ethanporcaro/eric-fulltext-meta huggingface dataset:
Impact of Serials Management, Access and Use on Publication Output of Lecturers in Nigerian Universities
Author: Akinbode, Rahmon O. Onaolapo
Date: 2017-00-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Academic Libraries,Publications,Access to Information,Library Services,Information Utilization,College Faculty,Questionnaires,Universities,Use Studies,Correlation,Statistical Analysis

This study investigates serials management in university libraries, determines the extent to which serials are accessed and used and appraises the influence of availability, accessibility and use of serials on publications output of lecturers in federal universities in Nigeria. Questionnaire administration method was adopted to accumulate data for the study. Combinations of both open-ended and closed-form types of questions were used. The study reveals that the universities studied have different types of serials in stock. Print and electronic serials were the major forms of serials used by lecturers in Nigerian universities with print serials being the more utilised. University libraries and Internet were the major sources of serials used by the lecturers. The result also reports that lecturers in Nigerian universities had publications in six categories of publications. The influence of serials management on access and use as revealed by the results, management on access (r = 0.112; P&lt;0.01) was significant while management on use (r = -0.031; P&gt;0.01) was not significant. All the independent variables (management, access and use) when combined had significant influence on the dependent variable (publications output) (F[subscript (3; 860)] = 12.48, R = 204, R[superscript 2] = 0.04; P&lt;0.01). The study therefore recommends that government should provide adequate fund for provision of relevant, current and adequate serials for research activities to improve publications output of lecturers in Nigerian universities and that universities should maintain the policy associated with &quot;publish or perish&quot; to boost research, information generation, utilisation and dissemination.
A Study of an English for Academic Purposes Course
Author: Zohrabi, Mohammad
Date: 2012-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: English for Academic Purposes,Undergraduate Students,Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Foreign Countries,Credibility,Course Objectives,College Students,College Faculty,Program Evaluation,Mixed Methods Research,Grammar,Vocabulary Development,Student Evaluation,Questionnaires,Study Habits,Student Attitudes,Teacher Attitudes

English for General Purposes (EGP) is a foundation course which should be taken by all the undergraduate students at the University of Tabriz, Iran. However, the EGP course cannot meet the students' objectives and needs. Evidently, it has some shortcoming and the results of the study indicate that it not only has lost its credibility but also has failed to achieve its goals. This study strives to investigate the different dimensions of this course in order to come up with some solutions to its betterment. The participants consist of current and ex-students, language and subject instructors. The result of the study indicates that there are many factors which are involved in decreasing the quality of the EGP course. The goals of the EGP course need to be determined and redefined. It is hoped that this research could shed some fresh light on the betterment and modification of this course.
Language Needs of ICT Students in Malaysian Polytechnics
Author: Ahmad Zainuddin, Shahiza
Date: 2012-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Foreign Countries,Information Technology,Student Needs,Mixed Methods Research,Language of Instruction,Malayo Polynesian Languages,English (Second Language),Postsecondary Education,College Students,Employment Qualifications,Information Literacy,Technological Literacy,Questionnaires,Semi Structured Interviews,Observation,Case Studies

This study investigates and come out with suggestions to engage the needs of the students, lecturers and industrial trainers. The findings promote better understanding of all the stakeholders thus are used to come out with suggestions to enhance the ESP programme practiced at polytechnics. The main research questions are: What are the language needs of ICT students and How to meet the needs of all the stakeholders. A case study is conducted and aimed to identify the language needs of students who are in the Information Technology Diploma programme. A mixed method research is opted to analyze the data. Mixed method research describes and explains the second language needs of the respondents. Qualitative and quantitative data is collected in phases and involved three types of respondents: diploma in ICT students, language and content lecturers and industrial trainers. The findings of this study may add knowledge in developing human capital in Malaysia especially in relation to English competency in ICT discipline.
The Role of Social Factors in Iranian University Students' Predispositions towards Autonomous Language Learning
Author: Naeeini, Sara Kashefian
Date: 2012-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Social Influences,Second Language Learning,Student Attitudes,Statistical Analysis,Age Differences,Gender Differences,Foreign Countries,Independent Study,Personal Autonomy,Undergraduate Students,Graduate Students,Majors (Students),English Literature,Likert Scales,Questionnaires,English (Second Language),Second Language Instruction,Marital Status,Self Evaluation (Individuals),Academic Achievement,Self Esteem

