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Among various factors contributing to autonomous language learners' success, the beneficial role of out-of-classroom activities (OCAs) has been largely neglected. The present case study sought to explore successful language learners' OCAs, their perceptions of the efficiency of these activities, and their purposes for engaging in them. To this aim, four successful teenage English as a foreign language (EFL) learners were selected from an English language institute. Qualitative content analysis of participants' responses to individual semi-structured interviews revealed a plethora of OCAs including Listening to/Watching Authentic Materials, Using Online Media/Materials, and Talking in English to Peers/Parents/Relatives. All of the participants attributed a positive influential role to OCAs in their learning success. Furthermore, among their reasons for pursuing OCAs, the most frequently reported were Personal Interest, Positive Feedback from Teachers/Peers/Family, and Inefficiency of English Classes. The findings suggest that teachers could encourage autonomous language learning by introducing learners to unlimited opportunities outside the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an age of educational reform which incentivises increased digitisation and standardisation, teachers are expected to embrace the rise of 'new' tools and pedagogies with limited agency to inform, question or direct what 'newness' must be brought into their classrooms. Drawing on my research with English as a Foreign Language (EFL) educators in South Africa and using an 'excessive entitlement' lens, I showcase how teachers' lack of agency can result in 'defensive' and 'coercive' practices in the classroom which are a far cry from the education transformation imagined according to either global and local imaginaries for teaching and learning. If we are interested in an educational revolution, I argue that a fundamental reorientation in education recognising teachers' agency in informing change is necessary. To do so requires theoretically driven intervention methodologies which view the competing demands placed on teachers as entry points to developing their agency and volition to find practices which work for them and their students in the classroom. To that end, I illustrate how Cultural-Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) informed interventions like Change Laboratories could aid in this fundamental repositioning for teachers regarding transformational efforts and their far-reaching potential for educational revolution becoming conscious of and overcoming their feelings of excessive entitlement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a reflective piece theorizing my personal and academic experiences working with preservice teachers who are pursuing a Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate with immersion experience participating in a study abroad program teaching English to university students in Ecuador. Teaching predominantly white students as a woman of color is always full of stories, both real and imaginary. This is an opportunity to theorize the role of non-native English speakers guiding preservice teachers to teach English learners in the global south while discussing or contesting language aspects such as pronunciation, accuracy, proficiency, among others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arts for Linguistic & Literary Studies is the property of Thamar University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Arts for Linguistic & Literary Studies is the property of Thamar University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Arts Magazine is the property of Thamar University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The current study investigated the associations among trait perfectionism, worry about mistakes, mistake rumination, L2 anxiety, and willingness to communicate in adolescents. A key element was examining the psychometric properties of a new measure of worry about mistakes as well as the Mistake Rumination Scale and the short Child-Adolescent Perfectionism Scale and its two dimensions (i.e., self-oriented and socially prescribed perfectionism). Our participants were 954 Iranian adolescent English learners. Psychometric tests supported the psychometric properties and use of the mistakes and perfectionism measures. Correlation analyses indicated that both trait perfectionism dimensions were associated with mistake rumination and worry about mistakes, and socially prescribed perfectionism was associated with L2 anxiety. However, self-oriented perfectionism was associated with greater willingness to communicate. Further analyses showed that worry about mistakes and mistake rumination mediated the association that socially prescribed perfectionism had with L2 anxiety. The vulnerabilities of adolescent perfectionists are discussed in terms of the approach-avoidance conflict as it relates to worry about mistakes and pressures to be perfect. It is evident that adolescents who are vulnerable must learn cognitive and emotional regulation techniques to effectively manage mistakes and the pressure to be perfect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the perspectives of English as a Foreign Language Special Education teachers (EFLSE) regarding game-based learning approaches for addressing behavioral disorders in ADHD patients. Method: The study involved a sample (n = 131) of EFLSE teachers who completed a questionnaire to determine how feasible, acceptable, and helpful they found game-based learning. Results: The study revealed that EFLSE teachers perceive game-based learning to be a feasible and acceptable method for engaging ADHD students and helping to maintain their attention during game-based learning activities. Nevertheless, implementation and individualized approaches are cited as challenges. Additionally, EFLSE teachers emphasized the benefits of game-based learning, including improved problem-solving, assessment methods, collaboration, and the acquisition of academic skills. Conclusions: The study contributes insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers that can support the development of evidence-based interventions offering game-based learning for students with ADHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Language is crucial for successful service exchange, yet it can also become a source of chronic social exclusion for nonnative speakers in the host country. This research examines how language‐based chronic social exclusion affects nonnative consumers' experiences and consequently, their tipping behavior. The results from a survey with 355 nonnative speakers in the USA and 355 nonnative speakers in the UK, along with a field study, reveal that these customers feel threatened in terms of their relational and efficacy needs, influencing their desire to restore their self‐image. This, in turn, positively influences their tipping behavior. This study is the first to empirically explore language‐based chronic social exclusion and its psychological and behavioral effects from the speakers' (nonnative customers') perspective in a service exchange setting. It highlights the importance of inclusive practices and policies to support socially excluded customers based on their language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study compares the performance of two quick lexical tests, the Multilingual Naming Test (MINT) and the Lexical Test for Advanced Learners of English (LexTALE), to evaluate their suitability to serve as proxies for English proficiency in second language learners. Specifically, it investigates how well these tests' results align with those of the Quick Placement Test (QPT), an objective placement test employed in previous validations of the LexTALE. Considering recent findings by Puig-Mayenco et al. (2023) suggesting the LexTALE is apt for measuring advanced proficiencies but is less reliable with lower ones, our study aims to test the performance of both the LexTALE and MINT across