Considering the primary focus of corrective feedback literature on verbal-correction provided by teachers and lack of attention to the role of other forms of corrective feedback in FL (foreign language) classroom in...Considering the primary focus of corrective feedback literature on verbal-correction provided by teachers and lack of attention to the role of other forms of corrective feedback in FL (foreign language) classroom interaction, this paper demonstrates how essential teachers' non-verbal communication and stance display are in making students' errors noticeable for them by providing samples from videotaped data. The findings in this study provide insights into the use of non-verbal behavior in providing students with corrective feedback. This study shows that research dealing only with verbal corrections provided by FL teachers cannot fully define the classroom interaction in terms of teachers' use of error correction techniques and student notification and uptake.展开更多
Through analyzing and comparing the anecdotes of pragmatic failure in cross-cultural communication from the aspects of lexicon, syntax and discourse, some pragmatic strategies are suggested in intercultural communicat...Through analyzing and comparing the anecdotes of pragmatic failure in cross-cultural communication from the aspects of lexicon, syntax and discourse, some pragmatic strategies are suggested in intercultural communication. To improve learners' cultural awareness and communicative competence, a cultural-linguistic approach in foreign language teaching should be adopted.展开更多
The purpose of this study is to examine and present the procedures and the tools that are described in the literature for observing preschool children's communication competence. Informal and formal standardised test...The purpose of this study is to examine and present the procedures and the tools that are described in the literature for observing preschool children's communication competence. Informal and formal standardised testing activities are included and a distinction is made on traditional and computer-based screening and diagnosis. The results of study illustrate the current trends of the literature and discuss the possibility of the computer-based screening and diagnosis to partially make up for the expert-personnel shortage展开更多
This paper first explores the importance and significance of college English writing in China, then the current problems and the main reasons in teaching Chinese college students. The author classifies the main errors...This paper first explores the importance and significance of college English writing in China, then the current problems and the main reasons in teaching Chinese college students. The author classifies the main errors that Chinese college students always commit in detail, gives the analysis of errors referring to the error analysis theory, puts forward the principles and methods that both Chinese teachers and Chinese college students can use, finally talks about the analytical significance and how to improve Chinese college students' writing abilities.展开更多
This paper is a generic study of schematic structures and the use of modal verbs of 50 English Research Article (RA) abstracts. With Bhatia's (1990) model as the framework, three other move patterns were obtained...This paper is a generic study of schematic structures and the use of modal verbs of 50 English Research Article (RA) abstracts. With Bhatia's (1990) model as the framework, three other move patterns were obtained besides the normal move order. The density of modal verbs varies greatly from move to move with significant differences in the frequency of occurrence in different moves. The use of modal verbs is much more move-determined than discipline-determined.展开更多
This paper discusses the implementation of self-assessment in consecutive interpreting among novice learners in a non-interpreting environment specifically referring to the interpreting courses offered at USM (Univer...This paper discusses the implementation of self-assessment in consecutive interpreting among novice learners in a non-interpreting environment specifically referring to the interpreting courses offered at USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia), being the only bachelor's degree programme in Translation and Interpreting in Malaysia, and the learners' perception on this mode of assessment with the goal of fostering learner autonomy among them. Such implementation was made possible with the shift from analogue technology to digital technology, the deployment of e-learning in the course instruction, and the shift from teacher-centred learning approach to student-centred learning approach in line with the university's APEX (Accelerated Programme for Excellence) transformation plan. Findings show a high acceptance level of self-assessment among novice learners of interpreting展开更多
Teacher autonomy has become a popular focus in the field of teacher education at present. The development of learner autonomy depends largely on teacher autonomy. Teacher autonomy is also one of the most effective way...Teacher autonomy has become a popular focus in the field of teacher education at present. The development of learner autonomy depends largely on teacher autonomy. Teacher autonomy is also one of the most effective ways to support teachers in their classroom practice, as well as to improve and expand their professional preparation and practices. Apart from that, the research of teacher autonomy at different phases of teachers' professional development may provide insight into how to strengthen their autonomy capability and to better understand the differences in teachers' development at different stages. The current study aims to explore the different level of how university novice and proficient English teachers see themselves as autonomous practitioners on the five dimensions of teacher autonomy: teaching autonomy, assessment autonomy, school management autonomy, professional development autonomy, and curriculum development autonomy. In addition, it proposes coping strategies to facilitate the development of teacher autonomy, which may shed some light on cultivating teacher autonomy for teachers at different developing stages, development of expertise, and teacher education.展开更多
