bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring Noise Pollution, Causes, Effects, and Mitigation Strategies: A Review Paper
Authors: Hemmat Walihabib , Hesam Atiq Mohammad , Atifnigar Hamza
Published: October 2023

Noise pollution, often regarded as a silent menace amidst the clamor of more conspicuous environmental concerns, is a pervasive and escalating issue with profound implications for humanity and the natural world. This comprehensive review paper delves into the multifaceted realm of noise pollution, encompassing its diverse causes, far-reaching effects, and the array of strategies deployed to mitigate its adverse consequences. Within this paper, we embark on an exploration that begins by scrutinizing the intricate tapestry of noise pollution's origins. We dissect the urban sprawl and infrastructure development that spawns construction-related tumult, the transportation networks that propagate incessant road, air, and rail noise, and the industrial activities that generate relentless auditory dissonance. These sources collectively converge to create a symphony of cacophony that increasingly defines modern existence. The effects of noise pollution extend beyond mere annoyance. We scrutinize its deleterious impact on human health, from sleep disturbances and cardiovascular diseases to cognitive impairments and stress-related disorders. We unravel the psychological ramifications, including reduced cognitive performance, annoyance, and social isolation. Furthermore, we delve into its insidious intrusion into the natural world, disrupting wildlife behavior, habitats, and reproductive success. Noise pollution also exerts socio-economic repercussions, diminishing property values and impairing learning environments. Mitigation strategies emerge as our beacon of hope. Regulatory measures, noise barriers, urban planning, technological innovations, public awareness campaigns, and international cooperation collectively form our arsenal in the battle against noise pollution. By recognizing noise pollution as an environmental challenge with profound ramifications and by collectively deploying these strategies, we aspire to cultivate a quieter, healthier, and more harmonious world for present and future generations, echoing a harmonious symphony of coexistence amidst the urban bustle.
Assessment of Organochlorines Pesticides Residues in Water, Fish and Sediment Samples from Wurbo Lake, Bali, Taraba State, Nigeria
Authors: Ibrahim Haruna
Published: October 2023

Organochlorines pesticides (OCPs) have been used worldwide, particularly in many African countries as in Nigeria for the control of pests. OCPs are characterized by their bioaccumulation in the environment, especially in the food chain, where they find their way into the human body. The research was aim to estimate the residual concentrations of different OCPs in water, fish and sediment from Kundi Lake to find out the extent of pesticide contamination and accumulation. The water sample was subjected to liquid-liquid extraction method while the fish and the sediment samples were subjected to soxhlet extraction. The extracts were later analysed for organochlorines pesticide residues using Gas-Chromatography coupled with mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The average length, average weight and condition factor of the studied fish species were measured. The Mormyrus rume had the highest average length of 17.12±0.05 cm, and average weight of 195.36±0.05 g follow by Clarias gariepinus which had the average length of 16.83±0.01 cm, and average weight of 189.43±0.03 g. Tilapia zilli was the least species of fish sample with a length of 12.75±0.03 cm and average weight of 102.21±0.02 g. Also, all the fish species sampled in this present study had condition factors>1. Based on the results obtained from all samples, it was found that the levels of organochlorine pesticides residues in water were generally below MRL as compared with FAO/WHO (0.5ppm). In fish samples, highest concentration of pesticide residues in Mormyrus rume follow by Clarias gariepinus, while the Tilapia zilli recorded low concentration of the pesticide residues. The Endosulfan II recorded high concentration of 4.68 ppm in Mormyrus rume follow by Endrin which recorded the concentration of 2.75 ppm, Aldrin 1.78 ppm and Atrazine 1.72 ppm all in Mormyrus rume. In Clarias gariepinus, Simazine 1.56 ppm follows by Endosulfan I 1.28 ppm while In Tilapia zilli, Endosulfan II 1.16 ppm follows by Atrazine 0.91 ppm and Beta Lindane 0.81 ppm. The results indicate that the area is contaminated with high levels of these pesticides in fish and sediment which may pose a great danger to the environment. Regular monitoring is therefore required to control the levels of pesticide residues in the water bodies.
Pre-Service Teachers’ Computer Literacy and Attitude: Gender Perspective of Freshers in the Colleges of Education
Authors: Abdulai Issah Bala , Akaadom Bernard Wiafe
Published: October 2023

Empirical evidence has revealed that affective-motivational variables such as pre-service teachers’ attitudes, computer literacy skills, self-efficacy, self-concept and concerns play a key role in their pedagogical decisions regarding how to integrate technology within classroom practices. This study sought to investigate pre-service teachers’ computer literacy skills and attitude when they first enter the teacher training institutions. By means of hierarchical cluster analysis, this study also examined the relationship between male and female pre-service teachers’ attitudes as well as their respective computer literacy skills. A total of 449 pre-service teachers participated voluntarily in the study through a multistage sampling procedure. The results revealed that pre-service teachers’ computer literacy skills is generally basic. Also, respondents in the study indicated a positive attitude regarding the use of technology in classroom instruction. Lastly, findings in this study further indicated that there is no significant difference between male and female students in terms of computer literacy and attitude to use computers for teaching and learning. These findings will contribute to stakeholders’ realization that gender disparity is being bridged. It will afford stakeholders the opportunity to consolidate the gains that have been achieved by giving male and female equal opportunities to the access and use technology in schools.
Speaking of Open Access...
Authors: Eve Martin Paul
Published: October 2023

