title: Vocabulary learning strategies and language games: Reporting on a Taiwan-based study.

authors: Chen, Meihua

subjects: Taiwan

abstract: This study investigates the effectiveness of games as a vocabulary learning strategy. Forty-six students of English as a foreign language (EFL) voluntarily joined a vocabulary extension training program, using games created by the author, for a total period of 20 hours in the summer of 2008. Oxford's (1990) Strategies Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) was used before and after the program to detect learning strategies and any changes in learning strategies before and after the program and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. In terms of strategy use, there were significant differences between pretest and post-test results, particularly in the area of memory strategies. This suggests that further research in the area of games-based vocabulary enhancement, particularly in the area of strategy use and development, would be likely to be of value.

text: Vocabulary learning strategies and language games: Reporting on a Taiwan-based study. This study investigates the effectiveness of games as a vocabulary learning strategy. Forty-six students of English as a foreign language (EFL) voluntarily joined a vocabulary extension training program, using games created by the author, for a total period of 20 hours in the summer of 2008. Oxford's (1990) Strategies Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) was used before and after the program to detect learning strategies and any changes in learning strategies before and after the program and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used for data analysis. In terms of strategy use, there were significant differences between pretest and post-test results, particularly in the area of memory strategies. This suggests that further research in the area of games-based vocabulary enhancement, particularly in the area of strategy use and development, would be likely to be of value.

year: 2009-02

title: Geography and gender: feminist geography - a 'critical' time?

authors: Longhurst, Robyn

subjects: feminist geography

abstract: The recent growth in critical geography suggests this may be a ‘critical’ time for raising issues about the intersections between feminist and critical geography. This is not the first time these issues have been aired. For example, the Women and Geography Study Group (1997: 49–85) questions whether feminist geographers ought always to accord primacy to gender as the central analytical category or whether there are instances where gender ought to be decentred and destabilized. My aim in this commentary is to (re)visit some of these arguments in relation to recently published feminist geographical research.

text: Geography and gender: feminist geography - a 'critical' time? The recent growth in critical geography suggests this may be a ‘critical’ time for raising issues about the intersections between feminist and critical geography. This is not the first time these issues have been aired. For example, the Women and Geography Study Group (1997: 49–85) questions whether feminist geographers ought always to accord primacy to gender as the central analytical category or whether there are instances where gender ought to be decentred and destabilized. My aim in this commentary is to (re)visit some of these arguments in relation to recently published feminist geographical research.

year: 2002-08-01

title: The Māori precariat: A silhouette

authors: Stubbs, Thomas

abstract: Recent financial crises and a host of punitive labour and welfare reforms have intensified socio-economic divisions across advanced nations. In Aotearoa New Zealand, the indigenous Maori peoples are subject to systemic labour market disadvantages, and are thus more likely to be affected by increased inequalities in times of economic downturn. Despite the legacies of systematic economic exclusion and discrimination in the economy, the majority of Maori demonstrate a resounding level of social resilience in the face of this hostile context. Even so, there is evidence to suggest that an unacceptable number of Maori still struggle to overcome these challenges. For instance, 13.0 per cent of Maori are in temporary work compared to 8.2 per cent of Pakeha,1 and 12.4 per cent of Maori are experiencing unemployment against 4.4 per cent. of Pakeha.2 These trends contribute to a range of socio-economic challenges, to which mainstream and Maori service providers are struggling to respond.
In this chapter, we develop a demographic silhouette to seek an understanding of socio-economically marginalised - or 'precariat' - Maori. Although we are wary of portraying Maori in an unduly negative light, we also submit that an appreciation of the extent of the issues faced by this group is necessary if our analysis is to be useful in the development of an effective response. We begin by defining the precariat. Using data obtained from Statistics New Zealand's Te Kupenga survey of Maori wellbeing, we then outline the prevalence and composition of the Maori precariat in Aotearoa New Zealand. Overall, we find that the Maori precariat comprises a substantial portion of the Maori population, particularly among females, younger age groups, and those with low or no qualifications. They are predominantly located-in regions that have high levels of seasonal employment, and in more deprived areas. We also find the value attached to Maori culture and experiences of stigma for this group are, for the most part, similar to those among the Maori non-precariat.

text: The Māori precariat: A silhouette Recent financial crises and a host of punitive labour and welfare reforms have intensified socio-economic divisions across advanced nations. In Aotearoa New Zealand, the indigenous Maori peoples are subject to systemic labour market disadvantages, and are thus more likely to be affected by increased inequalities in times of economic downturn. Despite the legacies of systematic economic exclusion and discrimination in the economy, the majority of Maori demonstrate a resounding level of social resilience in the face of this hostile context. Even so, there is evidence to suggest that an unacceptable number of Maori still struggle to overcome these challenges. For instance, 13.0 per cent of Maori are in temporary work compared to 8.2 per cent of Pakeha,1 and 12.4 per cent of Maori are experiencing unemployment against 4.4 per cent. of Pakeha.2 These trends contribute to a range of socio-economic challenges, to which mainstream and Maori service providers are struggling to respond.
In this chapter, we develop a demographic silhouette to seek an understanding of socio-economically marginalised - or 'precariat' - Maori. Although we are wary of portraying Maori in an unduly negative light, we also submit that an appreciation of the extent of the issues faced by this group is necessary if our analysis is to be useful in the development of an effective response. We begin by defining the precariat. Using data obtained from Statistics New Zealand's Te Kupenga survey of Maori wellbeing, we then outline the prevalence and composition of the Maori precariat in Aotearoa New Zealand. Overall, we find that the Maori precariat comprises a substantial portion of the Maori population, particularly among females, younger age groups, and those with low or no qualifications. They are predominantly located-in regions that have high levels of seasonal employment, and in more deprived areas. We also find the value attached to Maori culture and experiences of stigma for this group are, for the most part, similar to those among the Maori non-precariat.

year: 2017