Does Mind Mapping Enhance Learning (Published)
In a setting whereby, students of the English Department at the College of Basic Education are exposed to course materials across a number of courses, in a language other than their mother tongue, requiring them to read, comprehend and analyse, note taking gets extremely complicated. The current study focuses on such a complex dilemma, with its objective to find out whether mind mapping may successfully be used by our students in order to overcome their linguistic problems. For the purpose, fifty third/fourth year English language students were used as the study’s sample. The students were divided into two groups and trained to use two different note taking techniques. Later they were given a 10 MSCs, each followed by subjective response question: know, remember, guess. In addition, students were asked to write about their experience to obtain qualitative data. Findings of the study suggest a higher level of performance when the students learn their study material using MM as opposed to SNT. More positive attitudes in favour of MM were also elicited from their selection between the three responses (Know, Remember & Guess)
Keywords: Attitudes, EFL, Higher Education, Long-Term Memory, Mind Map (MM), Performance, Short-Term Memory, Standard Note Technique (SNT)
The Effectiveness of English Language Courses as EFL in Undergraduate Level at Jahangirnagar University (Published)
This paper reports on an effectiveness of English Language Courses as EFL at the tertiary level, offered to first year undergraduate students of some departments of Jahangirnagar University. It aims to establish the case for using evaluation as a means for curriculum development. Currently, the EFL course is considered important for Bangladesh in general, and Jahangirnagar University students in particular, since our graduates face problems not only in coping with the demands of their respective academic disciplines. (e.g. the majority of academic texts are in English) , but also in finding suitable employment because of their lack of English skills. Since the newly introduced EFL course is still in its developmental phase it is necessary to find out the effectiveness to evaluate it and to see whether it fulfils student needs and course objectives. Datas for this study are collected from undergraduates who are currently studying EFL and some other who have recently completed their courses. This investigation reveals that students are not much benefited in learning English. There are number of limitations, which make these EFL courses ineffective. The investigation concludes with several implications and suggestions for those concerned for EFL learning.
Keywords: EFL, Effectiveness, Jahangirnagar University, Tertiary level, Undergraduates
Weekly Paired Conversation Practice in a 4-Skill Integrated English Course (Published)
This paper reports a pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of weekly paired conversation practice on 20 sophomore university students’ conversation performance and foreign language anxiety. The results of the study indicated that the participating students benefited from their weekly conversation practice, and they made significant improvement in their conversation performance at the end of the study although their foreign language anxiety did not decrease significantly. Also, their conversation performance significantly and negatively correlated with their foreign language anxiety, which means the students with less foreign language anxiety performed better in their English conversations. Based on the findings of the study, suggestions for output performance instruction, dealing with foreign language anxiety, and future research will be made.
Keywords: Conversation Practice, EFL, Foreign Language Classroom Anxiety Scale, Language Anxiety, Output
Which Preposition? An EFL Dilemma (Published)
EFL students face tremendous difficulties when translating from Arabic to English. One aspect of grammatical constructions that EFL students find difficult to translate is the translation of prepositions. This study aims at investigating the difficulties EFL students face when translating prepositions from Arabic into English. 105 students enrolled in undergraduate Translation courses in the English department, College of Basic Education were given a list of statements and short paragraphs and asked to translate them from Arabic into English. In addition, the students were asked to provide academic information to be statistically evaluated as independent variables. After data was collected and analyzed, it was found that students have considerable difficulty translating prepositions, some more than others.
Keywords: Arabic, EFL, English, Grammar, Prepositions, translation
The Relationship between the Achievement of Preparatory Year Students in English Language and Their Achievement in Their Future Studies at Najran University (Published)
The study aimed at identifying the relationship between the achievement of preparatory year students in English language and their achievement in their future studies at Najran University. The data of 156 students from four different colleges were involved in this study. Statistical methods such as Pearson correlation coefficient, one-way ANOVA, simple linear regression, mean and standard deviation were used to analyse the data. The study findings revealed that there is a significant positive relationship between English language achievement and academic achievement. It has been also found that there are no significant differences in achievement in English language attributed to different genders. Similarly, there were no significant differences in academic achievement attributed to college type. Depending on the findings above, English language learning should be emphasised, especially before involvement in academic programs. Enhancement of English language learning can take place in a preparatory year program or any other pre-sessional course. The English learning focus within preparatory programs should be given much more emphasis as it is the only way to bridge the gap between weak outcomes from general education and higher education, since it is apparent that English proficiency amongst school leavers is poor.