This is a quick post to point out that I will be speaking at the University of Sussex's contribution to International Open Access Week on the 20th of October 2010. Alongside a host of other speakers, I will talk on the pros and cons of Open Access publishing and how it can help with your research.
Last Call: Bis morgen für „Wissenswert”-Wettbewerb abstimmen!
Authors: Otto Philipp
Published: October 2023

Bis zum 30.11. kann man noch für seine Lieblingsprojekte zur Förderung freien Wissens abstimmen. Die öffentliche Abstimmung über die eingegangenen Vorschläge des von Wikimedia Deutschland ins Leben gerufenen Wettbewerbs Wissenswert läuft seit dem 08.11. Für iRights.info sitze ich in der Jury. Neben den Jurymitgliedern hat auch die Öffentlichkeit eine Stimme. Es stehen 40 Projektideen zur Abstimmung.
Video online: Podiumsdiskussion übers Leistungsschutzrecht bei der IFA-Medienwoche
Authors: Spielkamp Matthias
Published: October 2023

Leistungsschutzrecht oder Informationsfreiheit – auf dem Weg zur öffentlich-rechtlichen Presse? war der Titel der Diskussion. Stephan Thomae hatte abgesagt, so dass als Teilnehmer übrig blieben: Dr. Christoph Fiedler, Geschäftsführer Europa- und Medienpolitik im Verband Deutscher Zeitschriftenverleger (VDZ), Jan Mönikes, Justitiar des Bundesverbandes deutscher Pressesprecher (BdP) e.V. und Matthias Spielkamp, Projektleiter, iRights.info.
Tagung: „Neue Netzpolitik” in Wien – mit Aufzeichnung
Authors: Pachali David
Published: October 2023

Am Freitag, dem 14. Januar 2011 veranstaltet der SPÖ-Parlamentsclub in Wien eine Tagung zum Thema „Neue Netzpolitik”. Till Kreutzer von iRights.info wird dort mit einer Keynote unter dem Titel „Geistiges Eigentum versus Kreativität 2.0 – Brauchen wir neue Modelle für das Urheberrecht?” zu hören sein.
Upcycling Aluminium Chips to Powder Feedstocks for Powder Metallurgy Applications
Authors: Zafar Fahad , Silva Pedro , Lopes Cláudia , Reis Ana , Vieira Manuel , Emadinia Omid
Published: October 2023

The aluminium scrap, either from industry or end-of-life consumer products is generally melted to recycle aluminium. This recycling approach can still consume up to one-third of the energy consumed to produce primary aluminium since it also requires the addition of primary aluminium apart from other processing. Aluminium metal swarf, a waste from subtractive manufacturing processes can be upcycled to produce metal powders. Conventionally, aluminium powders are produced using atomization processes with considerable energy and inert gas consumption. Thus, it is worth evaluating approaches like mechanical milling to explore the potential of energy savings as well as reducing the carbon footprint. Identifying and controlling the key milling parameters is paramount to achieving desired characteristics in the milled powders. This study explores the feasibility of the production of A356 and AlSi10Mg aluminium alloy powder by mechanical milling of waste metal swarf. Material characterization and mechanical testing results are presented.
Blog literário nordestinados a ler: uma ferramenta literária
Authors: Bessa Luciana , Pereira Bruna Aretha Nergino
Published: October 2023

O presente artigo tem como proposta apresentar  a experiência de incentivo à leitura e à  disseminação da literatura produzida na região Nordeste  do Blog Literário Nordestinados a Ler, durante os anos de 2021-2022, um projeto interdisciplinar, dialógico e interativo, cadastrado na Pró-reitoria de Cultura (PROCULT), da Universidade Federal do Cariri (UFCA), com ênfase na autoria feminina, já que ao longo da História, a mulher foi silenciada e invisibilizada, e o cânone literário foi construído por homens brancos, heterossexuais e de famílias abastadas. Trata-se de uma pesquisa bibliográfica-exploratória de natureza quantitativa, baseada em autores, como: Sânzio de Azevedo (1976), Antonio Cândido (1985), Marisa Lajolo (1986), Michelle Perrot (1995) Adriana Facina (2004), entre outros. De modo geral, a literatura produzida no Nordeste, em especial por mulheres, ao longo dos séculos ficou invisibilizada, não só por ser considerada uma região pobre econômica e literariamente, mas pelo fato de a ideologia dominante considerar o homem um ser superior sendo-lhe reservado o espaço público, e a mulher, um ser frágil, que deveria cuidar da família, cabendo-lhe o espaço privado. Logo, faz-se necessário criar ações para dar visibilidade a literatura produzida no Nordeste com foco na autoria feminina.
Failing Forward
Authors: West Richard
Published: October 2023

This book contains a collection of stories about professionals in the field of Learning and Instructional Design Technology who have failed ... but failed forward. They describe how they experienced the failure, and what lessons they learned in the process. These stories can help new and seasoned professionals see their own potential path forward through the inevitable failure experiences that occur in all productive careers.
Un niño al cuidado de otro niño: dilemas éticos en torno a la toma de decisiones médicas por parte de adolescentes gestando
Authors: Gonzalez-Rayas Jose Manuel
Published: October 2023