In order to meet the demands of the changing world, students should become endowed with the ability to learn perpetually and regard learning as a life-long enterprise. This study investigated those learners belief which showed learners' predispositions toward autonomy and some social factors such as gender, academic achievement, marital status and age were taken into consideration. All BA and MA students majoring in English Literature at the department of Foreign Languages of Shiraz University of Iran were involved. The data were collected through a questionnaire the items of which were obtained from two questionnaires by Cotterall (1995) and Cotterall (1999) which were incorporated into a five-point Likert-type rating scale. Factor analysis of responses of students revealed the existence of five underlying factors for learner autonomy which were learner independence, dependence on the teacher, learner confidence, attitudes towards language learning and self-assessment. Based on t-test for independent samples and Analysis of Variance it came to light that age and gender did not have impact on students' readiness for autonomy while martial statues influenced students' self-assessment. Moreover, good academic achievement positively influenced their predispositions towards autonomous language learning.
Comparing Local and International Chinese Students' English Language Learning Strategies
Author: Anthony, Margreat Aloysious
Date: 2012-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Learning Strategies,Foreign Students,Learning Experience,Foreign Countries,Student Attitudes,Cultural Background,English (Second Language),Private Colleges,Measures (Individuals),Second Language Learning,Statistical Analysis,Study Habits,Native Language,Questionnaires,Qualitative Research,Likert Scales,Comparative Analysis,Chinese,Language Usage,College Students,Family Environment

According to Horwitz (1987) learners' belief about language learning are influenced by previous language learning experiences as well as cultural background. This study examined the English Language Learning Strategies between local and international Chinese students who share the same cultural background but have been exposed to different learning experiences. Given the significant number of local and international Chinese students enrolled in educational institutions, there is a need to understand the differences and similarities in the learning strategies of these two groups. The sample for the study comprised of 60 local and 50 international Chinese students currently enrolled at a local private college. The Oxford Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) was administered as a measure of learning strategy preferences. The study reveals that language learning experiences as well as socioeconomic status impact the learning strategy adopted by both local and international Chinese students. The findings of this study point to the need to address the needs of these students in order to enhance their English language learning experience in Malaysia.
Mother Tongue in the EFL Classroom
Author: Ghorbani, Amirabbas
Date: 2012-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Native Language,Language Role,Language Usage,Teaching Methods,Educational Research,Bilingualism,Language Variation,Code Switching (Language),Civil Rights,Task Analysis,Communicative Competence (Languages)

The use of students' mother tongue (MT/L1) in the second/foreign language classroom has been debated in language teaching theory and practice for many decades. Most language teaching methods advocate the use of the target language (TL) in the classroom. However, recent research has elevated the role of L1 in the classroom. This paper illustrates traces of the mother tongue in past and present debates to provide an overall picture of the changes and help researchers identify the gaps in this area.
Efficacy of Polytechnic Students' Interpersonal Communication Skills
Author: Zainuddin, Zaharatul Akmar Ahmad
Date: 2012-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Interpersonal Competence,Questionnaires,Foreign Countries,Competition,Employment,Technical Education,Higher Education,Self Evaluation (Individuals),Communication Skills,Employment Interviews,Work Environment,Language Proficiency,English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Student Attitudes,College Students

Every year polytechnics in Malaysia produce thousands of graduates in vocational areas, however, these graduates have to strive in a competitive job market against graduates from other tertiary institutions. This study aims to investigate polytechnic students efficacy on their communication skills. These skills are crucial in determining their chances for employment and would also enable them to perform effectively at workplace. Final semester students from Politeknik Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah (n = 120) were asked to assess their own communication skills ability using the Communication Skills self-assessment questionnaire. Findings indicate that polytechnic students are quite confident in their ability to communicate effectively at workplace and job interviews. However, interviews with potential employers indicate differently. Implications of the study include a call for the evaluation of the English proficiency courses currently being implemented in Malaysian polytechnics.
A Task-Based Approach to Materials Development
Author: Nunan, David
Date: 2010-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Task Analysis,Material Development,Course Descriptions,Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Teaching Methods,Grammar,Instructional Materials,Learning Processes,English (Second Language)

