundancy of unnecessary learning information and transiency of spoken information adding additional learning process in working memory that don't positive contribute to learning. Due to the three main factors, several strategies have been developed to support English language learners second language acquisition. Teachers could create an English-learning friendly classroom by encouraging positive learning attitude and increasing the English language input. Provide a multimedia learning environment, reduce the unnecessary information, use dual-channel learning theory and choose appropriate approach based on individual needs are some other strategies that teachers could use to encourage students second language acquisition in classroom setting. Therefore, this paper explained the cognitive learning process of second language acquisition and provide several suggestions of teaching strategies to encourage ELL students language learning.

EFL STUDENTS’ READINESS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ENGLISH COURSE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: A STUDY AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 119 JAMBI CITY

This study explored the students’ readiness in term of preparation, experience, difficulties, and overcome the difficulties on the implementation of English as course in accordance to Merdeka Belajar Curriculum. This study was a qualitative research with a case study approach. The main data was obtained qualitatively from focus group discussion with 10 grade 4 students. The site of this was at Elementary School 119 Jambi City. The focus group discussion was conducted face-to-face in Indonesian, audio-taped, and directly transcribed. The data analyzed through reading the transcribed transcriptions. Through this research, the researcher found out aside some of the difficulties the students feel ready to learn English as a course at Elementary School 119 Jambi City because of the positive relationship teacher-students, students-students, students-school environment. Then, the students’ self-directed learning motivation and supportive environment helped the students in English language learning.

The Relation Between Language Learning Strategies and Achievement of English Language Learners

This study aims to determine the students’ strategy preferences and to explore the relationship between the language learning strategies of the students and their academic achievement in language skills. The research was conducted with the participation of 405 (F=162, M=243) preparatory program students of a school of foreign languages at a state university in Turkey. In accordance with the purpose of the study, the Turkish version of the Strategy Inventory of Language Learning for English Language Learners Student Form (SILL-ELL Student Form) adapted by Ardeshava and Tretter (2013) was used to gather data. As a result, students use metacognitive and social strategies, among indirect strategies, more than other strategy categories. Further, it was found that students use strategies moderately and there is female superiority in using language learning strategies. In addition, some sub-categories of language learning strategies have an impact on achievement in skills and some measures of the language achievement test.

Pre-kindergarten teachers’ family engagement practices and English Language Learners’ attendance and early learning skills: Exploring the role of the linguistic context

As linguistic diversity increases in the U.S., it is essential for pre-kindergarten (pre-k) programs to expand their capacity to serve families whose home languages are not English. Family engagement is a key component of early childhood education; however, it is unclear whether family engagement practices uniformly benefit students from diverse backgrounds, including English Language Learners (ELL). In this mixed methods study, we explored whether teachers’ family engagement practices were associated with ELL children's attendance and early learning, focusing on whether two aspects of the linguistic context—classroom composition of ELL students and teachers’ practices for communicating in families’ home languages—moderates these associations. Additionally, we used parent focus groups to shed light on ELL families’ experiences with family engagement. We found consistent evidence that associations between teachers’ family engagement practices and ELL children's attendance and socioemotional skills were moderated by classroom composition of ELL students. Specifically, family engagement practices were associated with better attendance and higher socioemotional skills among ELL children in minority ELL classrooms (less than 20% ELL) but not in classrooms with more ELL students (20% or more). Results aligned with themes from our qualitative analysis, which found that having few ELL families in the classroom made it difficult for ELL parents to make connections with other families, which might make it challenging to build a sense of community. This suggests that families without access to networks of linguistically similar peers at school might need additional support from teachers to feel welcome and encouraged to participate.

Translanguaging Views and Practices of Indiana Dual-Language Bilingual Education Teachers

As of fall 2018, the United States had 5 million English language learners (ELLs) in the public K–12 education system (National Center for Education Statistics, 2021). Within this population, ELL students in Indiana number over 50,000, or 5.9% of all public K–12 students in the state. Dual-language bilingual education (DLBE) programs often neglect the strategy of translanguaging in the classroom, disadvantaging ELLs. Translanguaging is defined as drawing “on all the linguistic resources of the child to maximize understanding and achievement” and is demonstrated in the natural switching of languages in bilinguals (Lewis et al., 2012). Further, translanguaging attempts to correct past English-only ideals for the equity of ELL students. Th is case study aims to answer two questions: (1) What are the translanguaging views and practices of elementary school teachers in DLBE classrooms? (2) Are there differences in translanguaging views and practices between bilingual native Spanish speakers, bilingual native English speakers, and nonbilingual native English speakers? Data was collected from the course data of seven elementary school teachers who are part of DLBE programs in two schools in Indiana to better determine the correlation between DLBE teachers’ linguistic backgrounds and their views and practices of translanguaging in their classrooms. Results found a connection between teachers’ own bilingualism and an increased use of translanguaging practices in their classrooms, which can help off set decades of inequity between English language learning students and their monolingual peers.