Effects of Collocational Congruency,Frequency and L2 Proficiency on the Processing of English Adjective-Noun Collocations

The present study investigates the effects of congruency and frequency on adjective-noun collocational processing for Chinese learners of English at two proficiency levels based on the data obtained in an online acceptability judgment task.The subject pool of this research included 60 English majors studying at a university in China;30 were selected as a higher-proficiency group and 30 as a lower-proficiency group according to their Vocabulary Levels Test(Schmitt et al.,2001)scores and their self-reported proficiency in English.The experimental materials were programmed to E-prime 2.0 and included six types of collocations:(1)15 high-frequency congruent collocations,(2)15 low-frequency congruent collocations,(3)15 high-frequency incongruent collocations,(4)15 low-frequency incongruent collocations,(5)15 Chinese-only items,and(6)75 unrelated items for baseline data.The collected response times(RTs)and accuracy rates data were statistically analyzed by the use of an ANOVA test and pairwise comparisons through SPSS 16.0 software.The results revealed that:(1)the adjective-noun collocational processing of Chinese English learners is influenced by collocational frequency,congruency and L2 proficiency;(2)the processing time is affected by the interaction of congruency and frequency;and(3)the interactive effect of L2 proficiency in conjunction with congruency and frequency also influences the processing quality.

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.

Enhancing Proficiency in Quadratic Equations and Functions Through the MILAPlus Strategy

This study investigates the efficacy of the Mathematics Independent Learning Activity Practice and Play Unite Scheme(MILAPlus)as an instructional strategy to improve the proficiency levels of Grade 9 students in quadratic equations and functions through a study carried out at Quezon National High School.The research involved 116 Grade 9 students and utilized a quantitative approach,incorporating both pre-assessment and post-assessment measures.The research utilizes a quasi-experimental design,examining the academic performance of students before and after the introduction of MILAPlus.The pre-assessment establishes a baseline,and the subsequent post-assessment measures the impact of the instructional strategy.Statistical analyses,including t-tests,assess the significance of differences in mean scores and mean percentage scores,providing quantitative insights into the effectiveness of MILAPlus.Findings from the study revealed a statistically significant improvement in both mean scores and mean percentage scores after the utilization of MILAPlus,indicating enhanced proficiency in quadratic equations and functions.The Mean Proficiency Scores(MPS)also showed a substantial increase,demonstrating a marked improvement in overall proficiency levels among Grade 9 students.In light of the results,recommendations were given including the continued utilization of MILAPlus as an instructional strategy and aligning its development with prescribed learning competencies.Emphasizing the consistent adherence to policies and guidelines for MILAPlus implementation is suggested for sustaining positive effects on students’long-term performance in mathematics.This research contributes valuable insights into the practical application and effectiveness of MILAPlus within the context of Grade 9 mathematics education at Quezon National High School.

Importance of Proficiency Testing in Water Quality Monitoring

The monitoring data is undoubtedly important to the water quality monitor- ing department. The proficiency testing is an important way to improve the monitor- ing capacity and enhance the quality management of laboratories. It plays an impor- tant role in ensuring the accuracy, integrity and comparability of monitoring data. In this paper, the positive role of proficiency testing in the water quality monitoring was analyzed. In addition, how to improve the water quality monitoring capacity and the quality management level of laboratories through the proficiency testing was also discussed.

An investigation of the effect of L2 proficiency and topic familiarity on L2 Incidental Vocabulary Acquisition： An empirical study based on theory of interactive reading

Based on the interactive theory of reading, this study mainly explored the etlects ot topic familiarity and second language proficiency on IVA （Incidental Vocabulary Acquisition） of second language through reading. By using two different measures （translation production and selection）, this study found： （1） Vocabulary can be acquired incidentally in reading passages; （2） There are no significant interactive effects of topic familiarity and second language proficiency on vocabulary acquisition, but the two independent variables of topic familiarity and second language proficiency exerted their positively significant effect on incidental vocabulary acquisition, and （3） As for the two vocabulary measures, learners can acquire more words in translation selection than in translation production.

Exploring the Relationship between Learning Styles and Proficiency in Verbal Communication

In the light of need to use learning styles to enhance verbal proficiency,this paper will explore the interconnectedness of learning styles and proficiency in verbal communication.It will first introduce the background of the study.This will be followed by an overview of the research on related literature and studies in the field.Lastly the paper concludes that foreign language teachers should give attention to the styles for languages learning and verbal proficiency since they are closely correlated.

