This study examined incidental receptive and productive vocabulary gains within conversation-class interactions. Eleven Mexican learners of English attended four videotaped conversation lessons where 40 target words were incorporated in different types of exposure. Stimulated recall interviews with students highlighted the effect of cognates, learners' access to passive vocabulary, and use of their vocabulary knowledge in learning related words. Posttests revealed a correlation between frequency and receptive/productive gains. Mean scores showed that words mentioned with synonyms were learned most often, followed by task-essential words and last those mentioned without explanation. A two-way ANCOVA revealed main effects for cognates, and a statistical interaction between cognate status and types of exposure. A statistical correlation was found between receptive and productive gains. Aptitude scores correlated with productive gains but not with receptive gains. The results provide implications for ESL teachers who consider incidental learning of vocabulary within their conversation lessons.

In addition to the ED-EC framework, this thesis proposes a discriminative lattice rescoring (DLR) algorithm to facilitate the investigation of the extensibility of the framework. The DLR method recasts a discriminative n-gram model as a pseudo-conventional n-gram model and then uses this recast model to perform lattice rescoring. DLR improves the efficiency of discriminative n-gram modeling and facilitates combined processing of discriminative n-gram modeling with other post-processing techniques such as the ED-EC framework. / This thesis proposes an error detection and correction (ED-EC) framework to incorporate advanced linguistic knowledge sources into large vocabulary continuous speech recognition. Previous efforts that apply sophisticated language models (LMs) in speech recognition normally face a serious efficiency problem due to the intense computation required by these models. The ED-EC framework aims to achieve the full benefit of complex linguistic sources while at the same time maximize efficiency. The framework attempts to only apply computationally expensive LMs where needed in input speech. First, the framework detects recognition errors in the output of an efficient state-of-the-art decoding procedure. Then, it corrects the detected errors with the aid of sophisticated LMs by (1) creating alternatives for each detected error and (2) applying advanced models to distinguish among the alternatives. In this thesis, we implement a prototype of the ED-EC framework on the task of Mandarin dictation. This prototype detects recognition errors based on generalized word posterior probabilities, selects alternatives for errors from recognition lattices generated during decoding and adopts an advanced LM that combines mutual information, word trigrams and POS trigrams. The experimental results indicate the practical feasibility of the ED-EC framework, for which the optimal gain of the focused LM is theoretically achievable at low computational cost. On a general-domain test set, a 6.0% relative reduction in character error rate (CER) over the performance of a state-of-the-art baseline recognizer is obtained. In terms of efficiency, while both the detection of errors and the creation of alternatives are efficient, the application of the computationally expensive LM is concentrated on less than 50% of the utterances. We further demonstrate that the potential benefit of using the ED-EC framework in improving the recognition performance is tremendous. If error detection is perfect and alternatives for an error are guaranteed to include the correct one, the relative CER reduction over the baseline performance will increase to 36.0%. We also illustrate that the ED-EC framework is robust on unseen data and can be conveniently extended to other recognition systems. / Zhou, Zhengyu. / Adviser: Helen Mei-Ling Meng. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 72-11, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-155). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Orientador: Egisvanda Isys de Almeida Sandes / Banca: Elena Fernandez de Molina Ortes / Banca: Isabel Gretel María Eres Fernández / Banca: Kelly Cristiane Henschel Pobbe de Carvalho / Banca: Nildiceia Aparecida Rocha / Resumo: Este trabalho teve como objeto de estudo o ensino de pronúncia do espanhol como língua estrangeira (ELE). A discussão parte da observação de que o ensino de pronúncia nem sempre foi considerado relevante no ensino de línguas estrangeiras e de que durante muito tempo, os materiais didáticos abordaram a pronúncia por meio de exercícios e atividades descontextualizadas e de forma isolada em relação a outros aspectos da língua, como o léxico e a gramática. Para que ocorra uma comunicação fluída e inteligível, recomenda-se que o ensino da pronúncia se configure dentro de certa sistematicidade, mediante a definição de objetivos, conteúdos, atividades, exercícios e estratégias de correção específicas para cada nível, além de um trabalho que considere a relevância dos elementos suprassegmentais como ritmo, acento e entonação, para o estabelecimento de sentidos nos intercâmbios comunicativos. Nesse sentido, propõem-se as seguintes indagações: Como o ensino da pronúncia é abordado pelos diferentes métodos e abordagens de ensino de línguas estrangeiras? Quais conhecimentos são necessários para seu ensino e aprendizagem/aquisição, considerando o contexto da formação docente? Para tanto, o objetivo geral da pesquisa foi compreender como o ensino da pronúncia é retratado teoricamente pelos diferentes métodos e abordagens de ensino de línguas estrangeiras e pelos professores que o lecionam no ensino médio nas aulas de ELE. Assim sendo, especificamente, tem-se que: i) realizar uma revisão te... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: This work had as object of study the teaching of pronunciation of Spanish as a foreign language (SFL). The discussion is based on the observation that pronunciation teaching was not always consider relevant in foreign language teaching and that for a long time, the teaching materials addresses pronunciation through exercises and activities that were out of context and isolated from others aspects of the languages, such as lexicon and grammar. For a fluent and intelligible communication to take place, it is recommended that the teaching of pronunciation be configured with a certain system, by defining objectives, contents, activities, exercises and correction strategies specific to each level, in addition to a work that considers the relevance of suprasegmentally elements such as rhythm, accent and intonation, for the establishment of the sense in communicative exchanges. In this sense, the following questions are proposed: How is the teaching of pronunciation addressed by the different methods and approaches of the foreign language teachings? Which knowledge are needed for the teaching and learning /acquisition, taking in consideration the context of the teacher education? To this end, the general objectives of the research was to understand how pronunciation teaching is described theoretically by the different methods and approaches of the foreign language teachings and by the teachers who teach it in high school in the SFL classes. Thus, specifically, must to: i) carry out ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Resumen: Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo de estudio la enseñanza de la pronunciación del español como lengua extranjera (ELE). La discusión parte de la observación de que la enseñanza de la pronunciación no siempre fue considerada relevante en la enseñanza de lenguas extranjeras y de que, durante mucho tiempo, los materiales didácticos abordaron la pronunciación por medio de ejercicios y actividades descontextualizadas y de forma aislada con relación a otros aspectos de la lengua, como el léxico y la gramática. Para que ocurra una comunicación fluida e inteligible, se recomienda que la enseñanza de la pronunciación se configure dentro de cierta sistematización, mediante la definición de objetivos, contenidos, actividades, ejercicios y estrategias de corrección específicas para cada nivel, además de un trabajo que considere la relevancia de los elementos suprasegmentales como ritmo, acento y entonación, para el estabelecimiento de sentidos en los intercambios comunicativos. De esta manera, se proponen las siguientes indagaciones: ¿Cómo la enseñanza de la pronunciación es abordada por los diferentes métodos y abordajes de enseñanza de lenguas extranjeras? ¿Cuáles conocimientos son necesarios para su enseñanza y aprendizaje/adquisición, considerando el contexto de la formación docente? Por tanto, el objetivo general de la investigación fue comprender como la enseñanza de la pronunciación es retratada teóricamente por los diferentes métodos y abordajes de enseñanza de lenguas extranjeras,... (Resumen completo clicar acceso eletrônico abajo) / Doutor

