Investigating The Effectiveness of Flipped Instruction on EFL Learners’ Speaking Skill Improvement (Published)
This research analyzes the influence of the Flipped Instruction (FI) in the Speaking Skill Development in EFL Learners of B2 level from the regular modality at Fakher institute. It was detected, through a direct observation, that students presented difficulty in constructing effective communication in the English language. A mixed method experimental study was developed in which two groups, control and experimental, were established. The first group received classes through traditional learning strategies and the last one through strategies based on FI. First, speaking skills were assessed by applying the speaking section of the Oxford Placement Test (OPT). In the case of the experimental group, the FI was implemented through six lesson plans that incorporate strategies such as watching videos at home, do activities in a class directed to work in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation such as task-based activities in the classrooms, and after that student made speeches in pairs or small groups talking about the topics of the lessons. On the other hand, students in the control group received class through the traditional learning method. Once the experiment was completed, the OPT post-test was applied to know the speaking skill development in both groups. The result is more significant in the experimental group compared with the control one. The FI is efficient in ensuring the development of speaking skills in EFL Learners better than the traditional learning strategies.
Keywords: EFL, Flipped classroom, Grammar, Pronunciation, Speaking Skill, Vocabulary, communication activities, flipped learning
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
Wrong Usage as Threat to English Language in Nigeria (Published)
: English is a second language in Nigeria because it is non-indigenous, it was introduced by British Colonialists and Missionaries into the country. The roles and functions English language has assumed since its introduction into the country are outlined. Since Nigeria functions in virtually all spheres of life in English language, a variety known, internationally acceptable and intelligible exists as the Standard Nigerian English. What is really of concern is the increasing deviations noticeable in the speech and writings of Nigerians from the grammar of English. The error laden English spoken by many people in the country may well be replacing the Standard Nigerian English if the situation is not checked. The root causes of the problem are pointed out recommendations are made towards curbing the negative trend.
Keywords: English Language, Errors, Grammar, Mother tongue, Second Language, Standard Nigerian English, varieties of English