¿Qué es la medicina? ¿Qué significa y qué implica llegar a ser médico? ¿Vale la pena? Como estudiante de medicina, estas son algunas preguntas que me hago con frecuencia du- rante mis rotaciones clínicas. A la par de lo anterior, me veo expuesto diariamente a situacio- nes en las que mi moral y mis principios colisionan con las actitudes establecidas de facto como parte del proceso de atención de la salud. Es por ello que considero necesario reflexionar a cerca de la importancia de la bioética en la práctica clínica. Personalmente, me gustaría alejarme de aquella bioética rígida y repetitiva en la que se hace referencia a dilemas eternos, tal como las transfusiones sanguíneas en Testigos de Jehová o la despenalización del aborto. Por consiguiente, en el presente ensayo, abordaré un tema que he presenciado de primera mano durante mi rotación en Pediatría: los conflictos relacionados a la toma de decisiones médicas en mujeres adolescentes gestando. Para lo anterior, comenzaré contando la historia de Nancy, una paciente que conocí en cierto hospital por el que tuve la oportunidad de rotar.
‘Wildlife for Livestock’: COVID-19, Tourism and Community Conservancies in Northern Kenya
Authors: Wagura Kennedy Gitu
Published: October 2023

The existence of pastoralism as it has been organised for hundreds of years is dependent on constant adaptation to ever-changing situations. Such adaptation includes crop agriculture, wage labour, and community conservancies. In northern Kenya, conservancies are epicentres of wildlife, nature tourism, and commercial ventures. This study incorporates methods and perspectives from history, anthropology, and development studies. The study shows that the shift to community conservancies has exposed pastoral communities to a fluctuating international economic system that has collapsed due to COVID-19 pandemic. The instability caused by the pandemic exposed the vulnerability of community conservancy as a livelihood system.
Pollination Potentiality of Honey Bee (Apis cerana Fab.) in Sunflower Hybrid (DRSH-1) Seed Production
Authors: Sajjanar Sanganna M. , M. Thippaiah , A. Prabhuraj , K. S. Jagadish
Published: October 2023

The study was conducted at Main Agricultural Research Station, UAS, Raichur during rabi 2020-21 to utilize honey bees in sunflower hybrid seed production. Totally, thirty species of floral visitors were recorded on parental lines of sunflower hybrid (DRSH-1), among them 15 were hymenopterans, 7 lepidopterans, 5 coleopterans and 3 dipterans. Apis cerana was predominant pollinator (17.91±6.72 bees/ 5 capitula/ 5 min) on CMS parental line (ARM-243), followed by A. dorsata and least was A. florea. The peak foraging activity of A. dorsata was recorded at 0900-1000 hr with 24 bees, A. cerana recorded two peak foraging activity, one at 1100-1200 hr (29 bees) and another at 1600-1700 hr (18 bees) and A. florea recorded at 1000-1100 hr (10 bees). The maximum Shannon-Wiener index of diversity (H=1.32) of floral visitors on CMS line under open condition was recorded at 0800-0900 hr of the day and least (H=0.84) was at 1600-1700 hr. In case of fertility restorer line (6D-1) maximum Shannon-Wiener index was recorded at 1600-1700 hr (1.24). A. cerana under caged condition (three colonies per acre) without pollen load on CMS line were recorded highest mean number of nectar foragers (65±22.60 bees), followed by A. dorsata, A. cerana and A. florea foragers from natural colonies in open pollination condition. Whereas, highest mean number of nectar foragers (42.25±23.59) with pollen load in A. cerana under caged condition (three colonies per acre) were recorded, followed by A. dorsata, A. cerana and A. florea. Nectar foragers with pollen load on CMS line play an important role in transfer of pollen grains from restorer line to CMS line and carry out effective pollination. A. florea with and without pollen load spent more foraging duration (13.17 and 25.20 sec/capitulum respectively) on CMS line, followed by A. cerana and least in case of A. dorsata in open pollination. Bees without pollen load spent significantly greater nectar foraging duration as compared with bees with pollen load, both in caged and open pollination situations. Significantly highest seed yield per hectare (839.53 kg), per cent filled seeds (95.80 %), test weight (5.41 g), volume weight (46.41 g/100 ml), kernel percentage (66.09 %), highest kernel to husk ratio (1.94) and highest seed quality and associated parameters were recorded in hand + open pollinated plots, followed by the A. cerana @ 3 colonies per acre treated plots, hand pollination, open pollination and least seed quality parameters were recorded in control treatment.
PENGARUH KEJELASAN SASARAN ANGGARAN TERHADAP AKUNTABILITAS KINERJA INSTANSI PEMERINTAH DAERAH DENGAN SISTEM PENGENDALIAN INTERN SEBAGAI VARIABEL MODERASI
Authors: Loppies Frensly , Gasperz Jefry , Limba Franco
Published: October 2023

