Learning relational terms such as verbs and prepositions is fundamental to language development. To learn relational words, children must first dissect and process dynamic event components, and then uncover how the particular language they are learning encodes these constructs. Building on a new area of research, this dissertation investigated two event components, figure (i.e., the moving entity) and ground (i.e., the stationary setting) that are central to learning relational words. In particular, we examine how English- and Japanese-reared infants process figures and grounds in nonlinguistic events and how language learning interacts with their conceptualization of these constructs. Four studies were designed to probe our questions. Study 1 examined English-reared infants' ability to form nonnative ground categories encoded only in Japanese. For example, "crossing a road," which extends in a line and is bounded, is expressed differently than "crossing a field" that extends in a plane and is unbounded. We found that infants can detect the geometry of the ground and form a nonnative ground category. Study 2 indicated that the path of an action plays a role in construing these categorical ground distinctions such that without the bounded paths infants do not differentiate between grounds. Study 3 demonstrated that even though infants notice figures and grounds in static representations of the dynamic events (even earlier for the ground discrimination), the Japanese categorical ground differentiation no longer emerged. In the last set of studies, we showed that despite the sensitivity to the event structure and categorical ground distinctions in dynamic events by both English- and Japanese-reared infants (Study 4a), only Japanese toddlers retained these categorical distinctions (Study 4b). Overall, these results suggest that 1) infants distinguish between figures and grounds in events with differential attention to static and dynamic displays; 2) before learning much about their native language infants form nonnative event categories; and 3) the process of learning language appears to shift earlier formed categorical boundaries. / Psychology

This study was an examination of the effect that three levels of topic choice (no choice, limited choice, and complete choice) would have on students' Task Interest and Task Self-efficacy (Study 1, 78 participants), and on three aspects of students' oral output: Accuracy, Complexity, and Fluency (Study 2, 42 participants in 21 pairs). Also examined were the effects that three types of tasks (descriptive, narrative, and decision-making) exerted on these five variables. Data were collected using a questionnaire for Study 1 and recording the participants' conversations for Study 2. Data were collected in nine consecutive treatments to examine the main effects of choice and task, and the interaction effects of choice and task, using two-way repeated-measures ANOVAs. For Study 1, limited choice promoted Task Interest for the descriptive and narrative tasks, and Task Self-efficacy for the narrative and decision-making tasks to a statistically significant degree. In addition, the descriptive task had the highest Task Interest for the no choice and complete choice treatments and had the highest Task Self-efficacy for the no choice of topic treatment. The findings generally indicated that the participants were more interested in the task when there was choice, and that this led to higher levels of Task Interest and Task Self-efficacy. The Study 2 results indicated that Complexity was significantly higher when choice was introduced for the descriptive and narrative tasks. Accuracy and Fluency were not influenced to a statistically significant degree by choice, but they were positively influenced nonetheless. Attentional resources may have been freed up when choice was introduced and the participants may have been more willing to take risks, both possibly causing the significantly higher levels of complexity for choice. Suggestions for further research include a closer examination of the process students use when choosing a topic and examining ways for a more efficient method of introducing choice into the task-based language teaching syllabus. / CITE/Language Arts

English has spread across the globe and it is spoken with varying pronunciations, lexical items, spellings, and grammatical structures across diverse regions and cultures. This has resulted in questioning what should represent the language for a new learner. The aim is to gain insight into how culture is presented in the ELT textbook series Champ and to examine English teachers' opinions on cultural representation in language teaching in Sweden. The Champ textbooks series for grade four underwent an analysis using Byram's criteria for cultural content (Byram, 1989). Data was collected by interviewing teachers and doing a content analysis of the Champ textbook. The findings show that the Champ does fulfil the necessary cultural requirements in the curriculum but does lack local cultural representation. The data demonstrated that teachers lack knowledge and understanding of cultural representation in language teaching. The result also revealed that teachers use the same material differently as some use the textbook more frequently than others, and due to financial situations, there are differences in using the extra material connected to the textbook.

