This thesis explores and discusses the current practice of English as a Second Language (ESL) evaluation primarily in terms of validity, authenticity, and experiential groundedness. The researcher endeavours to apply theories of ESL evaluation to actual practice, analyzing the differences or harmonization between with regard to validity, authenticity, experiential groundedness and some other factors identified as being important in evaluation in language acquisition situations, particularly CRTs, NRTs, foramtive and summative evaluations. Ethnographic inquiry is used for obtaining data. A program case study, a technique of qualitative research, is used for this study. The purpose is to gather some genuine data from the interviewees which are real and revealing, thus enabling the researcher to gain particular insights relative to the aims of his study. The analysis aspires to give voice to interviewee's on ESL evaluation in terms of validity, authenticity, and experiential groundedness, along with other factors noted above. This report sets out to determine how or if validity, authenticity, and experiential groundedness, along with some other factors identified above, are integrated elements of an efficient and effective ESL evaluation. Such was found to ve the case and it was also found that these can be reinforced by guaranteeing that an evaluation targets its population closely, adopting real-life approaches and, establishing linkages between evaluation and prior knowledge and skills. / xi, 156 leaves ; 28 cm.

Montreal's cosmopolitan environment becomes richer and is modified as the years go by with the increased mobility and the arrival of new immigrants. In this context, it seems essential to know the development of the immigrants' cultural representations related to their own cultural identity, and related to the French language and people who speak this language. For the French teaching milieu, such knowledge is essential to inspire the development of curriculum to fulfil the new arrivals' linguistic and cultural needs and to better intervene in the classroom. Second language education can therefore provide opportunities for better knowing, understanding and appreciating the Other as well as the other language and culture. / This enquiry explores the cultural, representations of adult immigrants from different cultural backgrounds learning French in Montreal in various post-secondary institutions sanctioned by the ministere de l'Immigration et des Communautes culturelles du Quebec (MICC). This study uses quantitative and qualitative survey instruments in order to examine the cultural representations of these immigrants in relation to their integration, their linguistic, cultural and social practices, a new definition of their cultural identity, their reactions in instances of intercultural contact as well as their motivation to study French. In total, 110 immigrants answered our written questionnaire and 14 of them participated in an interview. / Findings suggest that the participants generally hold positive cultural representations towards the French language and French-speaking Quebecois. The study indicates that immigrants are mostly looking for informal French learning experiences within their host society. Moreover, participants acknowledge that learning and mastering French is very important for them, both to interact with French-speaking Quebecois, and to obtain a good job in Quebec. Findings related to the immigrants' cultural identity reveal that they seem to experience a "me-them" cultural duality in their host province. / The implications of this study are mainly related to the importance of emphasizing the informal learning of the French language so that immigrants can become better integrated into the French-speaking society. Further study perspectives could include the development of French language programs and the content of the French courses offered by the MICC, the use of different data collection methods as well as the participation of immigrants from specific cultural origins. / L'environnement cosmopolite montréalais s'enrichit et se modifie au fil des annéesavec la mobilité des populations et l'arrivée de nouveaux immigrants. Dans ce contexte,il apparaît essentiel de connaître le développement des représentations culturelles desimmigrants en lien avec leur propre identité culturelle, et envers la langue française et lesgens qui parlent cette langue. Pour le milieu de l'enseignement du français, une telleconnaissance est essentielle pour susciter le développement de curriculum répondant auxbesoins langagiers et culturels des immigrants. L'éducation en langues secondes peutdonc fournir des opportunités pour mieux connaître l'Autre, sa langue et sa culture, etéventuellement pour permettre de le comprendre et de l'apprécier davantage.

This thesis investigates non-native language acquisition of the verbal and nominal functional domains in Second language (L2) English and second/third language (L2/L3) French by Chinese and Vietnamese speakers. Six experimental studies are reported. Two current competing theories in the field of theoretical second language acquisition (L2A), namely, the Failed Features Hypothesis (FFH) and the Full Transfer Full Access (FTFA) model are compared and their applicability to third language acquisition (L3A) evaluated in the light of our data. / A version of the Minimalist Program is assumed in this work. Predictions based on FFH and FTFA are as follows: As far as L2A is concerned, both FFH and FTFA predict full transfer of L1 in the L2 initial state. With respect to L3A, FFH predicts the initial state to be L1 while FTFA predicts either L1 or L2. The two models diverge regarding their predictions on the L2/L3 transitional and steady states. In particular, FFH hypothesizes permanent "failure" and persistent L1 influence in L2/L3 interlanguage while FTFA hypothesizes full access and acquirability of target structures. / Three L2/L3 experimental studies on the verbal functional domain (i.e. tense and agreement) and another three on the nominal functional domain (i.e. the Determiner Phrase) were conducted. Subjects include Chinese monolingual learners of English, Vietnamese monolingual learners of French as well as Chinese-English bilingual learners of French. A variety of tasks were used to test the predictions made by the two models. Results demonstrate partial transfer of L1 in the L2 initial state and of L2 in the L3 initial state, and point towards full access in the L2/L3 steady states. These findings do not seem to be consistent with FFH. It appears that FTFA is a more viable theory for non-native language acquisition. We also contend that L3A is not simply another case of L2A.