different proficiencies. Two hundred nineteen Chinese learners of English, spanning both higher and lower proficiency levels, participated in the study. The results showed that the relationship between the MINT and QPT was similar to that between the LexTALE and QPT. However, the MINT demonstrated better performance than the LexTALE in assessing lower proficiency levels. These results underscore the MINT's potential to serve as a quick and valid proxy for proficiency across all levels, particularly in research contexts where the use of longer and more comprehensive assessment tools is not possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Natural Language Processing (NLP), pre-trained language models (LLMs) are widely employed and refined for various tasks. These models have shown considerable social and geographic biases creating skewed or even unfair representations of certain groups. Research focuses on biases toward L2 (English as a second language) regions but neglects bias within L1 (first language) regions. In this work, we ask if there is regional bias within L1 regions already inherent in pre-trained LLMs and, if so, what the consequences are in terms of downstream model performance. We contribute an investigation framework specifically tailored for low-resource regions, offering a method to identify bias without imposing strict requirements for labeled datasets. Our research reveals subtle geographic variations in the word embeddings of BERT, even in cultures traditionally perceived as similar. These nuanced features, once captured, have the potential to significantly impact downstream tasks. Generally, models exhibit comparable performance on datasets that share similarities, and conversely, performance may diverge when datasets differ in their nuanced features embedded within the language. It is crucial to note that estimating model performance solely based on standard benchmark datasets may not necessarily apply to the datasets with distinct features from the benchmark datasets. Our proposed framework plays a pivotal role in identifying and addressing biases detected in word embeddings, particularly evident in low-resource regions such as New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This longitudinal case study describes a male Korean English teacher's identity development during two years of compulsory military service. An investment and imagined communities framework undergirded the thematic analysis of emails, mobile messaging, and casual conversations. Three recursive themes emerged: English user, researcher, and hyeong (older brother) identities. The findings indicated the following: Jung's English user identity was manifested in the role of someone who was occasionally asked to perform the task of translating for the U.S. and Korean Armies. His researcher identity reflected his eagerness for further study and interest in academic issues, which was sustained through his interactions with colleagues in the academic community and military comrades. His hyeong identity, the counselor, emerged in response to military colleagues' requests for advice on English learning and the importance of English in Korean society. This study shows the need for increased attention to this under-researched population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the complexities of language and identity in contemporary South Africa. The on-going English-Afrikaans debate points to broader issues of power and identity. Several scholars have convincingly shown Afrikaans as inextricably linked to Afrikaner nationalism. During apartheid, Afrikaans was contentious as the language of the ruling elite and tool for Black oppression. This paper investigates how Afrikaans-speaking Coloured learners are caught in the debates around language and racial hierarchies. Results of the study show some scepticism about learning English in a predominantly Afrikaans-speaking Coloured township community. While a "progressive" part of the community strongly associates English with elitism and power, a more "conservative" part views English as a threat to the preservation of Coloured identity. The study concludes that in spite of Afrikaans' awkward position in South Africa's linguistic historiography as the language of the oppressor and the oppressed, it should be considered a marker of Coloured identity. Finally, this study adds to our understanding of racialized identities and in-betweenness as regards language (and cultural) identities in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Students' engagement in writing mediates their academic literacy development as they become initiated and socialized into disciplinary communities. With a focus on the mediating role of writing, the present study investigates the ways in which two L2 students forge an early understanding of academic discourse when they carry out writing tasks across the curriculum as nonmajors. Using qualitative analysis, the research examined student writing in general education courses, course materials, and student interviews. The researcher analyzed data in search of developmental signs, that is, the points at which students acquired or reshaped their literacy practices according to disciplinary expectations. Study findings show that the features of writing tasks frame the ways in which students conceptualize disciplinary expectations, which manifested in three ways: Knowledge-telling, inferential search, and identity construction as a member. The relationship between academic literacy and writing tasks points to the importance of course materials and design, a variable to consider for improving instruction. Based on the findings, the present study discusses implications for teaching and research in L2 writing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stakeholders in exam‐driven countries are responsible for developing test‐related tasks to assess the quality of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) teaching and learning. Hence, the language assessment literacy (LAL) of different stakeholders has to be investigated. This mixed‐methods study explored the required LAL competencies among two groups of Egyptian EFL supervisors and teachers and examined the impact of participants' demographic profiles on choosing LAL competencies. The groups prioritized their needs for assessment in language pedagogy. While supervisors were highly demanded to develop and administer language assessments, teachers were highly interested in developing their skills at assessment scoring and rating. Teachers' selection of LAL competencies was influenced by age, educational degree and professional training; whereas supervisors' LAL was impacted by experience and educational degree. The findings of interviews shed light on participants' perceived needs for LAL knowledge and skills, the challenges of achieving LAL, and ways for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contrary to prevailing research on willingness to communicate (WTC) which treats spoken second language (L2) as the predominant indicator of WTC, this study examines a young English as a second language (ESL) learner's WTC expressed through multimodal means and her utilization of multimodal and multilingual resources for mediating WTC in translingual environments. Data were collected from videotaped ESL lessons and an interview. Adopting a multimodal conversation analysis (CA) approach, this cross‐disciplinary study analyzes the ESL novice's WTC expressions in two communicative settings: small‐group interactions in ESL class and a multilingual triad conversation in an interview. Findings reveal that (1) gestural WTC display can signify more than one's intention to enter discourse, (2) contrary to previous WTC studies, first language (L1) use can indicate L2 WTC, and (3) the learner used diverse semiotic resources to mediate WTC and sustain discursive engagement. Implications are discussed with respect to the findings. This study extends the understanding of WTC beyond spoken L2 expressions, emphasizing embodied display and L1 use in the learner's