scholarly journals Integrating Content and Language in Business English Teaching in China: First Year Students’ Perceptions and Learning Experience

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Ruth Martyn

Content and language integrated learning (CLIL) is a key construct in Business English teaching in universities in China today. While there is a plethora of articles on implementation in European contexts, there is limited evidence in the literature of the teaching/learning experience in other foreign language learning environments—despite its wide application in, for example, south-east Asia and China in particular. As CLIL programs have been developed in a variety of ways to meet the unique needs of learners and societal expectations, the context of teaching and learning is critical. This paper focuses on the perceptions and learning experiences of students in a first year, first semester course, Introduction to Contemporary Business, in a Chinese university. Lesson observations, questionnaires, and interviews explore the experience of learners. While most students found the course very challenging in their first semester, they met the challenge. Coping with both language and content is always a double challenge: most students found their Introduction to Contemporary Business their most difficult course, yet they perceived it as manageable and worthwhile. Students coped with the difficulty level in two main ways: either by spending much time in review and translating the textbook prior to class, or by focusing on the teacher’s PowerPoint slides after class—as they considered these were the key points and the textbook was too difficult. Suggestions for a closer integration between language and content within CLIL courses are offered, such as a case-task-based approach, a greater variety of input, and the role of content teachers in English enhancement.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 421-433
Author(s):  
Saidah Ismail ◽  
Omrah Hassan ◽  
Nor Azhar Mohd Taib ◽  
Noor Hanim Rahmat

Similar to the learning of most languages, French language is initially learnt through a formal one-to-one classroom. However, the pandemic has given both teachers and students teaching/learning French as a foreign language to accept online learning as the new norm. The success of learning French language online depends on several factors. Both teachers and learners play different roles to make the lessons successful and meaningful. This study is done to investigate how online learning presence is influenced by learners’ motives to study a foreign language. This quantitative study is done to investigate how learners cope learning French online. 170 respondents were purposely chosen from learners who took French as a foreign language. The survey used has 49 items using 5-Likert scales. Findings revealed interesting information about online teaching and learning of foreign languages. The teacher anchors the online lesson with activities well planned and executed. The teacher takes the bulk of the responsibility to make online learning a success. Once the teacher’s and cognitive presence becomes positive, learners can begin to depend on their peers through social presence to maximise the learning experience.


Author(s):  
Entika Fani Prastikawati

This paper explores the student’s perception on the application of Dyned Programme as Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL) in English department of Universitas PGRI Semarang, Indonesia. This study is descriptive qualitative. Otherwise, it needs the statistical data in calculating the result percentage. It took 85 students of the first semester students who have already joined Integrated Course (IC) as the sample. IC is a subject which involves ICT-based learning. In this case, Dyned Programme is the ICT-based learning used as CALL. The result of this study shows that the students are satisfied with ICT facilities provided as the media in English teaching and learning. In addition, the use of Dyned Programme in English teaching and learning is well-accepted by the students. Moreover, it comes to the students’ perception that shows us how important the media of ICT in English teaching learning process in order to make the students interest in learning English.


Author(s):  
Phuong Ngoc Quynh Tran

There are many studies on English Language Teaching materials evaluation, but very few investigate the language input of reading materials though text input is considered a primary factor for successful foreign language learning. This research explored the language input of reading texts in a book series used in teaching reading for first-year English-major students at a foreign language university in central Vietnam. It aimed at investigating text topics, genres, length, language difficulty level and students’ as well as teachers’ perceptions of the studied texts in an attempt to facilitate students’ reading comprehension. Thirty-two reading texts were studied using a descriptive analytical approach. Individual and focus group interviews were implemented with 15 students and 7 lecturers. The findings showed the textbooks incorporated a wide variety of topics which are interesting and familiar to students. Article was the most popular text genre. The text length and language difficulty level proved to be appropriate to students’ levels. The lecturers’ and students’ perceptions of the texts also supported the textbook analysis findings. These findings implicated the selected textbooks should be kept in the curriculum but need further adaptation. Besides, some suggestions were made to help ELT lecturers modify the text input effectively.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 120-128
Author(s):  
Morana Drakulić

Foreign language anxiety (FLA) has long been recognized as a factor that hinders the process of foreign language learning at all levels. Among numerous FLA sources identified in the literature, language classroom seems to be of particular interest and significance, especially in the formal language learning context, where the course and the teacher are often the only representatives of language. The main purpose of the study is to determine the presence and potential sources of foreign language anxiety among first year university students and to explore how high anxiety levels shape and affect students’ foreign language learning experience. In the study both the questionnaire and the interviews were used as the data collection methods. Thematic analysis of the interviews and descriptive statistics suggest that most anxiety-provoking situations stem from the language classroom itself.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pranesti Widhi Hapsari

