Comparing Hypertext Reading In L1 And L2: The Case Of Filipino Adults

Vol. 5  Issue 1
Year: 2015
Issue:Jan-Mar
Title:Comparing Hypertext Reading In L1 And L2: The Case Of Filipino Adults
Author Name:Gruspe Michael Angelo M, Mariñas Christian Joshua L., Villanueva Ariel Josephe Therese R., Villasin, Marren Nicole F. And Vizconde, Camilla J.
Synopsis:
This research probed into the reading experiences of adult readers in their first language (L1) and second language (L2). Qualitative in nature, the investigation focused on twelve (12) adult readers , six (6) males and six (6) females, whose first language is Filipino. Data were gathered through interviews and focus-group discussions. Based on the data gathered, the participants are motivated to read when the materials given are in line with their interest (e.g. self-help and current events). They are also inclined to read L2 materials over L1. The participants' interests are not simply limited to the topics but also to the language of the material. They feel strongly that a material written in L2 is more accessible and reliable. Although the reading process is highly personal, the participants showed that they adapt similar reading strategies when reading hypertexts which they modify to fit their needs, interest, exposure, and strategies.

English As Second Language: Students' Awareness Of Learning Strategies Used In Reading Comprehension

Vol. 5  Issue 1
Year: 2015
Issue:Jan-Mar
Title:English As Second Language: Students' Awareness Of Learning Strategies Used In Reading Comprehension
Author Name:Irshad Husain, Muhammad Javed and Parveen Munshi
Synopsis:
This study investigated reading strategies used by adult learners' to read materials in English language for their studies. The population of the study consisted of students of Universiti Sains Malaysia. A sample of 80 (40 postgraduate and 40 undergraduate) TESOL students enrolled in the University was selected randomly. The data were collected by administering a piloted questionnaire and analyzed through SPSS. The results of the study revealed that TESOL students used different strategies in reading textual materials. The main reading strategies appeared to be adjusting reading speed;focusing on typographical features; summarizing; re-reading the text; taking notes; reviewing the text; underlining or circlingimportant information; using tables, figures, pictures and contextual clues, and guessing the meaning of unknown words and/ or phrases. The study further demonstrated that in spite of using the mentioned reading strategies; the learners need to know how to use dictionaries, pauses, visualization and critical evaluation of the text. Based on findings of the study preparation of proper guidelines and their effective use by TESOL students, teachers and researchers to enhance reading comprehension were recommended.

The Relationship Between Iranian EFL Learners' Beliefs About Language Learning And Language Learning Strategy Use

Vol. 5  Issue 1
Year: 2015
Issue:Jan-Mar
Title:The Relationship Between Iranian EFL Learners' Beliefs About Language Learning And Language Learning Strategy Use
Author Name:Abbas Ali Zarei and Hanieh Rahmani
Synopsis:
The present study investigated the relationship between Iranian EFL learners' beliefs about language learning and language learning strategy use. A sample of 104 B.A and M.A Iranian EFL learners majoring in English participated in this study. Three instruments, the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency (MTELP), Beliefs about Language Learning Inventory (BALLI), and the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) were used for data collection. Multiple Regression analysis showed that meta-cognitive strategies were significant predictors of "foreign language aptitude", "nature of foreign language learning", "learning and communication strategies", and "motivation and expectation". Affective strategies also turned out to be predictors of "the nature of foreign language". Another finding was that cognitive strategies were negative predictors of "learning and communication strategies". The findings of the present study may have significant, theoretical and pedagogical implications for learners and teachers.

Efficacy Of Multimedia Package In Communicative Skill In English

Vol. 4  Issue 4
Year:2014
Issue:Oct-Dec
Title:Efficacy Of Multimedia Package In Communicative Skill In English
Author Name:G. Singaravelu
Synopsis:
The study enlightens the effectiveness of Multimedia Package in learning communicative skill in English. Objectives of the study: To prepare a Multimedia Package for developing communicative skill in English and to find out the impact of Multimedia Package in improving communicative skill in English. Quasi Experimental method was adopted in the study. Subject: Eighty Students of standard VII from Subramaina Devasthanam Higher Secondary school, Vadavalli were selected as sample for the study. Forty two students were considered as Controlled group and thirty eight students were considered as Experimental group. Achievement test was used as tool for the study. Finding: Interactive- Multimedia Package is more effective than conventional methods in improving communicative skill in English.