English is widely taught as a foreign language in China. However, the current situation of English teaching cannot keep pace with the requirements of the Senior High School Standards. The improvement of teaching quali...English is widely taught as a foreign language in China. However, the current situation of English teaching cannot keep pace with the requirements of the Senior High School Standards. The improvement of teaching quality has become the focus in the new era. This paper analyzes the situation of English teaching in Southwest China. A questionnaire-based survey indicates the typical problems, such as silent classes, lack of student-student interaction, and low quality of teacher-student interaction, which will impede the improvement of English teaching quality and hinder students to develop. The author suggests using interactive teaching in senior schools in China.展开更多
Since the rapid development of China's ecnomy, especially China's entry to World Trade Organization, English has become more and more significant. Now in China, College English, an integral part of higher learning, ...Since the rapid development of China's ecnomy, especially China's entry to World Trade Organization, English has become more and more significant. Now in China, College English, an integral part of higher learning, is a required basic course for undergraduate students. In order to deepen teaching reform and improve teaching quality, a wide variety of teaching methods enter the classroom. With the advancement of society and development of modern educational technology, English movies have gained its popularity with more and more advantages recognized in higher vocational English teaching. English movies can not only arouse the students' interests to study English but also improve English teaching effect and teaching efficiency. So, this paper aims at how to apply English Movies to higher vocational English teaching.展开更多
The teaching of English for Science and Technology (EST) is generally regarded as one of the most significant developments in English language pedagogy in recent years. EST is concerned with meeting the specific lan...The teaching of English for Science and Technology (EST) is generally regarded as one of the most significant developments in English language pedagogy in recent years. EST is concerned with meeting the specific language needs of learners in various scientific and technological fields. These needs should be taken into consideration when planning and implementing English language courses or specialized courses to students of science and technology. This research is an attempt to investigate some of the problems involved in the teaching and learning of EST and suggest possible solutions. The research will focus on the reading comprehension of scientific and technical texts written in English, the teaching and learning of functional grammar, and the teaching and learning of lexis. These are regarded as some of the most important skills and sub-skills to be acquired by the students of science and technology to help them gain scientific information in English and reach a satisfactory level of achievement in their academic studies. The contention here is that it is in need to adopt a new set of assumptions and criteria specifically relevant to EST instead of employing those of General-English courses being used in the foundation and non-foundation years. This is in line with the basic premise of ESP (English for Special Purpose) and foundation courses which are supposed to prepare students for longer and more difficult tasks in their relevant fields of study. It is hoped that the findings of this research paper will be fruitful and relevant to other ESP courses in addition to those of EST.展开更多
Textbooks on phonology and on teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) often present the place of articulation of the sibilant/s/and its voiced counterpart/z/as a settled matter. The/s/and/z/are described and lis...Textbooks on phonology and on teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) often present the place of articulation of the sibilant/s/and its voiced counterpart/z/as a settled matter. The/s/and/z/are described and listed in phonological charts as "alveolar fricatives", meaning that the tongue is raised and the apex approaches the alveolar ridge. Those teaching pronunciation or remediating speech problems often use these descriptions by the IPA (International Phonetic Association) as models for teaching these phonemes. A number of linguists and instructors, however, have suggested that an acceptable/s/and/z/sound can be produced in English by other means This study attempted to determine the prevalence of the acceptable alternative placements for the/s/and/z/sounds in a sample of 50 English-speaking university students. Results revealed that 64% of participants used alternate tongue positions to that described in the literature as standard. Implications for speech pathology and ESL instruction are discussed.展开更多
