...ANXIETY AND SPEAKING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE AMONG MALE AND FEMALE BUSINESS STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITI INDUSTRI SELANGOR Ayu Rita Bt Mohamad and Nadhia Dalila Bt Ab Wahid Industrial University of Selangor Jln Timur Tambahan, 456000 Bestari Jaya E-mail: ayurita@yahoo.com ABSTRACT This study explores the nature and anxiety of speaking English as a second language among male and female Business Degree students in Industrial University of Selangor (Unisel), Berjuntai Bestari, Selangor. This study attempts to identify potential sources of anxiety relevant to the students’ affective needs or concerns in an institution of higher learning through the use of an in-depth qualitative questionnaire. As the pre-administered questionnaire findings indicate, the differences in the level of language anxiety exhibited by the participants seem to vary by gender. Using various studies by previous researchers of language anxiety as a theoretical guideline for data collection and analysis, this study also discusses some of the influences or impact of anxiety-provoking factors on second language learning, along with some implications for further research on language anxiety. 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction Anxiety is a negative way to present human feelings. When we are anxious, we feel nervous, worried, and fearful. We struggle, tremble, perspire, and our hearts beat quickly. In general, anxiety can be defined as a complex concept dependent upon not only on one’s feelings of selfefficacy...
Words: 7711 - Pages: 31
...and Kapodistrian University of Athens Abstract: This paper reports on results of one aspect of a larger research project carried out at the Research Centre in English Language Teaching, Testing and Assessment (RCEL), University of Athens. The overall aim of the project is to investigate the test-taking strategies used by Greek users of English when performing the activities of the Greek State Language Exams, known as Kratiko Pistopiitiko Glossomathias (KPG) and whether these can be successfully taught. The aim of this paper is twofold. It firstly aims at discussing findings regarding the testtaking strategies candidates claim to use when responding to the KPG reading tasks and, secondly, at presenting the research instrument used for such an investigation. The research instrument, which is a closedresponse questionnaire, has been designed at the RCEL and administered to candidates who sat for the KPG examination at the November 2008 administration. The findings, which actually demystify the way candidates deal with the reading activities, may prove useful not only for teachers who prepare students for the KPG exam and for the actual candidates but also for syllabus and materials designers. 1. Background to the study One of the projects presently being carried out at the Research Centre in English Language Teaching, Testing and Assessment (RCEL)1, University of JAL 25 (2009) 129 130 Maria Stathopoulou, Doriana Nikaki Athens, sheds light on the relatively unexplored...
Words: 7881 - Pages: 32
...1 The Induction-Deduction Opposition: Ambiguities and Complexities of the Didactic Reality Wilfried Decoo Published in IRAL: International Review of Applied Linguistics, vol. 34, n° 2 (May 1996), 95-118. ("didactic" = pertaining to teaching and learning in a school context) Abstract An analysis of some of the scientific literature reveals that the terms "induction" and "deduction" often point to various concepts. A number of modalities need to be discerned, especially in the realm of "induction". Experimental comparisons of different methodological approaches may also neglect, to some extent, the complexities of what is really taking place in the classroom setting. The purpose of this article is not to take sides in the methodological controversy, but to contribute to a greater awareness of terminology identification and of the tangents, plural forms and crossings between didactic strategies that draw on "induction" or "deduction". Les termes "induction" et "déduction", tels qu'une analyse de la littérature scientifique nous les révèle, renvoient souvent à des concepts différents. Il semble utile de discerner les différentes modalités, en particulier dans le domaine de "l'induction". Les comparaisons expérimentales de différentes approches méthodologiques semblent négliger, du moins en partie, les aspects complexes de la réalité en classe. Cet article ne prend pas position dans la controverse méthodologique, mais désire contribuer à une plus grande prise de conscience d'une part...
Words: 8498 - Pages: 34
...Reading and Second Language Learners Research Report May 1999 This report prepared by Magda Costantino, Ph.D. The Evergreen Center for Education Improvement The Evergreen State College Olympia, Washington 98505 With assistance from: Joe St. Charles Susan Tepper Edlamae Baird Acknowledgment to Gary Burris and Lynne Adair For their invaluable assistance with the project This material is available in alternative format by request. Contact Bilingual Education at 360-753-2573, TDD 360-664-3631. The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or marital status. Table of Contents (click on page number for access) Introduction......................................................................................................................... 1 Executive Summary ............................................................................................................ 3 Chapter One Language Acquisition and the Language Learner .......................................................... 7 Section One: How Does First Language Develop? .................................................... 7 Section Two: How Does Second Language Develop? ............................................... 9 Foundational Theories ...............................................................................................