This study aims to determine the effect of the clarity of budget targets on the performance accountability of government agencies with the internal control system as a moderating variable. This study uses primary data obtained from respondents through questionnaires distributed to 44 Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD) in the city of Ambon, with a total of 132 respondents. Data analysis in this study used multiple linear regression analysis and moderated regression analysis using Moderated Regression Analysis (MRA). The results of simple regression analysis show that the clarity of budget targets has a significant effect on the performance accountability of government agencies, while the results of the MRA test show that the Internal Control System variable is not able to moderate the relationship between Clarity of Budget Targets and Performance Accountability of Government Agencies
Implementasi Text Mining Pada Pengukuran Sentimen Opini Masyarakat Terhadap Universitas Kristen Immanuel
Authors: Hulu Indriyani , Budiati Haeni
Published: October 2023

Analisis sentimen merupakan suatu metode analisis yang bertujuan untuk mengidentifikasi emosi yang terkandung dalam teks, baik itu emosi positif, negatif, atau netral. Analisis sentimen, juga dikenal sebagai opinion mining, digunakan untuk mengekstrak emosi yang terdapat dalam tulisan orang-orang di berbagai platform media sosial.

    Data yang digunakan berasal dari twitter dimana twitter merupakan salah satu jejaring sosial yang interaktif dan banyak digunakan untuk dapat berbagi opini dan pendapat mengenai banyak hal. Penelitian dilakukan dengan menggunakan text mining dengan proses seperti crawling data, data cleaning, filtering, translating dan data splitting. Hasil analisis yang yang didapatkan dengan persentase sentimen positif 41.4%, persentase sentimen netral 45.5% dan persentase sentimen negatif 12.9%.
Enterprise Architecture Planning Design Using Zachman Framework on TIX.ID Application
Authors: Aswar Nurul Fadilah , Alam Andi Rifqah Purnama , Isma Andika , Balo Maulana Rumi Irwan
Published: October 2023

The process of implementing the Zachman framework in a company is a strategy for developing and managing the company. Start-up companies like TIX.ID also apply this strategy to analyze and organize. The process of identifying using the zachman framework implementation in the application company TIX.ID, which is a service company, provides a real space for companies to be able to assess the right strategy for developing corporate architecture related to important matters concerning the running of the company. This implementation makes it easy for companies to make the right utilization of resources and decision-making processes for efficiency and effectiveness in the digital services industry. Not only for companies, the benefits of implementing the Zachman framework can be felt directly by users who feel the success of the application in providing comfort for the services provided.
Efektivitas Metode Talaqqi Dalam Meningkatkan Hafalan Mufradat Murid Kelas 1 Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Hidayatullah Rupat Utara
Authors: Hidayah Hikmatul , Robita
Published: October 2023

Lembaga pendidikan sebagai institusi yang bertanggung jawab terhadap peradaban harus memiliki inovasi dan metode menarik dalam mengajar. Semakin baik metode mengajar, semakin baik pula hasil yang diperoleh. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan sumber data yang diperoleh dari penelitian ini yaitu primer dan sekunder. Sementara narsumber pada penelitian ini yaitu kepala madrasah, guru-guru dan peserta didik. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui efektifitas menghafal mufradat dengan menggunakan metode talaqqi pada peserta didik kelas 1 MI Hidayatullah Rupat Utara. Metode talaqqi merupakan bimbingan secara lansung oleh guru terhadap murid pada suatu bidang disiplin ilmu. Dari hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa: 1.Metode talaqqi sangat efektif digunakan dalam menghafal mufradat terlebih pada peserta didik yang belum bisa membaca karena secara tidak lansung mereka mengikuti bacaan gurunya, 2. Indikator penting dalam metode talaqqi yakni bimbingan berkesinambungan karena akan menjadi tolak ukur bagi hafalan yang diperoleh peserta didik, 3. Metode talaqqi harus disertai dengan membangun korelasi dengan orang tua agar meminimalisir terjadinya keteteran hafalan. Olehkarena itu, menghafal metode talaqqi bisa menjadi alternatif bagi disiplin ilmu lainnya karena menjadi langkah preventif tersendiri bagi peserta didik yang kurang responsibel terhadap pelajaran disekolah.
Kepemimpinan Kepala Madrasah Dalam Meningkatkan Kinerja Guru Di Madrasah Tsanawiyah Al Ikhwan Kotapinang
Authors: Mubarok Husni , Apriani Nining
Published: October 2023

Tujuan Penelitian Ini adalah untuk mengetahui, Kepemimpinan Kepala Madrasah Dalam Meningkatkan Kinerja Guru Di Madrasah Tsanawiyah Al Ikhwan Kotapinang. Metode yang digunakan adalah deskriptif kualitatif dengan Jenis penelitianya adalah penelitian lapangan atau (field research) dengan teknik pengumpulan data observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi. Adapun hasil penelitian, diketahui bahwa kepemimpinan kepala madrasah memiliki peranan yang sangat besar meningkatkan kinerja guru dalam kompetensi pedagogik, sosial, kepribadian, dan professional di MTs Al Ikhwan Kotapinang.
Sekularisasi Sains Modern
Authors: Azhari Azhari
Published: October 2023