communicative repertoire. Additionally, it sheds light on the learner's strategic use of multimodal resources to sustain engagement in translingual environments, contributing to the broader field of language education and multimodal analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In public schools in the United States, the work of an ESOL student teacher is characterized by relationships with multiple mentors, including a university supervisor. Through retrospective narrative accounts, this study examines what currently practicing teachers of multilingual learners retained of their supervisors' feedback from their student teaching days, and what nuggets of supervisory wisdom continue to resonate with them throughout their teaching careers. The researchers developed this qualitative study using a social constructivist lens informed by Carless and Winstone's (2023) feedback literacy dimensions. Interviews were conducted with eight current teachers to probe their recollections of supervision and integration of supervisory feedback into their practice. Findings suggest that the participants recalled a sprinkling of memories and continued to draw on a few pieces of supervisory advice in their current practice. Supervisors and student teachers demonstrated design, relational, and pragmatic dimensions of feedback literacy, though the relational (i.e., the quality of the relationship between supervisor and student teacher) was the most enduring, even if the specifics of the supervisory feedback faded. Implications suggest that teacher education programs can hone the purpose, mission, and methods of supervision by targeting the dimensions of feedback literacy to make supervisory feedback more constructive and impactful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teacher educators are typically involved in preparing preservice teachers (PSTs) in initial programs through teaching courses and supervising practicum experiences, including the culminating student teaching practicum. Using self‐study of teacher education practices (S‐STEPs) during supervision, the authors describe a scaffolded process of learning to supervise teacher candidates and engage in reflections about their experiences working collaboratively. This narrative account by a more experienced supervisor and a new supervisor uses samples of feedback to teacher candidates to demonstrate a collaborative process based on multimodal observational field notes, which included sample discourse from the classroom to exemplify interactions, teaching activities, and photographs of classroom activities. Both researchers participated in joint meetings with (1) PSTs to discuss feedback, (2) mentor teachers to discuss progress of PSTs, and (3) all PSTs to discuss themes that emerged from observations and assessments, something unique to this collaboration. The authors discuss how their collaboration led to curriculum changes to a TESOL methods, curriculum, and assessment course influenced by observations in the field. The article concludes with implications and recommendations for other teacher educators interested in collaborative supervision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Racism in TESOL and other academic fields is nothing new, nor are discussions on the topic. However, a majority of the racist encounters discussed in existing literature report on the negative experiences of language teachers and/or students. An area that has historically been ignored and is long due exploration is the negative experiences of nonnative English‐speaking leaders (NNESLs), especially when they lead and/or interact with colleagues among whom ideologies of Whiteness and native English speakerism are dominant. With an aim to fill this gap, this article provides a narrative inquiry of an NNESL's experiences of facing epistemological and institutional racism as she leads a division within an International Branch Campus (IBC) of a U.S. university in an English as an international language (EIL) context in the Middle East. As the NNESL attempts to introduce necessary innovations and policy changes, her capacity as a change maker is questioned, partly due to her nationality, nonnativeness, race, and gender. This article is an attempt to uncover the racial discrimination experienced by NNESLs by providing examples of epistemological and institutional racism embedded in racist discourses and practices, and how it, directly or indirectly, plays a significant role in power relations, institutional structures, and identities, and has implications for the field of TESOL leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feedback within the context of post‐observation conferences (POCs) is critical for English language teachers' professional development. To date, however, surprisingly there has not yet been any study on language choices for feedback communication in POCs, considering around 80% of English language teachers worldwide are nonnative‐English speakers (NNESs) (Moussu, 2018). This study adopts the research paradigm of social constructivism, with a qualitative design to explore language choices (Chinese as L1 and English as L2) by one Chinese mentor and four Chinese mentees in POCs, in a near‐peer mentoring project in a UK‐based MA TESOL program. Data collected include two POCs, a mentor interview, and four mentee questionnaire answers. The data were analysed in depth by data reduction and inductive content analysis. It was found that both emotional and practical reasons resulted in the language decisions by the mentor and the mentees in the POCs. Albeit with small sample size, this study shows the intricacy of language use by NNESs in POCs in preservice teacher education programs and provides insights into how both mentor and mentees can be empowered as active agents capable of making judicious use of L1 and L2 for effective feedback communication in POCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite scholars' advocacy of intelligibility over nativelikeness in the EFL education context, many learners still seem to favour standard British and American accents. However, comparisons across studies have shown some changes in learners' perceptions, suggesting a move away from standard accent orientation. This article reports part of a larger study that examined the relationships between four learner‐related predictor variables (self‐rated proficiency, previous exposure to different accents, attitude towards [spoken] English, and attitude towards accuracy) and two outcome variables (learners' attitudes towards standard accents, and attitudes towards pronunciation in speaking proficiency assessment). A questionnaire was completed by 1,300 EFL secondary‐school students in Hong Kong. The four predictors were generally found to correlate significantly with the two outcomes (Pearson's rs ranging approximately from.10 to.50). Specifically, learners' attitudes towards accuracy and (spoken) English had the strongest positive relationships with the outcomes. In the multiple regression models, these two predictors together explained 32% and 11% of the variance in attitudes towards standard accents and pronunciation assessment respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study builds on previous research (Galloway & Rose, 2018) that underlines the necessity of raising awareness of distinct kinds of English among prospective English instructors in expanding circle nations. The participants were exposed to these themes through a series of student‐led presentations that used English as a lingua franca and World Englishes as a theoretical foundation. The data were gathered through student reports, individual reflections, and semi‐structured interviews and were evaluated thematically. The findings demonstrated a development of new perspectives and understandings, a sense of contribution of the theme of World Englishes to teacher professional development, and the participants' positioning as equally skilled users of English. Thus, the study discusses the possibilities and challenges of gradually incorporating English as a