The human body, such as hair, serves as a prism through which historical and cultural contexts are effectively refracted. Despite its historical and cultural significance, the role of hair, however, remains curiously ...The human body, such as hair, serves as a prism through which historical and cultural contexts are effectively refracted. Despite its historical and cultural significance, the role of hair, however, remains curiously a marginalized subject among the renewed interests on the body in the academic fields. In this paper, the author attempts to politicize the queue from 3 perspectives: maintaining a certain prescribed hairstyle is a top-down gesture to construct national conformity; the boundary between Manchu and Han is invoked and reinvented through the battles surrounding the queue politic in late Qing and early Republic; the widespread debate between keeping the queue and cutting the queue at the turn of the 20th century epitomizes the haunting rhetoric of traditionalism and modernism pursuit of modernity in China.展开更多
This study entails a first approach to epistemic modality in Woolf's essays. In particular, we will distinguish between assertive and non-assertive epistemic modality. Woolf uses assertive epistemic modality when tra...This study entails a first approach to epistemic modality in Woolf's essays. In particular, we will distinguish between assertive and non-assertive epistemic modality. Woolf uses assertive epistemic modality when transmitting her criticism to, sometimes, women's inferiority condition in history, revealing Woolf's more confident stance. These markers are different from those used in more "gentle" themes related to reviewing an author and her work. In this second case, non-assertive epistemic modality is more frequent. Being less harsh towards an author's surroundings and her literary production, Woolf's stance proves less self-assured. The corpus consists of 10 short essays. We also refer to her longer essays A Room of One's Own (1929) and Three Guineas 0938). They were selected bearing in mind their subject-matter. Half of them deal with literature and women writers, their lives and works; the other half ones also have to do with women-related topics, but referring to their position in history and their difficulties to undertake, for example, a literary career. Some concluding remarks indicate the predominance of non-assertive epistemic modality in relation to an intersubjective reading of her texts. This reading favours the inclusion of her audience in her commentary about women writing.展开更多
The teaching of speaking has been neglected in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) settings throughout language history which led to negative effects on EFL teachers' and learners' attitudes. While teachers exhibi...The teaching of speaking has been neglected in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) settings throughout language history which led to negative effects on EFL teachers' and learners' attitudes. While teachers exhibit hesitation having no preset teaching paradigms at their disposal, learners experience withdrawal in speaking situations that demand interactional ease and socio-pragmatic awareness. Indeed, both the type of instruction and the complexity of this skill make of the teaching of spoken language a highly controversial issue especially with the implicit dichotomy that speaking entails and which opposes accurate mastery of linguistic patterns to ease or facility in meaning transmission. This paper aims at reconsidering the way this dormant skill has been tackled and the interfering variables that should be rethought and revisited while dealing with it.展开更多
A comprehensive overview of standardized testing system for ESL (English as a Second Language) students in U.S kindergarten thru grade 12 public school system is reviewed within the context of basis on federal and s...A comprehensive overview of standardized testing system for ESL (English as a Second Language) students in U.S kindergarten thru grade 12 public school system is reviewed within the context of basis on federal and state laws, as well as instructional basis. Identification process of LEP (Limited English Proficient) students via nomination, testing and testing criteria to be identified as LEP, hence ESL if placed in the program is defined in detail Standardized testing process of these students based on the federal AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) measures through regular state standardized tests depending on three types of instructional program that LEP student is placed in the school that are Bilingual Education Program, ESL Program, and Two-Way Immersion Dual Language Programs are described. Standardized testing process of these students based on the federal AYP measures through other means if exempted from regular state standardized tests such as LAT (Linguistically Accommodated Testing) and the conditions to be exempted are discussed in detail. Holistically rated English Language Proficiency Assessments that are implemented to fulfill federal AMAOs (Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives) measures are defined briefly. Physical features of LAT test as well as direct and indirect accommodations for LAT reading, mathematics and science tests are defined via the accommodation needed and the type of assistance provided. Lastly, testing criteria to exit LEP status and other issues concerning exiting LEP status are reviewed展开更多
Reading is a pertinent skill of the four basic language skills. English teaching and learning in Nigeria cannot but be given all special attention since it is the major language of administration, economics, religious...Reading is a pertinent skill of the four basic language skills. English teaching and learning in Nigeria cannot but be given all special attention since it is the major language of administration, economics, religious propagation, and others in the nation. This paper has traced the treatment of reading aspect of English in the Nigerian Junior Secondary Schools using the teachers, students, and the nation's curriculum as instrument of operation. Some of the problems militating against effective teaching of reading skill in English were identified and discussed. Recommendations for achieving effective language teaching and learning focusing on English reading skill were highlighted. In the end, English teachers' attention is drawn on better ways of teaching reading as an important skill of the English language education展开更多
