Ablo Application for Indonesian English as Foreign Language Learners (Published)
This research aims to describe the Ablo application which is a Social Network Site as the learning medium for Indonesian EFL learners. It used descriptive qualitative research to describe how the Ablo application and its features are to learn the four English skills, the feasibility of this application as a Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL), and the learners’ interest in this application. This research used participatory observations on the features of the Ablo application and interviews with 30 users who had been using this application in Indonesia. The results of this research showed that Ablo as an application can be used to learn four language skills in English for EFL learners in Indonesia. As feasibility of MALL, it also fulfills the main characters such as portability, social interactivity, context sensitivity, connectivity, and individuality. While the interest of learning in Ablo is very positive.
Citation: Pahamzah J. (2023) Ablo Application for Indonesian English as Foreign Language Learners, International Journal of English Language and Linguistics Research, Vol.11, No 2, pp.9-17
Keywords: Ablo application, EFL, learner’s interest, mobile-assisted, online learning
Examining Second Language Written Output: A Case Study of a Saudi University Masters EFL Students (Published)
The researcher used a qualitatively oriented methodology to examine the written performance of sixteen MA students majoring in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in the MA Program at one of the recently established universities in Saudi Arabia. Students’ final exams were thoroughly analyzed for the syntactic structures used in the students’ writing. The sampling process was selective and purposeful in that it was comprised of four outstanding and four poor performances drawn from a total of sixteen students’ exam results. Deviated structures, together with the correct ones, were analyzed and described with the aim of mapping common issues in writing performance at a targeted university. Two major sources of unacceptable writing performance included a lack of knowledge of the target language, together with the influence of the students’ mother tongue. Additionally, diagnosing a remedy for the deviated forms was proposed. More reinforcement and support for those who were successful was also recommended.
Citation:Mohammad Ali Al–Ghamdi( 2021) Examining Second Language Written Output: A Case Study of a Saudi University Masters EFL Students, International Journal of English Language and Linguistics Research, Vol.9, No 8, pp.30-40
Keywords: EFL, Higher Education, Performance, writing
Willingness to Communicate In Kuwaiti EFL Classroom Settings (Published)
The present study investigates the variables that are believed to influence learners’ in-class Willingness to Communicate (WTC). A total of 247 EFL undergraduate students participated in the study, who were studying in two colleges in Kuwait. The study was conducted with a quantitative research design by using a modified questionnaire to measure the Instructional Willingness to Communicate (IWTC). The adapted questionnaire, which was developed by Khatib & Nourzadah (2015), comprises six IWTC components containing 27 items. The data for each component was presented and followed by a detailed descriptive analysis. The findings revealed that learners’ willingness or unwillingness to communicate is made up of specific influencing variables in several situations within the classroom. The study sheds light on the role of the EFL classroom environment on learners’ communication behaviours. Discussing the results provided some pedagogical implications for language teachers and program designers. Suggestions for further research were provided.
Keywords: Classroom Interaction, EFL, Speaking, WTC, communication
EFL Learners’ Perception of Using Online Language Learning Websites during COVID-19 Pandemic (Published)
The following paper presents the results of a study aimed at achieving a better understanding of the EFL Learners’ Perception of Using Online Language Learning Websites (OLLWs) among EFL learners during COVID-19 Pandemic. The purpose of this study is to elicit Learners’ perceptions about improving their language through OLLWs. Data was acquired via a questionnaire administered to 143 female Saudi learners at the College of Sciences and Arts, Unizah, Qassim University. The results provide evidence of learners’ positive perceptions towards using OLLWs. Based on the findings, educational implications for this descriptive study and future researches are suggested.
Keywords: EFL, Internet, Language, Learning, Websites, online learning
Kuwaiti EFL teachers at the Public Authority for Applied Education: Knowledge about Disability Laws and Attitudes towards Disabled Students (Published)
This study aims to identify the Kuwaiti EFL teachers’ knowledge about disability laws in the Public Authority for Applied Education in Kuwait and their attitude towards disabled students. A questionnaire of two parts (knowledge and attitude) was distributed to 20 EFL teachers. The results of the first part of the questionnaire showed that 60% of the EFL teachers answered 10 questions or less out of 20 questions which comprised the first part of the questionnaire. In the second part of the questionnaire all EFL teachers had positive attitudes towards disabled students. No significant difference was obtained between female EFL teachers and male EFL teachers regarding their knowledge about disability laws and their attitudes towards the disabled students. The study gave some suggestions and recommendations to increase the EFL teachers’ knowledge concerning disability laws in Kuwait.
Keywords: EFL, ELT, ESL, disabled students’ education
Examining L2 Written Output: A Case Study MA; EFL Students in a Saudi Novice University (Published)
This article is based on a qualitative oriented methodology to examine the written performance of six MA students majoring in English as Foreign Language (EFL) in the MA Program at one of the recently established universities in Saudi Arabia. Students’ final exam sheets were thoroughly looked at for the description of the syntactic structures in the students’ writing performance. The sampling process was selective and purposeful in the sense that it comprises three outstanding and the three poor performances out of a total of fourteen students’ exam sheets. Deviated structures together with the correct ones were analyzed and described with the aim of mapping common issues in writing performance in targeted university and assumingly which might help the targeted university and other similar contexts inside Saudi Arabia and other neighboring countries, two major sources of the unacceptable performance is lack of knowledge of the target language together with mother tongue influence. Additionally; diagnosing a remedy for the deviated forms was proposed. More reinforcement and support for those who were successful were too recommended.
Keywords: EFL, Higher Education, Performance, writing
Intercultural Communication Competence Projects within English as a Lingua Franca Contexts (Published)
Highlighting the essential role intercultural communication plays as an integral component of effective communication skills in a globalized world, the current paper portrays an intercultural communication competence project the main aim of which is to augment students’ communication skills in English as a lingua franca, whilst targeting both intercultural communication competence and electronic communication. The research project lasted for over three academic years in a row, involving two universities in Dubai and Bonn. Utilizing modern communication tools synchronously and asynchronously, the participating students engaged in intercultural communication online for nine weeks each academic semester. Throughout project implementation, the participating students used self-created texts, audio and video posts. To measure project effectiveness, the researcher administered a questionnaire the results of which indicated subjects’ positive attitudes towards the intercultural communication competence project as a means for fostering intercultural communication, enhancing language mastery, and enriching technology literacy.
Keywords: Communication Skills, EFL, Electronic Communication, English as a Lingua Franca, Intercultural Communication Competence, Intercultural Communication Competence Project
Web-Based Instruction (WBI) For Developing EFL Students’ Reading and Writing Skills and Promoting Cultural Awareness (Published)
Higher education institutions have experienced a huge dramatic shift in instructions and course delivery methods due to swift in technological advancements. Technology-enhanced instruction has become one of the most striking issues persistently debated. The question of ‘how’ still remains controversial. However, tremendous researches have been conducted proposing practical considerations and framework. Hence, the present study is an attempt to contribute to reveal the myth of ‘how’ web-based tools and resources could successfully and efficiently foster students reading and writing skills and cultural awareness. Following the imperial research patterns, two discrete sets of instructions were employed among EFL students’ at university level. The statistical analysis of the results obtained from the tests conducted and disclosed the reality that EFL students’ Reading and Writing Skills remarkably improved in Web-based Instruction environment. The study identifies a number of issues in the favour of Web-based teaching and learning. Derived from the findings, it’s strongly recommended that Web-based Instruction could play vital role in fostering EFL students’ creativity, efficiency and productivity.
Keywords: EFL, Web-based Instructions, language skills