lingua franca and World Englishes in the preparation of prospective English teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined elicited written English as a foreign language (EFL) narratives produced by 6th grade Hebrew and Arabic speakers in their 4th year of learning EFL. We examined the use of correct verb morphology and morphosyntactic structures, in relation to supporting L1/EFL skills. Fifty-eight pupils (29 Arabic speakers) participated in this study. Assessment tasks included Hebrew and Arabic (L1) morphological awareness (MA), EFL vocabulary, MA and reading comprehension (RC). Arabic speakers were also tested in second language (L2) Hebrew MA. English written narratives were coded for total words, verbs, nouns, correct and complex sentences, and use of verb morphology (past tense, present progressive, 3rd person singular, copula) in obligatory context. Both groups found 3rd person singular the most challenging, despite between group differences in EFL proficiency. Neither group showed crosslinguistic transfer of MA from L1 to EFL, however, Arabic speakers showed strong associations between HMA and EMA, suggesting possible indirect crosslinguistic influence. Hebrew speakers had strongest associations between EFL RC and MA with all aspects of EFL morphosyntactic use, while Arabic speakers relied on English MA for all aspects of correct morphosyntactic production. Regression analyses showed Hebrew speakers relied solely on English RC for verb and sentence production, whereas Arabic speakers drew on English MA. Results have theoretical and practical implications regarding typological considerations in cross-linguistic transfer, as well as point to specific difficulties and patterns in acquisition of EFL morphosyntax among speakers of Semitic languages, highlighting the role of L1 and EFL contributors to EFL written output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the within- and cross-language relationships between intrinsic language learning motivation, home literacy environment (shared book reading, parental literacy involvement, and parent perceived child literacy interest), and receptive vocabulary in 185 bilingual preschoolers and 233 primary school children in Singapore. Age differences were also examined. Unlike the motivation decline commonly observed in middle childhood, the primary school children demonstrated higher levels of intrinsic motivation than the preschoolers in both English and the second language (L2). Results showed a motivation gap between English and children's L2 in primary school children but not in preschoolers. The hierarchical regression results revealed that intrinsic motivation and the three facets of home literacy environment (HLE) were differentially involved in receptive vocabulary across languages and age groups. Within-language relations showed that intrinsic motivation only predicted receptive vocabulary in English among primary school children, but not among preschoolers. Among primary school children, parent perceived child literacy interest in L2 was the only significant predictor of L2 receptive vocabulary; among preschoolers, shared book reading was the only significant predictor. Cross-language relations revealed that parental literacy involvement in English negatively predicted L2 receptive vocabulary in primary school children, and there were no L2 effects on English receptive vocabulary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the specific contributions of derivational, inflectional, and compounding morphological awareness to reading comprehension through decoding and syntactic awareness. A total of 181 Grade 3 and 4 Chinese primary school children learning English as a second language in Hong Kong participated in this study. The results of structural equational modeling show that all the three types of morphological awareness contributed to reading comprehension through decoding and syntactic awareness, and they explained about 66% of the variance in decoding and 47.2% of the variance in syntactic awareness. Derivational and inflectional morphological awareness affected decoding more strongly than compounding morphological awareness. Derivational and inflectional morphological awareness had stronger effects on decoding than on syntactic awareness, whereas compounding morphological awareness had stronger effect on syntactic awareness than on decoding. In addition, derivational and inflectional morphological awareness had unique direct effects on reading comprehension beyond decoding and syntactic awareness. The unique effect of inflectional morphological awareness was stronger than that of derivational morphological awareness. These results advance our understanding of the multiple roles of the three types of morphological awareness in reading comprehension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of COVID-19 on the higher education sector has extended beyond using alternative technological methods. It has also influenced the professional identities of instructors themselves. This study aims to investigate EFL instructors' perceptions of the impact of online teaching on identity transformation during the COVID-19 lockdown. It also investigates how online teaching has affected teachers' professional identity in relevant aspects. The study was conducted during the first academic semester of 2022/2023. The researchers adopted a mixed research methodology that involved both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. A questionnaire was distributed to (44) EFL instructors, and semistructured interviews were conducted with (8) EFL instructors at the Department of Languages and Translation at a Palestinian University, Palestine. Appropriate quantitative and qualitative analyses were utilized to figure out participants' responses to the questionnaire and the interviews. The results of the survey revealed that online teaching positively influenced instructors' social relations with their colleagues and students, enhanced the teaching process, and promoted instructors' self-esteem. As for the interviews, the findings showed the substantial impact of online teaching on EFL instructors' identity in terms of their professional needs, self-awareness and self-esteem, relationships with learners, relationships with colleagues, and their perspectives towards their institution. Hence, some recommendations were suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This longitudinal study examines the interconnectedness of foreign language enjoyment (FLE), foreign language anxiety (FLA), and willingness to communicate (WTC) among English major students, while also exploring the predictive role of L2 grit in the hypothesized model. Utilising a cross-lagged panel design and structural equation modeling (SEM), data were collected from 879 English as a foreign language (EFL) students at two-time points. The findings indicate that initial FLE did not significantly predict subsequent WTC or FLA. In contrast, the initial FLA had a substantial impact on future enjoyment and WTC. Additionally, L2 grit predicted FLE, FLA, and WTC only at the initial measurement point. These results highlight the complex and dynamic interplay of affective factors in L2 learning, suggesting that anxiety plays a more critical role over time, while the influence of grit is more immediate. This study contributes to the understanding of how these variables interact longitudinally, providing insights for educators to develop strategies that address anxiety and enhance enjoyment to improve students’ willingness to communicate in a second language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of elderly Chinese actively participating in social media and English learning. The main objective of this study is to explore the potential and challenges associated with social media use for English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learning among older Chinese adults. To achieve this, the article meticulously reviews both past and contemporary research, focusing on older adults’ social media use and its potential impact on