English Department Students Research Articles

Exploring Translation Strategies of Thesis Abstract Written by Non-English Department Students in The University of Mataram

This study investigates the translation problems, strategies, and the most frequently used strategy in translating Indonesian thesis abstracts into English. The subjects of this research comprised eight thesis abstracts written by non-English department students at the University of Mataram during the 2023 academic year. Utilizing Baker’s theory on translation problems and strategies, which encompasses eleven aspects, this study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative analyses. The findings reveal a total of 78 translation problems across the eight Indonesian thesis abstracts. Among Baker's identified problems, only eight were observed, including: culture-specific concepts (31 instances), source language concepts not lexicalized in the target language (4 instances), semantically complex source language words (14 instances), a lack of specific terms in the target language (1 instance), differences in expressive meaning (8 instances), differences in form (2 instances), differences in frequency and purpose of specific forms (6 instances), and the use of loan words in the source text (12 instances). To address these challenges, seven out of eight translation strategies from Baker’s theory were employed in the English thesis abstracts. The most utilized strategy was translation using loan words (35 instances, 45%), followed by translation using a more general word (12 instances, 16%), translation using a neutral word (10 instances, 13%), translation by omission (10 instances, 13%), translation by paraphrase using a related word (4 instances, 5%), and the least employed strategies were translation using cultural substitution (3 instances, 4%) and paraphrase using unrelated words (3 instances, 4%). Of the 78 translation problems identified, 77 were resolved using the seven strategies, while one problem remained unsolved due to an unacceptable translation. This thesis aims to serve as a valuable reference for translators, English department students, and researchers in the field of translation. The findings indicate a significant need for enhanced support and resources in the translation process for non-English department students at the University of Mataram.

The Power of Respecting Others: Reconceptualization of Sociocultural Background and Students’ Learning Styles in English Classroom

The students in the class sometimes cannot define the term of cultural background among students, they did not know their learning styles, and method that can lead into effective learning. Through a deep understanding of the concept of multicultural education and a reconceptualization of the classroom as a cultural entity, we can observe how social interactions, identities, and daily life practices within it make valuable contributions to inclusive and meaningful learning. This research tried to focus on the understanding of the learners in their cultural awareness in order to have respect of others who have variety in sociocultural background and their identity. To respect on others, they have to know themselves so that they can appreciate another culture or everyone without considering their races and gender. The subject of the study was 23 students of English department of university of Lampung who come from different background and ethnicity. The method was descriptive qualitative by giving open ended questionnaire in gathering the data. The data analysis uses coding in order to get meaningful and clear description. The result shows that the students who come from different background in terms of gender, ages and ethnicity, also have variety in their learning styles. The students think that differences in sociocultural background are not big problems for them. There are ways to overcome problems that might be happened in sociocultural differences among students; for example, understand and respect each other, do not harm or make fun of others, it is also influenced by the attitude of the members which more tolerance and open minded. Their opinions on the way to achieve gender equality in the classroom is through active student participation, not discriminating, students have the same duties and obligations, increasing awareness, equal treatment and opportunities, having to think openly, having the same rights to learn.

Enhancing Listening Skills of English Department Students in West Aceh through the ‘Cake’ Application

Enhancing Listening Skills of English Department Students in West Aceh through the ‘Cake’ Application

Poe-life: emphatic technology in sanative writing application as a way of assisting underachieving students

ABSTRACT Performance issues can lead to frustration and feelings of helplessness. When designed emphatically, technology can understand emotionally-born human communicators in channeling worries. Poe-Life, a poetry writing application, uses emphatic technology to offer an alternative instrument for creative writing. Non-regular students, those with GPA under 2.0 and study time over 4 years, can benefit from this application. The study aims to prove how creative poetry writing helps non-regular students deal with performance issues and how emphatically technologized writing application enhances writing process. Three non-regular Binus English Department students' poems were chosen, i.e. Try (by RYP), someday (RIM), and Broken Heart (ZMT) to reveal students' implicit oppressions. The study found that sanative poetry writing helps non-regular students express their performance problems through metaphors. Students' problems stem from lack of self-confidence, low self-esteem, and anxiety. Poe-Life app is preferred due to its friendly, emphatic features and word assistance. Emphatic technology can enhance creative writing process.

