Acquisition of Vocabulary by dint of Unique Strategies: Indispensible for Fostering English Language Skills

Vol. 5  Issue 2
Year: 2015
Issue:Apr-Jun
Title:Acquisition of Vocabulary by dint of Unique Strategies: Indispensible for Fostering English Language Skills
Author Name:G. Rexlin Jose 
Synopsis:

Vocabulary is the gateway to knowledge that unlocks the doors of sublime ideas to the readers. The competency on the lexical items of language plays a significant role in learning a new concept. Any learner who has excellent command over the use of vocabulary excels in his/her study of different subjects. Vocabulary learning is one of the important features of language learning and language use. In fact, it is what makes the essence of a language.

Learning vocabulary is a natural and lifelong phenomenon. Throughout the life span, individuals develop their vocabulary effectively and almost effortlessly as long as they see words in meaningful contexts. Children in school will encounter plethora of words in their reading. In schools they may continue to learn vocabulary without much direct and explicit help from Teachers. For the most part, vocabulary growth in school occurs informally and incidentally rather than formally and intentionally. Students should be helped to understand the meaning of each word both contextually and non-contextually. The teachers teaching second language must follow varieties of effective strategies for teaching vocabulary. As the strategies are very easy, interesting and effective, learning of any word retains in the memory of the students for a long-term. Only innovative strategies will enable the students enrich their power of vocabulary. This article highlights unique strategies for learning vocabulary in the ambiance of Indian English classrooms.

Six Easy and Beneficial Strategies for an Interculturally Responsive (IR) Classroom

Vol. 5  Issue 2

Year: 2015
Issue:Apr-Jun
Title:Six Easy and Beneficial Strategies for an Interculturally Responsive (IR) Classroom
Author Name:Dr. Kathryn Jones and Dr. Jason R. Mixon
Synopsis:
This scenario is a reflection of many classrooms throughout the United States. This heterogeneous population of students is Linguistically, Culturally, and Educationally Diverse. Some are Native Born, and others have immigrated for various reasons. These reasons include new Employment Opportunities, a United States Education, Political Refuge, and Family Relocation to name a few. Our schools must learn to respond to this diversity by providing an Interculturally Responsive (IR) Classroom (Jones, 2013) and Linguistically appropriate methods for Language Learners. The following strategies will assist in creating an Inter culturally Responsive Classroom and they are (a) provide side-by-side dual language opportunities, (b) assist with language transfer, (c) loosen up dialogues, (d) make language learning interesting, (e) Utilize Graphic Organizers, and (f) Doodle. The aforementioned six strategies are easy and beneficial for any teacher to utilize and these strategies will assist the language learning situations in the classroom.

Effectiveness Of Mind Mapping In English Teaching Among VIII Standard Students

Vol. 5  Issue 1
Year: 2015
Issue:Jan-Mar
Title:Effectiveness Of Mind Mapping In English Teaching Among VIII Standard Students
Author Name:D. Hallen and N. Sangeetha
Synopsis:
The aim of the study is to find out the effectiveness of mind mapping technique over conventional method in teaching English at high school level(VIII), in terms of Control and Experimental group. The sample of the study comprised, 60 VIII Standard students in Tiruchendur Taluk. Mind Maps and Achievement Test (Pre-test & Post-test) were developed by the investigator. Two equivalent group Pretest-Posttest Experimental Design was employed for this study. In analysis Mean, S.D. and 't'values were computed and the present study reveals, that the Mind Mapping Technique is more effective than the Conventional method.

The Semantic Implications Of Media Reports On Violence In Nigeria

Vol. 5  Issue 1
Year: 2015
Issue:Jan-Mar
Title:The Semantic Implications Of Media Reports On Violence In Nigeria
Author Name:Abochol, Simon Itine and Adegboye, Oluseye Olusegun 
Synopsis:
This article is on semantics of words and expressions of various grammatical constructions that make reference to violence as reported in the Nigerian media, particularly, the newspaper where such words and sentences about violence are prominent. Twenty-four (24) headlines/captions on violence were randomly selected from Nigeria dailies for data analysis. Semantic roles were used to analyse the different words and expressions that made up the headlines/captions. Halliday's Scale and Category theory showing how text boundaries can be split have been employed to facilitate the analysis. The items (instruments) used for violence are meant to cause damage, havoc and loss of lives. The events (eventive) of violence are devastating and can enhance more restiveness in any society. The analysis of the data, show that semantic implications for the media, journalists and the Nigerian State is that most of the citizens in the Nigerian state become afraid or worried at the sight of newspaper captions/headlines carrying violent expressions. Also, other people in other countries who read Nigerian dailies carrying violent expressions/words are discouraged to visit Nigeria because of safety concerns. Lastly, certain locations in Nigeria which are prone to violent activities are avoided by both Nigerians and visitors to Nigeria.

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.