Peradaban yang kuat dan hegemonik akan mempengaruhi konsep sains dan basis epistemologi dunia secara umum. Saat ini, Barat telah menahbiskan diri sebagai satu kekuatan peradaban yang tampil superior menguasai segala aspek kehidupan manusia. Sejarah panjang perjalanannya bermula dari asimilasi Yunani-Romawi, kelamnya penindasan hegemoni Gereja (the dark ages), dan beralih menuju zaman ‘terlahir kembali’ (renaisance) yang anti sains dan anti Tuhan (agama). Fase inilah yang melatarbelakangi babak baru dalam sejarah peradaban Barat yang dinamakan modernisme-postmodernisme sekular. Inilah wajah peradaban Barat yang sesungguhnya; anti Tuhan. Segala hal yang berbau agama dan identik dengan otoritas Tuhan harus dienyahkan dari realitas manusia. Tuhan telah mati, kata Nietzche. Tuhan tidak lagi berhak mengatur manusia (teosentris), manusia dituhankan, Tuhan pun dimanusiakan (humanisme). Pandangan hidup (worldview) inilah yang diterapkan Barat dalam sains modern. Pandangan yang kental aroma sekularisme, rasionalisme, empirisme, relativisme, cara berpikir dikotomis, desakralisasi dan penafian kebenaran metafisis. Dimensi inilah yang berbenturan secara konsepsi dalam epistemologi Islam. Ironisnya, sarjana Muslim dan Perguruan Tinggi Islam kadang terpengaruh dalam kerangka berpikir tersebut yang justru sering kali muncul pemikiran-pemikiran dekonstruktif terhadap keilmuan Islam itu sendiri.
Effects of Reading Strategies Instruction on Graduate Students’ Reading Comprehension
Authors: Pimsarn Pratin
Published: October 2023

This research aimed to investigate the effects of reading strategies instruction on graduate students’ reading comprehension whose reading comprehension abilities are moderate. The randomly-selected, pretest-posttest control-group research design was employed with first-year graduate students in the academic year 2005 from various faculties at a public university in Bangkok. After sixteen weeks of instruction, both groups were administered a reading comprehension post-test and ten subjects in the experimental group were randomly selected and interviewed to elicit their attitudes towards using reading strategies. Based on both statistical data and interviews, there was substantial evidence to show that there were positive outcomes even though there were no statistically significant differences among the subjects studied. However, examining the experiment throughout the whole process, the research yields the result that there was something qualitatively different among the two groups, especially the teaching-learning atmosphere and the classroom-interactions, which were overtly observed.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Diaries and Semi-Structured Interviews in a Case Study Examining a Thai ESL Student’s Perceptions on British Culture
Authors: Nomnian Singhanat
Published: October 2023

The paper addresses some advantages and disadvantages of using a diary and a semi-structured interview in a case study which examined the perceptions of British culture of a Thai ESL learner called ‘Shirley’. Shirley’s diary entries enabled the researcher to discover her existing cultural perceptions and see gradual changes in her attitudes towards learning about the target language culture over time. The semi-structured interview offered the researcher insights and information on certain issues, which might be far beyond what her diary entries could provide. Some drawbacks to diary data were noted: redundancy, irrelevance and inconsistency in the subject’s writing; drawbacks to the interview data were researcher bias, the ‘real-time’ nature of the interview and the time-consuming nature of processing and analysing the interview data. Nevertheless, the advantages of the research methods employed appear to outweigh their inherent limitations. This paper could potentially benefit researchers in the field of applied linguistics and TESOL who plan to use diary studies and semi-structured interviews as research tools.
How Do Independent Language Learners Keep Going? The Role of Interest in Sustaining Motivation
Authors: McLoughlin David , Mynard Jo
Published: October 2023

This paper presents results of the first year of a four-year longitudinal study examining motivation for independent language learning among Japanese freshman learners of English at a university in Japan. The participants were enrolled in optional independent learning modules offered by the university’s self-access centre. The aim of the modules is to introduce learners to resources and strategies for learning and to give them the opportunity to create and implement a plan of independent study in the language area of their choice. Despite a busy academic and personal schedule, 145 learners managed to successfully complete the first eight-week optional module in semester 1 and 50 of those learners went on to complete the second optional module in semester 2. The authors analysed learners’ weekly reflective journals in order to investigate the factors that helped learners maintain their motivation to continue the modules. In addition, interviews were conducted with 9 participants. Findings indicate that interest played a significant role in maintaining motivation for independent study and this is discussed by drawing on a theoretical framework called the self-regulation of motivation (SRM) model (Sansone, 2008; Sansone & Thoman, 2005).
Motivation and Attitudes towards English Language Learning in Thailand: A Large-Scale Survey of Secondary School Students
Authors: Imsa-ard Pariwat
Published: October 2023

Motivation and attitudes are believed to be significant factors in successful language learning. This study aims to investigate Thai EFL secondary school students’ motivation and attitudes towards learning English. The participants of this study comprise 640 secondary school students from all over Thailand. Data was collected using a modified 34-item motivational survey adapted from Gardner’s (2004) international version of Attitude/Motivation Test Battery (AMTB) and was analysedusing descriptive statistics and content analysis. The findings revealed that Thai EFL students are highly motivated, and they are keen to learn and improve their English. However, most of them said that English language learning in classrooms does not meet their needs, and prevents them from improving English skills that are useful for their real-life situations. Based on the findings, some pedagogical implications are also demonstrated. It is hoped that the findings from this study will benefit English teachers in Thailand as well as helping those in similar EFL contexts to gain insights about how they can support students’ motivation and attitudes in learning English.
Challenges and Solutions in Teaching English through Poetry to EFL Students at Hajjah University: A Case Study of William Wordsworth’s Lucy and John Donne’s Death Poems
Authors: Akbar Joseph A. Syed  , Yazid Meftah Ali Wahas
Published: October 2023