language learning, particularly English proficiency among this demographic. The published literature highlighted the strengths of social media in EFL learning and the increasing popularity of social media among older individuals. The benefits of using social media in older Chinese EFL learners’ English learning emerged across four significant domains: speaking and communication, cognition, social engagement, and psychological well-being. Even though social media allows users to communicate with each other without boundaries, senior Chinese EFL learners face a set of psychological, social, and physical challenges that can inhibit their progress and effectiveness in acquiring English language skills through social media. By synthesizing the potentials and challenges in question, suggestions for future research on and practical application of leveraging social media for older Chinese adults’ EFL learning are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present systematic review provides an overview and analysis of methodological underpinnings of self-regulated learning (SRL) research in ESL/EFL contexts. A search of five academic databases was conducted for studies published from 2017 to 2022. Adopting Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the search yielded 31 studies conducted in various countries and educational settings. Informed by a 16-item coding scheme, the analysis found that SRL research is more nested within higher education. The results provided evidence to substantiate the idea that quantitative approaches towards SRL research is in the ascendency. Experimental and survey designs were identified as the most preferred research designs. The results revealed an absolute dominance of questionnaire/scale as the most frequently utilised data collection instrument. As for data analysis software, SPSS and Mplus were applied in the majority of studies. The results demonstrated that correlation, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and structural equation modelling (SEM) were among the most widely applied statistical tests. Finally, writing, compared to other language skills/subskills, was found to receive a surge of interest in SRL research. The study concludes with some suggestions for further future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In the landscape of English language education, the integration of gamification has marked a transformative trend. This systematic review, utilizing a rapid evidence assessment methodology, critically examines thirty empirical studies from the Web of Science, spanning the years 2010 to 2022. It aims to synthesize the current body of research on the incorporation of gamification into EFL/ESL pedagogy. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was followed when conducting this study to provide a comparative study on the methodology and results of systematic reviews on the use of various digital gaming platforms in China, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Korea, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Spain, Turkey, and Ecuador. The synthesis of studies under review identifies a spectrum of gamification components incorporated within the educational frameworks. Results: Our analysis reveals an ascending trajectory in the prevalence of gamification within this academic sphere and corroborates its efficacy as a catalyst for language acquisition. The synthesis of studies under review identifies a spectrum of gamification components incorporated within the educational frameworks. Discussion: The collected evidence underscores gamification's role in enhancing English proficiency, influencing learners' attitudes and emotional engagement positively, and fostering an immersive language learning milieu. Furthermore, this review delineates strategic insights and identifies key gamification components instrumental in orchestrating gamified educational experiences. The implications of the findings extend to pedagogical practices, providing a guide for educators in the design and implementation of gamified language learning environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Objectives Methods Results Implications The introduction of Small Private Online Courses (SPOCs) in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instruction at Higher Vocational Colleges (HVCs) signifies a shift in education. Understanding the factors that affect deep learning in this SPOC context is crucial for improving educational outcomes.By employing grounded theory, we seek to explore the key factors that shape deep learning experiences for students in SPOC learning environments at HVCs and clarify the interrelationships among these influencing factors.Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 18 EFL students and 4 teachers and NVivo 11 software was utilised to aid in the qualitative analysis of the collected data. Through a rigorous three‐tier coding analysis, an “environment‐person‐mediation ‐behaviour” (EPMB) model was constructed, aiming to clarify the mechanisms that influence deep learning among EFL students in HVCs.Our findings reveal that intrinsic motivation and cognitive abilities are crucial for deep learning among EFL students in HVCs. Blended learning settings, English curriculum satisfaction, and English teachers' teaching methods serve as situational influencing factors. These factors are interconnected, mediating positive or negative effects on deep learning through various intermediaries like continuity, attraction, guidance, motivation, and regulation.The findings offer pedagogical insights for HVC stakeholders, enabling them to enhance students' deep learning experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing adoption of online platforms for educational goals has raised concerns among learners regarding online learning contexts. These platforms have been identified as productive mediums for learning English as a second language. However, learners consistently strive for enhanced platforms, and their perspectives may change when confronted with concerns about the platform's overall quality, specifically in relation to its reliability and privacy. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the impact of platform quality, including features such as reliability, design, and security, in combination with learners' familiarity with these platforms. A quantitative research approach was utilized to accomplish this goal, which entailed circulating an online survey by 410 Chinese North East public and private university graduate and postgraduate students, which were analyzed using SmartPLS 4 software. The study's findings indicate that certain elements of website quality, such as design and privacy, do not significantly impact platform satisfaction. Learners generally prefer criteria other than design and privacy considerations when assessing language learning applications. While platform design, familiarity and satisfaction significantly impact intrinsic motivation towards English learning. These characteristics contribute to the creation of a conducive learning environment for learners, which in turn promotes motivation, engagement, and, eventually, the development of language competency. By implementing these strategies, managers can cultivate a more immersive, gratifying, and stimulating English language acquisition encounter on online platforms, resulting in heightened satisfaction and competence. Based on the study's findings, the study suggested platform executives investigate these indicators using learner feedback and appropriately modify the platform's services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ professional success has been claimed to depend on numerous factors in the literature. However, the interactive influence of psycho‐affective and cognitive factors on this construct has been neglected. To address this gap, this quantitative study used three scales to test an associational model of positive psychological capital (PPC), cognitive flexibility, and professional success. It also tried to uncover if PPC and cognitive