Tipo: artículo

Metodología: propuesta didáctica

Temas: marcadores discursivos

Resumen:

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El objeto de este trabajo es el diseño de una propuesta metodológica para la enseñanza de los marcadores de la conversación en E/LE/L2 a partir de dos criterios vertebradores: la distribución de las unidades objeto de enseñanza en los niveles de referencia (A1-C2) propuestos por el Marco Común de Referencia Europeo (Consejo de Europa, 2001) y el tratamiento gradual de sus funciones (interactiva, modalizadora o reformuladora). Para llegar a esta propuesta, el trabajo comienza con un sucinto recorrido por la investigación sobre los marcadores del discurso en español como L1 y como LE o L2, desde sus primeros abordajes a finales de los años 80, en el caso de E/L1, y 90, en el caso de E/LE/L2, del...

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Tipo: artículo

Metodología: estudio empírico

Temas: expresión escrita

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Current willingness to communicate (WTC) scales center on WTC in general second language (L2) learning, while L2 writing WTC is underrepresented. This study intended to close this gap by developing and validating an L2 writing WTC scale. A three-phase sequential embedded mixed-methods design was adopted to overcome the over-reliance on quantitative data and provide adequate evidence of validity. Nineteen items were generated based on our literature search and thematic analysis of the interview data (n = 10). With quantitative data collected from 288 learners of English as a foreign language (EFL), the psychometric properties of the initial scale were examined by exploratory factor analysis. After...

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Tipo: artículo

Metodología: estudio empírico

Temas: andamiaje/scaffolding

Resumen:

Studies have documented the significance of scaffolding as a sociocultural theory driven type of assistance for the development of English as foreign language (EFL) learners’ language skills in general; however, the comparative efficacy of various cognitive and/or metacognitive scaffolding procedures for EFL learners’ listening comprehension development and progress has received scant attention. As a partial attempt in this regard, this study investigated the comparative efficacy of cognitive and metacognitive scaffolding strategies for EFL learners’ listening comprehension development. For this purpose, 90 intermediate level EFL learners aged 15 to 20 were selected to participate in this study. The participants’ actual proficiency level was assessed using a sample TOEFL Junior Standard test and relatively homogeneous classes of...

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Tipo: artículo

Metodología: estudio empírico

Temas: feedback/retroalimentación

Resumen:

Although numerous studies have attested to the effectiveness of written corrective feedback (WCF) in promoting second language (L2) accuracy, the extent to which WCF contributes to acquisition is still debatable. This study thus aimed to investigate the effects of WCF on the development of Thai EFL (English as a foreign language) learners’ implicit and explicit knowledge of English plurals, and the extent to which learner differences in working memory capacity (WMC) moderated the efficacy of WCF. This experimental study adopted a pre–post–delayed-posttest design and was carried out over the course of a 9-month period. Seventy-five low intermediate learners were randomly assigned to the direct focused, direct unfocused and the control group. All groups completed a metalinguistic knowledge, untimed grammatical judgement, timed writing,...

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Tipo: artículo

Metodología: trabajo teórico

Temas: metodología de investigación

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This article examines the use of the repertory grid technique as a method to investigate learner perceptions in language education research. An important issue raised in this article concerns how far a researcher’s agenda may be unintentionally imposed onto a research study which is investigating learners’ perceptions, and how far the ensuing data may provide an accurate representation of the learners’ viewpoints. A discussion of conventional research methods in perception research indicates the limitations of many structured research instruments such as questionnaires, surveys and interviews with regard to gaining reliable insights into learners’ views. The article considers the potential of using the repertory grid technique in perception research in terms of minimizing researcher influence and obtaining data that reflects learners...

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Tipo: artículo

Metodología: estudio empírico

Temas: expresión oral

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Because most real-life foreign language speech is naturally unpredictable, spontaneous speech should be practiced in the foreign language classroom. Student teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) may benefit from practising methodology for spontaneous speech practice. This article reports the findings for a study into EFL student teachers’ experiences with using improvisation activities, exploring the relevance of improvisation activities for spontaneous speech practice. The data include semi-guided texts and reluctant speakers’ interviews. The findings showed that improvisation activities facilitated spontaneous speech practice and strengthened speaking confidence through enjoyment. The...

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Tipo: artículo

Metodología: estudio empírico

Temas: interacción

Resumen:

Negotiation serves to solve communication problems in second language (L2) learners’ peer interaction including negotiation of meaning (NoM), negotiation of form (NoF), negotiation of content (NoC) and negotiation of procedure (NoP). The four negotiation types are initiated through negotiation strategies. This study examined how negotiation types and negotiation strategies were distributed and how the distributions developed. The data came from five rounds of group interaction conducted by 52 Chinese postgraduate students in a semester. The findings reveal significant differences in the distributions of negotiation types and negotiation strategies. NoC occurred significantly more frequently than NoM and NoF. Each negotiation type had its major negotiation strategies and they had significantly higher percentages than the other...

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Tipo: artículo

Metodología: estudio empírico

Temas: comprensión lectora

Resumen:

The present study presents an instructional procedure developed in an attempt to enhance incidental learning through graded readers in class, the Multiple Incidental Exposures (MIE) procedure, and compares it to a more common procedure involving reading and doing the exercises, which is referred to as Traditional Explicit Practice (TEP). Participants were 44 Catalan/Spanish students (aged 10–11 years) taking the fifth course of primary education in a school in Catalonia. Participants belonged to two intact classes that were randomly assigned a condition: MIE group (n = 23, n = 15 males, n = 8 females) and the TEP group (n = 21, n = 12 males, n = 9 females). The MIE group was first told the story by their teacher, then read and listened to the graded readers twice (first collectively and later on individually), to be followed by a True...

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Tipo: artículo

Metodología: estudio empírico

Temas: storytelling/narración

Resumen:

English is a widely spoken language around the world and is taught in German schools. Even though acquiring English proficiency is vital in today’s globalized society, students with learning disabilities (LDs) or other severe academic difficulties in Germany are often considered incapable of learning English as a second language (L2) beyond a very rudimentary level. In this study, we examined the effects of an English-language storytelling program on the vocabulary of German secondary school students with and without LDs ( N = 45) for four weeks using a pretest–posttest control group design with follow-up measurements. Results showed significant gains for participants in the treatment group compared to the control group. Moreover, the participants in the English-language storytelling program developed more positive attitudes towards...

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Tipo: artículo

Metodología: estudio empírico

Temas: expresión oral

Resumen:

Although several researchers have demonstrated that foreign language (FL) learning experience has a limited effect on the short-term development of second language (L2) fluency, recent studies have suggested that learners can gain long-term (over one year) benefits from FL learning experiences. As a part of the present study, 50 Japanese university students were exposed to L2 learning experience over the course of one academic year to monitor its impact on L2 fluency measures (i.e. speed, breakdown, and repair fluency) in FL context. The relationship between the development of L2 fluency measures and learners’ learning experiences inside and outside the classroom was also investigated. The results showed a significant decrease in the length of between-clause and within-clause pauses that learners made. Furthermore, the correlational...

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