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

This research aims at investigating the relationships between linguistics self confidence, achievements and performance and giving new pedagogical insights to the educators concerning language learning motivation by implementing a combination of task-based research and Complexity, Accuracy and Fluency (CAF) performance evaluation model. Six English as Second Language (ESL) learners were invited to participate in an oral task and complete a self confidence evaluation questionnaire. Their performance, based on the CAF framework, was then compared and contrasted according to their confidence level. It was found that the higher confident students are more accurate in their speech production, and are also better at communicative and discussion skills. However, neither did they demonstrate a large amount of talk as in some past literature, nor did they display a very complex language. They instead articulated more false starts and made more repetitions as they self-corrected their utterances during the task. Compared to the lower-confident group, these learners surprisingly contribute fewer arguments, particularly counter-arguments such as rebuttals. These behaviors were explained by Foster and Skehan’s attention theory and Levelt’s prioritization in production. In addition, the inter-dependent relationships between linguistics self confidence, achievements and performance are proposed. Finally, Dörnyei’s L2 Motivational Self System is especially addressed, as it seems applicable in solving the research findings that there is a discrepancy between the L2 ideal self and actual self of these ESL learners. / published_or_final_version / Linguistics / Master / Master of Arts

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

This article researches the attitude of learners to the oral activities in the Afrikaans Second Language classroom. The apparent discrepancy between learners' communicative competence and the oral year mark awarded by school-based educators is looked at. It seems as though neither educators nor learners participate very enthusiastically in oral activities in the classroom. Educators on the one hand appear to be preoccupied with assessment and the completion of a syllabus rather than with developing the communicative competence of learners. Learners on the other hand fear being censured and mocked by their peers and the assessment process most commonly used in the classroom compounds this anxiety. In Section 4 suggestions are made for reducing assessment anxiety so as to encourage learners to communicate spontaneously in Afrikaans. Learners of an additional language need to be provided with the opportunity to engage in oral activities that elicit the use of the target language in such a way that the learner's enthusiasm to participate neutralises the fear of using linguistic structures that they feel they have not yet mastered. OPSOMMING In hierdie artikel word leerders se houding !eenoor die mondelinge akliwiteite in die Afrikaans Tweede Taal klaskamer ondersoek. Die klaarblyklike wanverhouding lussen die leerders se kommunikaliewe vaardigheid en die mondeiinge jaarpunt wat deur onderwysers toegeken word, word ondersoek. Uit die studie blyk dit dat nog die leerders nog die onderwysers baie entoesiasties deelneem aan mondelinge aktiwiteite in die klaskamer. Die onderwysers blyk behep te wees met die insamel van punte en die voltooiing van leerplan items sonder om aandag te skenk aan die ontwikkeling van leerders se kommunikatiewe vaardighede. Die vrees wat leerders het vir die sensuur deur hulle portuurgroep, word versterk deur die evalueringsangs wat die assesseringsmetodes skep. Voorstelle word gemaak om leerders se kommunikasievrees en toelsangs te verminder om sodoende leerders aan te moedig om sponlaan in Afrikaans te kommunikeer. Leerders van 'n Tweede Taal moet die geleentheid gegun word vir mondelinge aktiwiteite wat taal-in-gebruik sal ontlok, waar die entoesiasme vir die taak die leerder sal laat vergeet van die taalkennis wat nog nie bemeester is nie en wat deur deelname aan die aktiwiteit ontdek word. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, 2001.

This dissertation analyzes the production and functions of the conjunctions and, but, so, and then as discourse markers in English as a Second Language (ESL) students' oral narratives. Two types of narratives are analyzed: a non-guided, or spontaneous narrative, and a picture-guided-narrative. Narratives of forty three ESL students are included in the analysis as well as narratives from six native speakers.This study indicates that l) the ESL students attach a narrowly defined meaning to and, but, so, and then, 2) the ESL students use and, but, so, and then to link previous sentences or ideas. or refer back to ideas, less than for any other function, 3) the ESL students do not use a greater number of occurrences of and, but, so, and then in the picture-guided-narrative than in the non-guided-narrative, and 4) the ESL students misuse conjunctions in similar ways regardless of their native language (LI ); that is, although the influence from a student's Ll may result in specific problems of transfer, some patterns of conjunction errors are unrelated to the Ll and may be indicative of a more general problem. / Department of English

A survey of the use of standard and prestige in general descriptions of English, and of Canadian English in particular, reveals terminological confusion caused by the similarity of the two concepts and by cultural differences among the national dialects being discussed. This work argues, however, that these concepts can and should be distinguished. Once working definitions for both terms are formulated, they are tested against data from the Survey of Vancouver English. Vancouver English reveals little or no evidence of prestige, defined as "that variety (or those forms) used by the highest socio-economic group and emulated by others." The absence of a highest socio-economic group sufficiently well established to provide forms for others to emulate may explain this result, since, in Vancouver, social homogeneity seems to complement the geographical homogeneity that typifies Canadian English. While Vancouver English does reveal evidence of standard, defined as "that variety used by the majority of speakers and typified by correctness," the evidence also suggests that the notion of standard may need to be refined. The effect of various social factors on correctness is analyzed in order to provide a more precise notion of what "correctness" reflects, and education is found to contribute significantly to correctness. Furthermore, consideration of the four processes of standardization -- selection, codification, elaboration of function and acceptance -- in Canadian English confirms the importance of education to standardization and suggests not only that a standard exists in Canadian English but also that Canadian English is a standard variety distinct from other varieties of English. Standard is thus redefined to reflect more directly the role of correctness and the centrality of the four processes to standardization. The study concludes with a brief reconsideration of standard and prestige in light of these Canadian findings and suggests directions for further research. / Arts, Faculty of / English, Department of / Graduate

Anna Jagošová, Současný dětský folklor Abstract The diploma thesis deals with the current form of children's verbal folklore. It focuses specifically on children's games, , taunts and marginally rhymes and songs with a steady and mostly rhyme structure. The aim of this thesis is to compare the expression of current children's verbal folklore with the expression of traditional children's verbal folklore. Describe their characteristics and compare with the already proposed categorization (Jelínková, 1952, Tucker, 2008), or eventually propose own categorization, and primarily to analyze the expression of children's verbal folklore in terms of the Czech language. Attention will be also paid to the context of children's folklore expressions in the school environment, whether as part of teaching or a leisure activity. The diploma thesis aims to follow current (and traditional) children's folklore interdisciplinary insert of Czech studies and ethnology. Due to ongoing exceptional situation related to Covid - 19 pandemic which limits the possibilities of field research, the main starting material is the already existing collections of children's folklore, especially sources published in books (eg. Votruba 2009 and Votruba 2010), and internet resources. These should be presented in the thesis as a new field for...