Poetry is an effective and reliable material in teaching English language. It offers astounding opportunities for reading, writing, speaking and listening practices for English learners. Teaching English through poetry has many advantages such as it being of authentic material, being a medium to express emotions and feelings, being a wonderful carrier of culture, and being able to help improve students’ linguistic knowledge and skills. Poetry is often regarded as the most sophisticated  genre of literature, comprising a variety of contents that are narrative, lyrical and dramatic in nature. Some of the difficulties teachers face while teaching English through poetry are the students’ proficiency level, the teachers’ method of teaching and the chosen poetry texts. Thus, this paper proposes to explore the advantages of teaching English language through poetry and its challenges at Hajjah University in Yemen, from which suggestions for choosing poetries to teach English will be given with special reference to “Death, be not Proud” and “Lucy”, as well as other suggested teaching methods for students of the Bachelor of Education (English) program at Hajjah University in Yemen.
Blended Online Learning: Perceptions and Experiences of EFL University Students and Teachers
Authors: Watanapokakul Sasa
Published: October 2023

During the COVID-19 pandemic, in which social distancing has become the norm, blended online learning, which consists of two main components: namely synchronous online instruction through a virtual conferencing platform, or live virtual classroom (LVC), and asynchronous online learning through a learning management system (LMS), has largely replaced face-to-face classrooms. After 2,217 EFL freshmen and 16 EFL teachers at a public university in Thailand participated in blended online learning instruction in a foundation English course in the first semester of academic year 2021, their perceptions and experiences regarding the instruction were investigated using online questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. An explanatory sequential mixed methods design was employed to obtain empirical information from the participants. The findings obtained from the questionnaires (590 voluntary students and 12 voluntary teachers) and semi-structured interviews (15 voluntary students and 5 voluntary teachers) indicated that blended online learning was appropriate and beneficial in EFL classes for the undergraduate students and could support the social distancing measures put in place due to COVID-19. While there are some limitations, inconveniences, and challenges related to blended online learning, it has been demonstrated to be effective in improving students’ English ability while saving time and expense by eliminating the need for travel to the university and providing flexibility regarding the time and place of learning and teaching. Implications and recommendations for blended online learning and its two main components were also concluded from the findings and are discussed in the study.
A Corpus-based Study of the Near-synonyms: Purpose, Goal and Objective
Authors: Lertcharoenwanich Pallapa , Phoocharoensil Supakorn
Published: October 2023

Synonyms can be problematic for EFL learners since each synonym has distinct meanings to be used in different context. The purposes of this corpus-based study are to investigate distinctions of the synonymous nouns purpose, goal and objective based on the distribution across genres in which the degree of formality is determined and to examine their verb and adjective collocates in relation to semantic preference. The three target synonyms were analyzed by using data drawn from the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA). The results from the frequency of distribution across genres suggests that the three target synonyms most frequently occur in formal contexts, e.g., academic texts, and they tend to have similar occurrences across genres. In terms of the common verb and adjective collocates, the top-thirty verb and adjective collocates of the target synonyms with the highest frequency and the significant MI score level of ≥ 3 were presented and the collocates with similar meanings were categorized into themes based on their semantic preference. It was found that the three synonymous nouns are near-synonyms with the more closely related status of objective and goal because they share more overlapping semantically-related themes and collocations. However, these synonyms also co-occur with particular verbs or adjectives. This differentiation of collocational patterns of the near-synonyms indicates that they cannot be substitutable in all contexts and the precise usage of each synonym should be taken into consideration.
Integration of Technology During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience, Challenges and Needs of Thai EFL Teachers
Authors: Boonmoh Atipat , Jumpakate Thidaporn , Saengmanee Sawitree , Rungkaew Titirut
Published: October 2023

COVID-19 has led to an abrupt change from traditional classrooms and face-to-face learning to emergency online learning. The outbreak of COVID-19 in Thailand in early 2021 forced school closures and increased online learning. Students were not given a choice but to study at home. This study reports on the experience and challenges of language teachers from Thai universities who taught in emergency online settings. It examined their needs for future professional development courses. An online survey was completed by 120 EFL teachers from 52 universities across Thailand. Of these, six also participated in an online semi-structured interview. The survey findings revealed that 108 teachers (90%) had never taught online previously. ZOOM and Google Meet were among the most popular virtual meeting platforms. Support from their universities, as reported in the survey, included providing basic information and communications technology (ICT) skills workshops (75.8%), and providing workshops on integrating technology into classrooms (51.7%). The main challenges relating to online learning are the absence of a physical setting and a lack of interaction between students and teachers. In terms of future professional development needs, the data indicated that most teachers do not need courses in fundamental ICT skills or courses that expose them to a range of online technology tools. They do, however, need additional approaches to enhance their online teaching abilities, as well as certain teaching techniques to enable them to apply their pedagogical expertise while using specific technological tools or applications with which they are familiar. On the basis of these findings, pedagogical implications are discussed.
Intercultural Communicative Competence in EFL Setting: A Systematic Review
Authors: Iswandari Yuseva Ariyani , Ardi Priyatno
Published: October 2023

