This paper reports a small-scale study of needs analysis of leamers of Turkish as a foreign language at University of Florida. Needs analysis is described in the context of foreign language learning as ＂a systematic ...This paper reports a small-scale study of needs analysis of leamers of Turkish as a foreign language at University of Florida. Needs analysis is described in the context of foreign language learning as ＂a systematic and ongoing process of gathering information about students＇ needs and preferences, interpreting the information and then making course decisions in order to meet those needs＂ （Graves, 2000, p. 74）. Because foreign language instruction has become much more learner-centered in recent years, needs analysis is a must for effective learning processes to occur （LONG, 1999, 2005; Kikuchi ＆ Apple, 2006）. In this context, the purpose of this pilot study is to gather information about the students＇ needs in learning Turkish at Center for European Studies, where less commonly taught languages, including Czech, Greek, Hungarian and Polish are offered. Drawing on interview data compiled from a number of studies （Tarone ＆ Yule, 1989; LI ＆ Richards, 1995）, the findings indicate that the students＇ needs may be grouped under four categories including their linguistic needs, their objectives in learning Turkish, learning resources, psychological and sociological factors that may impact their learning experiences. In the light of the interview findings, certain suggestions as to how to teach Turkish effectively are made.展开更多
In the ESOL/SLA field, qualitative studies try to explain the language learning process not merely from psychological points of view, but also from social and cultural perspectives. In this study, a Chinese learner...In the ESOL/SLA field, qualitative studies try to explain the language learning process not merely from psychological points of view, but also from social and cultural perspectives. In this study, a Chinese learner's perceptions of mainstream English instruction in China has been investigated through the interview, and the problem was explained from social and cultural perspectives.展开更多
Learner beliefs of language learning are of critical importance to the success or failure of any student＇s efforts to master a foreign language. In this paper, some recent researches on learner beliefs about language...Learner beliefs of language learning are of critical importance to the success or failure of any student＇s efforts to master a foreign language. In this paper, some recent researches on learner beliefs about language learning have been reviewed and summarized. The learner beliefs in Chinese context are also discussed. It is suggested that it is premature to determine learner beliefs in Chinese context and to conclude that cultural differences have great influences on learner beliefs. More researches need to be conducted by means of more various research methodolozies.展开更多
It has long been in dispute about whether explicit grammar teaching is more effective in second language learning or implicit grammar teaching is.However,there are more than one factor to take into consideration while...It has long been in dispute about whether explicit grammar teaching is more effective in second language learning or implicit grammar teaching is.However,there are more than one factor to take into consideration while discussing which way is better for L2 learners.This short essay aims at depicting three respects concerning grammar teaching,namely learning context,language learners'beliefs and needs,and grammar instruction.When educators and practitioners try to adopt grammar instruction either implicitly or explicitly in L2 learners'writing development,they probably need to consider the above three factors and to find out the best way to produce more effective teaching results among their students.展开更多
Learner belief is attracting growing attention since it is regarded as one element of individual difference which account for learners' different achievements in second language learning. This article gives a revi...Learner belief is attracting growing attention since it is regarded as one element of individual difference which account for learners' different achievements in second language learning. This article gives a review o studies of learner belief about second language learning concerning its properties, classifications, and majo approaches to investigation. Based on the review, the importance of the research in the field is emphasized.展开更多
The present investigation aims to explore the existence of differences of beliefs about learning English held by Chinese non-English major university students and their teachers of English in the southwest of China. T...The present investigation aims to explore the existence of differences of beliefs about learning English held by Chinese non-English major university students and their teachers of English in the southwest of China. Two questionnaires were used to collect the data. Chi-square （Z2） tests were used to analyze the quantitative data from both students＇ and teachers＇ questionnaires. The results of the chi-square （Z2） tests revealed that 34 out of 44 （plus 2 additional） items of beliefs varied significantly between teachers and students.展开更多
Objectives:To examine the perceived impact of international educational experiences and cultural beliefs before and after completing a 1-year Masters of Science in Nursing program.Methods:An exploratory study was cond...Objectives:To examine the perceived impact of international educational experiences and cultural beliefs before and after completing a 1-year Masters of Science in Nursing program.Methods:An exploratory study was conducted among Chinese nurses studying abroad in a private medium-sized university in the United States.The 27-item electronic pre-survey was administered within 1 week of starting the program and the post-survey was administered 1 year later at the completion of the program.Results:Majority of participants(n=25)were female,23–36 years of age.Findings revealed that the perceived impact of international educational experiences assessed at the start of the program was similar to the perceived impact measured at the end of the 1-year program,suggesting that the students learned and experienced what they anticipated.There was a significant impact on cultural beliefs from the start of the program compared with the end of the program suggesting that a 1-year study abroad program does influence cultural beliefs.Conclusions:Understanding what is important to provide in a study abroad program and providing the educational experiences identified by students as impactful are avenues to help host universities best develop their programs.Findings suggested that the 1-year program can influence foreign students’cultural beliefs,yet the professional and personal impact of this change warrants further study.展开更多
