How parts of speech are learned? A lexical-driven or a structure-driven model

This study examined the learning variables affecting college learners achievement in a general English course under the Emergency Remote Teaching Environment. For the study, six learning variables were selected: checking the bulletin-board, learning progress, access to the LMS, watching video lectures using mobile devices or PCs, and learning time. 133 Korean college students participated in the online general English courses. Their data were collected through the Learning Management System. The data were analyzed to examine the learning variables affecting their academic achievement according to their characteristics using the independent t-test and multiple regression. The research findings are as follows. First, checking the bulletinboard, access to the LMS, and learning progress were correlated highly with their academic achievement. Second, checking the bulletin-board and watching video lectures using mobile devices contributed to the achievement for the male students. However, only the variable of access to the LMS affected the female students. Access to the LMS was the primary variable for the 1st grade students; checking the bulletinboard and watching video lectures using mobile devices affected the achievement in the Engineering college. In the low-level group, access to the bulletin-board was the only effective variable. Some discussions and implications for examining the learning variables affecting academic achievement are illustrated.

The use of students’ artwork as learning media in General English courses is becoming more widely acknowledged for its many advantages. In order to clarify the significant and the implication of students’ artwork as learning media, this research was conducted. The research questions, namely: 1) what type of students’ artwork is chosen as learning media in General English courses? 2) How is the process of teaching using student artwork as a learning media? 3) what are the advantages of using student’ artwork as a learning media? This research employed a qualitative case study approach. Data were taken from the result of interview to the five students of Fine Arts study program as the respondents then analyzed in percentage and NVivo 12 analysis. It is concluded that student’s artwork as a learning media should be chosen based on students’ preference. In relation to students’ preference, paintings and sculptures are chosen as learning media in General English courses. The choice of artwork as learning media can increase motivation which helps students learn vocabulary, grammar, writing and speaking more quickly and eventually enables them to communicate in English. Accordingly, when students used artwork as learning media for learning English, they simultaneously advance their understanding of the arts and acquire practice speaking English as a foreign language. Therefore, further investigation is recommended to provide an understanding the implication of students’ artwork as learning media. The research has limitation because it focused only on the English instruction. but did not address assessment using artwork. Therefore, further investigation is recommended to provide an understanding the implication of students’ artwork as learning media.

This study was conducted in two phases. The first one is the preliminary phase aimed at tailoring the standard curriculum based on learners’ needs analysis. The second one is the main phase, intended to evaluate the tailored curriculum based on teachers’ views. The participants in the preliminary phase of the study (tailoring the curriculum) were 346 non-native male and female undergraduate students who received the same Pre-Requisite General English course at their first semester in university. They were studying different majors, including Accounting, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. The participants in the main phase (evaluation of the tailored curriculum by teachers) were 10 non-native male (7) and female (3) teachers who taught the Pre-Requisite General English course through the tailored curriculum. The findings of the study supported the hypothesis that the teachers have a positive attitude toward using the tailored curriculum in teaching the Pre-Requisite General English course. It seems that the implementation of this tailored program, which is based on learner-needs-analysis, can enhance the effectiveness of the English for General Purposes (EGP) course, compared to the standard one.

This study aimed to discover whether an online writing system has any effect on Iranians’ EFL academic writing performance. The study also sought to find out whether the proficiency level of learners influenced the effect of the system on academic writing. To meet this end, an online writing system was developed and 68 undergraduate students of the General English language course studying at Sharif University of Technology were requested to participate in this study. First, their English language proficiency was measured by a language proficiency test that included 80 questions of one of the latest versions of the official TOEFL iBT test, which was provided by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Then, over an eight-week period, the participants were assigned to write eight versions of academic writing that followed a genre-based teaching approach through computer-based instructions. The writing scores were statistically analyzed and the results revealed that providing students with computer-assisted instruction (CAI) led to significant improvements in their academic writing performance. Moreover, according to the findings of this study, the learners’ level of proficiency did influence the effect of the system.

The purpose of this study is to explore the difference in self-directed English learning ability between college students taking General English courses in non-face-to-face and face-to-face formats. Additionally, the study aims to examine whether there are variations in self-directed English learning ability based on individual variables among students in both types of classes. A survey was conducted to measure self-directed English learning ability, covering cognitive, affective, and behavioral aspects. Data from 284 freshmen were analyzed using IBM SPSS 27.0. The findings are as follows. First, a difference in self-directed English learning ability was observed between college students taking non-face-to-face and face-to-face General English courses. Notably, the difference in learning when it comes to motivation, continuity of learning activities, and learning about the factors involved in resource interest management was statistically significant. In all seven sub-factors, the average score of college students taking non-face-to-face classes was higher than that of their face-to-face counterparts. Second, the self-directed English learning ability of college students who took non-face-to-face classes differed based on individual variables such as gender, English vocabulary level, interest in English, and average learning time per day. In particular, the difference in average scores by gender showed a certain pattern. Third, the self-directed English learning ability of college students who took face-to-face classes varied depending on individual variables such as gender, English vocabulary level, interest in English, and average learning time per day. Depending on some individual variables, certain patterns were also shown. Based on these findings, similarities and differences in college students' self-directed English learning ability between non-face-to-face and face-to-face classes were identified. Also, educational suggestions to enhance learners' self-directed English learning ability in both settings were provided.