Low student success rates in introductory computer programming classes result in low student retention rates in computer science programs. For some sections of the course a traditional approach began using C# in the .Net development environment immediately. An experimental course redesign for one section was prepared that began with a study of HTML and JavaScript and focused on having students build web pages for several weeks; after that the experimental course used C# and the .Net development environment, covering all the material that was covered in the traditional sections. Students were more successful in the experimental section, with a higher percentage of the students passing the course and a higher percentage of the students continuing on to take at least one additional computer science course. / Department of Computer Science

[No Abstract Submitted] / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

Reading instruction in China and that in the United States are so different that they are not compatible. In fact, they seem to go in opposite directions. This study examined some of the differences between Chinese EFL reading instruction and American ESL reading instruction through analyzing selected tape-recordings of reading classes from China and the United States, and comparing Chinese EFL reading textbooks with American ESL reading textbooks. This study was intended to answer the following questions. 1. Is a bottom-up method of reading really taught in China while a top-down method is taught in the United States? 2. Compared with the ESL reading textbooks used in the United States, do the Chinese EFL reading textbooks have a larger proportion of exercises dealing with vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation and fewer items in reading skills? 3. Compared with the American ESL subjects, what are the strengths and weaknesses of the Chinese EFL subjects in reading comprehension in terms of recognizing main ideas, understanding direct statements and drawing inferences?

No description available.

Prompted by increasing demand in South Africa for the development of a focused but flexible English Second Language (ESL) curriculum at university level, this thesis contends that substantial theoretical under-pinning is needed for decisions on ESL course materials. Once the theoretical constructs are determined, a model based on a systematic approach to course design is proposed. It maximizes the individualization of experiential learning, despite the large numbers of students who take these courses, through a multi-form course structure offering four streams of study at three levels of difficulty. Entry is possible at the start of the year and at mid-year. The empirical research which forms the basis of the study is an analysis of the 1985 student group at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Several methods are used, including post-course questionnaires, diagnostic assignments and a detailed language and stylistic error count linked with a clause analysis of a sample of assignments and examination scripts. The model curriculum meets the contextually basic science requirements of a university course, within the parameters of response needed in regard to the ESL student profile determined by the needs and role analysis completed in Chapter 2. Model aims and terminal learning objectives are presented in Chapter 3 as the foundation on which the rest of the thesis is constructed, and include comprehension, applied composition, oral and aural skills, use of reference works, methods of thinking, and occupationally relevant specialist language. In Chapters 4 and 5, in-depth analyses of appropriate course content and methods emphasize the use of Afrocentric English literature in contemporary settings with appropriate readability levels, language in use in specified contexts, development of vocabulary, remedying incorrect usage, comprehension skills, composition skills, development of cognitive processes, oral and listening skills, and the purpose and place of grammar. The final chapters outline approaches to criterion-referenced assessment and evaluation, and suggest appropriate set works and criteria for their selection. The course materials aim at improving English communicative performance. The underlying principles used in developing this course design and its associated materials can be valuably extrapolated and applied at universities and other tertiary institutions. / English Studies / D. Litt et Phil. (English)

