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The Effect of Summarizing Strategy on Reading Comprehension of Iranian Intermediate EFL Learners
Hooshang Khoshsima,
Forouzan Rezaeian Tiyar
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
134-139
Received:
4 March 2014
Accepted:
8 April 2014
Published:
10 April 2014
Abstract: Reading comprehension plays a significant role in educational success. In spite of its importance, students still have difficulties in understanding texts. One solution to the problem of poor reading comprehension is the learning of reading strategies. The current study examined the effect of summarizing strategy on reading comprehension of Iranian intermediate EFL learners. Sixty-one students were selected and randomly divided into two control and experimental groups. The homogeneity of their proficiency level was established using a TOEFL proficiency test. All students in both groups participated in a reading comprehension test as pretest. The experimental group utilized summarizing strategy three times a week typically 45 minutes in duration for ten weeks. After each two week instruction, an immediate posttest was administered. At the end of the treatment, a post-test was administered to both groups. The findings of the study indicated that summarizing strategy has a significant effect on learners’ reading comprehension.
Abstract: Reading comprehension plays a significant role in educational success. In spite of its importance, students still have difficulties in understanding texts. One solution to the problem of poor reading comprehension is the learning of reading strategies. The current study examined the effect of summarizing strategy on reading comprehension of Iranian...
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A Study of Some Linguistic Features of the Transferred Negation of Cognitive Non-Factive Verbs in English
Giang Thi Minh Tran,
Khương Quy Lưu
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
140-144
Received:
7 March 2014
Accepted:
9 April 2014
Published:
20 April 2014
Abstract: Cognitive non- factive verbs are one of lexical verbs used a lot in modality because of their linguistic features. One of their special characteristics is the transfer of negative form or transferred negation from a complement clause to the main clause or matrix clause. In order to see the scope of the raising of negative form of these verbs better, we will examine them in syntactics, semantics and pragmatics, based on 300 utterances collected from different sources such as novels, short stories and the internet. Particularly, I hope the scope of negation and purpose of transferred negation will help Vietnamese learners of English use them effectively in communication. Also, the findings might be useful for teaching English as a foreign language in the Vietnamese setting
Abstract: Cognitive non- factive verbs are one of lexical verbs used a lot in modality because of their linguistic features. One of their special characteristics is the transfer of negative form or transferred negation from a complement clause to the main clause or matrix clause. In order to see the scope of the raising of negative form of these verbs better...
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An Integrative Model of Grammar Teaching: From Academic to Communicative Needs
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
145-153
Received:
15 January 2014
Accepted:
16 April 2014
Published:
20 April 2014
Abstract: Language teaching has often raised the issue of students’ overall academic performance. This paper deals with a foregrounding subject in language teaching namely grammar teaching. With regard to the critical situation of grammar teaching in our English departments in Morocco, this paper is based on the assumption that formal grammar teaching does not provide the expected output that the teaching-learning enterprise requires from both teachers and learners. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to review the grammar teaching methods and find out the practical solutions for the following problems: lack of coordination and consistency of methods, lack of communicative grammar text books, the difficulties in students’ mastery of the English grammar even when students get plenty comprehensible input, and finally the teaching of grammar according to syllabus not students’ needs. The paper concludes with a new model that engages students in a more practical, comprehensible and useful method of grammar teaching: the Exploration, production and Integration Model.
Abstract: Language teaching has often raised the issue of students’ overall academic performance. This paper deals with a foregrounding subject in language teaching namely grammar teaching. With regard to the critical situation of grammar teaching in our English departments in Morocco, this paper is based on the assumption that formal grammar teaching does n...
