ethanporcaro/eric-fulltext-meta huggingface dataset:
FL Vocabulary Learning of Undergraduate English Majors in Western China: Perspective, Strategy Use and Vocabulary Size
Author: Zhang, Baicheng
Date: 2009-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Vocabulary Development,Undergraduate Students,Learning Strategies,Metacognition,Majors (Students),Metalinguistics,Dictionaries,Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Questionnaires,Language Tests,Notetaking,Incidental Learning,Instructional Improvement,Teaching Methods,Foreign Countries,Receptive Language,Expressive Language,English (Second Language),Correlation

The present study, by use of questionnaire and vocabulary tests, has investigated the foreign language vocabulary learning situation of 481 undergraduates in terms of their perspective of vocabulary learning, strategy use and vocabulary size. Based on the questionnaire investigation and vocabulary level tests, the characteristics of the subjects' foreign language vocabulary learning have been outlined: (1) Objects have the belief that vocabulary should be learned by using them; the most frequently used strategies include dictionary use, guessing the meaning and note-taking; objects average out to a small vocabulary size. (2) Significant differences exist in the use of some strategies between different graders and different majors. (3) Four strategies (cognitive &amp; meta-cognitive) significantly correlate with vocabulary size. In order to facilitate learners' foreign language vocabulary development, four tentative solutions have been offered to solve the relevant problems: (1) Raising learners' awareness of FL vocabulary development and try to enlarge their vocabulary size; (2) Developing learners' productive vocabulary by using the target words in authentic contexts; (3) Fostering learners' awareness of using appropriate vocabulary learning strategies; (4) Broadening learners' vocabulary learning approaches by utilizing both the intentional (direct) learning methods and the incidental (indirect) ones. The research results may probably offer empirical reference for the foreign language vocabulary teaching and learning in China.
The Use of Apologies by EFL Learners
Author: Istifçi, Ilknur
Date: 2009-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Pragmatics,Language Usage,English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Language Proficiency,Native Speakers,Classification,Speech Acts,Turkish,Transfer of Training,Communicative Competence (Languages),Interlanguage,Second Language Instruction,Foreign Countries,Language Tests,Student Placement

The aim of this study is to investigate the act of apologizing with subjects from two different levels of English proficiency to find out whether there are similarities and differences between these groups and whether they approach native speaker apology norms. 20 subjects in intermediate level, 20 subjects in advanced level and 5 native speakers of English participate in the study. The data are gathered by a Discourse Completion Test that had 8 apology situations. In the analysis of the data, all responses are categorized according to Cohen and Olshtain's (1981) apology speech act set. The results of the study reveal some similarities and differences between the two groups. Their L1 can be said to have an influence on their use of apologies, especially intermediate level subjects transfer native Turkish speaker norms into English.
On Power Relation in the Design of Language Research Project and the Analysis of Data
Author: Zhang, Wei
Date: 2009-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Power Structure,Researchers,Correlation,Language Research,Reliability,Validity,Applied Linguistics,Guidelines,Feedback (Response),Research Design

How to deal with the relationship between the researcher and the &quot;researched&quot; is a crucial thing in design of a language research project and the analysis of data. The paper mainly focuses the influence of power relations between the researcher and the &quot;researched&quot; people. To do social research &quot;on, for and with&quot; the subject does not only benefit the researched, but also benefits the researcher. In the empowering research, the relationship between the researcher and the researched is like a part of the process of social interaction and like the relationships among the researched.
Improvement of Speaking Ability through Interrelated Skills
Author: Liao, Guoqiang
Date: 2009-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Speech Communication,Speech Skills,Writing Skills,Reading Skills,Listening Skills,Instructional Effectiveness,Teaching Methods,Educational Theories,Oral English,Educational Improvement,Educational Practices,Foreign Countries,Questionnaires

How to improve students' ability of speaking English? That is the key point we are concerned about. This paper discusses the possibility and necessity of improving students' ability by combining the four skills of speaking, listening, reading and writing.
The Impact of Cultural Knowledge on Listening Comprehension of EFL Learners
Author: Hayati, A. Majid
Date: 2009-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Cultural Awareness,Listening Comprehension,English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Scores,Listening Comprehension Tests,Language Proficiency,Foreign Countries,Second Language Instruction,Pretests Posttests,Familiarity,Teaching Methods