This research aimed to describe the evaluation of ELLIS (English Language Learning and Instruction System) Program in English teaching and learning process in SMP Bopkri 3 Yogyakarta in terms of the context, input, process, and product aspects.This research is an evaluation research employing CIPP model by Stufflebeam (2010). The data were collected through observation, open questionnaires, and interviews and were analyzed using Miles, Huberman and Saldana’s flow model of qualitative data research which included data collection, data condensation, data display and conclusion drawing.The findings revealed that the evaluation of ELLIS Program in English teaching and learning process in SMP Bopkri 3 Yogyakarta related to the process of context was in line with the objective of the program that is improving the students’ English skills and the program can support the English teaching-learning process. In term of input, the program is appropriate according to the required standard for good teaching learning English, this program is supported by the school’s entire component, the facilities of the teaching-learning process is completed, the material in ELLIS program can apply consecutively to be able to improve students’ English skill. On the process of teaching and learning has appropriated, the schedules of ELLIS program is held correctly and on time, every meeting the teacher always use ELLIS, the procedures and activities ELLIS program are implemented correctly, the students always participate actively during the learning process, the students more interested in learning English. Dealing with product the students more understand, easier in catching the material and more comfortable in taking part of the learning process, they feel happy and feel that their ability in learning English increase, the students’ English skill can improve successfully, the students can communicate with the teacher and their other friends in English correctly, the aim of this program can hold successfully. Between 250-300 words; must focus on: aims of the study, methods, findings, conclusions, and implications.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Miguel Dos Santos

Textbook materials continue to play an important role in foreign language teaching and learning classroom. Textbooks are significant because these materials are considered elements in the field of foreign language learning. Teachers are often engaged in the application of textbooks for common teaching goals. Although the significance of the application of textbooks is accepted, ideas on whether textbooks could assist or hinder the teaching–learning process seem polarizing. This study employed a Likert scale survey to collect data on the evaluation of Japanese for busy people I: Romanized version (3rd Edition), a Japanese language textbook for new learners. The survey checklist yielded a highly unusual result, that is, all the participants advocated the use of the textbook. This study was conducted in the Greater Boston region in Massachusetts, MA, USA. Upon investigation, over 30 language learning centers, nearly 20 postsecondary institutions, and above 20 secondary schools were determined to be offering Japanese language courses. A total of 49 participants responded to the survey. None of the participants provided negative comments about the textbook. In addition, over 90% of the participants believed that the textbook materials and exercises were organized, contemporary, and applicable.


Author(s):  
Irene Mamakou

Interest in the integration of language learning with knowledge/content construction is growing around the world. In this line, an instructional innovation to be applied in language for specific purposes (LSP) undergraduate courses is introduced. Project-based learning has been enhanced by an electronic platform; namely, e-Class, a learning management system, to amplify its impact. A threefold research into current theories on (a) key issues in LSP framework, (b) adult education, and (c) foreign language learning and pedagogical orientations leads us to this model. The result is an e-methodology, pedagogically rather than technology driven, for teaching/learning LSP in the framework of discipline-related, content-based instruction (CBI) and project work that will eventually enhance and modernize teaching and learning LSP and develop new study habits for learners by promoting self-directed, autonomous, active, and out-of-classroom learning, and by encouraging student engagement and academic socialization in the higher educational institution (HEI) to which they belong.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14(63) (2) ◽  
pp. 123-128
Author(s):  
Ioana Paula Armăsar ◽  

Evaluation does not represent an objective per se, but the strategies adopted in this process may take the teaching/learning process in different directions, according to the students’ language needs and to the competences that should be developed. The phenomenon is a complex one, sometimes comprising errors, which, nevertheless, contribute to progress, it gives precise clues and helps in identifying the positives and negatives in foreign language learning. The higher education system in Romania is adjusted to the quantitative and qualitative exigency of the European administration, with evaluation always accompanying the learning process, having both diagnostic and prognostic characteristics. The evaluation strategy predicts the most appropriate methodical path which ensures efficiency in approaching specific teaching and learning situations


Author(s):  
Annette Simon

This paper explores some motivational aspects of foreign language grammar learning. Subjects are Irish first-year university students of German with five years’ previous language learning experience. Findings are presented with regard to learners’ reaction to a dedicated grammar class which was designed in order to assist students in the transition from a primarily memory-based approach to language learning to a cognitive-analytical approach. Two cross-sectional sets of investigations were conducted, one at the beginning of the first semester and the other at the end of the second semester, in which both qualitative and quantitative elicitation instruments (interviews and questionnaires) were used. Results for the questionnaires and the follow-up interviews conducted at the end of semester two of year one reveal that learners reacted positively to the grammar programme and that confidence levels with regard to German grammar learning and usage had increased.


Author(s):  
Hapsari Dwi Kartika

This paper explains why learner autonomy is taken into account in language learning where English is a foreign language for the learners particularly in Indonesia. The definition of learner autonomy and its advantages to language learner in EFL contexts will be described within this paper. Many scholars from psychological education and English teaching and learning had proved that language learning can be improved by certain strategy. They revealed the correlation between the autonomous learning with students’ success in learning with different aspect. The definition of autonomy is similar to many different words such as self-regulated and self-determined. Finally, the writer suggests how teacher can promote the autonomous learning atmosphere in the classroom.Keywords: strategy, promoting autonomy, EFL context, Indonesia


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document