It is vital for language learners to know and express the appropriate language in different socia... more It is vital for language learners to know and express the appropriate language in different social contexts because the inability to do so could cause misunderstandings and miscommunication. The ability to perform such a task stems from an important concept in communicative competence, called sociolinguistic competence. However, being able to use the target language appropriately is especially difficult for ESL and EFL learners because they are not commonly exposed to the language and how it is being used by communicatively competent speakers. Therefore, this study reports on how ESL instructors in a Malaysian university developed students' sociolinguistic competence in the language classroom. The methods of data collection for this study were in-depth interviews and stimulated recalls with three ESL instructors who were selected based on a list of criteria which would translate to their credibility and experience to be participants in this study. It was found that in developing their students' sociolinguistic competence, these ESL instructors co-constructed meaning with their students, provided a positive and comfortable learning environment, as well as developed students' sociolinguistic competence through explicit methods and classroom interaction. It is hoped that the findings of this study can guide other ESL instructors in developing their students' sociolinguistic competence, specifically through the examples of methods and approaches that could be applied in other classrooms.
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a proficiency test which is used to ... more The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a proficiency test which is used to assess the general English language proficiency of those who are interested to work or study in places where English is the language of communication. IELTS Preparatory Courses has been vital for students who want to prepare themselves adequately to attain the English language requirement set by their desired institutions. However, a handful of parties remain sceptical about the practicality of test preparation course. Therefore, it is of value to identify students’ perceptions on the practicality of IELTS preparatory course in order to determine whether these preparatory courses are indeed useful for students. This study is a mixed method study conducted through interview session with respondents as well as collecting their IELTS Trial Examination results. The sample consists of 14 students who are taking IELTS preparatory course in an International Education Center by applying conven...
The purpose of this study is to explore the expectations and goals of students when participating... more The purpose of this study is to explore the expectations and goals of students when participating in language activities, and how they perceive their willingness to communicate. The language activities involved in this study are LAX activities which are compulsory for all undergraduate students within this institution. Throughout the LAX activities, the students go through a form of experiential learning where they will have to complete a task, reflect on their work, and apply what they have learned. The students are interviewed regarding their expectations and goals prior to doing the language activities and their willingness to communicate during and after having done the activities. The findings show that students did set up positive goals before participating in the language activities, but they had negative expectations of the experience. It was also found that the students perceive an improvement in their willingness to communicate after participating in the activities. In the future, experiential learning could be implemented in language learning for positive outcomes, and more studies can be done on the topic to improve second language learning.
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a proficiency test which is used to ... more The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a proficiency test which is used to assess the general English language proficiency of those who are interested to work or study in places where English is the language of communication. IELTS Preparatory Courses has been vital for students who want to prepare themselves adequately to attain the English language requirement set by their desired institutions. However, a handful of parties remain sceptical about the practicality of test preparation course. Therefore, it is of value to identify students' perceptions on the practicality of IELTS preparatory course in order to determine whether these preparatory courses are indeed useful for students. This study is a mixed method study conducted through interview session with respondents as well as collecting their IELTS Trial Examination results. The sample consists of 14 students who are taking IELTS preparatory course in an International Education Center by applying convenience sampling. Qualitative data was examined using content analysis while SPSS was used to analyse quantitative data descriptively. The study shows the respondents perceived IELTS preparatory course positively and admit that it benefits them in a wide range. Couple with this, the respondents' IELTS trial examination results are quite satisfying. In short, it can be concluded that the respondents demonstrated a positive view regarding the practicality of the IELTS Preparation Course. Future studies should engage larger number of respondents and try to utilize the results from IELTS for the purpose of gauging the practicality of IELTS preparatory course.
It is vital for language learners to know and express the appropriate language in different socia... more It is vital for language learners to know and express the appropriate language in different social contexts because the inability to do so could cause misunderstandings and miscommunication. The ability to perform such a task stems from an important concept in communicative competence, called sociolinguistic competence. However, being able to use the target language appropriately is especially difficult for ESL and EFL learners because they are not commonly exposed to the language and how it is being used by communicatively competent speakers. Therefore, this study reports on how ESL instructors in a Malaysian university developed students' sociolinguistic competence in the language classroom. The methods of data collection for this study were in-depth interviews and stimulated recalls with three ESL instructors who were selected based on a list of criteria which would translate to their credibility and experience to be participants in this study. It was found that in developing their students' sociolinguistic competence, these ESL instructors co-constructed meaning with their students, provided a positive and comfortable learning environment, as well as developed students' sociolinguistic competence through explicit methods and classroom interaction. It is hoped that the findings of this study can guide other ESL instructors in developing their students' sociolinguistic competence, specifically through the examples of methods and approaches that could be applied in other classrooms.
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a proficiency test which is used to ... more The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a proficiency test which is used to assess the general English language proficiency of those who are interested to work or study in places where English is the language of communication. IELTS Preparatory Courses has been vital for students who want to prepare themselves adequately to attain the English language requirement set by their desired institutions. However, a handful of parties remain sceptical about the practicality of test preparation course. Therefore, it is of value to identify students’ perceptions on the practicality of IELTS preparatory course in order to determine whether these preparatory courses are indeed useful for students. This study is a mixed method study conducted through interview session with respondents as well as collecting their IELTS Trial Examination results. The sample consists of 14 students who are taking IELTS preparatory course in an International Education Center by applying conven...
The purpose of this study is to explore the expectations and goals of students when participating... more The purpose of this study is to explore the expectations and goals of students when participating in language activities, and how they perceive their willingness to communicate. The language activities involved in this study are LAX activities which are compulsory for all undergraduate students within this institution. Throughout the LAX activities, the students go through a form of experiential learning where they will have to complete a task, reflect on their work, and apply what they have learned. The students are interviewed regarding their expectations and goals prior to doing the language activities and their willingness to communicate during and after having done the activities. The findings show that students did set up positive goals before participating in the language activities, but they had negative expectations of the experience. It was also found that the students perceive an improvement in their willingness to communicate after participating in the activities. In the future, experiential learning could be implemented in language learning for positive outcomes, and more studies can be done on the topic to improve second language learning.
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a proficiency test which is used to ... more The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a proficiency test which is used to assess the general English language proficiency of those who are interested to work or study in places where English is the language of communication. IELTS Preparatory Courses has been vital for students who want to prepare themselves adequately to attain the English language requirement set by their desired institutions. However, a handful of parties remain sceptical about the practicality of test preparation course. Therefore, it is of value to identify students' perceptions on the practicality of IELTS preparatory course in order to determine whether these preparatory courses are indeed useful for students. This study is a mixed method study conducted through interview session with respondents as well as collecting their IELTS Trial Examination results. The sample consists of 14 students who are taking IELTS preparatory course in an International Education Center by applying convenience sampling. Qualitative data was examined using content analysis while SPSS was used to analyse quantitative data descriptively. The study shows the respondents perceived IELTS preparatory course positively and admit that it benefits them in a wide range. Couple with this, the respondents' IELTS trial examination results are quite satisfying. In short, it can be concluded that the respondents demonstrated a positive view regarding the practicality of the IELTS Preparation Course. Future studies should engage larger number of respondents and try to utilize the results from IELTS for the purpose of gauging the practicality of IELTS preparatory course.
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