A Study of the Relationship between L2 Proficiency and Mother-tongue-reliance Strategies

By investigating the types of 371 non-English major freshmen's use of mother-tongue-reliance strategies in English languagelearning,the study showed that students' use of mother-tongue-reliance strategies would vary significantly with their different L2 profi-ciency.And it was negatively correlated with L2 proficiency.And the study discussed the implications to guide English language teach-ing and learning.

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.

A Study on the Correlation Between the Employment of Listening Strategies and Listening Proficiency of Non-English Majors

Based on related theory and the analysis of the research findings,the present study is conducted,aiming at discovering the possible relationship between listening strategy use and listening proficiency.The thesis also presents some implications for teaching listening and learning skills of listening.

Reaching proficiency in laparoscopic splenectomy

AIM:To investigate the proficiency level reached in laparoscopic splenectomy using the learning curve method.METHODS:All patients in need of splenectomy for benign causes in whom laparoscopic splenectomy was attempted by a single surgeon during a time period of 6 years were included in the study (n=33). Besides demographics, operation-related variables and the response to surgery were recorded. The patients were allocated to groups of five, ranked according to the date of the operation. Operation duration, complications, postoperative length of stay, conversion to laparotomy and splenic weight were then compared between these groups.RESULTS: There was a significant difference regarding operation times between the groups (P = 0.001). An improvement was observed after the first 5 cases. The learning curve was flat up to the 25th case. Following the 25th case the operation times decreased still further. There was no difference between the groups regarding the other parameters.CONCLUSION: Unlike the widely accepted "L" shape, the learning curve for laparoscopic splenectomy is a horizontal lazy "S" with two distinct slopes. Privileges may be granted after the first 5 cases. However proficiency seems to require 25 cases.

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.

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.

A functional approach to improving non-English majors＇ writing proficiency

Problems in generating and organizing ideas, in coherence and language competence are common in non-English majors＇ writings. To improve their writing proficiency, the writing course should have real-life purposes, balance between real and display writing, between product and process approaches, vary writing activities, train strategies in improving coherence, balance the content of feedback and use various forms of feedback.

On Factors That Affect College Students' English Reading Proficiency

There are many factors that drag the feet of reading proficiency.After discussing how these factors work,this paper puts the factors into two categories of language and non-language,which,to some extent,helps readers to realize their deficiency and conduct self-adjustment.

Introduction of creep-rupture testing capability and proficiency at Baosteel

To characterize the long-term service performance and predict the lifetime of heat-resistant steel applications,more than 300 test pieces can be loaded simultaneously at Baosteel to determine the relationship between stress and rupture duration at specific temperatures. In addition, versatile testing methods have been established that evaluate creep-rupture, stress-relaxation, and creep-fatigue, as well as state-of-the-art tensile testing at hyper-high temperatures exceeding 2 100 ~2. Based on the Larson-Miller method, according to API 530, the accumulation of large volumes of data with respect to stress, temperature, and rupture time of actually tested steels ensures the reliability of predicting the allowable working stress over 100 000 h at any given temperature. For examples ,the stress tendencies against rupture time of T/P91 and T/P92 steel tubes, as obtained by Baosteel, are consistent with those from NIMS and ECCC. As an accredited provider of the Proficiency Testing schemes in ISO/ IEC 17025 and ISO/IEC 17043, Baosteel has periodically organized national proficiency testing with respect to creep and rupture, thereby providing an efficient way for all parties to assess their technical competence when performing uniaxial creep testing by the methods in ISO 204 and ASTM E139.