Intercultural communicative competence (ICC) is a paramount issue in EFL teaching and learning. This paper intends to systematically review the existing research on EFL teachers’ and pre-service teachers’ intercultural communicative competence (ICC). The authors reviewed a total of 19 peer-reviewed studies on teachers’ and pre-service teachers’ intercultural communicative competence in EFL settings published in 2011 to 2021. The results revealed five major themes emerging from the studies, namely teachers’ cognition (attitudes/ beliefs/ perceptions/ understanding) of (the implementation of) ICC, ICC assessment, teacher development of ICC, ICC training, and ICC-related factors. Drawing on the findings, the writers discuss topics that need further explorations.
People or Persons?: A Corpus-based Study
Authors: Supanfai Pornthip
Published: October 2023

The study aims to investigate the similarities and differences between nominal synonyms people and persons focusing on collocations and semantic preferences. The data are drawn from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (online version) and the original British National Corpus. The results of the study demonstrate that the two nouns share five statistically significant collocates and five semantic preferences including health, age, employment status, socioeconomic status, and thoughts and feelings. However, they also display distinctive semantic preferences. While people shows semantic preferences for negative actions, numbers, and ethnicity words, persons frequently collocates with words from the semantic set of legislation. The analysis of collocations and semantic preferences also confirms a high degree of formality of persons as indicated in the dictionary. Even so, the corpus data show that despite a high degree of formality, persons is not restricted to formal contexts but can also be used in informal contexts such as fiction.
Implementing Genre-Based Self-Regulated Instruction (GBSRI) to Enhance the English Writing Ability of Thai Undergraduate Students
Authors: Wiboonwachara Lalida , Charubusp Sasima
Published: October 2023

In an EFL context, writing in English is often considered challenging for second language learners. Previous studies (Khumphee & Yodkamlue, 2017; Owu-Ewie & Williams, 2017; Richard & Renandya, 2002) suggest that a lack of sufficient cognitive and rhetorical skills for generating ideas and producing coherent compositions can be one of the challenges faced by learners. The transformation of education in this digital era means that learners ought to master their own learning path while dealing with many learning distractions. A ‘Genre-Based Self-Regulated Instruction’ (GBSRI) may therefore help language learners, particularly those with limited language proficiency, to accumulate competency in language, which in turn may encourage them to pursue independent writing and learning. This is due to GBSRI’s distinguishing features pertaining to genre-based writing instructions (Derewianka, 2003; Hyland, 2004; Macken-Horarik, 2002) and the practice of self-regulated learning (Schmitz & Wiese, 2006; Schunk & Zimmerman, 2007; Zimmerman, 2013). The objectives of this study were: (1) to examine the English writing ability of Thai undergraduate students by exploiting language features, text organization, and writing mechanics with a particular focus on two genres, namely: procedural writing and descriptive writing; and (2) to investigate Thai undergraduate students’ opinions as it related to GBRSI. The sample group in this study consisted of 32 Thai undergraduate students. For the purposes of the investigation, a one-group pre-test and post-test quasi-experimental design was utilized. The research instruments included: (1) pre-test and post-test paragraph writing, (2) a GBSRI questionnaire, and (3) semi-structured interviews. The results of the pre-test and post-test revealed that the ability of the participants’ paragraph writing was significantly improved subsequent to participating in GBSRI. Moreover, the qualitative data from the questionnaires and the semi-structured interviews indicated that most students expressed satisfaction with GBSRI and acknowledged its benefits. Furthermore, they stated that both their writing ability and self-regulation in learning had improved after participating in GBSRI, especially in explicit instruction, collaborative learning, and self-regulated writing activities. This study also showcases other considerations regarding the implementation of GBRI in different contexts.
An Analysis of Medical Students’ Performance on the Word Stress Patterns in English Polysyllabic Medical Terms
Authors: Thongsongsee Juthamas , Watanapokakul Sasa
Published: October 2023

Word stress instruction has increasingly become a focus among EFL teachers. Owing to the phonological differences between the learner’s first language and English, EFL learners of different nationalities encounter varying degrees of difficulty when pronouncing English polysyllabic words. The majority of EFL students studying medicine tend to find it particularly challenging to pronounce English polysyllabic medical terms correctly. To gain better insights into this issue, this study aims to assess Thai medical students’ ability to correctly mark stress in English polysyllabic medical terms and to analyze their errors in identifying their stressed syllables. A purposive sampling was employed to recruit seventy-five mixed-ability first year medical students enrolled in the course entitled “Foundation English for Medical Profession II” of the academic year 2020 in a public university in Thailand to participate in the study. The participants were asked to pronounce 40 medical terms via Zoom, and the quantitative data were analyzed statistically. Nine students of mixed English ability took part in the semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was employed to analyze the qualitative data. In light of the key findings, pedagogical implications and recommendations are discussed and highlighted in the study, which found it evident that word stress instruction should be integrated in the EAP/ESP courses for medical students either as part of the core lessons or through supplementary online resources.
Science Students’ Motivational Orientations of EFL Reading through the Lens of Self-Determination Theory
Authors: Songnuan Natthinee , Nomnian Singhanat
Published: October 2023