Conflicts raging in private life and intolerance permeating all strata of society are among unpleasant hallmarks of our world. The paper deals with the nature of "conflict communication" and the category of toleranc...Conflicts raging in private life and intolerance permeating all strata of society are among unpleasant hallmarks of our world. The paper deals with the nature of "conflict communication" and the category of tolerance alongside pragmalinguistic means and procedures of describing them. It is concerned with identifying the nature of communicative tolerance. It describes communication strategies and tactics involved in tolerant interpersonal communication. Rationale for tolerant behavior being a universal basis of communication in the modern multi-polar world is discussed.展开更多
文摘Considering the primary focus of corrective feedback literature on verbal-correction provided by teachers and lack of attention to the role of other forms of corrective feedback in FL (foreign language) classroom interaction, this paper demonstrates how essential teachers' non-verbal communication and stance display are in making students' errors noticeable for them by providing samples from videotaped data. The findings in this study provide insights into the use of non-verbal behavior in providing students with corrective feedback. This study shows that research dealing only with verbal corrections provided by FL teachers cannot fully define the classroom interaction in terms of teachers' use of error correction techniques and student notification and uptake.
文摘Through analyzing and comparing the anecdotes of pragmatic failure in cross-cultural communication from the aspects of lexicon, syntax and discourse, some pragmatic strategies are suggested in intercultural communication. To improve learners' cultural awareness and communicative competence, a cultural-linguistic approach in foreign language teaching should be adopted.
文摘The purpose of this study is to examine and present the procedures and the tools that are described in the literature for observing preschool children's communication competence. Informal and formal standardised testing activities are included and a distinction is made on traditional and computer-based screening and diagnosis. The results of study illustrate the current trends of the literature and discuss the possibility of the computer-based screening and diagnosis to partially make up for the expert-personnel shortage
文摘This paper first explores the importance and significance of college English writing in China, then the current problems and the main reasons in teaching Chinese college students. The author classifies the main errors that Chinese college students always commit in detail, gives the analysis of errors referring to the error analysis theory, puts forward the principles and methods that both Chinese teachers and Chinese college students can use, finally talks about the analytical significance and how to improve Chinese college students' writing abilities.
文摘This paper is a generic study of schematic structures and the use of modal verbs of 50 English Research Article (RA) abstracts. With Bhatia's (1990) model as the framework, three other move patterns were obtained besides the normal move order. The density of modal verbs varies greatly from move to move with significant differences in the frequency of occurrence in different moves. The use of modal verbs is much more move-determined than discipline-determined.
文摘This paper discusses the implementation of self-assessment in consecutive interpreting among novice learners in a non-interpreting environment specifically referring to the interpreting courses offered at USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia), being the only bachelor's degree programme in Translation and Interpreting in Malaysia, and the learners' perception on this mode of assessment with the goal of fostering learner autonomy among them. Such implementation was made possible with the shift from analogue technology to digital technology, the deployment of e-learning in the course instruction, and the shift from teacher-centred learning approach to student-centred learning approach in line with the university's APEX (Accelerated Programme for Excellence) transformation plan. Findings show a high acceptance level of self-assessment among novice learners of interpreting
文摘Teacher autonomy has become a popular focus in the field of teacher education at present. The development of learner autonomy depends largely on teacher autonomy. Teacher autonomy is also one of the most effective ways to support teachers in their classroom practice, as well as to improve and expand their professional preparation and practices. Apart from that, the research of teacher autonomy at different phases of teachers' professional development may provide insight into how to strengthen their autonomy capability and to better understand the differences in teachers' development at different stages. The current study aims to explore the different level of how university novice and proficient English teachers see themselves as autonomous practitioners on the five dimensions of teacher autonomy: teaching autonomy, assessment autonomy, school management autonomy, professional development autonomy, and curriculum development autonomy. In addition, it proposes coping strategies to facilitate the development of teacher autonomy, which may shed some light on cultivating teacher autonomy for teachers at different developing stages, development of expertise, and teacher education.