Words: 43239 - Pages: 173
...Globalization and the Problems and Prospects of Teaching and Learning of Yoruba as a Second Language (L2) in Colleges of Education in Nigeria Oyewole Arohunmolase Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo Nigeria Introduction The teaching and learning of Yoruba as a second language in Nigeria and as a foreign language in Britain, United States of America (USA), Germany, and many other countries all over Europe and the world has extended the frontiers of knowledge in the teaching and learning of Yoruba language. Many people in Nigeria and in the above named countries all over the world are interested in knowing the spoken form of Yoruba, its literature, and its culture. The Federal Government in Nigeria’s policy on the teaching and learning of Yoruba L2 in Colleges of Education is to see that people in Nigeria live in unity and harmony as one indivisible, indissoluble, democratic, and sovereign nationals founded on the principles of freedom, equality, and justice with other ethnic groups. Government also, in the National Policy on Education (NPE), Stresses the importance of Language as a means of promoting social interaction and national cohesion; and presenting cultures. Therefore, every child in Nigeria shall learn the language of the immediate environment. Furthermore, in the interest of national unity it is expedient that every child shall be required to learn ONE of the THREE Major Nigerian Languages; Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba (NPE1998: 8). This view of every child being required...
Words: 2751 - Pages: 12
...Second Language Acquisition and Second Language Learning Stephen D Krashen University of Southern California Copyright © 1981 Stephen Krashen All Rights Reserved. This publication may be downloaded and copied without charge for all reasonable, non-commercial educational purposes, provided no alterations in the text are made. First printed edition 1981 by Pergamon Press Inc. Print Edition ISBN 0-08-025338-5 First internet edition December 2002 i Acknowledgments I would like to thank the following journals and organizations for granting permission to reprint material: Newbury House, the Center for Applied Linguistics, Language Learning, TESOL, the SPEAQ Journal, Academic Press. I have had a great deal of help and feedback from many people in writing this book. Among the many scholars and friends I am indebted to are Marina Burt, Earl Stevick, Heidi Dulay, Robin Scarcella, Rosario Gingras, Nathalie Bailey, Carolyn Madden, Georgette Ioup, Linda Galloway, Herbert Seliger, Noel Houck, Judith Robertson, Steven Sternfeld, Batyia Elbaum, Adrian Palmer, John Oller, John Lamendella, Evelyn Hatch, John Schumann, Eugene Brière, Diane Larsen-Freeman, Larry Hyman, Tina Bennet, Ann Fathman, Janet Kayfetz, Ann Peters, Kenji Hakuta, Elinor Ochs, Elaine Andersen, Peter Shaw, and Larry Selinker. I also would like to express my thanks to those scholars whose work has stimulated my own thinking in the early stages of the research reported on here: John Upshur, Leonard Newmark, and S...
Words: 54067 - Pages: 217
...social Language English c, s o c i o l i n g u i s tech n o g r a p h ia n d it, n e _ - r l l i s hL a n g u a gT e a c h i ni g i t s s o c i a lc o n t e x t o f f e r s h a n d i n t r o d u c ets e and learning on pe , , , a l - p s y c h o l o g i c a lr s p e c t i v e s T E S 0 L t e a c h i n g e l s I l e . . = . a n tl i t e r a t u r e n s e c o n da n g u a ga c q u i s i t i o nt. p r e s e n tE n g l i s ha n g u a gte a c h i n g o contexts' g, i c o . . a r i e t y f s p e c i f i n s t i t u t i o n a l e o g r a p h acn dc u l t u r a l p i e c e - h a v eb e e n s y a b . : . : i c l e s w h i c hi n c l u d e o t hc l a s s i c n d s p e c i a l lc o m m i s s i o n e d e l s - _ .. . , y c h o s e n n o e d i t e d o p r e s e ntth e m a i np r i n c i p l eo f E n g l i s ha n g u a gte a c h i n g ' t a y h r,e c o g n i ste e i n d i v i d u a l i to f s b : , 3 c u so n t h e r o l e sp l a y e d y t e a c h e r a n d l e a r n e r s g u i d a n c eo r s t u d e n t s ' f o i , j . a g e l e a r n e r ss u p p o r t e a c h e r sn t h e p r o v i s i o n f a c t i v e learners between interaction patterns of and negative bothpositive and =-.- r1g, examine :-,rteacherS. n - -ls o v e r a lu n d e r s t a n d io fg l n p u r R e a d eo f f e r s e o p l e n f a m i l i aw i t h r e s e a r cih t h i sf i e l da n r a l l o w i n t h em o r ee x p e r i e n c e d g e g l . = . us s u eis c o n t e m p o r a Ey g l i s ha n g u a gte a c h i nw h i l e r n...