Students' Behavior in the Learning Process Using Zoom Meeting Media: Problems and Solutions

Recent digital technologies have increased the flexibility of learning. Online learning is now seen as a good alternative, not a force anymore. Among all online learning media that can aid, Zoom is an interactive online learning media mainly used by lecturers to carry out synchronous learning processes when offline lectures cannot be carried out. Using Zoom, lecturers and students can interact synchronously, like face-to-face learning in class. Many studies have been conducted to see the impacts of online learning on students’ learning behaviors using various media, yet studies on how students behave while learning using Zoom have not yet been explored in more detail. This research aims to reveal how students behave in the learning process by using Zoom in English classes through a survey study. Data were collected through a questionnaire delivered online to some 142 English Department students of Universitas Negeri Padang who experienced online learning. They voluntarily took part in this survey. Carrying quantitative analysis, the research showed that most students did not follow the Zoom-mediated learning process as well as they did face-to-face learning, which was carried out offline, for various reasons. Several positive and negative behaviors were found when implementing the learning process using Zoom. Therefore, for the learning process to run well, it is necessary to agree on the ethics of the learning process by using Zoom. The findings of this research can provide a reference for making conventional ethics of online learning using Zoom or other media.

Students Anxiety in Speaking English at Second Semester Students of English Department in Nommensen HKBP Medan

Students Anxiety in Speaking English at Second Semester Students of English Department in Nommensen HKBP Medan

The Correlation Between the Use of YouTube and Speaking Ability on English Department Students of Riau University

The Correlation Between the Use of YouTube and Speaking Ability on English Department Students of Riau University

Moroccan university students’ interest in reflective thinking: the role of age, gender, and academic level

ABSTRACT Given the contemporary global issues and recent advances in technology, 21st-century skills are deemed necessary to successfully adapt to the challenges inherent in today’s world. Reflective thinking is one of the crucial skills for fostering critical thinking, lifelong learning, and employability skills among students. In light of the scarcity of research on reflection in Moroccan higher education, the current study investigates the extent to which Moroccan university students are interested in engaging in reflective thinking and the role of age, gender, and academic level in their interest in reflective thinking. The data are collected from 107 Moroccan English department students. The results indicate the absence of gender-based differences in interest in reflective thinking among the students. Nevertheless, age and academic level significantly differentiate Moroccan university students in terms of their interest in reflective thinking. Building on this, the current study suggests some pedagogical implications for integrating reflective practice in university courses and programs, and highlights several issues that can serve as avenues for future research.

Encouraging Learning Autonomy through Differentiated Instruction in Writing Activities

This classroom action research seeks to demonstrate how differentiated instruction might promote students' learning autonomy in a writing class setting. This study included 50 English department students from a private institution in Malang. According to the findings of the preliminary study, students were unmotivated to participate in writing activities because they thought they were boring and uninteresting. They were detected paying little attention to the assigned writing assignments and, as a result, demonstrating poor writing performance. To promote student learning autonomy, the researchers implemented with differentiated instructions in several writing exercises. Using two cycles of classroom action research, the researchers seek to solve the instructional challenge using potential learning strategies. After adopting differentiated instruction, the researchers assessed the students' writing scores and compared them to success criteria. The first cycle resulted in 70% of students meeting the success criterion since they were still unfamiliar with the differentiated instructions. In the second round, the pupils successfully met 85% of the criteria. The findings showed that creating differentiated instructions provided pupils with a favorable challenge. It was evident from the behavioral changes of pupils who exhibited greater enthusiasm for following the directions. Furthermore, the students demonstrated the established learning autonomy, which resulted in improved writing performance. These research findings add to the enrichment of the educational component, since future teachers or researchers may focus on a more comprehensive covering of this teaching technique.

Using debates in teaching speaking to EFL learners: Perceptions of English department students

Using debates in teaching speaking to EFL learners: Perceptions of English department students

دراسة العوامل التي تؤثر عل المشاركة الاكاديمية لطلبة الجامعة.

This study investigates the factors that affect students' academic engagement and identifies the relevant factor. Using a sampling approach, the study involved 27 seventh-semester English department students from Abu- Issa Faculty of Education who completed questionnaires and five students who conducted interviews. A convergent parallel design was utilized to gather data through both quantitative methods involving questionnaires and interviews. The data analysis involved utilizing values determining deviations, and performing content analysis, for the interview responses. The study findings showed that factors related to teachers play a significant role in predicting students’ academic involvement. Specifically highlighted was the importance of teacher feedback in this aspect. Students also stressed the significance of teacher supportiveness, reliable communication and effective teaching practices. Furthermore, the study noted that peer assistance and parental participation were aspects contributing to engagement. The recommendation for increasing engagement is for educators to concentrate on giving feedback, while families should establish supportive settings for learning. Keywords: Academic Engagement, predicators of engagement, university level