文摘English is widely taught as a foreign language in China. However, the current situation of English teaching cannot keep pace with the requirements of the Senior High School Standards. The improvement of teaching quality has become the focus in the new era. This paper analyzes the situation of English teaching in Southwest China. A questionnaire-based survey indicates the typical problems, such as silent classes, lack of student-student interaction, and low quality of teacher-student interaction, which will impede the improvement of English teaching quality and hinder students to develop. The author suggests using interactive teaching in senior schools in China.
文摘Since the rapid development of China's ecnomy, especially China's entry to World Trade Organization, English has become more and more significant. Now in China, College English, an integral part of higher learning, is a required basic course for undergraduate students. In order to deepen teaching reform and improve teaching quality, a wide variety of teaching methods enter the classroom. With the advancement of society and development of modern educational technology, English movies have gained its popularity with more and more advantages recognized in higher vocational English teaching. English movies can not only arouse the students' interests to study English but also improve English teaching effect and teaching efficiency. So, this paper aims at how to apply English Movies to higher vocational English teaching.
文摘The teaching of English for Science and Technology (EST) is generally regarded as one of the most significant developments in English language pedagogy in recent years. EST is concerned with meeting the specific language needs of learners in various scientific and technological fields. These needs should be taken into consideration when planning and implementing English language courses or specialized courses to students of science and technology. This research is an attempt to investigate some of the problems involved in the teaching and learning of EST and suggest possible solutions. The research will focus on the reading comprehension of scientific and technical texts written in English, the teaching and learning of functional grammar, and the teaching and learning of lexis. These are regarded as some of the most important skills and sub-skills to be acquired by the students of science and technology to help them gain scientific information in English and reach a satisfactory level of achievement in their academic studies. The contention here is that it is in need to adopt a new set of assumptions and criteria specifically relevant to EST instead of employing those of General-English courses being used in the foundation and non-foundation years. This is in line with the basic premise of ESP (English for Special Purpose) and foundation courses which are supposed to prepare students for longer and more difficult tasks in their relevant fields of study. It is hoped that the findings of this research paper will be fruitful and relevant to other ESP courses in addition to those of EST.
文摘Textbooks on phonology and on teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) often present the place of articulation of the sibilant/s/and its voiced counterpart/z/as a settled matter. The/s/and/z/are described and listed in phonological charts as "alveolar fricatives", meaning that the tongue is raised and the apex approaches the alveolar ridge. Those teaching pronunciation or remediating speech problems often use these descriptions by the IPA (International Phonetic Association) as models for teaching these phonemes. A number of linguists and instructors, however, have suggested that an acceptable/s/and/z/sound can be produced in English by other means This study attempted to determine the prevalence of the acceptable alternative placements for the/s/and/z/sounds in a sample of 50 English-speaking university students. Results revealed that 64% of participants used alternate tongue positions to that described in the literature as standard. Implications for speech pathology and ESL instruction are discussed.
文摘The human body, such as hair, serves as a prism through which historical and cultural contexts are effectively refracted. Despite its historical and cultural significance, the role of hair, however, remains curiously a marginalized subject among the renewed interests on the body in the academic fields. In this paper, the author attempts to politicize the queue from 3 perspectives: maintaining a certain prescribed hairstyle is a top-down gesture to construct national conformity; the boundary between Manchu and Han is invoked and reinvented through the battles surrounding the queue politic in late Qing and early Republic; the widespread debate between keeping the queue and cutting the queue at the turn of the 20th century epitomizes the haunting rhetoric of traditionalism and modernism pursuit of modernity in China.