The purpose of this chapter is to present a task-based approach to materials development. In the first part of the chapter, I sketch out the evolution of task based language teaching, drawing on a distinction between synthetic and analytical approaches to syllabus design first articulated by Wilkins (1976).
Teacher's Professional Development from Vygotskian Optique
Author: Shabani, Karim
Date: 2012-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Faculty Development,Qualitative Research,Sociocultural Patterns,English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Language Teachers,Teacher Education,Learning Theories,Heuristics,Cognitive Psychology

Vygotsky's concept of ZPD (Zone of Proximal Development) has been recently applied to the context of language teacher education by a number of researchers (e.g. Ohta, 2005; Singh &amp; Richards, 2006; Nassaji &amp; Cumming, 2000). Besides Vygotsky's notion of ZPD, this paper relies on two associated theories from outside the TESOL discipline namely; Valsiner's (1997) Zone theory and Blanton, Westbrook and Carter's (2008) illusionary zone (IZ)to provide a broad picture of the most influential variables facilitating or constraining teacher's professional development or, as specifically defined here, his ZPD progression. Several excerpts in the form of teacher comments taken from different qualitative studies in the related literature are given to lay evidence for the effect, if any, of the raised variables. Finally, the paper concludes with some practical tips for the pre/in-service language teachers as to how to keep their evolving ZPD dynamic in their long-life language teaching profession.
Civil Liberty
Author: Brown, Angela Khristin
Date: 2012-01-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Preferences,Personality Traits,Racial Bias,Racial Attitudes,Sexual Orientation,Social Cognition,Civil Rights

There are inherent differences which can easily divide the foundation of a free society. When we exonerate our concerns about things we do not understand, we develop perceived values which discriminates between race and sexual preference.
Linking Task-Based Language Teaching and Sociocultural Theory: Private Speech and Scaffolding in Reading Comprehension
Author: Tahmasebi, Soheila
Date: 2011-01-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Task Analysis,Inner Speech (Subvocal),Reading Comprehension,Video Technology,Discourse Analysis,English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,College Freshmen,Language Tests,Student Placement,Sociocultural Patterns,Teaching Methods,Scaffolding (Teaching Technique),Pretests Posttests,Control Groups,Experimental Groups,Language Fluency,Accuracy,Oral Reading,Cooperative Learning,Statistical Analysis,Foreign Countries

In Sociocultural Theory, mediations in second language learning include (1) mediation by others (2) mediation by self (3) and mediation by artifacts, which incorporates brilliant insights for EFL contexts (Lantolf, 2000). Putting these ideas in a task-based method, the present study aimed at examining the contribution of scaffolding and private speech in improving EFL learners' skills and seeking how learners performance might link to social or interpersonal activities they engage in. Screened through an Oxford Placement Test, 54 EFL freshmen taking a reading comprehension course participated in this study and formed two randomly divided groups and pretested using a 30-item TOEFL test of reading comprehension. The control group benefited from a teacher, who paraphrased, summarized and provided the meaning of the new words and expressions. The experimental group was asked to do the same tasks through collaboration, private speech and artifacts. Students' performances were video-taped to be used for discourse analyses and provide measures of fluency, accuracy and complexity (Iwashita, Elder, &amp; McNamara, 2001). Two types of measurements were used: 1) a final test of reading comprehension, 2) an oral presentation of a text whose readability matched that of the texts used during the experiment. The students' performances on presenting the text orally were rated based on the idea units recalled (Johnson, 1970). The data analysis revealed no difference between the two groups in the final test, but in oral presentation, the experimental group outperformed the control group.
Self-Assessment and Peer-Assessment in an EFL Context
Author: Yamini, Morteza
Date: 2012-01-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Self Evaluation (Individuals),Peer Evaluation,Reading Comprehension,Majors (Students),Translation,Control Groups,Oral Language,Evaluators,English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Language Teachers,Scores,Task Analysis,Student Evaluation,Evaluation Methods,Correlation,Comparative Analysis,Foreign Countries,College Students,Statistical Analysis