Navigating English-mediated online discourse: Communication strategies of Indonesian EFL learners in online discussions

For non-native English speakers, effective and meaningful communication in English can pose challenges due to potential limitations in their communicative competence. Such challenges can cause communication breakdowns if not effectively managed. This complexity is compounded when English communication occurs in an online setting, where technological issues and lack of social presence may disrupt the communication. This study aims to explore the communication strategies utilized by Indonesian EFL learners when participating in online group discussions. The data were collected from six groups of first-year English Department students involving a total of twenty-two students engaged in 20-minute online discussions per group. The analysis focused on the discourse produced by the participants during these discussions observing the strategies employed by the participants. The findings indicated that Indonesian EFL learners predominantly applied achievement and compensatory strategies. These strategies encompassed code-switching, circumlocution, approximation, the use of all-purpose words, word foreignizing, and appealing for help. Among these strategies, code-switching emerged as the prevailing strategy for Indonesian EFL learners engaged in online group discussions. While conversing, code- switching was automatically and naturally used, particularly when referring to Indonesian acronyms and names. At last, implications and future directions are addressed.

The Relationship Between Intercultural Sensitivity and Speaking Skills: Voices in Higher Education

This study aimed to assess the levels of intercultural sensitivity among students and to explore the potential correlation between intercultural sensitivity and the speaking proficiency of English department students in Indonesian institutions. To achieve these goals, a descriptive study design utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods was employed. Data collection involved a questionnaire and interviews, with 64 students participating as respondents. The questionnaire included 24 items from the Intercultural Sensitivity Scale (ISS), which were answered on a four-point Likert scale. The questionnaire was distributed via Google Forms. To assess speaking ability, the researcher conducted interviews focused on language and cultural descriptions, which were evaluated using a custom rubric. The findings revealed that students exhibited high levels of intercultural sensitivity in terms of intercultural attentiveness, confidence, and engagement. Additionally, they showed moderate sensitivity in interaction enjoyment and respect for cultural differences. Statistical analysis indicated a correlation between intercultural sensitivity scores and students' perceived speaking proficiency. Future research could explore different aspects of intercultural sensitivity to observe students' practical behavior in cross-cultural interactions.

Exploring the Digital Maze: Unveiling Information Literacy within Moroccan English Department Students with a Focus on Developing a Research Strategy

This study explores the realm of information literacy amongst Moroccan English department students, unravelling the intricacies of their abilities in developing a research strategy. Getting data from the Standardized Assessment of Information Literacy Skills (SAILS) test, the research scrutinizes the performance of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students. The focus on the specific skill set of developing a research strategy sheds light on the students' competencies in areas such as conferring with instructors, identifying research topics, and understanding the role of desired end products in information retrieval. The findings reveal nuanced strengths and weaknesses among students at different academic levels. This exploration not only contributes to the understanding of information literacy within the Moroccan English departments' context but also provides insights for curriculum designers and faculty seeking to enhance students' proficiency in navigating the digital information landscape.

Social media influences the process of vocabulary learning in Kurdish EFL university students

This study aimed to investigate the role of social media in vocabulary development and language acquisition among Kurdish EFL university students. It sought to demonstrate the benefits of using social media to increase vocabulary and acquire new languages while also providing evidence of the significance of social media platforms in this process. A legitimate market research approach was employed to determine the level of language acquisition among English language department students at Halabja University and the role of social media in this context. The quantitative method was used, and a survey questionnaire was designed after getting validity and reliability; 120 participants were selected from Halabja University through Google Forms. The findings suggest that social media is a powerful tool for vocabulary learning among Kurdish EFL university students. However, further research is necessary to explore the specific features of social media that facilitate vocabulary learning and investigate the effectiveness of different social media platforms. Additionally, future studies should consider incorporating qualitative methods to provide a more nuanced understanding of the impact of social media on language acquisition among Kurdish EFL university students.

An error analysis on translation made by the sixth semester students of English Department of IKIP Gunungsitoli

The Objective off this study are to describe (1) the kinds of error made by the 6th semester students of English Department when translating Indonesia text into English, (2) the dominant error made by students, 3) how students made the error when translating Indonesia text into English text. This study used the descriptive qualitative research. The subject of this research is the 6th semester students and the object in this research is all the errors on translation made by students. The data collected to answer all the research problems are all the errors made by students. Based on data analysis, the writer finds that 1) students made error in Omission, Addition, Mis-formation, and Mis-ordering errors, 2) students made more dominant error in Mis-formation error, 3) students made error by: a) omitting an item that must appear in well-formed utterance, b) adding an item that must not appear in well-formed utterance, c) using the incorrect morpheme or group or structure, d) doing the incorrect placement of a morpheme or group of morpheme. The conclusion of this study is, the students are lack of vocabulary when doing translation. It is suggestion to the students to enrich their vocabulary and to the lecturer to enrich their students’ vocabularies by giving them daily new vocabularies.