Prepositional Intraference In ESL And Its Teaching: The Educated Nigerian English Examples

Vol. 4  Issue 4
Year:2014
Issue:Oct-Dec
Title:Prepositional Intraference In ESL And Its Teaching: The Educated Nigerian English Examples
Author Name:Omowumi Steve Bode Ekundayo
Synopsis:
This paper examines the linguistic habit of “prepositional intraference” in Educated Nigerian English (ENE) with a view to establishing why and how Nigerians produce prepositional intraference variations and how the variations distinguish ENE morphosyntax from native English morphosyntax, particularly Standard British English (SBE). Intraference in this paper is a coinage and reconceptualisation for “the overgeneralisation of linguistic materials and semantic features” (Selinker, 1984), “internal language transfer” or “intralingual interference” (Richards and Sampson, 1984), and “the internal principle of linguistic variability (Labov, 1994).” Questionnaire, observation and the recording of spontaneous speeches were used to gather data to substantiate the incidence of prepositional intraference in ENE. The method of data analysis is mainly qualitative, involving a comparative and textual analysis and explanation of examples in tables and a graph. It was discovered that as a result of certain sociolinguistic factors, educated Nigerians redeploy prepositions in several ways and contexts in which native English speakers will not. These distinguish ENE morphosyntax from other internal varieties of English.

Language Learning Strategy Use Across Proficiency Levels

Vol. 4  Issue 4
Year:2014
Issue:Oct-Dec
Title:Language Learning Strategy Use Across Proficiency Levels
Author Name:Abbas Ali Zarei and Nooshin Baharestani
Synopsis:
To investigate the use of language learning strategies (LLS) by Iranian EFL learners across proficiency levels, a total of 180 Iranian adult female EFL learners were selected and divided into three different proficiency level groups. To collect data, Oxford's (1990) Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL) was used. One-way ANOVA procedures were used to analyze the obtained data. The results showed significant differences between the elementary level and the advanced level participants in their use of cognitive strategies, but the differences between the intermediate level group and the other two groups (elementary and advanced) were not significant. The same results were found in the participants' overall use of LLSs. However, in the use of the other five categories of LLSs across proficiency levels, no significant differences were found. The findings also showed that among the six learning strategies of SILL, cognitive strategies were the most frequently used strategy type followed by metacognitive strategies, and affective strategies were found to be the least frequently used type of LLSs.

Past Cultural Restrictions In Anita Rau Badami's 'Can You Hear The Night Bird Call?' And 'Tamarind Mem’

Vol. 4  Issue 4
Year:2014
Issue:Oct-Dec
Title:Past Cultural Restrictions In Anita Rau Badami's 'Can You Hear The Night Bird Call?' And 'Tamarind Mem’
Author Name:S. Johny
Synopsis:

The objective of the thesis is to bring out the trauma of the immigrants who are stuck up by the nostalgic and glorious past in their alien world. The cultural and social restrictions faced by the characters who live in their separate but intertwined worlds are brought in a detailed manner. Anita Rau Badami, one of the newest writers in the field of diasporic literature, even with her, a few literary writings has been able to carve a niche for herself in the literary world. Badami has dealt with the complex problems faced by women. Tamarind Mem depicts the relationship between a mother and a daughter who are trying to make sense of their past with different perceptions. The novel unfolds how the past cultural restrictions shape the personal lives and aspirations of the characters. Can You Hear the NightBird Call? Badami narrates the lives of three women which are linked together through their experience of violence. In other words, the novel spans sixty years in the history of the Sikh community in Punjab and Canada.

In “Introduction”, the purpose and aim of the present study is stated. It details some of the major events in the life of the author and her achievements which are relevant for the understanding of her characters, vision of life and her development as an artist. “Estranged Relationship” deals with the problems prevailing in the family of the two novels Tamarind Mem and Can You Hear the Nightbird Call? Familial relationship is a universal issue and it has attracted the attention of many writers. “Shakiness of Memory” deals with the nostalgic reminisences in the two selected novels for discussion which psychologically affect the characters. Memory is a thought of something that one remembers from the past. “Conflicting Cultures” deals with the problems of the immigrants in a foreign land. Immigration is the movement of people to another country or region to which they are not native in order to settle there. Finally “Summation” recounts all the findings made in various areas of the current research and also includes a discussion of further research areas viable in respect of the writer.