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A comparative Analysis of Teachers’ Scaffolding Practices
Parviz Birjandi,
Sepideh Jazebi
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
154-164
Received:
13 March 2014
Accepted:
16 April 2014
Published:
20 April 2014
Abstract: Despite a seemingly infinite variety of classifications, there is no generally-accepted instrument for the scrutiny of EFL teachers’ scaffolding practices. This study endeavored to provide a sound model based on which teachers’ SFs (i.e. Scaffolding Functions) and SSs (i.e. Scaffolding Strategies) could be collated. To this end, a mixed approach was employed and earlier models along with teachers’ practices were investigated. The result was a checklist comprising 55 SS items classified into linguistic, cognitive, metacognitive, social, cultural, and affective SFs. To develop a comparative analysis, 90 instruction hours of 30 teachers were recorded and transcribed. Short-Focused Conversations (SFCs) formed the basic unit of analysis according to which teachers’ qualification, high-support and low-support scaffolding, and negotiation type were examined. The findings of the study strongly supported the notion of fading and the timely withdrawing of assistance to enhance learners’ growth of autonomy.
Abstract: Despite a seemingly infinite variety of classifications, there is no generally-accepted instrument for the scrutiny of EFL teachers’ scaffolding practices. This study endeavored to provide a sound model based on which teachers’ SFs (i.e. Scaffolding Functions) and SSs (i.e. Scaffolding Strategies) could be collated. To this end, a mixed approach wa...
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Combinatory Linguistics: An Area of Theoretical and Applied Language Study
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
165-173
Received:
24 March 2014
Accepted:
18 April 2014
Published:
30 April 2014
Abstract: This paper aims to describe Combinatory Linguistics as an area dealing with syntagmatic relations of language units and their combinatory profile. In this respect collocability is a subject of separate study and it should be described in an independent branch of language area. Combinatory Linguistics includes theoretical (Combinatory Lexicology, Combinatory Semasiology) and an applied section (Combinatorial Lexicography). The perspectives, objectives, terminological framework and the fundamental theory prove the importance of combinatory science about language in the structure of theoretical and applied linguistics. Within the discipline the following aspects of studying combinability of language units can be singled out: methodological, metalinguistic, functional, semantic, cognitive, psycholinguistic, normative, etc.
Abstract: This paper aims to describe Combinatory Linguistics as an area dealing with syntagmatic relations of language units and their combinatory profile. In this respect collocability is a subject of separate study and it should be described in an independent branch of language area. Combinatory Linguistics includes theoretical (Combinatory Lexicology, Co...
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Presidents and Ideologies: A Transitivity Analysis of Bingu wa Mutharika’s Inaugural Address
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
174-180
Received:
17 March 2014
Accepted:
24 April 2014
Published:
30 April 2014
Abstract: The study is set to analyse how the third Malawian president Bingu wa Mutharika manipulated language in his second inaugural address to enhance his political ideologies by using Halliday’s transitivity system as a theoretical framework. Among the six processes outlined in the framework, the study discovers that material processes highly dominate the speech, distantly followed by relational, while verbal processes come third. Material clauses suggest that Bingu construes the world in terms of his past and future happenings by commemorating his first term achievements and setting his administrative and political principles of his next tenure. His choice of actors suggests that Bingu attributes the achievements to himself which is a characteristic of undemocratic leadership style. He also uses a majority of relational identifications to point out to himself and his administration as the main development players. Verbal processes have been used as markers of transition and topic shift; still, he refers to himself as the main sayer. The speech foregrounds Bingu as a leader with autocratic and dictatorship leadership ideologies. The study concludes that such leadership characteristics could be possible reasons that led to his political downfall as his record on good governance, human rights, and political tolerance significantly got worsened in his second term.
Abstract: The study is set to analyse how the third Malawian president Bingu wa Mutharika manipulated language in his second inaugural address to enhance his political ideologies by using Halliday’s transitivity system as a theoretical framework. Among the six processes outlined in the framework, the study discovers that material processes highly dominate th...
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Documenting the Significance of the Ibibio Traditional Marriage Gift Items: A Communicative Approach
Bassey Andian Okon,
Edemekong Lawson Ekpe,
Stella Asibong Ansa
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
181-189
Received:
24 March 2014
Accepted:
25 April 2014
Published:
30 April 2014
Abstract: Marriage is one of the culture universals being that it is contracted in every society of the world, but its mode of contract varies from one society to the other. This paper unravels the significance and reasons for the traditional marriage gifts in Ibibio traditional marriage. Gifts in general, have meanings attached when given or received but most importantly, they communicate the culture of the people and other forms of emotions. Through this work, the different items given and the significance of the gifts in Ibibio traditional marriage/ culture are shown. The theoretical framework is the semiotic approach which has to do with the science of sign system or signification which is amenable to this paper. This work was a purely qualitative research, where participant observation and unstructured interviews were employed. The scope of the study is the Ibibio ethnic group of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria.
