Towards Lessening Learners’Aversive Emotions and Promoting Their Mental Health:Developing and Validating a Measurement of English Speaking Demotivation in the Chinese EFL Context

While a plethora of studies has been conducted to explore demotivation and its impact on mental health in second language(L2)education,scanty research focuses on demotivation in L2 speaking learning.Particularly,little research explores the measures to quantify L2 speaking demotivation.The present two-phase study attempts to develop and validate an English Speaking Demotivation Scale(ESDS).To this end,an independent sample of 207 Chinese tertiary learners of English as a Foreign Language(EFL)participated in the development phase,and another group of 188 Chinese EFL learners was recruited for the validation of the scale.Exploratory Factor Analysis(EFA)and Confirmatory Factor Analysis(CFA)were employed to determine the factor structure of the scale.The EFA results revealed a six-factor solution with Teacher-related Factors in Learning Spoken English(TFLSE),Interest and Valence in Learning Spoken English(IVLSE),Self-efficacy in Learning Spoken English(SELSE),Negative Peer Influence in Learning Spoken English(NPILSE),Undesirable Environment for Learning Spoken English(UELSE),and Negative Influence of Assessment and Learning Materials in speaking class(NIALM).In the validation phase,Confirmatory Factor Analysis(CFA)was performed to validate the internal structure of the scale.The CFA results showed that the model fits the data well.Overall,the ESDS is a robust and trustworthy psychometric tool that could be utilized to examine L2 speaking demotivation.Implications for diminishing EFL learners’demotivation,lessening their aversive emotions and promoting their mental health are also discussed.

Entangled relationship:Chinese parents’involvement in young learners’English tests

Young learners’English(YLE)tests have become increasingly prevalent among and important to Chinese English learners and their parents.In China,parents are actively involved in their children’s education and test-taking decisions,and their participation has given rise to a series of social impacts.Although parent involvement has received increasing public and academic attention in newspaper and scholarly articles,there exists no thorough analysis of current research on parents’roles in young learners’test-taking.To address this gap,we systemically analyzed Chinese newspaper articles and academic articles between 2011 and 2021 to elicit Chinese parents’roles in YLE test-taking.Our thematic analysis of the literature identifies the ways in which parents influence their children’s test-taking experiences,and how the tests affect this influence.Specifically,our results elicit 1)parents’engagement in YLE testing;2)parents’understanding of the intended uses of YLE tests;3)parents’perception and consequences of their involvement in YLE testing;and 4)parents’backgrounds.This analysis reveals the popularity of YLE tests among young learners and their parents in China and public concern over test-related issues.It also broadens our understanding of YLE testing impact and suggests future potential research directions.

A Study on the Influence of English Proficiency on English Learners’ Understanding of DO/SC Garden Path Sentence

Garden path sentence is a local ambiguity in language that reveals the characteristics of human language processing,so it have obtained the focus of linguistic research.This study use introspective multiple choice test and question-response test to explore whether there is a correlation between the ability to interpret DO/SC garden path sentence,the phenomenon of misinterpretation residue and Chinese learners’English proficiency.The result shows both groups exist garden path phenomenon,but influenced by their English level,there are significant differences in understanding target sentences and in the phenomenon of misinterpretation residue between the high and middle English level group.Therefore,efforts should be made to improve learners’English proficiency to avoid the garden path phenomenon in the future.

A Study on the Different Levels of“Attention”in the Processing of English Subjunctive Mood by Chinese Learners

“Attention”is a very vital cognitive mechanism.Cognitive psychology considers“attention”as the focus of mental activity and consciousness on an object.People engage their senses and memory to actively process the object in front of them.Theories of second language acquisition suggest that a large amount of input is the basis for language acquisition.At the same time,what is actively noticed by the learner can be effectively internalized.Thus,“attention”is also a non-linguistic factor that plays a significant role in language acquisition.The subjunctive mood is a major challenge in the teaching of English grammar.Generally speaking,the verbs in a sentence are used to distinguish between subjunctive and declarative sentences.In this paper,experimental utterances were written based on previous research by using verbs that are easy to cause ambiguity and confusion,and then set up the reinforced and non-reinforced attention conditions with different levels of“attention”to investigate whether there are different results and effects on subjects’comprehension of sentences under different levels of“attention”conditions.Under the different levels of“attention”,the subjects were examined to see whether there were different results in comprehension of the sentences and the impact of the different levels of“attention”.It was found that subjects in the reinforced“attention”condition comprehended sentences better,answered questions faster,and answered questions more correctly than subjects in the non-reinforced condition.This study also shed some light on English second language grammar teaching.