This research investigated the effects of generative AI on affective factors (motivation, interest, and confidence) of English as a foreign language (EFL) learners enrolled in Korean university-level general English courses. During the Spring 2024 semester, this study involved 89 participants exposed to a generative AI-based instruction model. Compared to traditional methodologies, these results highlight the potential effectiveness of generative AI-based English instruction for writing and speaking in supporting linguistic proficiency and positive affective attitudes toward language learning among EFL learners.

The California State University and Colleges English Placement Test (CSUC-EPT) was designed to provide information about the performance levels in both reading and writing skills of newly admitted students (mostly freshmen) to any one of the campuses of the California State University and Colleges system (beginning with the Fall 1977 semester or quarter) (Educational Testing Service, 1977a, b). For a total sample of several hundred entering freshmen at one campus who had completed the CSUC-EPT and who had elected to take the general English Composition course (English 155) during the first semester as well as for nearly equal size subsamples of males and females, the major purpose of the investigation was to determine the comparative validity of the CSUC-EPT and of other measures in the prediction of each of two specific criterion variables—1977 Fall Semester Grade Point Average (GPA) and English 155 Grades. For the total sample as well as for subsamples of females and males, intercorrelations among 11 predictor variables and the two identified criterion measures were found, and several multiple regression analyses were carried out to ascertain which particular combinations of predictor variables were the most valid indicators of success on each criterion measure. The evidence provided by the findings led to these conclusions: (1) high school GPA is the most valid predictor of college GPA for males and females; (2) the CSUC-EPT offers slightly greater promise than does high school GPA in predicting grades in a basic English composition course; (3) future success of females in this course can be forecast with a higher degree of validity than can that of males; and (4) among several possible composites of predictor variables an optimally weighted combination of high school GPA and performance level on the CSUC-EPT typically provides the most accurate prediction of success on either criterion measure.

This study aimed to probe whether using the backward summary technique led to reading comprehension enhancement among non-English major university students at the Islamic Azad University of Babol, located in Babol city, in the North of Iran. 120 B.S. level nursing and microbiology students were randomly selected from a population of non-English majors enrolled for the General English course, divided into four groups of 30, and were randomly assigned to two experimental and two control groups. A pre-test of reading comprehension was administered to all groups, and then, they were taught passages t read for eight sessions but with different methods. A one-way ANCOVA was run to investigate the impact of the intervention, while controlling for the pre-test. The results indicated statistically significant effects for the experimental groups on the post-test, regarding comprehension, retention, and organization of the key concepts.

This study critically evaluates an English course syllabus for Business Administration Department at a leading Indonesian university, focusing on its alignment with needs analysis and syllabus content. Adopting a qualitative approach, the research integrates document analysis and a structured interview with the syllabus developer to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. The structured interview explored the Present Situation Analysis (PSA) in syllabus implementation, while critical document analysis examined the Target Situation Analysis (TSA) envisioned by the syllabus, enabling the identification of gaps and actionable solutions. Findings reveal that the syllabus relies on outdated needs analysis data, lacks adherence to the ABCD model in learning objectives, exhibits limited diversity in perspectives and examples, and omits operational verbs in learning indicators, resulting in ambiguity and misalignment with students’ practical needs. Additionally, assessments neglect the psychomotor and affective domains, suffer from unclear scoring rubrics, and display inconsistencies in grading criteria, limiting the syllabus's ability to prepare students for real-world business communication demands. This study contributes to educational sciences by underscoring the importance of updated needs analysis and comprehensive curriculum design for improving instructional effectiveness. It offers actionable recommendations for curriculum developers and educators, advocating for General English courses tailored to specific academic and professional contexts. The findings provide a framework for future syllabus development, emphasizing the integration of inclusive content, clear learning objectives, and robust assessment strategies to support higher education practices in addressing the evolving demands of a globalized and diverse student body.

This study investigates the effects of employing extended online thematic listening tasks on the development of listening comprehension in an English course focusing on reading and writing skill development. To accomplish this aim, extended online thematic listening tasks were designed and implemented in English as a Foreign-Language (EFL) college level General English course. Pre- and post-tests were conducted to examine students’ gains in overall listening proficiency. Moreover, students’ mid-term and final exams were compared in order to track student progress. Data on student perceptions of online thematic tasks was also collected and analyzed. Findings suggest that extended online thematic listening tasks may constitute a dynamic forum which fosters significant gains in listening comprehension, test performance, and development of learning strategies. In addition, the findings reveal that students’ initial enthusiasm toward extended online listening tasks faded and the efforts that they put into the tasks gradually decreased as the semester progressed. Therefore, time availability and management become an important pedagogical issue in e-learning.