Proficiency Testing Scheme for Pesticides in Honey

Agricultural contamination with pesticides is a challenging problem for both human and bee health. Consequently, a number of laboratories performing pesticides residues analyse in honey and honey products has gradually increased in recent years. In the framework of their accreditations according to ISO 17025 standard, these laboratories must control their performances through interlaboratory comparison. Interprofessional Bureau of Analytical Studies (BIPEA) organizes regular proficiency testing schemes (PTS) in many analytical domains, including the analysis of pesticides in honey, to compare the performances of the laboratories. As an example, one test was conducted in October 2015 using an organic honey spiked with 21 pesticides, at levels between 15 ^g/kg and 200 ^g/kg, with 27 participating laboratories. This test was intended for the identification and quantification of 21 molecules of pesticides residues. The techniques used by the laboratories were GC-MS-MS, LC-MS-MS, GC-MS and GC-ECD, according to the molecules. Participating laboratories were required to return their results on a dedicated website after a period of one month, and a statistical treatment of the data was performed according to ISO 13528 standard. Assigned (consensus) values were calculated from the participants’ results and the performances of the laboratories could then be evaluated individually and collectively according to ISO 17043 standard. The results of this test were satisfactory for detection and quantification, whatever the analytical technique. The molecules were correctly identified by the laboratories and the recovery rates ranged from 56% up to 88%. The dispersions of the results, studied through the coefficients of variation, were also satisfactory ranging from 7% to 30%. This test showed that the laboratories participating routinely in this kind of tests are very competent in the analysis of pesticides residues in honey. It also allowed the participating laboratories to draw up a general inventory of their analytical skills, and it was a very useful tool to detect bias or non-compliant results. It acted as a warning signal for the implementation of corrective and/or curative actions in the laboratories.

The Influence of Chinese Proficiency and Cultural Background on CFL Learners’Comprehension of Chinese Logogriphs

This study investigates how Chinese logogriphs are comprehended by learners of Chinese as a foreign language(CFL)with different Chinese proficiencies and cultural backgrounds.Eighty-eight CFL learners from four cultures(South Koreans,Southeast Asians,Western Caucasians and Arabs)were divided into two Chinese proficiency groups according to their HSK scores,and 15 L1 Chinese speakers also took part in the experiment as a control group.The participants were asked to write down how they interpreted Chinese logogriphs in questionnaires.An ANOVA analysis was conducted to examine the effects of Chinese proficiency and cultural background on logogriph comprehension.The results indicate that the accuracy of logogriph comprehension and the frequency of adopting logogriph-solving strategies positively correlated with the learners’Chinese proficiency,and that those with higher proficiency used more linguistic and cultural knowledge of the target language.As for cultural influence,Western Caucasians tended to think more visually than the other three cultural groups,and South Koreans and Southeast Asians were better at activating Chinese semantic knowledge.The closer the CFL learners’culture is to Chinese culture,the more similar strategies they adopted to those of L1 Chinese participants.Moreover,the participants’Chinese proficiency and cultural background show an interactive effect on their logogriph comprehension,with the former factor having a greater influence than the latter in this process.

The Effect of Language Proficiency on the Teaching Knowledge Acquisition of English Student Teachers——Comparison of Three Repetitive Lessons

Based on the framework of classroom teaching learning process analysis, this study explores the relationship between language proficiency and the acquisition of teaching knowledge in the sample of three English repetitive lessons in senior high school by two English student teachers. After quantitative and qualitative analysis, it was found that the higher the level of language, the greater the improvement of teaching knowledge;the student with high language level has made rapid progress in teaching design, slow progress in teaching management and student learning, while the progress of the student with low language level is slow in all aspects. This study has important reference value for pre-service foreign language teacher education.

Proficiency Testing in Analysis of Wine Products

The quality variety wines which are produced in specified regions of Slovakia are mostly watched category of wine in European Union. Quality of the measurement for appropriate parameter in wine sample is given by uncertainty. Therefore, protocol of analysis has to have an uncertainty of measurement and should be made in accredited laboratory. In Slovakia, there are six wine growing regions （Tokaj, east Slovakia region, south Slovakia region, middle Slovakia region, Nitriansky region and Little-Carpathian region） where the quality wines with protected designation of origin are produced. Central Controlling and Testing Institute in Agriculture in Bratislava is a state organization, which has an accredited laboratory for testing wine products before introduction into the market. This article presents the results of the authors＇ measurements in proficiency testing FAPAS （food analysis performance assessment scheme） which were organized by Central Science Laboratory in York （England） in 2011. The authors add also interlaboratory comparison in 2012 between Slovak accredited laboratories. The results show very good agreement. Quality control in the wine sector presents very important feature in the market, therefore, using certified reference materials and checking the accredited laboratories with interlaboratory comparisons is very helpful. Testing of wine in the authors＇ laboratory is performed by EN ISO/IEC： 17025. The results show that z-score lies not outside the range ±2 and this is a chance that the authors＇ results are actually acceptable.