Abstract: Marriage is one of the culture universals being that it is contracted in every society of the world, but its mode of contract varies from one society to the other. This paper unravels the significance and reasons for the traditional marriage gifts in Ibibio traditional marriage. Gifts in general, have meanings attached when given or received but mo...
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China English: To be or not to be? - A Survey on the Sociolinguistic Background of Its Recognition and Development
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
190-196
Received:
28 March 2014
Accepted:
20 April 2014
Published:
30 April 2014
Abstract: Spreading at the present rate, English will further increase its importance as the global lingua franca in this century, not only in countries of the inner and outer circles, but also in the expanding circle. Meanwhile, with the appearance of the ‘craze for learning English’ these past years in China, one of the EFL countries, more attention is focused on the research about this language phenomenon, and ‘China English’ thus has been proposed by Chinese linguists to represent the result of the localization and nativization of English in Chinese background. However, little notice about ‘China English’has been taken by linguists and researchers in other countries. Also fewer empirical or survey studies can be found in this field since such research is only at the starting point in China. Therefore, this paper investigates the sociolinguistic background of the recognition and development of China English. 365 subjects of various levels are involved in the questionnaire survey. Their answers are about the ultimate aims of learning English and the social functions of English in their life. The results are in favor of a more objective and convincing conclusion, that is, China English is inevitably going to be an important variety of English and will exert the personal function of English for efficiency and effectiveness in both intercultural and intracultural communications. It is hoped that the discussion would help both recognition and acceptance of the new variety of English in the world. Suggestions on the relationship between China English and EFL teaching are also provided as references.
Abstract: Spreading at the present rate, English will further increase its importance as the global lingua franca in this century, not only in countries of the inner and outer circles, but also in the expanding circle. Meanwhile, with the appearance of the ‘craze for learning English’ these past years in China, one of the EFL countries, more attention is foc...
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The Role of Language Learning Strategies (LLS) and the Effect of Different Individuals in Learning Target or Second Language
Areen Ahmed Muhammed Abdulla
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
197-202
Received:
24 April 2014
Accepted:
9 May 2014
Published:
20 May 2014
Abstract: Recently, the result of previous studies on the issue of acquiring target language, using different strategies, based on the different individuals inspired many scholars and linguists; and has mushroomed over the last decade since some very valuable studies have been conducted. Additionally, achieving foreign or second language, unlike mother tongue, is very difficult and needs different techniques to be taken in to consideration for a better result. In this regard, the present article aspires at accenting the importance of language learning strategies and highlights the consequence of different learners in achieving target language. It summarizes the concept by giving a brief definition from different point of views; in which first it was believed that it belonged to behaviourist theories, but later it was combined to psychology of different individuals. Later, in another section, various types of strategies were outlined that was proposed by several researchers. Moreover, whether to teach less successful learners successful LLS or teach various types of strategies to every kind of learners were also discussed by different writers` point of views on choosing an appropriate strategy for a particular student. Finally, each of motivation, self-efficiency, proficiency level, meta-cognitive awareness, gender differences, learning style, types of strategy training and anxiety have been discussed on teaching LLS. Furthermore, some types of activities were given to make easier for individuals to practice their target/second language and acquire the assigned language easily.
Abstract: Recently, the result of previous studies on the issue of acquiring target language, using different strategies, based on the different individuals inspired many scholars and linguists; and has mushroomed over the last decade since some very valuable studies have been conducted. Additionally, achieving foreign or second language, unlike mother tongu...