The purpose of the study was to discover how teachers learn to teach. This was done through the process of answering the question "How does a teacher acting as a co-researcher come to understand the learner-centered integrated literacy approaches in an English classroom in Malawi?" The learner-centered integrated literacy approaches is a concept derived from a constructivist philosophy of teaching. English is an important language in Malawi because it is the official language (Kayambazinthu, 1998). For that reason children are motivated to learn it as a second language. However, their achievement in English is critically low (Banda, Mchikoma, Chimombo, & Milner, 2001;Kishindo, Susuwere, Ndalama & Mwale, 2005; Williams, 1993). According to Ministry of Education and UNICEF (1998) and Williams (1993) teachers' complete reliance on traditional teacher-centered approaches was believed to be one of the major causes of school children's failure to acquire English as a second language for their literacy development in Malawi. The assumption was that improving teacher practice by introducing constructivists-based, learner-centered, integrated literacy approaches, which are believed to be more effective for second language learning, than the former, would illuminate how teachers learn and ultimately improve teacher education practices and consequently teacher English teaching in the classroom. Data were collected from pre- and post-study interviews, a series of audio taped lesson planning and lesson reflections, lesson observation summaries, and a researcher's journal. Data analysis and interpretation suggested that teacher learning is a gradual developmental process that depended very much on other interlaced processes of collaboration, inquiry, and reflective practice. It also demonstrated that the learner-centered integrated literacy approaches of the constructivism-based philosophy, which are also included in the Malawi curriculum but implementation is still a challenge in the primary classes, are possible. The results and process of the study could be used to improve teacher learning in Malawi. Finally, the study experience has illuminated the need for more exploration in the new areas of growth in English literacy. / Ph. D.