Language learning beliefs play a very important role in influencing learners' attitudes,motivations and also shape their experiences and actions in classroom.Successful learners develop insightful beliefs about la...Language learning beliefs play a very important role in influencing learners' attitudes,motivations and also shape their experiences and actions in classroom.Successful learners develop insightful beliefs about language learning process,their own abilities and the use of effective strategies.However language learning beliefs can be different because of individual learner differences and contextual diversity.This study aimed at exploring beliefs about language learning held by pre-service teachers.159 pre-service teachers majoring in English at Qianan Normal College for Nationalities participated in the study.A 34-item questionnaire adapted from Horwitz's(1987) BALLI was used to collect the data.The results were reported and discussed from the following five aspects:1) beliefs about foreign language aptitude,2) beliefs about difficulty of language learning,3) beliefs about nature of language learning,4) beliefs about learning and communication strategies,and 5) beliefs about motivation and expectations.Suggestions on pedagogical implications and for future research were also indicated.展开更多
The paper describes language needs of English majors of tertiary education in NUDT through questionnaire with the aim to identify the needs of the target group of learners and introduce needs-based course design.Based...The paper describes language needs of English majors of tertiary education in NUDT through questionnaire with the aim to identify the needs of the target group of learners and introduce needs-based course design.Based on the statistical analysis and the results,the findings revealed that learners' needs are of great significance in the whole process of teaching and learning,providing suggestions and references for teachers in future teaching using needs-based curriculum design.展开更多
Learning beliefs is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional concept and is a collection of learners'subjective factors, covering cognitive,psychological and emotional aspects. It reflects learners'mental and psycho...Learning beliefs is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional concept and is a collection of learners'subjective factors, covering cognitive,psychological and emotional aspects. It reflects learners'mental and psychological state and can influence learning behavior to a certain extent.Since Rubin first described the common characteristics of successful English learners,people have come to realize that teaching methods are only external factors of learning,and to a large extent, the internal factors of learners play a decisive role in the course of learning. Western researchers have been exploring various factors affecting language learning performance from the perspective of students, which is individual difference research,and the investigation of students'language learning beliefs is one of them.展开更多
The paper is to conduct researches into the application of ESP course design at collage EST(English for science and technology)learners,some of which deserve following up.
Learner centered design programs typically focus on analyzing the needs of students or encouraging more students to participate in classroom activities.This paper argues that the real learner centered approach should ...Learner centered design programs typically focus on analyzing the needs of students or encouraging more students to participate in classroom activities.This paper argues that the real learner centered approach should consider allowing learners to play a greater role in learning management,learning methods and learning opportunities by providing selection for the learners.This opportunity can be introduced into the traditional classroom with minimize the problems.The learner's choice as a more basic aspect of language curriculum can be provided by establish autonomous learning center.Teachers'and learners'attitudes to the centre are discussed,and it is suggested that we should do more things to guide both teachers'and learners'expectations in order to make learner choices an active feature of foreign language study.展开更多
文摘This paper reports a small-scale study of needs analysis of leamers of Turkish as a foreign language at University of Florida. Needs analysis is described in the context of foreign language learning as ＂a systematic and ongoing process of gathering information about students＇ needs and preferences, interpreting the information and then making course decisions in order to meet those needs＂ （Graves, 2000, p. 74）. Because foreign language instruction has become much more learner-centered in recent years, needs analysis is a must for effective learning processes to occur （LONG, 1999, 2005; Kikuchi ＆ Apple, 2006）. In this context, the purpose of this pilot study is to gather information about the students＇ needs in learning Turkish at Center for European Studies, where less commonly taught languages, including Czech, Greek, Hungarian and Polish are offered. Drawing on interview data compiled from a number of studies （Tarone ＆ Yule, 1989; LI ＆ Richards, 1995）, the findings indicate that the students＇ needs may be grouped under four categories including their linguistic needs, their objectives in learning Turkish, learning resources, psychological and sociological factors that may impact their learning experiences. In the light of the interview findings, certain suggestions as to how to teach Turkish effectively are made.
文摘In the ESOL/SLA field, qualitative studies try to explain the language learning process not merely from psychological points of view, but also from social and cultural perspectives. In this study, a Chinese learner's perceptions of mainstream English instruction in China has been investigated through the interview, and the problem was explained from social and cultural perspectives.
文摘Learner beliefs of language learning are of critical importance to the success or failure of any student＇s efforts to master a foreign language. In this paper, some recent researches on learner beliefs about language learning have been reviewed and summarized. The learner beliefs in Chinese context are also discussed. It is suggested that it is premature to determine learner beliefs in Chinese context and to conclude that cultural differences have great influences on learner beliefs. More researches need to be conducted by means of more various research methodolozies.