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A New Parallel Number System for Hindi Language
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
203-222
Received:
10 March 2014
Accepted:
18 April 2014
Published:
30 May 2014
Abstract: Hindi language is comparatively simple for listening, speaking and writing. In India a number of persons use the National language very easily including those from southern state of India also. The beginners and some foreigners have some difficulties about the numbering system in our language. However, that system is very easy for the experienced persons in Hindi or those were born and brought up in Hindi using state. Here discussing a chance to include one parallel numbering system for Hindi language, it will help to improve the interest of beginners for studying the language more systematic way.
Abstract: Hindi language is comparatively simple for listening, speaking and writing. In India a number of persons use the National language very easily including those from southern state of India also. The beginners and some foreigners have some difficulties about the numbering system in our language. However, that system is very easy for the experienced p...
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How Do the Vietnamese Lose Face? Understanding the Concept of Face through Self-Reported, Face Loss Incidents
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
223-231
Received:
28 April 2014
Accepted:
17 May 2014
Published:
30 May 2014
Abstract: In Western universal theory, face has been considered as an individual possession, a fundamental motivation for politeness and driven by the concern for autonomy as well as the desire to be free from imposition. However, research on face and politeness in a number of East Asian countries has provided evidence that such a way of conceptualizing face may not be valid to these cultures and languages. Given the scarcity of research on the concept of face in Vietnamese, this paper explores face in Vietnamese by means of self-reported incidents where a sense of face loss (mất mặt or mất thể diện) was felt. Scenarios reconstructed from collected authentic incidents were used to examine whether different participants responded in the same way to situations perceived as potentially causing loss of face. The findings have confirmed that face in Vietnamese is both an individual and collective possession and a subjective value, conditionally dependent on social evaluation.
Abstract: In Western universal theory, face has been considered as an individual possession, a fundamental motivation for politeness and driven by the concern for autonomy as well as the desire to be free from imposition. However, research on face and politeness in a number of East Asian countries has provided evidence that such a way of conceptualizing face...
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Phonological Deformation of the “Asho” (“Azmari”) Argot in Tigray
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
232-240
Received:
20 March 2014
Accepted:
14 April 2014
Published:
20 June 2014
Abstract: This research focused on the phonological deformation of “Asho” argot in Tigray. The objective of the research is to describe the phonological deformation of Asho argot from standard languages. To achieve this objective, the researcher used purposive method sampling to select the informants. And, elicitation, interview and participant observation method were used to collect the data. The data have been recorded by using an audio-taperecorder. Qualitative method is employed to analyze the collected data. The findings of this research are: “Asho” argot is derived from Tigrigna and Amharic words through form change (phonological deformation), such as addition, metathesis, reduplication, substitution, deletion, vowel deformation and degemination as well as free variation and depalatalization of sounds. The “Asho” argot uses the phonological structure of the Tigrigna syllables, consonant + vowel and consonant + vowel + consonant.
Abstract: This research focused on the phonological deformation of “Asho” argot in Tigray. The objective of the research is to describe the phonological deformation of Asho argot from standard languages. To achieve this objective, the researcher used purposive method sampling to select the informants. And, elicitation, interview and participant observation m...
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Learning Styles and Their Relation to Teaching Styles
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 3, May 2014
Pages:
241-245
Received:
18 May 2014
Accepted:
7 June 2014
Published:
20 June 2014
Abstract: It is widely believed that understanding students’ learning style and preferences can benefit both students and teachers. As students learn in various ways, it appears impossible to change the learning style of each student in the classroom. Instead, teachers might modify their teaching style so as to be more consistent with their students learning style. The purpose of this paper is three-fold.: first, to define and classify the concept of learning styles; second, to give an account of the significance of identifying and understanding learners’ learning styles; third, to argue that students will have better achievements, if their teachers’ styles or the way they receive instruction matches their learning style. Moreover, it is suggested that teachers should take a balanced approach to teaching styles so that they can cope with various learning styles. The study takes a theoretical approach to review relevant literature on the topic and present various view points on matching and/or mismatching leaning styles with teaching styles.
Abstract: It is widely believed that understanding students’ learning style and preferences can benefit both students and teachers. As students learn in various ways, it appears impossible to change the learning style of each student in the classroom. Instead, teachers might modify their teaching style so as to be more consistent with their students learning...
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