No / In this research we produced a mobile language learning game that is designed within a technical context. After conceptual analysis of the subject matter i.e. computer's motherboard, the game was designed. The action within the game is consistent to the theme. There is a story, simplifying and exaggerating real life. Elements of control, feedback and sense of danger are incorporated into our game. By producing an engaging learning experience, vocabularies were learned incidentally. Deliberate vocabulary learning games were also added to our package to help students solve their common errors.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: According to the results of the Annual National Assessment, ANA, the reading skills (reading ability, reading comprehension and fluency in reading) of children in South African schools are not up to standard (Department of Basic Education, 2011:20). Only 28% of Grade 6 learners and 35% of Grade 3 learners achieved the standardized levels for literacy and language in their respective grades. Further research (De Witt, 2009:619) also proved that only 35% of Grade R learners reached the minimum requirements for the development of literacy according to their age (5-6 years). The focus of this research is the advancement of Emergent Literacy through multimedia as preparation for elementary reading to ensure reading ability, comprehension and fluency. To promote Emergent Literacy the researcher should: - determine through research at what stage the natural developmental pattern of the learn to read process starts with toddlers - determine the process to follow for the development of literacy - determine the necessary skills required for reading fluently and with comprehension up to an age related standard - develop a multimedia program based on and guided by the process of literacy development - observe, record and analyze the effect of such a multimedia program for toddlers/learners. The research approach adopted in this thesis includes a case study with pre-school children between the ages of 2 and 5 years old. A learner aged 13, who had not yet achieved the required literacy levels for her age, was also included in the study. Data collection was done through interviews with and observations of toddlers/learners using a multimedia program that consisted of Foundation Skills for Emergent Literacy and General Reading Standards for Early Literacy. The multimedia program was designed based on an in-depth literature review of existing research. This research was focused on determining at which stage natural literacy development begins and what process should be followed to facilitate such development. The multimedia program covers the aspects of Phonological Processing, Print Awareness, Oral Language Skills, Emergent Reading, Print Knowledge and Early Word Recognition, Language Development and Listening and Reading Comprehension. The findings from this research provide evidence that highlights the value of reading, singing and repeating rhymes, songs and stories to children. The different methods of reading to children, the print–reference style to teach letters and sounds as well as inferencing that leads to comprehension, are proven by this research to be very important. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die standaard van leesvaardigheid (leesvermoë, -begrip en –vlotheid) in Suid-Afrikaanse skole is ondergemiddeld volgens die uitslag van die verslag oor die Jaarlikse Nasionale Assessering (in Engels: Annual National Assessment of afgekort ANA), wat aandui dat net 28% van alle Gr. 6-leerders en net 35% van alle Gr. 3-leerders die standaardvlakke vir geletterdheid en taal vir die betrokke grade behaal het (Departement van Basiese Onderwys, 2011:20). Verdere navorsing het egter ook bewys dat slegs 35% van Gr. R-leerders die minimum vereistes van geletterdheidsontwikkeling vir hulle ouderdom (5-6 jaar) bereik. Dit impliseer dat die meerderheid leerders Gr. 1 begin sonder die nodige vooraf vaardighede om te kan leer lees (De Witt, 2009:619). Die fokus van hierdie studie is om Vroegtydige Geletterdheid te bevorder deur middel van multimedia as voorbereiding vir aanvangslees om leesvermoë, -begrip en -vlotheid te verseker. Om Vroegtydige Geletterdheid te kan bevorder, moet vasgestel word volgens navorsing: - op watter stadium die natuurlike ontwikkelingspatroon van leer-lees by die kleuter begin - die proses om te volg vir geletterdheidsontwikkeling - watter vaardighede aangeleer behoort te word om op standaard, vlot en met begrip te kan lees volgens ouderdom - om ‘n multimediaprogram volgens die geletterdheidsontwikkelingsproses op te stel - wat die uitwerking van ’n multimediaprogram op kleuters/leerders is. In hierdie navorsing word ‘n gevallestudie as die navorsingsstrategie gebruik met kleuters/leerders vanaf 2 jaar tot 5 jaar oud en een 13-jarige leerder wat ingesluit word omdat sy nog nie die ontwikkelingsvlak vir lees volgens haar ouderdom bereik het nie. Die data vir die Grondslagvaardighede vir Vroegtydige Geletterdheid en Algemene Leesstandaarde vir Geletterdheid word ingesamel deur onderhoudvoering en waarneming. ‘n Multimediaprogram is saamgestel na aanleiding van 'n in-diepte literatuuroorsig van bestaande navorsing spesifiek gerig op watter stadium geletterdheidsontwikkeling begin en die bepaling van die proses om te volg vir geletterdheidsontwikkeling. Deur hierdie multimediaprogram word Fonologiese Prosessering, Skrifbewustheid, Mondelinge Taalvaardighede, Vroegtydige Leesgedrag, Letterkennis en Vroeë Woordherkenning, Taalontwikkeling, Luister- en Leesbegrip bevorder. Die gevolgtrekking van die navorsing dui daarop dat daar baie waarde opgesluit is in die voorlees en herhaling van rympies, liedjies en stories. Die voorleesmetode van stories deur middel van die skrifverwysingsstyl-leesmetode wat verwys na die uitwysing van letters tydens die voorlees van ‘n storie, bevorder die aanleer van letters en klanke. Deur die kleuter of leerder te lei om afleidings te maak, word begrip gevorm.

The effectiveness of e-mail writing has been exhaustively studied and reported on, especially in Taiwan. However, there has not been any research carried out on the topics that mainland Chinese university students enjoy writing about when corresponding with their Western epals, nor does the literature report research on writing e-mails to two groups of epals simultaneously. This study explores what issues concerned the participants when they exchanged e-mails with their Western epals and how they viewed their cross-cultural learning experience. The participants were 28 mainland Chinese second-year English majors who voluntarily corresponded with 28 American high school pupils and 28 Western adult epals for about two months in Autumn 2006. The data of this exploratory interpretative research was mainly collected from their e-mails, ‘final reports’, the mid-project questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews. The study found that the topics the participants enjoyed writing about actually depended on with whom they were corresponding. With the younger school pupils, they tended to look for friendship by talking about pastimes, their own high school experience, etc. To the more sophisticated adult epals though, they wrote largely about personal matters, on which they seemed to be covertly seeking advice. However, some topics were common to both groups and were equally popular – for example, school and daily life. The data also reveals that the majority of the participants enjoyed the experience and overall had positive views about it. These fall into three broad categories of learning: language, cultural, and communication. However, some experienced minor difficulties and problems in these areas, particularly regarding the communication aspect. Meanwhile, in the process of the participants multiediting their ‘final reports’, learning seems to have occurred between their first and final drafts – perhaps as a result of responding to the researcher’s written feedback, which seemed to make a significant difference. The implications arising from the study suggest that the students’ interest in it stimulated their engagement with learning - though the findings are tentative. Some recommendations for further research are also given.