Effectiveness of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning in Enhancing the English Proficiency

In response to the significant impact of the widespread use of digital devices and mobile technologies on language teaching and learning in this time of Internet information technology,this study aims to investigate the effectiveness of Mobile-Assisted Language Learning(MALL)in enhancing the English proficiency of students,while exploring the potential advantages of mobile devices for assisted learning in the English learning environment in China and the potential for mobile applications to assist English learning to foster learner autonomy.Anchored with the design thinking approach,the researchers used the empirical analysis methodology in developing an efficient mobile-assisted language learning model.Usability testing was conducted using a case study of two mobile applications,WeLearn and Flipped English,in Heilongjiang University of Finance and Economics to measure the extent of usability and acceptability of MALL on English language acquisition among college students identified through surveys,interviews,and quantitative assessments.Mobile technology is a perfect tool for every student that enhances their experience and increases their joy while improving their English language skills.It adds new value and brings new opportunities for both English learners and the language education industry.Indeed,MALL is English learners’new ally.

On the Teaching Design of Graduates’EAP Course:Enhancing Language Proficiency and Critical Thinking Skills

This paper explores the integration of the bridge-in,objectives,pre-assessment,participatory activities,post-assessment and summary(BOPPPS)teaching model within the context of the post-graduates Academic English course.It discusses how this structured approach can effectively enhance students’language proficiency,foster critical thinking skills,and align with the multifaceted objectives of advanced English language education.The study provides a detailed examination of each BOPPPS component as applied to the post-graduates Academic English curriculum,supported by theoretical underpinnings and practical implications.

The Dynamic Interplay Between Language Motivation and English Speaking Fluency:Implications for Effective Teaching Strategies

In this study,we aim to investigate the reciprocal influence between language motivation and English speaking fluency among language learners,and to draw implications for effective teaching methodologies.By analyzing multiple cases of language learners in conjunction with relevant theories and practical insights,the study uncovers a dynamic correlation between language motivation and speaking fluency.The research findings indicate that heightened language motivation can positively impact learners’speaking fluency,while improved oral skills,in turn,bolster learners’language confidence and motivation.Building on these insights,the study proposes impactful teaching approaches,such as cultivating learners’enthusiasm for language acquisition,providing diverse opportunities for oral practice,and fostering active engagement in language communication.These strategies are designed to enhance language motivation and speaking fluency among learners,offering valuable guidance and reference for educators.

English Language Attrition Among EFL Learners in Terms of Writing Skills

This study aims to identify if participants experience attrition in writing skills after two years' nonuse of English.70 participants took the tests of writing.A questionnaire was administered to the 70 participants and it included numerous variables that relate to language attrition such as motivation and social activities.The data collected from the tests and questionnaire were analyzed via SPSS.Cronbach's alpha and Many Facets Rasch Model were used to validate the construct and external reliability.The findings showed that participants experienced an overall statistically significant level of attrition in writing skills.Additionally,the specific skills of pertinence,coherence,clarity but excluding grammar,were seen to experience significant attrition over the two years' period.Participants showed a lower level of positive motivation and less social activities for learning English language during the two years' nonuse than before the two years' nonuse of English and this could have contributed to the writing attrition.

China's English Learners' Verbal Phrase Acquisition Research Based on the Corpus——“at last”and“in the end”as an Example

This study is a comparative research based on corpus. This article compares China's English learners with English na?tive speakers about the use of "at last" and "in the end" from three aspects: frequency of use, location, semantic prosody. The study shows that the use of the two words are greatly different between China's English learners and English native speakers. In addition, this study discusses about causes of obvious differences and teaching enlightenments.

How to Create a Low-anxiety Environment for Chinese Learners of EFL to Enhance Oral Proficiency in Speaking Lessons

The goal of teaching English speaking is to improve students' communicative efficiency, or make students speak the target language clearly, coherently, accurately and fluently (Xu, 2005). However, in China, a number of students in an English speaking class tend to be passive and reluctant to speak out or be singled out publicly mainly due to their high anxiety, which, of course, becomes a significant constraint on improving their English proficiency. Therefore, how to create a relaxed atmosphere with a sense of security in the English speaking class to alleviate Chinese learners' anxiety and to provide them with as many opportunities as possible to practice speaking English and improve their English proficiency is one of the central tasks for language teachers.his paper will firstly outline my teaching context in China in physical, pedagogical, institutional and personal aspects. This will be followed by the definition and classification of language learning anxiety, and the analysis of various factors contributing to foreign language learners' anxiety as well as some suggestions of how to reduce the learners' anxiety in the oral class according to the current literature. Finally, some applications will be presented in my teaching context in the hope of decreasing Chinese students' anxiety to enhance their English speaking proficiency.