文摘It has long been in dispute about whether explicit grammar teaching is more effective in second language learning or implicit grammar teaching is.However,there are more than one factor to take into consideration while discussing which way is better for L2 learners.This short essay aims at depicting three respects concerning grammar teaching,namely learning context,language learners'beliefs and needs,and grammar instruction.When educators and practitioners try to adopt grammar instruction either implicitly or explicitly in L2 learners'writing development,they probably need to consider the above three factors and to find out the best way to produce more effective teaching results among their students.
文摘Learner belief is attracting growing attention since it is regarded as one element of individual difference which account for learners' different achievements in second language learning. This article gives a review o studies of learner belief about second language learning concerning its properties, classifications, and majo approaches to investigation. Based on the review, the importance of the research in the field is emphasized.
文摘The present investigation aims to explore the existence of differences of beliefs about learning English held by Chinese non-English major university students and their teachers of English in the southwest of China. Two questionnaires were used to collect the data. Chi-square （Z2） tests were used to analyze the quantitative data from both students＇ and teachers＇ questionnaires. The results of the chi-square （Z2） tests revealed that 34 out of 44 （plus 2 additional） items of beliefs varied significantly between teachers and students.
文摘Objectives:To examine the perceived impact of international educational experiences and cultural beliefs before and after completing a 1-year Masters of Science in Nursing program.Methods:An exploratory study was conducted among Chinese nurses studying abroad in a private medium-sized university in the United States.The 27-item electronic pre-survey was administered within 1 week of starting the program and the post-survey was administered 1 year later at the completion of the program.Results:Majority of participants(n=25)were female,23–36 years of age.Findings revealed that the perceived impact of international educational experiences assessed at the start of the program was similar to the perceived impact measured at the end of the 1-year program,suggesting that the students learned and experienced what they anticipated.There was a significant impact on cultural beliefs from the start of the program compared with the end of the program suggesting that a 1-year study abroad program does influence cultural beliefs.Conclusions:Understanding what is important to provide in a study abroad program and providing the educational experiences identified by students as impactful are avenues to help host universities best develop their programs.Findings suggested that the 1-year program can influence foreign students’cultural beliefs,yet the professional and personal impact of this change warrants further study.
文摘Language learning beliefs play a very important role in influencing learners' attitudes,motivations and also shape their experiences and actions in classroom.Successful learners develop insightful beliefs about language learning process,their own abilities and the use of effective strategies.However language learning beliefs can be different because of individual learner differences and contextual diversity.This study aimed at exploring beliefs about language learning held by pre-service teachers.159 pre-service teachers majoring in English at Qianan Normal College for Nationalities participated in the study.A 34-item questionnaire adapted from Horwitz's(1987) BALLI was used to collect the data.The results were reported and discussed from the following five aspects:1) beliefs about foreign language aptitude,2) beliefs about difficulty of language learning,3) beliefs about nature of language learning,4) beliefs about learning and communication strategies,and 5) beliefs about motivation and expectations.Suggestions on pedagogical implications and for future research were also indicated.
文摘The paper describes language needs of English majors of tertiary education in NUDT through questionnaire with the aim to identify the needs of the target group of learners and introduce needs-based course design.Based on the statistical analysis and the results,the findings revealed that learners' needs are of great significance in the whole process of teaching and learning,providing suggestions and references for teachers in future teaching using needs-based curriculum design.
文摘Learning beliefs is a comprehensive, multi-dimensional concept and is a collection of learners'subjective factors, covering cognitive,psychological and emotional aspects. It reflects learners'mental and psychological state and can influence learning behavior to a certain extent.Since Rubin first described the common characteristics of successful English learners,people have come to realize that teaching methods are only external factors of learning,and to a large extent, the internal factors of learners play a decisive role in the course of learning. Western researchers have been exploring various factors affecting language learning performance from the perspective of students, which is individual difference research,and the investigation of students'language learning beliefs is one of them.
文摘The paper is to conduct researches into the application of ESP course design at collage EST(English for science and technology)learners,some of which deserve following up.
文摘Learner centered design programs typically focus on analyzing the needs of students or encouraging more students to participate in classroom activities.This paper argues that the real learner centered approach should consider allowing learners to play a greater role in learning management,learning methods and learning opportunities by providing selection for the learners.This opportunity can be introduced into the traditional classroom with minimize the problems.The learner's choice as a more basic aspect of language curriculum can be provided by establish autonomous learning center.Teachers'and learners'attitudes to the centre are discussed,and it is suggested that we should do more things to guide both teachers'and learners'expectations in order to make learner choices an active feature of foreign language study.