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of cultural knowledge on improving Iranian EFL learners' listening comprehension. To achieve this purpose, out of three hundred participants, one hundred and twenty pre-intermediate language learners were selected based on their scores on a listening comprehension test and were randomly assigned to four groups. Each group was exposed to a certain condition as follows: TC (Target Culture), ITC (International Target Culture), SC (Source Culture), and CF (Culture Free). At the end of the experiment, to see whether or not any changes happened regarding their listening proficiency, a post-test was administered to the four groups. The results suggested that the participants performed differently on the post-test indicating that familiarity with culturally-oriented language material promotes the Iranian EFL learners' listening proficiency.
The Inter-Rater Reliability in Scoring Composition
Author: Wang, Ping
Date: 2009-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Interrater Reliability,Scoring,Writing (Composition),English (Second Language),Writing Tests,Language Tests,Evaluation Criteria,Evaluation Methods,Holistic Approach,Statistical Analysis

This paper makes a study of the rater reliability in scoring composition in the test of English as a foreign language (EFL) and focuses on the inter-rater reliability as well as several interactions between raters and the other facets involved (that is examinees, rating criteria and rating methods). Results showed that raters were fairly consistent in their overall ratings. This finding has the great implications for controlling and assuring the quality of the rater-mediated assessment system
Community Participation in Quality Assurance (CPQA): A Catalyst in Enhancing Quality Basic Education Service Delivery in Nigeria
Author: Sofoluwe, Abayomi Olumade
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Developing Nations,Community Involvement,Quality Assurance,Educational Quality,General Education,Access to Education,Educational Objectives,Equal Education,Surveys,Administrator Attitudes,Teacher Attitudes,Questionnaires,Hypothesis Testing,Statistical Analysis,Efficiency

Nigeria, like most developing countries is having challenges in reaching the Millennium Development Goals, Education for All and national education goals within the globally agreed timeframe of 2015. While the widespread progress in enrolment figure is laudable due to social demand for it, there are persistent challenges of exclusion, inequalities, low completion rates and low learning outcomes. It is within this context that this paper examines Community Participation in Quality Assurance as a catalyst in enhancing quality and equity towards the attainment of Education for All (EFA) and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Nigeria Education Sector. A descriptive survey study conducted through the use of a developed instrument on expected role of community members in assuring qualitative education service delivery in the basic education sector tagged &quot;Community Participation in Quality assurance Instrument.&quot; Stratified random sampling technique was used to sample the opinion of 150 school managers (both principals and head-teachers) and 150 classroom teachers totalling 300 respondents. The instrument was validated and reliability test was carried out using test- re-test and found reliable at 0.85 reliability coefficient. Findings revealed that there is no significant difference in the perception of all the respondents towards community participation in Quality assurance at the basic education level. The implications of the study as a catalyst in fast tracking access, participation and enhancing quality and equity towards attainment of EFA and MDGs were also stressed,
Submission Letters across English Language Teaching and Mathematics: The Case of Iranian Professionals
Author: Jalilifar, Alireza
Date: 2009-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Letters (Correspondence),English (Second Language),Language Teachers,Mathematics Teachers,Journal Articles,Language Usage,Electronic Mail,Periodicals,Content Analysis,Rhetoric

Submitting an article to an English journal for publication requires enclosing an accompanying cover letter. Yet, the phraseology and rhetorical conventions of such letters are not comprehensively documented in literature. This article investigates two English corpora of genuine electronic submission letters to journal editors by Iranian English Language Teaching and Mathematics professionals. After gathering 200 e-mail correspondences of academics with journal editors worldwide, 60 messages (30 from each) sent with the purposes of &quot;providing or requesting information&quot; were selected and analyzed for specific rhetorical patterns following Santos' (2002) model. Eventually, the results were juxtaposed to a highly characteristic covering letter--provided in Okamura and Shaw (2000). With few exceptions in Math corpus, both corpora illustrate proper choices regarding phraseology. Concerning rhetoric, ELT submission emails are more compatible with those of English native academics, whereas Math messages carry the rhetorical patterns in Non-native academics' messages. With the diversity that may exist in the generic structure and function of submission letters, further research investigating communicative purposes of e-mail genre is needed.
Universal Semantics in Translation
Author: Wang, Zhenying
Date: 2009-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Translation,Semantics,Sociolinguistics,Language Universals,Linguistic Theory

What and how we translate are questions often argued about. No matter what kind of answers one may give, priority in translation should be granted to meaning, especially those meanings that exist in all concerned languages. In this paper the author defines them as universal sememes, and the study of them as universal semantics, of which applications are also briefly looked into.
World Englishes, English as an International Language and Applied Linguistics
Author: Kilickaya, Ferit
Date: 2009-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Language Variation,English (Second Language),Second Language Instruction,Second Language Learning,Official Languages,Native Speakers,Applied Linguistics,Interlanguage,Linguistic Theory,Teacher Education