On Promoting the Slow Learners' Learning in English Class

Nowadays, the actualities of slow learners in English class are not satisfying in China. Confronted with such kind of situation, as language teachers, how to promote the slow students' learning, is one of the biggest problems in our teaching. The paper focuses on the features of slow learners, e.g., little or improper motivation, debilitative anxiety, introversion, inhibition, etc. and the roles the slow learners play in English class, and some of the writer's personal suggestions for promoting their learning in English class as well.

A Review of the Effectiveness of Web-based Course with College English Learners' Autonomous Learning

The paper is a literature review, aiming to examine the effectiveness of web-based college English learning which mainly focuses on learners' autonomous learning. Previous studies indicate that the web-based learning can improve learners' autonomous learning, as well as some problems found in their findings. Therefore, this paper first gives a summary and critique of research studies on the web-based autonomous learning and some factors influencing learners' autonomous learning ability;then, areas that deserve further study are also indicated.

A Key Factor Affecting L2( English) Vocabulary Acquisition: L2( English) Proficiency

There are some certain factors affecting L2(English)vocabulary acquisition such as L2(English)proficiency,readers’purpose and the habit of reading,and the difficulty of target words and context,among which the first plays a key role.The paper,through a review of the relevant experimental researches,reaches a conclusion that L2(English)proficiency does influence much upon L2vocabulary acquisition.

A Survey on the Correlation between College English Majors' Listening Strategies Use and Listening Autonomy Proficiency

This study explored the correlation between listening strategies use and listening autonomy proficiency, and aimed to find the listening strategies that can predict a higher listening autonomous achievement. 133 English majors of Yangtze University, College of Arts and Science participated in this survey. The general situation of English majors'using of listening strategies and the correlation between different listening strategies and listening autonomy proficiency were analyzed. Based on the findings, some pedagogical implications were proposed to professional English listening teaching in higher education.

An Empirical Study on Classroom Learning Anxiety of Secondary Vocational English Learners in Content-based Instruction

This research aims to study the relationship between content-based instruction and secondary vocational English learners.Two classes in one secondary vocational school were chosen as participants.The result shows that CBI teaching has a negative correlation with English learning anxiety and has an impact on alleviating students' anxiety.

Motivations of Code-switching among People of Different English Proficiency:A Sociolinguistics Survey

Code-switching is a linguistic behavior that arises as a result of languages coming into contact. The idea of codeswitching was proposed since the 1970 s and has been heatedly discussed. This study will particularly focus on the motivations for code-switching on campus, especially for the reason of college students and teachers as frequent users. The study aims to find out if there is any relevance between one's English proficiency and motivation for code-switching.

Differences in the Motivation of Teenage Learners of English in A Chinese Language Context

This paper aims to explore motivational variations in different teenage English learner groups in Chinese context.Drawing on L2 Motivational Self System as the theoretical framework,combining You and Dornyei’s research with my professional teaching experience,this paper found that students who learn English for the purpose of passing the exam,ought-to L2self dimension is the highest,with L2 learning experience and ideal L2 self following behind.Students who tend to live or study abroad,ideal L2 self is the best predictor,followed by L2 learning experience and ought-to L2 self.This indicates that teachers should improve teaching methods,apply motivational strategies in the classroom,and encourage and help students to use selfmotivating strategies to motivate themselves.

On the Teaching Methods to Balance Fluency & Accuracy for Chinese University English Learners

By dividing English learners in Chinese university context into intermediate and advanced level learners, the essay argues that fluency rather than accuracy is needed for most university students. It further discusses some suitable teaching methods in both contexts respectively to balance this pair of objective focus.

Auditory cerebral activation patterns of Chinese English learners by fMRI

Objective:To identify the cerebral activation patterns associated with the processes that occur during viewing Chinese and English words in native Chinese English learners. Methods:12 right-handed Chinese English learners were divided into two groups equally,namely English majors and non-English majors,and took semantic judgement tasks of both English and Chinese words, for whom the fMRI images were collected.Results:To various degrees, all subjects demonstrated activation of associated cerebral regions in both hemispheres and the left hemisphere activation was more significant for most subjects. Except for classical regions involved in language processing,such as Wernicke areas and Broca areas,there were other activated cerebral regions, including cerebellum, limbic system and basal ganglia nucleus, etc. To sum up,there were apparent overlap for cerebral activation distribution and no specific processing areas for both tasks. The analysis of ROI(region of interest)suggested that subjects in specialized group were more dependent on right hemisphere to perform English words task. Conclusion:Language cognition is dominated by left hemisphere,which is also shared by the right hemisphere to various degrees and thus two hemispheres work by ways of both dissociation and coordination. It is possible that working strategy of the right hemisphere in English task is related to proficiency of the second language. A variety of distinctions are shared by each subject for language cognitive patterns.