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to apply contemporary theories about language and language learning in a South African and Western Cape context in order to address the specific needs of isiXhosa second language learners in local government. This study explores the use of communication tasks for vocational language teaching. It aims at providing a sound theoretical foundation of second language learning principles that support a task-based approach to language teaching for specific purposes. The perspectives of a broad range of theories that view the learner as autonomous and a social individual are regarded. Second language learning is assumed to rely on some degree of access to Universal Grammar and an innate ability to acquire language. It is argued that controlled and purposeful learner-learner interaction provides the learner with the most opportunities to negotiate meaning and to develop effective communication. The role of instruction in second language acquisition is explored. A greater interface between second language acquisition theory and pedagogy is motivated and classroom research is regarded to form a platform for more open dialogue between the two fields. The study addresses practical issues regarding learner participation, error treatment, learning strategies and culture studies. A discussion of task types, examples of tasks and criteria for task development has the potential to inform and guide second language teachers and programme developers. In order to motivate the use of tasks in second language teaching for specific purposes, theoretical perspectives of the instructional task are reviewed and the properties of communication tasks and referential communication tasks are described. Learning tasks which focus on form and provide learning strategies and cross-cultural awareness are assumed to playa supportive role in the taskbased syllabus. Finally, a task-design that addresses the needs of the municipal worker is presented and provides a framework for developing task-based second language teaching programmes for local government workers. A range of target tasks are described and analyzed according to the principles and properties of communication tasks and possible move-structures and language structures are listed for consideration for learning tasks. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie is om huidige teorieë omtrent taal en taalleer in "n Suid-Afrikaanse en Wes-Kaapse konteks toe te pas ten einde die spesifieke behoeftes van leerders van isiXhosa tweede taal in plaaslike regeringsinstansies aan te spreek. Die studie ondersoek die gebruik van kommunikasie-take in beroepsgerigte taalonderrig. Dit stel ten doel die daarstelling van "n deeglike fondasie van beginsels van tweedetaalverwerwing wat "n taakgebasseerde benadering tot taalonderrig vir spesifieke doelstellings steun. Die perspektiewe van "n wye verskeidenheid van teorieë wat die leerder as outonoom en as "n sosiale individu beskou word in ag geneem. Tweedetaalverwerwing word beskou as afhanklik van "n mate van toegang tot Universele Grammatika en "n aangebore vermoeë om taal aan te leer. Daar word geredeneer dat beheerde en doelgerigte leerderleerder interaksie die meeste geleenthede bied vir onderhandeling van betekenis en die ontwikkeling van effektiewe kommunikasie-vaardighede. Die rol van onderrig in tweedetaalverwerwing word ondersoek. "n Hegter interaksie tussen tweedetaalverwerwingsteorie en onderrig word gemotiveer en klaskamer-navorsing word beskou as "n platform vir meer vrye-dialoog tussen die twee velde. Die studie spreek praktiese kwessies aan, soos leerder-deelname, hantering van foute, leerstrategieë en kultuurstudies. "n Bespreking van taaktipes, voorbeelde van take en kriteria vir taakontwikkeling kan moontlik van praktiese waarde wees vir tweedetaalonderwysers en programontwikkelaars. Ten einde die gebruik van take in tweedetaalonderrig vir spesifieke doeleindes te motiveer, word die teoretiese perspektiewe ten opsigte van die instruksionele taak hersien en die eienskappe van kommunikasie-take en verwysingskommunikasie-take beskryf. Leertake wat op vorm fokus en wat leerstrategieë en kruiskulturele bewustheid voorsien, word beskou as ondersteunend in 'n taakgebaseerde sillabus. Ten laaste word 'n taakontwerp voorgestel wat die behoeftes van die munisipale werker aanspreek en wat 'n raamwerk voorsien vir die ontwikkeling van taakgebaseerde onderrigprogramme vir plaaslike regeringswerkers. 'n Reeks teikentake word beskryf en geanaliseer volgens die beginsels en eienskappe van kommunikasie-take en moontlike struktuur-skuiwe en taalstrukture word gelys om vir leertake oorweeg te word.