No description available.

The purpose of this research project was to examine theories of learning, theories of teaching, and theories of listening comprehension with a view to developing and testing a computer-enhanced listening comprehension system for English as a Foreign Language within the Thai university system. In addition to carrying out an in-depth literature review, factors contributing to difficulties in the listening process were also carefully examined in order to build a sound foundation for dealing with listening comprehension. A brief history and analysis of Computer Assisted Language Learning were presented together with a review of some computer programs with the aim of determining their characteristics. An Individualized CELL Listening Comprehension Program was then developed on the basis of four theoretical frameworks: the Constructivist approach, the need to use authentic spoken passages, reduction of cognitive load and response to learner differences. The system was then used by twenty students of Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), Thailand for a period of fifteen weeks. Students were volunteers from different proficiency levels. SUT midterm and final examinations were employed, in part, to observe the effect of the program on proficiency levels. The SUT examinations, which were usually in a multiple-choice format, tested students on minor details through short, simple conversations. These tests might not fit entirely within best practice for listening but they seem to be a common way of measuring listening development in several educational contexts. Pretests and posttests examining global ideas and specific details in written and multiple-choice formats were then developed so as to provide a more accurate gauge of improvement in listening skills. Log files were kept in order to scrutinize in detail students� interactions with the system. Questionnaire and interview techniques were applied to seek out students� attitudes towards the program. The results revealed that the participants performed better than their peers in the same proficiency levels in SUT midterm and final examinations although the difference was not at a statistically significant level. However, posttest scores were better than those of pretest at a statistically significant level in most aspects except in case of the global ideas. The log files revealed that all students tended to focus on the word level by attempting to understand and decode every word in the transcriptions. This fixation is likely to explain the low global ideas scores. Analysis was complicated by the fact that some students were not able to use the program frequently enough, usually because of unexpectedly heavy schedules. However, the data extracted through questionnaires and interviews showed that most students demonstrated a positive attitude towards the various features of the program and felt that use of the program had improved their listening skills. In addition to findings relating to the development of listening comprehension, the study revealed that the majority of students felt that they did not think listening comprehension and, more generally the study of English, was sufficiently important to spend time on. This interesting but shocking discovery needs to be attended to immediately as it may have a strong effect on how Thai students prioritize their learning of English, and how this may impact on the levels of proficiency which they might subsequently attain.

Is it possible for technological �spaces� to be created that can provide a community atmosphere � one in which learners are not restrained by pre-determined syllabi and have the ability to direct their learning according to their own interests, pace and goals? If so, it would be notable to discover which kinds of interactions might be possible, or might eventuate, and how the participants in such a learning �space� would organize themselves. Also of interest would be the kinds of power structures that emerged through participant interaction, the direction/interactions undertaken by the participants and the improvements that could be made in order to respect and accommodate the differences between learners in a social online learning space. In order to further study this hypothesised need to investigate these questions, this researcher developed an online, English as a Second/Foreign Language learning environment for advanced adult learners of English. She reviewed the appropriate literature in order to theorise how to commence this research direction and investigated various learning platforms and software tools. The result was the development of a multiplatform environment which consisted of a content management system and a 3D microworld. Tools, exercises and content were developed and/or gathered as starting points for learners and the various software had to be learnt in order to orient others on their use. Finally, the environment was trialed over a four week duration with a group of advanced to native speakers of English (volunteers) and the results have been presented in this thesis for discussion. The trial, entitled the ILE Project, attempted to study the problems involved in the technical development of such spaces, to observe the interactions between the learners in a 3D microworld and uncover issues relating to its implementation. Some issues raised by the project concerned techno-literacy, personality-driven interaction differences and organizational power shifts within the 3D community. This thesis closes with an argument that redefines the notion of the learner autonomy, proposes certain modifications to both the pedagogic and technical structure of the online environment and discusses the issues raised in this research. The latter discussion would require further re-conceptualization of the spaces, stakes and support structures that educators can create/provide in an attempt to improve online language learning.