This mixed-method study aims to investigate science students’ motivational orientations and their self-perceived experiences contributing to self-determination in EFL reading at a secondary school in Thailand. Drawing upon the questionnaire and semi-structured interviews, the findings revealed that the overall science students’ EFL reading motivations were moderate. Each of their motivational orientations was ranked as follows: identified regulation (ID), intrinsic motivation (IM), external regulation (ER), introjected regulation (IJ), and amotivation (AM), accordingly. ID, a motivational orientation with regard to autonomous motivation, seemed to best correspond with the science students’ perceptions. They also valued the influence of social-contextual variables (i.e., families, peers, and teachers) as relatively important to their behavioural control toward EFL reading (ER and IJ). This study offers pedagogical implications to improve science students’ EFL reading motivation.
Delving into Indonesian EFL Pre-Service Teachers’ Professional Identity Configuration in Teaching Practicum
Authors: Ardi Priyatno , Mukti Thomas Wahyu Prabowo , Basthomi Yazid , Widiati Utami
Published: October 2023

This paper aims to scrutinize the trajectory of the professional identity configuration of Indonesian EFL pre-service teachers in socialization during a two-month teaching practicum at a private school in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Two female EFL pre-service teachers carrying out a teaching practicum at the school participated in this study. A narrative inquiry was employed to capture the dynamic development of the professional identity configuration from the participants’ points of view. The researchers developed stories based on participant interviews, daily reflective notes, and weekly conferences. The stories were then analyzed to identify the professional identity configuration. The findings suggested that the participants configured their professional selves as EFL teachers in socialization in the school through identification and self-internalization. Their identification was influenced by how they saw themselves and others viewed them as EFL teachers, which was then internalized as self-concepts. Moreover, the socialization process encouraged the student teachers to construct their professional selves, reflected in the emerging themes of the stories: language-, pedagogy-, organizational role-, and spirituality-driven identities. The findings also highlighted that spaces, artifacts, and positioning influenced how the pre-service teachers made meaning of their professional selves. The researchers emphasized the importance of reflection to facilitate the meaning-making of EFL preservice teachers’ professional selves by contemplating their professional socialization experiences during the practicum.
Underrepresenting “Their” Side of the Story: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Online English Headlines and Leads of News on the Karen Minority
Authors: Yunchalard Natalie , Punkasirikul Piyaporn
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to determine the representational strategies used to portray Karen people and the roles ascribed to them in English-language news. It was conducted primarily to provide an update on the representation of the Karen in online English news reports in the year 2021. This study, which differs from other previous studies in both the fields of language studies and social sciences, employed Fairclough’s (1995) critical discourse analysis, van Leeuwen’s (2008) representation of social actors, Halliday’s (1994) transitivity analysis, Harcup and O’Neill’s (2016) newsworthiness, and the notion of othering to analyze linguistic and discursive features of headlines and leads of news articles categorized as hard news, published online throughout January 2021 – December 2021 by Bangkok Post, which is one of the leading English newspapers in Thailand. The results revealed that Karen people were rarely given a voice in the headlines and leads while information from the government or state sources largely dominated the headlines and leads. Thus, the status quo in which negative stereotypes related to the Karen minority which have persisted for over 20 years has been maintained. These stereotypes exclude the Karen by placing them as the out-group, which perpetuates social order and inequality. The findings provide insights that could benefit Thai society since the government has been aiming at embracing ethnic diversity as well as implications for language instructors.
The Coping Strategies of English Instructors and Teachers with Perceived Stress While Giving Synchronous E-Lectures in the COVID-19 Era: A Non-Native EFL Context
Authors: Ayar Zülal
Published: October 2023

Stress has been ranked among the prevalent definitions in education where teachers’ time-limited duties, heavy workload, examinations, and potential administrative tasks are concerned and discussed. Particularly with the pandemic, some stress factors (or stressors), such as the sudden transition to online settings with an intense use of technology, have also seemed to impact educators’ professional contentment. By taking that into account, this study set out to examine the strategies that English teachers and instructors use to cope with their perceived stress while speaking in online classes. To that end, 83 English teachers from different education levels in distinct regions of Turkey and 96 instructors affiliated with schools of foreign languages were included in the research. First, a questionnaire developed by the researcher was administered and then, interviews were conducted with eight participants in the second data collection round. Despite having encountered stress occasionally, the majority of the attendees counter-intuitively reported not feeling the severe strain of COVID-19. It was then found that they had adopted mostly functional, approach-oriented, and cognitive strategies in the face of perceived stress. Furthermore, the participants’ adoption of approaches and avoidant styles in light of the brief COPE model also unearthed that they preferred cognitive strategies over behavioural ones. The educators’ seniority, and ways of coping with stress, however, were not significantly correlated. Yet, their digital experiences were more effective in influencing their sense of stress. In light of the findings, some suggestions and implications have been offered to educators in terms of managing stress in synchronous virtual classes.