This study was an investigation into the effects of repetition on a listening comprehension test for second language learners. Repetition has been previously examined in a cursory way, usually as a secondary question to a primary treatment. Additionally, the method of repetition was limited to one way and to one treatment condition; therefore, it is not clear how different methods of repetition have influenced the results. To date, there are few studies on the influence of repetition on listening comprehension tests in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) situations. The purpose of this study was to examine four methods of repetition on listening comprehension with Japanese learners of English. In addition, the effect of repetition method on proficiency level, question type, and question difficulty was also examined. The participants were 2,041 students attending a private university in Tokyo, Japan. They experienced five conditions: non-repetition, immediate repetition, delayed repetition theory, delayed repetition A, and delayed repetition B. The participants listened to 12 passages under one of the five randomized conditions, and then answered five questions in one of three question types: true-false, multiple-choice, or short-answer. Additionally, the test included questions intended to measure two levels of comprehension, specific details and inference. Finally, the participants were divided into two listening proficiency levels based on the Global Test of English Communication. The results indicated that the type of repetition had an effect on listening comprehension. Overall, both proficiency groups in the delayed repetition conditions had higher comprehension scores. In addition, the delayed repetition conditions were better for all question types (true-false, multiple-choice, and short-answer) with each proficiency group responding equally well. Finally, the delayed repetition conditions reduced the range of question difficulty, especially when participants were allowed to preview questions. The theoretical implications of this study are that comprehension scores are affected by the strength of memory trace, focus of attention, and activated memory. The pedagogical implications are that delayed repetition is useful in the classroom because it not only improves comprehension scores on tests, but also reinforces material learned across several activities, and incorporates recycling into the curriculum design. The results will help test-makers consider new avenues to testing, teachers to incorporate delayed repetition into classroom activities, and administrators to incorporate delayed repetition into the curriculum. / CITE/Language Arts

This dissertation investigates the educational practices surrounding English Learners (ELs) with disabilities, a unique population of learners who are not only acquiring English as a Second Language (ESL) but also have an institutionally identified disability. Possessing these characteristics, these learners are located at an intersection--the intersection of minority social categories and the intersection of two disciplines, special education and ESL. This intersection is the source of educational ambiguity; namely educators are left wondering how they can possibly target the heterogeneous learning needs of these students within the course of any given school day. Employing ethnographic methodology, this dissertation was designed as a vertical case study of two elementary schools within Pennsylvania. With over a year of observations, 40 interviews, and artifact collection, this dissertation draws on intersectionality for its theoretical underpinnings to investigate the educational practices of service provision for ELs with disabilities. More concretely, it examines how institutional factors and personnel's beliefs construct and even limit the opportunities ELs with disabilities are offered within their learning contexts. It argues that second language (L2) identities are erased during service delivery practices through specific institutional and ideological factors, so that in effect, ELs with disabilities become learners with disabilities. Further, this dissertation questions the de facto policy of eliminating ESL services for special education with the understanding that such practices fail to address the multidimensionality of these learners while simultaneously circumventing educational law. / Teaching & Learning

This paper presents a qualitative study with semi-structured interviews investigating 1) How teachers in the course English 6 interpret the terms "relatively varied" and "well-grounded and balanced", and how their interpretations differed, 2) How do the teachers interpret the terms in relations to the National Agency for Education’s commentary material?, and 3) What kind of resources do the teachers use to understand those terms? The reason for conducting this research is to gain a greater understanding of how teachers in the course English 6 in upper secondary school interpret the terms in the requirements. The terms in our requirements leave a lot of room for interpretations, and I want to find out how teachers with experiences of teaching interpret the terms in order to better understand how they can be interpret. My finding revealed that three out of four of the interviewed teachers did not mention the terms in their description of them, they brought in other aspects from the requirements, and did not address neither of the terms clearly. This applied to all the teachers, except for T4. The teacher that did address the terms was the only one who read the National Agency’s commentary material, therefore T4’s interpretations of the term aligned closest to the description in the commentary material. From the answers the teachers provided me with, they seemed to interpret the requirements in their own way and this is a validity and reliability issue when assessing the students’ texts. The teachers answers are also discussed from a norm-referenced perspective.

In this study we researched varying aspects of using flashcards to increase vocabulary, these aspects include method variations, as well as variations to the flashcards themselves. Through this text it is conveyed that vocabulary is important for communication. The aim of this research is to reflect upon the various flashcards variances and understand their effects upon vocabulary teaching. To research both writers searched for relevant articles together, these articles were agreed upon together. Each researcher read and summerized half of the articles each. Afterwards, the other researcher read the same article and inspected the written summaries. The results of the various research papers generally agreed with theories of learning. Multiple different learning theories were used as basis for this research, and the findings of the research articles are overall in agreement with these theories. The different drill methods, altering the flashcards themselves and the introduction of digital flashcards were found to be in agreement with the relevant learning theories. The different flashcard alternatives were found to have positive results, however these positive results were in different aspects. Some results found the students had larger vocabulary, some other results found the students had longer retention of the vocabulary learnt, and some had increased motivation.