The paper discusses World Englishes (WEs) in relation to English as an International Language (EIL) and Applied Linguistics. Taking into account Kachru's interesting but at the same time controversial debate about the status of English in its varieties, which are commonly called WEs and the opposing ideas presented by Quirk, it is aimed to present an overview of these discussions, together with some examples. Kachru's three concentric circles, the Interlanguage theory, Standard English and English as a Lingua France (ELF) were paid special attention while touching upon the controversial debates on World Englishes. Moreover, following these discussions on WEs, EIL and Applied Linguistics, some answers were provided regarding the questions on teaching and teacher education, seeing that the uses of English internationally are not just related to the Expanding Circle, but also they include native speakers as well as members of the Outer Circle.
Development and Validation of Scientific Literacy Achievement Test to Assess Senior Secondary School Students' Literacy Acquisition in Physics
Author: Adeleke, A. A.
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Physics,Secondary School Students,Scientific Literacy,Foreign Countries,Science Tests,Achievement Tests,Sampling,Test Validity,Computer Software,Psychometrics,Statistical Analysis,Test Items,Difficulty Level,Multiple Choice Tests,Test Construction,Item Analysis

Physics literacy plays a crucial part in global technological development as several aspects of science and technology apply concepts and principles of physics in their operations. However, the acquisition of scientific literacy in physics in our society today is not encouraging enough to the desirable standard. Therefore, this study focuses on development and validation of scientific literacy achievement test to assess senior secondary school students' literacy acquisition in physics. The study adopted descriptive survey research design in which a total of two hundred and six (206) students from 8 secondary schools in Ibadan North and Oorelope local government areas of Oyo state were assessed. The schools were selected using proportional random sampling techniques. The achievement test titled, Physics-Scientific Literacy Achievement Test (P-SLAT) that had been validated by experts and tested to have Cronbach's alpha and Split-half reliability coefficient of 0.82 and 0.80 respectively. The result of the administered test was collated and coded for analysis, which was carried out with the aid of SPSS 17 package and Microsoft word excel while both descriptive, such as simple percentage and charts were adopted. The result of the research findings shows that. The overall acquisition of scientific literacy in physics among the students is average. The achievement test used has an average reliability coefficient of 0.70 based on Cronbach's alpha, Kuder-Richardson (KR20) and Split-Half method. Based on the three psychometric properties (reliability, item difficulty and discrimination) considered in item analysis of the achievement test developed in the study, eighteen (18) items which is equivalent to 72% of the total items form the validated achievement test.These findings provide vivid evidence for recommendations for various examining bodies by subjecting multiple choice items to psychometric tests to ascertain and improve items' quality in order to obtain a reliable and valid test result. It was also suggested for prospective researchers in the same or related field of study that this research should be carried out in all secondary schools in Oyo state in order to have a more generalised result on the level of secondary school students' acquisition of scientific literacy in physics.
Attitudes of the Student Teachers in English Language Teaching Programs towards Microteaching Technique
Author: Ogeyik, Muhlise Cosgun
Date: 2009-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Student Teacher Attitudes,English (Second Language),Preservice Teacher Education,Undergraduate Students,Microteaching,Likert Scales,Educational Benefits,Positive Attitudes,Professional Development,Self Evaluation (Individuals),Self Esteem,Teaching Experience,Statistical Analysis,Student Surveys

This paper evaluates the attitudes of student teachers towards microteaching experiences. The research was conducted with a total of 57 fourth year students attending the ELT Department at Trakya University, in Turkey. The data were collected via a Likert type scale developed by the researcher. The research results were evaluated regarding the benefits and disadvantages of microteaching. The findings revealed that the ELT students at Trakya University in general held positive attitudes towards microteaching applications with regard to its effectiveness for professional development, self-assessment, self-confidence, material production, and teaching experiences in various courses in which students are of different ages and linguistic levels.
Effects of Reflective Inquiry Instructional Technique on Students' Academic Achievement and Ability Level in Electronic Work Trade in Technical Colleges
Author: Ogbuanya, T. C.
Date: 2015-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Reflection,Inquiry,Active Learning,Teaching Methods,Academic Achievement,Ability,Electrical Occupations,Trade and Industrial Education,Technical Institutes,Pretests Posttests,Quasiexperimental Design,College Students,Correlation,Statistical Analysis,Achievement Tests,Gender Differences,Instructional Effectiveness