An Analysis of Grammatical Equivalence Used by Students in Translating News Item Text

ABSTRACT Spreading news in this era seems to be easier due to the rapid development of technology. However, some readers from different language background seem to have difficulties in understanding the news because of language barrier. Translation is needed to overcome this problem and to make news understandable for readers in greater community. This research examined the types of grammatical equivalence used by the students in translating news item text from Indonesian to English. Besides, this research also aimed to figure out the problems found in the students’ grammatical equivalence. Descriptive qualitative approach was used in this research since the data were presented in the form of description instead of number. The primary data were taken from news item text translation works done by the seventh-semester students of English Department of Pamulang University in academic year of 2022/2023. The data were collected using Google Form and then analysed using the grammatical equivalence theory proposed by Baker (2001). There were five steps of data analysis used in this research: observing the data, identifying the data, classifying the data, and evaluating the data. The results showed that the students used five types of grammatical equivalence namely number, gender, person, tenses & aspects, and voice. The results also revealed that the students faced problems related to number and tenses & aspects.

The effect of motivation on self-efficacy of English department students with mediational effects of learning styles and learning strategies

This study aims to investigate the effect of motivation on self-efficacy among English department students with the mediating roles of learning styles and learning strategies. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire has been adopted from the Attitude/Motivation Test Battery (AMTB), the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) Version 7.0, the Perceptual Learning Style Preference Questionnaire (PLSPQ) and the Academic Self-Efficacy Scales were employed, and 109 students(N=109) took part in the current study. The sampling procedure adopted is voluntary sampling. The questionnaire showed excellent alpha Cronbach's reliability and KMO validity. The regression and mediation analysis conducted on the collected data show a statistically significant positive impact of motivation on self-efficacy through a meditation of learning styles and learning strategies. Therefore, it is highly recommended for students, teachers, and administrators to focus on motivation to increase self-efficacy.

THE UTILIZATION OF IDENTIFICATION TABLE MEDIA TO IMPROVE THE STUDENTS OFFICIAL LETTER

The objectives of this research were to find out whether the identification table media in official letters to improve the students’ writing in formal letter and to know the difficulties of the students’ deals with in writing formal letter. Writing is an activity to express feelings, ideas, ideas, or opinions in writing aimed at others by paying attention to linguistic rules indirectly (Andira, Adnan, & Yamin, 2017). One of the important functions of writing skills is the ability to write formal letters ( (Sitiulwiah & Baisu, 2018)). Formal letter is a letter used for formal purposes by certain parties, be it individuals, institutions, organizations, or certain agencies to communicate with each other formally ( (Suprapto, 2018). The research used in this research is non-experimental quantitative research that uses descriptive methods. The populations in this research were the students of English Department; the sample of this research was 15 students in fifth semester. . To collect the data, the researcher used documentation and interview. The data is analyzed by using the thematic content analysis. The result of this research, It can be seen from the students’ scoring of post training test is higher than pre training test; there is an improvement of students’ writing formal letter by using identification table media. Beside the students’ score, the students also give the good responses in writing formal letters using identification table media. The students’ difficulties in writing formal letter can be help by using identification table media

Influence of Using Online Oxford Dictionary Toward Pronunciation and Vocabulary Mastery

In order to clearly express the ideas, students need to master pronunciation and have vast vocabulary. Media and strategy are essential matter to achieve well-acquired vocabulary and good pronunciation. Online dictionary such as Oxford Advanced Learners’ Dictionary (later abbreviated as OALD) is one of the media to aid students in improving pronunciation and vocabulary. Students used to utilize the book version of OALD, yet, nowadays they prefer to use the online form through internet networking. Thus, this research aims to determine the influence of using online Oxford Dictionary on students’ pronunciation and vocabulary at the fourth students of English Department of State Islamic Institute of Kediri (IAIN Kediri). 30 students of English Education study program were chosen as the subject of this qualitative study. This research used questionnaire and interview to collect the data related to an alternative reference in technology for learning vocabulary and pronunciation especially online Oxford Dictionary. The results of the questionnaire were processed descriptively. The research results showed that the online Oxford Dictionary influence students’ pronunciation and vocabulary enrichment. It is recommended to solve the problem of pronunciation and vocabulary mastery.