Relevance Strategy in Reading and Reading Instruction
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, March 2021
Pages:
32-44
Received:
9 March 2021
Accepted:
22 March 2021
Published:
1 April 2021
Abstract: On the basis of reviewing the previous reading strategies research, we find that the previous three general models of reading strategies have their own limitations and that, although all the previous models take notice of the role relevance plays in reading, they invariably fail to specify how relevance functions in reading. Relevance is not only a notion of large category which includes relevant information, relevant knowledge of language, culture, background, context, etc. necessary for reading comprehension, but also a mechanism by which these aspects of information and knowledge are accessed and retrieved for reading process and comprehension process. Enlightened by the Relevance Theory, the authors in the present research aims at analyzing strategy for reading and reading instruction and proposing a relevance-based approach to reading and reading instruction. They have given in it a systematic analysis of the cognitive features and cognition laws involved in reading and comprehension and put forward the notion of Relevance Strategy in reading and reading instruction, arguing that reading or reading instruction is a cognitive-inferential process, with Relevance as the kernel, of searching relevant information and knowledge and arriving at maximal relevance (i.e. solution or interpretation of reading material). Either the bottom-up, or top-down, or interactive models of strategies cannot ignore the kernel function of relevance. In the application of sub-strategies, relevance is also playing a major role. The authors, therefore, also argue that the traditional decoding model of Reading Comprehension instruction should be replaced by a pragma-cognitive model. Reading (Comprehension) should not be regarded as merely decoding words, phrases or sentences, but as an integral cognition of the reading material. A teacher should help students form a unitary cognitive environment so as to cognize the reading material as a whole.
Abstract: On the basis of reviewing the previous reading strategies research, we find that the previous three general models of reading strategies have their own limitations and that, although all the previous models take notice of the role relevance plays in reading, they invariably fail to specify how relevance functions in reading. Relevance is not only a...
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Determinant Factors for the Spread of COVID-19 Virus into African Countries: Cross Sectional Data Analysis
Tesfaye Eresso Gofe,
Tarekegn Tariku Ebissa,
Dugasa Rafisa Olan,
Firidisa Biru Goshu,
Alemayehu Mebre Niway,
Mulunesh Teferi Merga,
Hana Desalegn Geleta,
Dinkinesh Bedasa Beyene,
Melkam Adam Abdela,
Meraba Atomsa Ayana,
Damu Fayera Gina,
Kebene Bekele Hordofa,
Alemi Habte Nemera,
Kabtamu Cheru Fentik,
Tariku Tufa Garedew,
Zara Kemal Bashir,
Shibiru Ketema Abasimbo,
Lemi Tiyar Kuma
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, March 2021
Pages:
45-50
Received:
14 January 2021
Accepted:
17 March 2021
Published:
12 April 2021
Abstract: The Novel Coronavirus pandemic is a global challenge that requires coordinated efforts from governments, individuals, businesses, and various stakeholders. The main aim of this study is to investigate factors contributing to the spread of COVID-19 virus into African countries. OLS regression model was adopted to identify the major determinants – were categorized as social, economic and political factors. Confirmed cases as COVID-19 virus infection was the dependent variable. The data was obtained from websites of internationally recognized organizations for the corresponding African countries included in the study. The study was focused on 53 African countries these have full data at the time of its collection. The findings of the study revealed that population size, net migration rate, airways passengers and internet penetration rate have significant and positive contribution to the spread of COVID-19 coronal virus regardless of the country’s population density, population below the poverty line, unemployment rate, literacy rate, press freedom index, global peace index, sub-region and gross domestic product. Thus, Social and economic factors were more significant than political factors for the spread of COVID-19 virus. It is better if policy and controlling mechanisms are designed regarding to the country’s degree of population size, net migration rate, internet penetration rate, and number of airways passengers to slowdown the spread of COVID-19 virus in African countries.
Abstract: The Novel Coronavirus pandemic is a global challenge that requires coordinated efforts from governments, individuals, businesses, and various stakeholders. The main aim of this study is to investigate factors contributing to the spread of COVID-19 virus into African countries. OLS regression model was adopted to identify the major determinants – we...
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Understanding English Mania in China: Reflection and Inspiration
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, March 2021
Pages:
51-56
Received:
12 March 2021
Published:
12 April 2021
Abstract: As the largest course of all the subjects, English education has long undertaken the most severe criticism from the society in China. The argument that English should be expelled from College Entrance Examination has been under heated discussion in recent years whenever the National People’s Congress is in session. There came forth a lot of debates that the importance of English should be devalued; And to a certain extent, suspicion from the public came that whether it is still necessary to improve English proficiency on a national standard. In September 3rd. 2014, the Ministry of Education announced new plan to College Entrance Examination which is labeled by shift the emphasis from English to Chinese in test. The changes of polices concerning its status and functions in many national and provincial tests have triggered more discussion towards English teaching, learning and testing. The public wonder if these reforms will cool down the English mania and change its status and function in the future. This paper makes an exploration on the history of the English mania, probes into the internal and external forces that boosted English mania in history and compares its development with the rest of the world. Through relevant document analysis and careful reflection, the paper tries to provide an overview concerning the status, function and features of English mania in China in history and today. It is believed that neither cooling down nor heating up is advisable for a sustainable development of English language learning.
Abstract: As the largest course of all the subjects, English education has long undertaken the most severe criticism from the society in China. The argument that English should be expelled from College Entrance Examination has been under heated discussion in recent years whenever the National People’s Congress is in session. There came forth a lot of debates...
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