flexibility could predict EFL teachers’ professional success. To do so, 533 Chinese EFL teachers took part in a survey. The results of structural equation modeling, correlation analysis, and multiple regression showed a strong and positive link among teachers’ PPC, cognitive flexibility, and professional success. Furthermore, it was revealed that PPC and cognitive flexibility could collectively predict about 53% of the variations in Chinese EFL teachers’ professional success. The study discusses the results and presents some implications for teachers, teacher trainers, and authorities, who can work on the psycho‐affective and cognitive aspects of teacher professionalism and success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the use of metacognitive strategies by young emergent multilingual students in a translanguaging pedagogy scenario. From a multilingual perspective, we understand metacognition as a broader concept that refers to the learning or thinking processes that encapsulate metalinguistic and crosslinguistic awareness. We focus on the performance phase of the reading process where students deploy strategies and monitor the progress and quality of the activity. The participants were 48 bilingual fifth graders in a multilingual school in the Basque Autonomous Community in the north of Spain; 39.5% of the students had Basque as their first language, while 60.5% had Spanish, similar to the sociolinguistic context of the school, and all were learning English as a foreign language. Data for this study were collected in the English class while the students were set in pairs to complete a reading comprehension task. Their performance was audio‐recorded, and language‐related episodes were analysed to explore the strategic behaviour of the students. This analysis identified episodes where students talked about either their language production or language use. The findings show that although pedagogical translanguaging focuses mainly on raising crosslinguistic awareness, it can also develop a broader metalinguistic awareness and facilitate metacognitive reflection. The study highlights the link between enhancing metalinguistic awareness and the development of multilingual students' metacognitive knowledge for effective self‐regulated strategic behaviour when reading in a foreign language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teachers' psycho‐affective states are considerably reported to play a vital role in English as a foreign language (EFL) education. However, the overall mechanism, realization, and representation of teachers' psychological ill‐being (PIB) have been widely kept under the shadow of well‐being. To fill this gap, this qualitative investigation examined 46 Chinese EFL teachers' perceptions about the causes, outcomes and solutions of PIB. The results of thematic analysis revealed that PIB was caused by different personal, interpersonal, professional, task, student and contextual factors among Chinese EFL teachers. More specifically, ill‐being emerged out of “heavy workload pressure”, “mental and physical exhaustion”, “unrelated tasks to teaching”, “students' classroom behavior and performance”, “unfriendly school climate”, “poor interpersonal relationships with colleagues” and “social and cultural environment”. The findings also indicated that teachers' ill‐being led to different outcomes such as “reducing teaching quality”, “creating negative emotions”, “causing physical and mental health problems”, “leading to burnout” and “hurting students' feeling and learning rate”. To solve this aversive state, the participants suggested different techniques such as “reducing workload”, “learning emotion regulation strategies”, “establishing a positive classroom/school climate”, “offering teacher training courses”, “providing support and facilities for teachers”, “increasing salary” and “reading books”. A discussion of the findings and implications for EFL teachers, teacher educators and policy‐makers is provided to enhance their emotional literacy and competency regarding negative teacher‐related emotions in L2 teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Informed by basic psychological needs theory, this multi-case study explored four supervisors’ feedback practices and their effects on Chinese English-major students’ engagement with feedback on their undergraduate dissertations written in English. Data comprised interviews with students and supervisors, stimulated recalls with students, audio recordings of supervisor-student conferences, and students’ multiple dissertation drafts with supervisory feedback. Cross-case comparisons were made to gauge the supervisory support. The analyses revealed salient differences in pedagogical caring, optimal structure, and autonomy support provided by the supervisors. The supervisees engaged affectively, behaviorally, and cognitively with supervisory feedback to different extents, and their engagement depended on the types and amounts of teacher support available. The findings of the study contribute to the application of basic psychological needs theory by extending it to undergraduate dissertation supervision. Practical implications for improving undergraduate dissertation supervision in the Chinese context are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the perception of English semivowels /j/ and /w/ and their corresponding vowels /i/ and /u/ by two groups of Japanese-speaking learners of English: foreign language (FL) learners in Japan and second language learners who were initially FL learners (FL-L2). The phonological targets were /i/ and /u/ with and without preceding /j/ and /w/, respectively (/ji/-/i/ and /wu/-/u/). Discrimination and identification results showed that both groups performed comparably for /i/ with and without /j/, indicating their reliance on native phonological sensitivity to /i/ and /j/, which closely resemble Japanese /i/ and /j/. However, important differences emerged for /u/ with and without /w/, possibly due to articulatory differences in lip rounding for /u/ and /w/ between the two languages. Notably, while FL-L2 learners were equally competent in both the /u/-/wu/ and the /i/-/ji/ discriminations, FL learners were much less capable of the /u/-/wu/ discrimination than of the /i/-/ji/ discrimination. Moreover, FL-L2 learners were better at identifying /u/ than their FL peers, suggesting that L2 exposure may have facilitated their acquisition of the articulatory details associated with /u/. Overall, the study showed that engaging in L2 immersion following FL learning is beneficial for non-native phonological development among adult learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The output hypothesis, proposed by Swain, plays a crucial role in language learning. It emphasizes the importance of learners' production (output) alongside comprehensible input. Pushed output, which reflects the accurate and concise language use of learners, has gained popularity in classrooms. Simultaneously, integrating technology into teaching has become important. However, research on how technology and pushed output impact vocabulary learning remains limited. This study examines the effects of three scenarios--pushed email, a pushed class, and a non-pushed class--on vocabulary development. 