Salient in an EFL teaching context is students' dissatisfaction with their final scores especially in oral courses. This study tried to bridge the gap between students' and teachers' rating system through alternatives to existing measurement methods. Task-based language assessment has stimulated language teachers to question the way through which students' language knowledge is assessed. Three groups of university students majoring in translation participated in this study. Two groups received rater instruction, but the control group did not. The assessed tasks were students' oral productions in Reading Comprehension I. Each oral production was assessed three times: by the speakers, by the peers, and by the teacher. The correlation of self-peer assessments and teacher assessments were estimated. Their performance on oral production of Reading Comprehension II was also analyzed and discussed and eventually compared with that of the control group to check the effects of rater instruction on learning.
Innovations in Equipping EYL Teachers for Future Challenges: UUM TEYL Perspective
Author: Karim, Hamida Bee Bi Abdul
Date: 2012-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: English (Second Language),College Second Language Programs,Student Teacher Attitudes,Student Satisfaction,Teaching Methods,Instructional Material Evaluation,Program Effectiveness,Change Strategies,Program Improvement,Questionnaires,Student Surveys,Foreign Countries,Likert Scales

This paper seeks to highlight perceptions of students undergoing the Teaching of English to Young Learners (TEYL) programme jointly run by UUM and KPM since 2004. It focuses on their level of satisfaction from both academic amid non-academic aspects, particularly on the effectiveness of teaching methods employed by both local and international lecturers; use of up-to-date and &quot;world class&quot; teaching materials and aids; and provision of first-hand experience of language teaching/learning situations both in local and overseas contexts. Students were also requested to highlight problems and constraints they encountered throughout the 4-year programme. Results generally indicated a high level of students' satisfaction. An interesting finding was the emphasis they placed on the need for and relevance of first-hand learning experience in real life classroom scenario.
Using Stories (And Books) as Scaffolding for Our Young
Author: Hughes, Annie
Date: 2010-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Scaffolding (Teaching Technique),Cognitive Development,Teaching Methods,Story Reading,Childrens Literature,Phrase Structure,Listening Skills,Vocabulary Development,Young Children

This paper sets out to show: (1) Teachers of English to young learners need to support their learners' general cognitive development and learning along with language learning; (2) The use of stories has a very important role in teaching English to young learners (TEYL); (3) The use of stories and books can provide scaffolding for our young language learners in order to allow for acquisition of the target language in a meaningful and cognitively supportive way; (4) The use of stories and books can be used to encourage our young learners to create more stories and books in the target language; and (5) Young language learners can develop a focused and detailed understanding of language through interaction with stories and books.
Tell Me More: Issues and Challenges
Author: Hashim, Harwati
Date: 2012-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Courseware,Technology Integration,Technology Uses in Education,Semi Structured Interviews,Language Teachers,College Faculty,English (Second Language),College Second Language Programs,Barriers,Performance Factors,Teacher Attitudes,Foreign Countries,Qualitative Research

Integration of technology into language education has become an everyday occurrence. Educational multimedia courseware as resource materials to enhance the teaching and learning of English language was produced extensively. Regardless of the cost, computers and courseware are becoming important tools for learning in institutions. Therefore, a considerable pressure is being put on the ESL teachers to make use of the courseware marvels in their lesson since the cost of the courseware is rather expensive. This paper aims to investigate the issues and challenges faced by the ESL lecturers on the use of a courseware named TELL ME MORE in a polytechnic in Melaka. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews with four ESL lecturers at the polytechnic. Findings show that the courseware is a useful tool for language learning. However, there are certain challenges that the ESL lecturers had to face such as time and lack of facilities.
New Literacy's Cut and Paste and How Educators Can Assist Creativity
Author: Hall, Stephen J.
Date: 2010-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Literacy Education,Creativity,English (Second Language),Second Language Learning,Second Language Instruction,Information Technology,Material Development,Technological Literacy,Visual Literacy,Critical Literacy,Teaching Methods

There is little point in teachers and writers arguing for the good old days of copper plate writing and the perceived decay of the English language through on-line modes. We have little choice but to embrace change, Facebook reality and consider the role of new media, so as to avoid being caught in a widening digital awareness gap. Language materials development then needs to align with digital literacy and related skills which are arguably developing more rapidly than the rate of print information. This paper emphasizes the varied literacies which can inform educational choices. Understanding the changed roles of formal and informal language in digital literacy and varied text types can inform learners' choices, classroom practice and materials development.
Assessing the Global Community
Author: Brown, Angela Khristin
Date: 2012-07-00
Type: Journal Articles
Subjects: Global Approach,Definitions,Relevance (Education),Value Judgment,Best Practices,Global Education,Role of Education

The purpose of this essay is to define the global economy, determine its value on the world, and to construct a viable plan that works.