Words: 16629 - Pages: 67
...Moreover, the second consistency proved teachers’ understanding about the elements of lesson plan they had designed. This consistency supported Adam and Cessna (1991) who argued that teachers shared beliefs about teaching and learning are fundamental to successful co-teaching. As teachers’ beliefs about lesson plan in team teaching may have a dominant influence on the successful of classroom practice, it is important for teachers to be aware of their own beliefs about lesson plan and process of team teaching and how they are translated into classroom practice. John and Golombeck (2002) [14] argued that it has become important to consider teachers’ beliefs and values as they serve as the background for much of decision making and actions in the classroom. Moreover, Peacock (2001) [15] confirmed that teachers’ beliefs do not readily change, it also shows that teachers’ beliefs may adapt to accommodate the contextual...
Words: 1011 - Pages: 5
...focuses on: 1) Chomsky’s Universal Grammar in brief, in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) context; 2) Evidences supporting Chomsky’s UG - views offered by linguists such as Williams and White, etc, to provide arguments to support UG pertaining to first language acquisition and second language acquisition; 3) Evidences refuting Chomsky’s UG - according to Piaget and Haspelmath, etc, based on the insufficient assumption of SLA and also biological evolutions; 4) UG and language teaching; 5) and in the conclusion, I shall add my two-cent worth of perspective as a language teacher. 1) Chomsky’s Universal Grammar in Brief Universal Grammar is the brainchild of Noam Chomsky, adopting the cognitive approach. Human beings have implicit knowledge of grammar but may not be able to explain how they get this ability. This is because they have no conscious awareness of the processes involved. 1) Universal grammar is a theory of knowledge: It is mainly concern with the internal structure of the human mind, suggesting that the speaker knows a set of principles that apply to all languages, and parameters that vary from one language to another. It makes precise statements about properties of the mind based on specific evidence. It is important to note that the theory attempts to integrate grammar, mind and language at the same time. Chomsky considers UG to be comprised...
Words: 4414 - Pages: 18
...Hugvísindasvið Second Language Acquisition The Effect of Age and Motivation Ritgerð til BA prófs Einar Garibaldi Stefánsson Maí 2013 Háskóli Íslands Hugvísindasvið Enska Second Language Acquisition The Effect of Age and Motivation Ritgerð til BA prófs í ensku Einar Garibaldi Stefánsson Kt.: 030382-4209 Leiðbeinandi: Ásrún Jóhannsdóttir Maí 2013 Abstract This paper looks into the competence of second language acquisition by investigating how second language is acquired. Furthermore it explores the age factor in learning another language other than mother tongue and also attempts to answer if there is enough current evidence that can demonstrate clearly that starting young makes any real difference in achieving better language competence. Moreover, research such as on motivation in relation to the learning environment along with language exposure and attitudes will be discussed and data analysed to find out if it plays any significant role in aiding learners to achieve successful second language competence. It has been a common belief that starting young to learn a second language makes a significant difference in language learning. However, results indicate that this is not entirely true in all cases since there are further factors that affect successful second language acquisition achievement such as language exposure and motivation. Consequently, if there is not enough language exposure, this might prevent the learners from succeeding in learning the language. Clearly, those...
Words: 10831 - Pages: 44
...A review of the positivist and interpretive paradigms and discussion on how they are both related to the proposed study 'Chinese culture on learning and the use of meta-cognitive language-learning strategies at an institute of vocational education in Hong Kong'. By Manfred Wu "I certify that this work is entirely my own and has not been accepted as part of a submission to another degree course" _________________________ Word Length: 5,964 Abstract This paper begins with a review of the positivist and interpretive paradigms. After the description of a proposed study on Chinese values on learning and use of meta-cognitive language-learning strategies (MCLLS), how the study emerges from the two paradigms is discussed. Discussions show that the aims of the study of gathering descriptive data and exploring relationships between the two variables as well as the use of survey method are more pertained to the positivist paradigm as it shares features with the paradigm including a high degree of control over responses, use of statistics both for descriptive and for determining relationships and researchers being detached by adopting the role of an objective and passive informant. Other aims of generating insights on the two selected concepts, collecting information from respondents' frame of reference, focusing on the whole institutional setting and the use of semi-structured interview are more pertained to the interpretive paradigm. It is because...