'Within-subject design' means each participant in the study experienced these three scenarios in a different order. Data was collected using diverse approaches. Productivity and vocabulary knowledge ratings were used to answer the set research questions. A total of 54 third-year adult Saudi EFL students at Albaha University participated. The participants were taught with no pushed output, with pushed output, and with email-pushed output in three groups, in three contexts, and using three target lexical item sets. In the productive and Vocabulary Knowledge Scales (VKS) tests, learners who completed vocabulary learning with pushed output performed better in the short and long terms. The email and pushed output outside class scenarios had a greater effect than in class. The findings urge further research into long-term technology-enhanced vocabulary learning exercises for speaking skills utilising the pushed output technique. Such studies could expand the sample and compare findings across Middle Eastern nations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although more students are turning to online education, not all of them achieve success in these types of courses so the focus was drawn to students' satisfaction. One of the noteworthy aspects of online instruction is satisfaction, and detecting its predictors can increase the value and achievement of online learning. Consequently, inspecting the elements which affect learners' online learning satisfaction seems to be critical. For instance, having assurance in one's abilities, also known as self-efficacy is a crucial determinant in anticipating satisfactory online learning outcomes. Moreover, the success of online education profoundly depends on the motivation of students as it demands their utmost effort and active involvement in the learning journey. Subsequently, this research attempts to scrutinize the roles of self-efficacy and motivation as the constructs manipulating online learning satisfaction in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) milieu. To this end, 458 EFL learners took part, and running Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) showed that both self-efficacy and motivation could predict online learning satisfaction, but self-efficacy was a stronger predictor that represents about 81% of changes in the EFL learners' online learning satisfaction. Additionally, it was proved that motivation had also a considerable impact on their satisfaction as it can predict about 52% of changes in the EFL learners' online learning satisfaction. Finally, the results of this paper provide implications for EFL stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment plays a vital role in English language learning as it helps students recognize their weak and strong points. Two main types of assessment are dynamic assessment (DA) and static assessment (SA) that their effects have not been examined on Iraqi EFL students' resilience, burnout, positive orientation (PO), and language academic achievement yet. Therefore, this research aims to close this gap. To do so, sixty intermediate EFL students were selected and divided into DA and SA groups to do so. The two groups were then given pretests on the four dependent variables. Subsequently, one group was taught ten reading literary texts with 100 new words using DA, whereas the other group was taught identical materials using SA. After the 8-week course, both groups took the post-tests on resilience, burnout, PO, and academic performance. The study's findings showed that the DA group did better than the SA group on the four post-tests. It can be concluded that using DA with the support of literary texts can produce positive effects in EFL classes. The current study has consequences for researchers, students, English instructors, and other stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online teacher education programs can be more situated by engaging student teachers in Internet-based collaborative reflection (ICR) and e-learning-oriented assessment (ELOA) via Web 2.0 technology. Thus, this study explored how the role of English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) student teachers' ICR practices and ELOA can enhance student teachers' situated online teacher education. In this qualitative study, 15 Iranian EFL student teachers were chosen purposively within a transcendental phenomenology to conduct ICR on ELOA practices during situated learning in online teacher education. The results showed that implementing ICR on ELOA tended to enhance student-centered teacher education; collaborative and reflective teacher development; social, professional, cognitive, and emotional growth; and the connection of teaching, learning, and assessment within online teacher education. More specifically, ELOA practices allowed for meaningful tasks and authentic activities based on practical experience, triggered continuous feedback on EFL student teachers' performance via technology, directed online learning and teaching, and enhanced a performance-based and learning-oriented assessment process. Pedagogical implications for the design of student teacher programs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐regulated learning (SRL) is considered a critical competence for lifelong learning that requires explicit instruction and consistent practice, especially for college students. Despite the abundant intervention studies on the role of SRL in students’ academic performance in the Western world, very little is known in China in English as a foreign language (EFL). To address this issue, the current study utilised a mixed‐methods approach to investigating the effectiveness of self‐regulated language learning intervention (devised using Zimmerman's cyclical phase model of SRL) on Chinese EFL learners. One hundred sophomores from two intact classes were recruited to either an experimental or a control group and evaluated at pre‐, mid‐ and post‐tests for motivation, strategic competence and English proficiency. After the post‐test, 30 students were selected to accomplish follow‐up semi‐structured interviews. The quantitative results revealed a significant increase for the experimental group for the three assessed variables in comparison with the control at the post‐test. In addition, the qualitative results were employed to explore the diverse differences between the high and low achievers and the perceived variances after the intervention, which provided comprehensive knowledge of the SRL foreign language acquisition. Meanwhile, the limitations and the theoretical and pedagogical implications were further discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the joint effects of task repetition and corrective feedback on EFL learners’ writing accuracy. Two types of task repetition were investigated: identical repetition where learners repeated the same task, and procedural repetition where learners performed tasks with different content following the same procedure. Under each repetition condition, learners received direct correction or metalinguistic feedback on their erroneous use of three linguistic structures: the past tense, articles, and prepositions. 80 Korean university EFL learners were randomly assigned to four groups: identical repetition + direct feedback, identical repetition + metalinguistic feedback, procedural repetition + direct feedback, and procedural repetition + metalinguistic feedback, and received one of the four instructional treatments. The results showed that (1) procedural repetition was superior to identical repetition in enhancing learners’ writing accuracy regardless of whether direct feedback or metalinguistic feedback was provided, and (2) there were no significant differences between the two types of feedback despite a trend toward a greater effect for metalinguistic feedback for the past tense and a greater effect for direct correction for articles and prepositions. The results demonstrate the advantage of procedural repetition over identical repetition in enhancing the effects of corrective feedback in L2 writing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the abundance of pedagogical reforms conducted in task‐based language teaching (TBLT), few studies have fully explored the adaptation of TBLT to cater to the specific language learning requirements and cultural contexts of local communities. It is important to consider localized TBLT, referring to a context‐specific adaptation of the classical TBLT approach, tailored to meet the unique needs and circumstances of a particular teaching environment. This study seeks to bridge this gap by examining the effects of a localized TBLT approach on English as a foreign language (EFL) learners’ oral production in terms of complexity, accuracy, and fluency in examination‐oriented contexts. A total of 101 Chinese secondary school students participated in this