This study was designed to determine the effect of reflective inquiry instructional technique on achievement of students in Technical Colleges. The study adopted a pre-test, post-test, non-equivalent control group, quasi-experimental research design which involved groups of students in their intact class assigned to experimental group and control group. The population of the study was 105 Tech II students of and Electronic Works trade in Technical Colleges in Lagos State. Four research questions and five null hypotheses, tested at 0.05 level of significance, guided the study. The instruments used for data collection were Electronic Works Achievement Test (EWAT). To ensure content validity of the EWAT, a table of specification was built for the test. The reflective inquiry lesson plan, EWAT and the training manual were subjected to face validation by three experts. The EWAT was trial-tested to determine its psychometric indices and reliability coefficient. The trial test for determining the coefficient of stability of the EWAT was carried out using test re-test reliability technique. Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficient of the EWAT was found to be 0.83. Mean was used to answer the research questions; while ANCOVA was employed to test the hypotheses. The study found out that reflective inquiry instructional technique is more effective in improving students' achievement in Electronic Works trade than conventional method. There was an effect of gender on students' achievement in Electronic works trade favouring boys. The study found out that there are no interaction effects of reflective inquiry instructional technique and gender on achievement of students in Electronic works trade. This simply means that the effectiveness of reflective inquiry instructional technique on students' achievement in Electronic works trade does not depend on gender. The study found out that there was an interaction effect of students' gender and their ability with respect to their mean scores on Electronic works trade achievement test. This simply means that reflective inquiry instructional technique is more effective in improving students' achievement in Electronic works trade regardless of gender or ability level. Consequently, it was recommended that The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) should carry out a review of Electronic works trade curriculum for Technical Colleges with a view to incorporating the reflective inquiry instructional technique into the teaching of Electronic works trade.
Student Experiences of English Language Training: A Comparison of Teaching in UK and Chinese Contexts
Author: Wang, Fang
Date: 2009-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Comparative Education,Student Experience,English (Second Language),Second Language Instruction,Foreign Students,Admission Criteria,College Admission,Questionnaires,Educational Benefits,Instructional Effectiveness,Preferences,Interviews,Second Language Learning,Language Tests

The UK, with its obvious advantages such as a good range of universities offering many different courses, and the opportunity to increase competence in English usage, has become one of the most popular countries for Chinese students. However, Chinese students who want to come to the universities in the UK to study have to meet the entry requirements of English language. So, both in the UK and China, various English language training centers appeared to provide similar English training courses to help international students to improve their English in order to meet the entry requirements of the universities in a short time. This research is conducted in this area to compare the English training programs between these two countries to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of these two types of programs in order to help the educators in this area to improve the effective teaching of the English training course.
Text Coherence in Translation
Author: Zheng, Yanping
Date: 2009-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Translation,Text Structure,Rhetoric,Chinese,English,Sentence Structure

In the thesis a coherent text is defined as a continuity of senses of the outcome of combining concepts and relations into a network composed of knowledge space centered around main topics. And the author maintains that in order to obtain the coherence of a target language text from a source text during the process of translation, a translator can utilize the following approaches: retention of the continuity of senses of a text; reconstruction of the target text for the purpose of continuity; coherence complement in translation and the extracting and foregrounding of topic sentences in translation.
Reengineering English Language Teaching: Making the Shift towards &quot;Real&quot; English
Author: Cañado, María Luisa Pérez
Date: 2009-09-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Vocabulary Development,Lexicology,Classroom Techniques,English Instruction,Instructional Innovation,Teaching Methods,Vocabulary,Educational Practices,Language Usage,Language Variation,Foreign Countries,College Students,Preservice Teachers,Tutors

This article underscores the importance of keeping up to date with vocabulary which is currently employed in English-speaking countries. It argues that textbooks, dictionaries and even corpora are not the most reliable sources to do this, and puts forward a pedagogical proposal--grounded in the Lexical Approach and three pedagogical innovation projects--to incorporate &quot;real&quot; English into the language classroom. After clarifying what is meant by such &quot;real&quot; English expressions and providing a possible classification for them, it suggests diverse sources of &quot;real&quot; English input--including telecollaboration, sitcoms and TV series, podcasts, Internet texts, and recent bestsellers--and subsequently presents a set of tried-and-true activities to exploit them, activities which allow the incorporation of pedagogically innovative approaches into the ELT classroom. The ultimate aim is to link the classroom with what goes on beyond its confines and to make our students' lexical competence approximate that of native English speakers.