文摘This study entails a first approach to epistemic modality in Woolf's essays. In particular, we will distinguish between assertive and non-assertive epistemic modality. Woolf uses assertive epistemic modality when transmitting her criticism to, sometimes, women's inferiority condition in history, revealing Woolf's more confident stance. These markers are different from those used in more "gentle" themes related to reviewing an author and her work. In this second case, non-assertive epistemic modality is more frequent. Being less harsh towards an author's surroundings and her literary production, Woolf's stance proves less self-assured. The corpus consists of 10 short essays. We also refer to her longer essays A Room of One's Own (1929) and Three Guineas 0938). They were selected bearing in mind their subject-matter. Half of them deal with literature and women writers, their lives and works; the other half ones also have to do with women-related topics, but referring to their position in history and their difficulties to undertake, for example, a literary career. Some concluding remarks indicate the predominance of non-assertive epistemic modality in relation to an intersubjective reading of her texts. This reading favours the inclusion of her audience in her commentary about women writing.
文摘The teaching of speaking has been neglected in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) settings throughout language history which led to negative effects on EFL teachers' and learners' attitudes. While teachers exhibit hesitation having no preset teaching paradigms at their disposal, learners experience withdrawal in speaking situations that demand interactional ease and socio-pragmatic awareness. Indeed, both the type of instruction and the complexity of this skill make of the teaching of spoken language a highly controversial issue especially with the implicit dichotomy that speaking entails and which opposes accurate mastery of linguistic patterns to ease or facility in meaning transmission. This paper aims at reconsidering the way this dormant skill has been tackled and the interfering variables that should be rethought and revisited while dealing with it.
文摘A comprehensive overview of standardized testing system for ESL (English as a Second Language) students in U.S kindergarten thru grade 12 public school system is reviewed within the context of basis on federal and state laws, as well as instructional basis. Identification process of LEP (Limited English Proficient) students via nomination, testing and testing criteria to be identified as LEP, hence ESL if placed in the program is defined in detail Standardized testing process of these students based on the federal AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) measures through regular state standardized tests depending on three types of instructional program that LEP student is placed in the school that are Bilingual Education Program, ESL Program, and Two-Way Immersion Dual Language Programs are described. Standardized testing process of these students based on the federal AYP measures through other means if exempted from regular state standardized tests such as LAT (Linguistically Accommodated Testing) and the conditions to be exempted are discussed in detail. Holistically rated English Language Proficiency Assessments that are implemented to fulfill federal AMAOs (Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives) measures are defined briefly. Physical features of LAT test as well as direct and indirect accommodations for LAT reading, mathematics and science tests are defined via the accommodation needed and the type of assistance provided. Lastly, testing criteria to exit LEP status and other issues concerning exiting LEP status are reviewed
文摘Reading is a pertinent skill of the four basic language skills. English teaching and learning in Nigeria cannot but be given all special attention since it is the major language of administration, economics, religious propagation, and others in the nation. This paper has traced the treatment of reading aspect of English in the Nigerian Junior Secondary Schools using the teachers, students, and the nation's curriculum as instrument of operation. Some of the problems militating against effective teaching of reading skill in English were identified and discussed. Recommendations for achieving effective language teaching and learning focusing on English reading skill were highlighted. In the end, English teachers' attention is drawn on better ways of teaching reading as an important skill of the English language education
文摘Conflicts raging in private life and intolerance permeating all strata of society are among unpleasant hallmarks of our world. The paper deals with the nature of "conflict communication" and the category of tolerance alongside pragmalinguistic means and procedures of describing them. It is concerned with identifying the nature of communicative tolerance. It describes communication strategies and tactics involved in tolerant interpersonal communication. Rationale for tolerant behavior being a universal basis of communication in the modern multi-polar world is discussed.