Many Chinese universities are implementing an educational reform to transform their general English courses into academic English courses. Accordingly, how to assess students’ English ability should also be reformed. In this test review, we introduce a school-based general academic English summative test developed by English instructors. An argument-based approach was adopted to analyze the test validity by obtaining students’ test data and their reflective responses to the test. This review can provide a practical reference for the development of a valid general academic English summative test by including practices of course instructors and voices of students, two important test stakeholders, in test design.

<p>台灣一般大學及技職校院通識英文課程多仰賴兼任教師授課，而教師回應課程管理制度要求呈現質量化教學成果，所採取之教學因應策略是否能維持專業取向仍少有論述。研究用建制俗民誌設計大綱，訪談六位在十三所大學語言中心任教通識英文兼任教師，藉微觀政治視角分析其回應管理之策略。發現：(1)面對各校差異要求，兼任教師採取「配合」或「力求表現」策略，力求表現指教師利用話術或利益交換，說服學生呈現更多成果。(2)相對專任，兼任教師多保持沉默，不讓管理單位感到困擾。(3)採取力求表現策略之動機，來自文化認同利益與自我專業認同利益：文化認同利益改變師生溝通、班級經營及輔導方式，而自我專業認同利益讓其在多變教學環境中自我強化。</p> <p> </p><p>Teaching of General English courses at universities and at universities of science and technology in Taiwan relies heavily on part-time instructors. The strategies undertaken by part-time instructors of General English in response to course management regulations affect their teaching practice. The study participants were six part-time General English instructors teaching at 13 university language centers. This study applied the institutional ethnography approach to designing interview guidelines and analyzed the interaction strategies applied by the instructors in response to the language centers’ requirements from the micropolitics perspective. The following was discovered: 1) Most of the educators “went along” with distinct requirements, whereas some chose to “be noticed” and used strategies, such as sales talk or quid pro quo negotiation, to improve student outcomes. (2) The part-time instructors tended to “keep silent” and were careful to “not cause any trouble” even when they found the requirements to be unrealistic. 3) The “being noticed” strategy was associated with cultural-ideological and professional identity interests. Cultural-ideological interests influence the instructor–student interactions, class management, and tutoring strategies. Professional identity interests enable them to think positively and help students in alternative ways when they encounter a frequent change in the teaching context.</p> <p> </p>

Detected as a problem in foreign language learning, polysemy has been a subject of many various studies and from many various aspects. The problem of polysemy is particularly important in English for Specific Purposes, or in our case English for Police Purposes, since it very often gets unnoticed by learners. Having learnt one meaning in a General English course, learners are usually unaware that the same word can have a new meaning in technical texts. The aim of the case study is to examine to what extent the students can recognize the senses of polysemous words in different contexts and if the level the particular meaning is associated with (according to the CEFR) influences the percentage of correct/incorrect answers. We used a questionnaire and a self-designed vocabulary test to collect the data both about the participants and their practical knowledge of polysemy. The study was conducted with a group of I-year students of Forensic Engineering at the University of Criminal Investigation and Police Studies. The results obtained should help improve the course of English for Police Purposes.

A Survey Report on the Teaching Reform of Ideas of “Educating People and Cultivating Talents” of Vocational General English Course Based on Core Literacy

This study applied a standard setting method for determining cutoff scores for university students’ English proficiency tests, which are criterion-referenced tests, conducted at universities and explored the application of this approach for enhancing the effectiveness of general English education at different levels. To differentiate students’ proficiency levels, the study used the cutoff scores determined by the Angoff method based on the English proficiency test items used for sub-divisions of general English courses at University A. University A conducts its sub-division classes in three proficiency levels, and, accordingly, this study employed level determination based on the three performance level descriptions(PLD). The results of the Angoff standard setting indicated that, as rounds of discussion progressed, the panel members tended to make decisions in favor of raising the cutoff scores, and the standard deviation of the cutoff scores estimated by the panel members tended to decrease demonstrating a narrowing of opinions among the panel members. However, it was confirmed that the estimation tendencies of specific panel members could influence the overall standard deviation, and, therefore, guidelines are needed to control such bias in future standard settings. The application of the cutoff scores determined through standard setting to assess students' English proficiency levels showed a difference in the distribution of level-based classes from what is currently being conducted at University A. This suggests that, for universities using fixed cutoff scores to divide classes into proficiency levels, the standard setting is necessary to ensure the appropriate division of level-based classes.