Motivation has been shown to be critical for L2 language development and it is thus imperative that teachers consider how classroom methods and tools contribute to student’s motivational state. One such tool, formative feedback, has been shown to help motivate students to complete tasks, and yet formative feedback may also potentially demotivate students under certain conditions. The current study uses semi-structured interviews of five 7-9 grade English teachers in the south of Sweden to investigate some teachers’ views and experiences of written formative feedback and its effect on facilitating or hindering student motivation in the L2 classroom. Regarding usage patterns, we found that teachers generally implement formative feedback in accordance with what is promoted in recent research literature. Furthermore, we found that teachers consider formative feedback to positively affect students in terms of increased motivation and positive academic outcomes. However, teachers also stress the importance of providing the right amount of formative feedback in a timely manner to preclude potentially negative effects such as students not understanding the feedback and thus, becoming demotivated and unable to learn from the feedback provided. Our study indicates that teachers in the Swedish L2 classroom context implement formative feedback to facilitate motivation, since they believe the concept helps students develop their knowledge, furthers engagement, creates awareness of development and provides a driving force within students to work harder.

EFL/ESL teachers in Sweden have traditionally favored using only English in the classroom, however, research demonstrates they incorporate Swedish for various purposes. Moreover, teachers perceive the guidelines for the use of the target language and learners’ first language outlined in the curriculum for English as vague, experience feelings of guilt when resorting to Swedish in the English classroom and lack familiarity with the translanguaging theory. These issues could affect the requirement of evidence-based teaching and have implications for the quality of EFL/ESL education in Sweden. Through interviews and observations, this study aims to explore this matter and examine the reasons why and for what functions some English teachers in Sweden claim they use learners’ L1 in their teaching, as well as their level of awareness regarding their language practices and the concept of translanguaging. The findings indicate that the teachers primarily employ learners’ L1 to aid in knowledge construction, classroom management, and interpersonal relations. Additionally, certain inconsistencies were found between their motivations and their actual practices, indicating a potential lack of awareness and understanding of the translanguaging theory. Finally, it is suggested there is a necessity for clearer directives in the Swedish curriculum for English and for enhancing teachers’ awareness when implementing translanguaging strategies, such as pedagogical translanguaging (PTL).

English learners (ELs) across the United States have aspirations to continue their education and pursue careers in the English language. Because community colleges are educational institutions that not only generally provide open enrollment but are also more accessible and affordable than universities, they are a feasible option for many ELs. Community colleges often have an English as a Second Language (ESL) program available to ELs to help them reach the proficiency needed to study in the English language. This study explores how these programs are structured, who is administering and teaching in these programs, and if these programs track their students' academic success. Thirty- five different community colleges from 8 states in the U.S. participated in this study by answering 10 survey questions. The present study reports on the descriptive data gathered from these questions and then compares the results to observations from the previous literature on community college ESL programs. This study reports on data pertaining to topics of program type, funding, credit vs. non-credit bearing programs, teacher and administrator credentials, part-time vs. full-time positions, difficulty of hiring qualified employees, student enrollment, and tracking student academic success. This data contributes and inspires further conversations about community college ESL programs and areas of improvement.

The purpose of this study was to further investigate the experience of international student-athletes (ISA) studying and competing at the collegiate level in the United States. This mixed methods study used a survey and interviews to probe ISAs' challenges and support sources. ISAs attending a large private four-year university located in the western United States along with university athletic support staff participated in this study. In the survey comments and interviews the ISAs expressed that they are highly concerned with their ability to financially survive in this new environment. A demanding schedule requiring the balancing of athletics and academics does not leave ISAs time to make money to provide for their needs. With name, image, likeness (NIL) deals becoming the norm in NCAA sports, ISAs further expressed their frustration with not being allowed to participate in these deals. Regarding cultural adjustment, ISAs suggested through their survey responses that they face difficulty with the university academic expectations in the United States and cultural differences. ISAs are most likely to consult with a friend at the university or a coach of their team during challenging or difficult times and almost never with an academic advisor or professor. Other factors influencing the ISAs included their target language ability and religion.

The objective of this research is to investigate how transmedia storytelling (TS) can impact the reading proficiency of ESL students. The declining reading comprehension levels among 15-yearold students in Sweden has raised concerns, which is a trend observed in many other countries. This study explores whether TS can be an effective approach to support language development for reading comprehension during this critical stage of education. The research was conducted in two phases, using qualitative mixed methods. In Phase 1, sixteen ESL teachers from eight countries completed questionnaires, and in Phase 2, five ESL teachers in Sweden were interviewed. Both phases aimed to understand the challenges faced by teachers in teaching reading, the strategies they use to address these issues, and their use of multimedia tools. The study also investigates whether TS can improve reading comprehension and if ESL teachers are aware of this strategy. The study findings demonstrate that ESL teachers encounter various difficulties, such as managing diverse classroom dynamics, finding suitable reading materials for students with different comprehension levels, and motivating disinterested students. Teachers are using multimedia tools, including creative writing, film adaptations, trivia games, and role-playing to overcome these challenges. Despite their efforts, the decline in reading proficiency continues. Additionally, the research reveals that most ESL teachers are not familiar with TS as a method, but are interested in learning about its potential benefits. TS is an innovative approach that allows students to read a book and use digital tools they are familiar with to create their unique stories. Therefore, it has the potential to enhance reading comprehension and language skills among ESL students.

<p dir="ltr">The purpose of this three-paper dissertation is to examine the effect of the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework-informed use of social media on language learning through a meta-analysis and two mixed-method studies. The first paper is a meta-analysis that examines the overall effect of social media use on language learning and the factors that moderate the effect. The second paper is a mixed-method study to investigate the effect of the Community of Inquiry-informed use of Facebook discussion activities on English speaking. The third paper is a mixed-method study to examine the effect of the Community of Inquiry-informed use of Facebook discussion activities on English writing. The combined results expanded our understanding of the overall effect of the use of social media on language learning and the applicability of the CoI framework in social media platforms. Finally, the last chapter synthesized the findings across three papers and presented implications for research and practice. </p><p><br></p>