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2015. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The central aim of the study is to present a proposal of how academic literacy development across the curriculum in secondary school can be facilitated through the use of content subject texts in isiXhosa. This is demonstrated by making use of History texts, which can be incorporated in the isiXhosa Home Language (HL) subject for teaching the writing skills of academic texts. The Genre-based approach to literacy development, which has been employed with great success, especially in Australia, over the past thirty years, is assumed in presenting an analysis of the variety of genres exemplified by the History texts. The analyses of genres will be demonstrated by three texts selected from the grade 11 History textbook and the grade 11 assessment question paper, translated into isiXhosa, respectively. For example, genres such as chronological texts in which historical recounts are grouped into and non-chronological genres in which the factorial and consequential explanation genres are grouped under. The schematic structure of the selected genres is identified and related to the language system represented by the systemic functional linguistics. The study makes use of the method of text analysis and written discourse analysis within the genre framework underpinned by systemic functional linguistic for the data collection. The findings demonstrate that that the effective development of knowledge of language in the Home Language class through the use of texts from content subjects can play a crucial role in advancing academic writing skills, for both the Home language and History. Furthermore; the availability of resources in isiXhosa, teachers training and support on the implementation of genre-based approach underpinned by the systemic functional linguistics can enhance the understanding of genres across the curriculum and will in that effect, promote the use of African languages for academic purposes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die sentrale doelwit van die studie is om ‘n voorstel aan te bied van hoe akademiese geletterdheid in die sekondêre skool gefasiliteer kan word deur die gebruik van inhoudsvaktekste in isiXhosa oor die kurrikulum. Hierdie doelwit word gedemonstreer deur die gebruik van Geskiedenistekste wat geïntegreer kan word in die isiXhosa huistaalvak vir die onderrig van skryfvaardighede van akademiese tekste. Die genre-gebaseerde benadering, wat met groot sukses in veral Australië gebruik is die afgelope dertig jaar, word aanvaar vir die aanbieding van analises van ‘n verskeidenheid genres soos vertoon deur geskiedenistekste. Die analises van genres word geïllustreer deur drie tekste wat geselekteer is uit die Graad 11 Geskiedenisteksboek en ook die Graad 11 assesseringsvraestel, vertaal in isiXhosa, respektiewelik. Byvoorbeeld, genres soos chronologiese tekste, waarin historiese herroepings (‘recounts’) gegroepeer word, en nie-chronologiese genres, waaronder die faktoriale en gevolg-verduidelikings-genres gegroepeer is. Die skematiese strukture van die geselekteerde genres word geïdentifiseer en in verband gebring met die taalsisteem soos gerepresenteer in sistemiese funksionele linguistiek. Die studie maak gebruik van die metode van teksanalise en geskrewe diskoersanalise binne die genre-raamwerk wat onderlê word deur sistemiese funksionele linguïstiek vir dataversameling. Die bevindings demonstreer dat die doeltreffende ontwikkeling van kennis van taal in die Huistaalvak en klasse deur die gebruik van inhoudsvak tekste ‘n belangrike rol kan speel in die bevordering van akademiese skryfvaardighede, in sowel die Huistaalvak as Geskiedenis. Voorts, kan die beskikbaarheid van leermateriaalbronne in isiXhosa, onderwysersopleiding en ondersteuning in die implementering van die genre-gebaseerde benadering waaraan die sistemiese funksionele linguistiek onderliggend is, die begrip van leerders van genres oor die kurrikulum heen verhoog, en dus die gebruik van die Afrikatale vir akademiese doeleindes verhoog. / isiXHOSA ABSTRACT: Injongo ephambili yesi sifundo kukuzisa ingcebiso kuphuhliso lolwimi ukuze lube kumgangatho wamaziko emfundo ephezulu, nophuhliso kwiKharityhulum ngokusebenzisa imibhalo kwizifundo ezingundoqo “content-subjects”. Oku kuza kuboniswa ngokusebenzisa okubhaliweyo kwimbali (history text), okunokuthi kufundiswe kwigumbi lokufundisa lesiXhosa njengolwimi lweenkobe, ukufundisa izakhono zokubhalwa kokubhaliweyo ukuze kube kumgangatho wamaziko aphezulu ezemfundo ukuya kumaziko emfundo enomsila. Indlela yokufundisa ekuphuhliseni ukufunda nokubhala esekelwe kokubhaliweyo ebizwa ngokuba “yiGenre- based approach” neye yasetyenziswa ngempumelelo enkulu, ingakumbi kumazwe afana ne-Ostreliya, kwiminyaka engamashumi amathathu eyadlulayo, ibonwa njengeyona isebenzayo ekuhlalutyeni iindidi ezahlukeneyo zokubhaliweyo ezibonakaliswa yimibhalo yezembali. Ukuphicothwa kwale mibhalo kuza kubonakaliswa ngemibhalo echongiweyo kwincwadi yebanga lethoba (ibakala leshumi elinanye) kwakunye namaphepha ovavanyo eli bakala nathe aguqulelwa esiXhoseni. Umzekelo: okubhaliweyo okubonakalisa indlela yokubhala apho kudweliswa iziganeko, izehlo eziyinyani nezo zifuna ingcaciso ephuhlisa isiphumo okanye isiganeko esithile, njalo njalo. Ubume bokubhaliweyo buza kuphichothwa ngokwendlela ulwimi olume ngayo ngohlobo olukhuthazwa yi“systemic functional linguistics”. Esi sifundo sisebenzisa olo hlobo lokuphicotha okubhaliweyo noluquka ukuphicothwa kokubhaliweyo okukhuthazwa yigenre, ingakumbi ekuqokeleleni idatha. Iziphumo ziphawula ukuba ukuphuhlisa ulwazi olusulungekileyo ngolwimi lweenkobe, lusetyenziswe ingakumbi kwiklasi yolwimi lwenkobe, kunganegalelo elikhulu ekuphuhliseni ukufundiswa kwezakhona zokubhala, nezokuhlalutya okubhaliweyo kwezifundo ezingundoqo “content subjects”. Obu budlelane phakathi kwezifundo zolwimi nezo zingundoqo zinganegalelo elikhulu ekuphuhliseni izakhono zokubhala ezikwizinga eliphezulu. Ngapha koko, ukufumaneka kwale mithombo ngesiXhosa, uqeqesho lwabafundisi- ntsapho nokubaxhasa ekufundiseni ngale ndlela ekhuthazwa yi-“genre ne-systemic functional linguistics” kunganefuthe elihle kwizifundo jikelele, nakuphuhliso kusetyenziso lweeLwimi zesiNtu njengeelwimi zokufunda nokufundisa kumaziko emfundo enomsila.