study and were divided into two groups, namely, an experimental group (N = 50), which was taught employing the localized TBLT approach, and a comparison group (N = 51), which received traditional presentation–practice–production (PPP) instruction. The intervention spanned 15 weeks, with three instructional sessions per week. The results revealed that localized TBLT instruction had a significantly larger effect on fluency and complexity than traditional PPP instruction. The study has implications for localizing TBLT to better suit local contexts and achieve improved student learning outcomes in other similar EFL settings characterized by a focus on examination preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores how paper and online assessments (OA) can affect EFL learners' personal development variables such as self-esteem, mindfulness, demotivation, and language learning development. Sixty intermediate English as a foreign language (EFL) students participated in the current research and were randomly grouped into the experimental group (EG) and the control group (CG). Before the intervention, the data collection tools assessing language learners' self-esteem, mindfulness, demotivation, and language learning development were administered as pre-tests to all the participants. Subsequently, the EG was taught all lessons of the coursebook, Top Notch 2, by utilizing OA while the CG was taught the identical lessons using a conventional (pen and paper) assessment. In the post-treatment phase, the two groups completed the post-tests on self-esteem mindfulness, demotivation, and language learning progress. The study demonstrated that the EG group outperformed the CG group on the four post-tests. The findings indicate that the intervention of OA significantly enhanced language learning outcomes and psychological well-being regarding the measured personal development variables. The enhanced efficacy in the EG group can be ascribed to the utilization of OA during the treatment phase, which has a beneficial effect on academic and personal development. This study also posits that integrating OA augments psychological engagement and language development among EFL learners. It highlights the implications of the results associating teaching EFL via OA with the observed personal development aspects and attributes them to effects of positive psychology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractCollaborative digital multimodal composing (CDMC) has recently gained traction in the advent of technology-enhanced language learning, yet scant attention was paid to the influence of semiotic resources on the interaction patterns between learners. The present study attempted to fill the research gap by examining the interactions between English as a Second Language (ESL) learners in an online English for Academic Purpose (EAP) course. Using a multiple case-study design, three pairs of undergraduates completed a collaborative multimodal writing and video-making task for presentation using ZOOM. Influence of semiotic resources can be unveiled through manipulating the mode of presentation. Data of this study includes the verbal exchanges and non-verbal on-screen interactions between the participants while they are working on the tasks. Their interaction patterns were analyzed through conversation analysis and two aspects of collaborations, namely equality and mutuality, were also examined. Their interaction patterns were found to be strikingly different across both tasks, and languaging mainly serves the function of verbalization of content-related issues, such as searching for information and assembling various multimodal elements, with only rare instances of either grammar-based or lexis-based language-related episodes (LRE). Another striking finding is that pairs who are working collaboratively with balanced division and mutual contribution are less susceptible to our manipulation, as compared to those who are demonstrating a dominant-dominant or expert-novice working pattern. Implications of these findings on fostering peer collaborations during CDMC are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a MALL TPACK questionnaire was developed and validated based on a TPACK framework. Data were collected from 414 EFL teachers. The development of the questionnaire involved a comprehensive review of existing literature, examination of existing questionnaires, and interviews with experts. This process resulted in an initial item pool of 50 questions. The questionnaire was subsequently administered to participants, and its construct validity and reliability were assessed employing various statistical methods. Exploratory Factor Analysis was conducted with a subset of 200 participants, while Confirmatory Factor Analysis was performed with the remaining 214 participants. Additionally, the Cronbach’s alpha method was employed to evaluate the reliability of the instrument. The results indicated that participants were able to identify four constructs from the original TPACK framework: Pedagogical, content, and pedagogical content knowledge, as well as TPACK. However, knowledge of technology was divided into two separate constructs: Knowing technology and using technology. As a result, a six-factor solution with 37 items was developed and confirmed as a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating MALL TPACK levels among Iranian EFL instructors. These findings have important implications for future research and in the design of teacher professional development courses in Iranian EFL contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigates the effect of three foreign language learner emotions on the amount of gain in oral proficiency over one school year of 159 eleven‐year‐old pupils starting English foreign language classes in France. Previous cross‐sectional studies have shown positive relationships between foreign language enjoyment (FLE) and various performance and achievement measures, as well as negative relationships between foreign language classroom anxiety (FLCA), foreign language classroom boredom (FLCB), and FL performance and achievement measures. A common finding is that negative emotions explain more variance in Foreign Language (FL) performance and achievement measures at a single point in time than positive emotions. Correlation analyses revealed that the amount of gain was positively linked to FLE and negatively linked FLCA and FLCB. A first multiple regression analysis showed that, surprisingly, FLE was the only (positive) predictor of gain in oral proficiency. A second multiple regression analysis revealed that the FLE teacher dimension was the only predictor of gain in oral proficiency. This suggests that positive emotions, and especially the ability of teachers to meet the psychological needs of their students, have a stronger long‐term effect while negative emotions are more likely to disrupt performance in the moment. Pedagogical implications are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a self-regulated vocabulary learning mobile application (SRVL-MAPP) to improve English as a foreign language (EFL) students’ English vocabulary learning achievement and motivation. To evaluate the effectiveness of SRVL-MAPP, an experiment was conducted with 60 fourth-grade students from a primary school in Henan Province, China. These students were divided into two classes and randomly assigned to either the experimental group, which used SRVL-MAPP, or the control group, which used a mobile vocabulary learning application (NSRVL-MAPP) without the SRL mechanism, with 30 students in each group. The experiment lasted for three weeks. The results revealed that students in the experimental group outperformed those in the control group in both vocabularies learning achievement and motivation. In addition, the results also indicated that SRVL-MAPP significantly improved the English vocabulary learning achievement and motivation of field-dependent learners, while no such effect was observed for field-independent learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]