Keywords: Academic Achievement, Correlation, EFL, English achievement
Students’ Perceptions of ESP Courses: The Case of the Preparatory Institute for Engineering Studies of Monastir Tunisia (Published)
This study aims to describe the educational situation of English for Specific Purposes within the Preparatory Institute for Engineering Studies of Monastir, Tunisia. In order to explore the attitudes of learners in this institution, a questionnaire was used. Scrutiny of the results shows that an overwhelming majority of these students are motivated to study English but there are some constraints related to time-table and teaching aids. Ultimately, this study aims to improve the educational situation of English for Specific Purposes in Tunisian higher education.
Keywords: Audiovisuals., EFL, ESL, English for Specific purposes, Learners‟ attitudes, Motivation
EFL WRITING STUDENT’S PERCEPTION OF THE EFFECT OF DIARY WRITING (Published)
The use of diary writing as a tool for language practice and learning enhancement in an EFL classroom is the main topic investigated in this paper. The students participating in the study are English major female students at the College of Basic Education, who would graduate to be English teachers in primary schools. 51 students in two “Advanced Writing” classes were asked to write their diaries during the semester. At the end of the semester they were given a questionnaire with 19 statements and 4 open-ended questions. The researchers found that the majority of students enjoyed writing a diary, and believed that their language and writing techniques have improved. They have also reflected pleasant emotional effects such as removing stress, keeping memories and strengthening the student-teacher relationship. The researchers believe that writing a diary is very useful to EFL learners in terms of language learning and enforcing positive energy in the class.
Keywords: EFL, Higher Education, diary writing, journal writing, writing
EFL PRESENTATIONS- INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF CONFIDENCE AND EXPERIENCE (Published)
In the majority of EFL curricula, students are required to give presentations in the target language. Although fluency might cause difficulty in presenting in English, other factors have shown to affect the students’ performances. This study investigates the effect of confidence on the students’ daily use of English generally, and during presentations more precisely. The study analyses questionnaires distributed to 156 students that aim at motivation, confidence and the amount of FL use. In addition, 36 students participated in group interviews to discuss the problems they face during presentations and the issues that they fear. After analyzing the findings and comments provided by interviews and questionnaires, the researchers found that the lack of confidence causes an enhancement in language mistakes. It was also found that the main reason behind the lack of confidence in presenting in English, among other reasons, was the lack of experience and practice. Hence, this paper recommends practice and constant encouragement by the teacher to improve EFL students’ presentations.
Keywords: Conversation, EFL, English language teaching, Fluency, confidence, practice
NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN TEACHING READING COMPREHENSION SKILLS TO EFL LEARNERS (Published)
The past few years have seen much discussion about the teaching of reading comprehension to EFL learners. What has traditionally occurred in the average EFL classroom appears to be more like the testing, rather than the teaching, of reading comprehension. This paper discusses how far EFL teaching of reading comprehension has kept up with the research, and specifically, whether EFL teaching has remained in touch with some of the more recent views that have led to the development of new methods of teaching reading skills. The paper examines how EFL course-books published during the past two decades address the teaching of reading comprehension at intermediate levels and beyond. In particular, it considers the selection of texts, the types of activities used, and the reflection of current views on the teaching of reading comprehension.
Keywords: EFL, Reading skills, course-books, teaching reading comprehension
INVESTIGATING ENGLISH MAJOR STUDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE EFFICIENCY OF THE “CONVERSATION” COURSE (Published)
In the scope of teaching English as a foreign language, and more specifically teaching speaking, this study reflects the attitudes and anticipations English language teachers-to-be have towards the “Conversation Course” provided by the College of Basic Education in Kuwait. The study is based on the analysis of 106 questionnaires distributed to first year college students registered in the conversation class at the time of the study. In addition, 28 students were interviewed to observe vividly their expectations from the conversation course. Both, the questionnaire and the interviews, aimed at knowing how the students perceived the conversation class at the end of the semester. The study shows that the majority of students feel that they have benefited from the conversation class in different domains; yet, many required a clearer outline of the course. Between their fondness for the conversation course and confusion of its aims, English language students understand their need for the course, and perhaps an extra advanced one too.
Keywords: EFL, English Language, Four Skills, Speaking, Teaching Methods