Words: 7379 - Pages: 30
...Foreign Language Annals Á vol. 43, No. 1 27 Language-Learning Motivation During Short-Term Study Abroad: An Activity Theory Perspective Heather Willis Allen University of Miami Abstract: This study investigated the development of language-learning motivation during short-term study abroad (SA) for six intermediate-level students of French. Taking an activity theory perspective, findings demonstrated that one of two orientations motivated participants to study or continue studying French at the college level: linguistic motives or career-oriented motives. The choice to study abroad was seen as either a critical step to achieving fluency or a means of travel and cultural learning. Enhanced language-learning motivation emerged to varying degrees for participants with linguistically oriented motives for learning French who viewed SA as a languagelearning experience but not for participants with primarily pragmatic reasons for learning French and participating in SA. Implications of the study include the need for curricular intervention in student learning abroad. Key words: French, activity theory, learning motivation, second language learning, self-regulation, study abroad Introduction From the 1960s through the mid-1990s, research on study abroad (SA) largely supported the notion that it is an ideal means of learning a foreign language. Moreover, foreign language professionals often impart this view to students, typically based on their own successful if not life-transforming...
Words: 12464 - Pages: 50
...Review of “Research Summary and Bibliography for Structured English Immersion Programs” of the Arizona English Language Learners Task Force Stephen Krashen University of Southern California Kellie Rolstad Arizona State University Jeff MacSwan Arizona State University The “Research Summary and Bibliography for Structured English Immersion Programs” of the Arizona English Language Learners Task Force purports to present a scholarly and balanced review of current scientific knowledge regarding effective programs for English Language Learners (ELLs) in general and Structured English Immersion (SEI) in particular. However, we find that the review neglects to reference significant research bearing on the questions raised, and frequently draws inappropriate conclusions from the research presented. Perhaps most disappointing is the tendency in the review to neglect important conceptual distinctions which could have usefully guided the research summary. Below we address each area of literature review in turn, pointing out significant limitations and incorrect interpretations as they arise. 1. What is the current state of scientific research in the area of effective instruction for English Learners? The review cites references to make the point that there are relatively few high quality studies regarding program effectiveness for English Language Learners, with estimates ranging from five (Gersten & Baker, 2000) to fifty (Genesee, Lindholm-Leary, Saunders...
Words: 4527 - Pages: 19
...as its basis not only reading and its strategic competences but the learning of language structures that might contribute to an efficient reading process. On digital distance learning, the instrumental approach to ESP is yet predominant which can be explained by the novelty of the modality in the country in the sense that time to adjust to the possibilities virtual learning environments provide us with is still required. That is the context of our teaching for the Instituto Federal de Educação Ciência e Tecnologia Educação in their distance learning program. Our paper aims at discussing the relevance of reading and reading strategies according to students’ own opinions and the theoretical considerations of KLEIMAN (2013), SOLÉ (1998) on reading as a process; JUNIOR (1999), LEFFA (1996), CHAVES (2006), on ESP and reading. Keywords: distance learning; English language; reading strategies. ESP: history, features and Brazil Learning English as a second or foreign language has become a world-wide necessity. Whether living in a country that speaks English as their official language such as The Unites States or India, or that uses it for international communication such as Brazil or Japan, if academic or professional development is under consideration, so will be speaking and communicating in English. This need however can be made more specific in the sense that learners might not be interested in learning English...
Words: 5379 - Pages: 22
...Language Acquisition ESL 523: English Language Teaching Andrea Byars May 14, 2015 Language Acquisition Scenario: Anale was born in Los Angeles. Spanish was the primary language spoken in her home and neighborhood. Although she has been in school her whole life, she does not have a literary foundation in her first language (L1), but is motivated to learn English. Her grandparents say that English is of a higher status, and encourage her to learn it. Learning to speak in one’s native tongue is a practice that basically begins in the womb when the newborn becomes familiar with how voices resonate. Being that this is an intrinsic talent, it is understandable that learning a second language would be an insurmountable amount of work. The scenario states that Anale has been enrolled in school for most of her life, but she does not have the literary skills to function academically. There are a number of reasons that this problem could exist; first, she may believe that as a result of her scholastic experiences that her literacy skills appeared to be more developed in English as opposed to Spanish. Next, there is a chance that Anale has become so absorbed in learning the core curriculum in her secondary language, that she failed to receive the necessary literary training in her own native dialect. Therefore, her literary skills are more influential in English because it is imperative that English Language Learners learn academics in their native language in order to be instructionally...
Words: 595 - Pages: 3
