The purpose of this study was to determine the roles that Native English speaking (NES) and non-native English speaking (NNES) tutors play in sessions with NES and NNES tutees in a U.S. Midwestern university's writing center, according to the perceptions of both types of tutors and tutees. The study also aimed to determine the extent to which the "native speaker fallacy"--the preference for anything related to native speakers over anything related to non-native speakers--was evident in these perceptions, particularly in tutoring strategies, difficulties in tutoring, and tutoring competence. The researcher collected data for the study from pre- and post-session interviews of both types of tutors and cross-analyzed coded patterns from this data with patterns found in pre- and post-session interviews of both types of tutees and with the researcher's observations of the participants' sessions. According to the research results, both tutors' and tutees' perceptions as expressed in their interviews were more affected by the tutors' status, NES versus NNES, than by specific qualifications of the tutors to assist tutees, with the responses revealing the participants' assumption of native speakers' superiority. Despite cross-analyzed findings that NNES tutors were perceived as more able to explain the causes of error, findings also revealed NES tutors' confidence in their NES status as compensating for their lack of grammar knowledge and NNES tutors' perception of themselves as inferior and needing to compensate for their non-NES status through teacher-like directness in assistance offered. Also, despite tutees' expressed appreciation for NNES tutors' explanations of errors, tutees still expressed a preference for NES tutors and applied a double standard, with NNES tutors seen as effective only if proved to be good writers and NES tutors assumed to be effective by virtue of their native speaker status. Drawing upon findings suggesting the influence of the native speaker fallacy on the participants' perceptions, the researcher concludes by discussing the significance of this study for identifying possible university initiatives to enhance appreciation of diverse cultures and for suggesting that although intrinsic knowledge of language seems preferred over learned knowledge, possessing both types of knowledge and the flexibility to employ more fluid roles as both peer and teacher would seem to equip tutors for more productive sessions.

Language is central to all teaching and learning. The ability to communicate effectively, and more specifically during instruction is one of the key competencies beginner teachers should develop. While English is the home language of ±10% of South Africans, the majority of learners are taught in English from Grade 4 onwards, many of their teachers being non-native English speakers themselves. The English proficiency level of most South African teachers has been identified as problematically low by a number of researchers. This study aimed to investigate the nature of Classroom English and the underlying oral English proficiency of native isiZulu-speaking pre-service teachers as a first step toward being able to better support Classroom English proficiency development of non-native pre-service teachers. Within my conceptual framework for the study oral English proficiency is viewed as part of and foundational to Classroom English proficiency. A mixed methods approach was used. Data were gathered through questionnaires which gauged perceptions of the pre-service teachers’ English proficiency in the classroom as well as voice recordings of lessons they presented during their practice teaching period in rural KwaZulu-Natal schools. Voice recordings of this case study were analysed with the support of existing oral English proficiency rubrics and a self-designed Classroom English proficiency rubric. In a broad sense findings correspond with previous studies in similar fields, pointing to the nature of Classroom English of this case study at a level not considered ideal for effectively facilitating teaching and learning. These isiZulu-speaking preservice teachers require more support to develop better Classroom English proficiency. An approach that specifically addresses development of language proficiencies required in the classroom, with vocabulary and grammar embedded therein, is suggested. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Humanities Education / MEd / Unrestricted

Internationally English is increasingly being used as a language of instruction in education. This is also true within the South African context, a country with eleven official languages. Many non-native English speaking (NNES) students, for whom English might be their second, third or even fourth language, are studying through the medium of English. Previous studies on this topic acknowledge that the level of English proficiency which NNES students have, affects their academic performance. The problem under investigation in this case study was the relationship between students’ academic performance in particular modules and how their written responses in examinations contributed to them failing a module. The purpose was to establish to which extent limited English proficiency contributed to the poor academic performance of NNES preservice teachers studying through distance education. This study is underpinned by Cummins’ theory of Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills and Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (1984). It is supported by related literature which emphasises the challenges NNES students experience in understanding academic content and responding to written assessment tasks in a language other than their home language. A quantitative approach was used which focused on the written responses to examination papers of thirty undergraduate B Ed students who had failed a particular module, at a private higher education institution. The contribution of inadequate or incoherent English, as the reason why marks were not allocated to answers, was calculated and analysed. Results indicated that students’ English grammatical proficiency does have an influence on their academic performance, though it is not the main contributing factor to students failing their modules. For this case study it was determined that the pre-service teachers’ inadequate English written proficiency contributed almost a third (25,6%) of the reasons for their poor academic performance. This finding suggests the need to develop new teaching strategies to accommodate and offer language support to NNES students in higher education institutions that offer qualifications using English as the medium of instruction. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Humanities Education / MEd / Unrestricted

This paper investigates foreign born teachers working as EFL educators and their attitudes towards teaching as well as their roles in teaching the English language. The purpose of this study is to examine what motivates EFL teachers to work abroad and to explore why they are highly valued in non-English speaking countries. Through qualitative interviews with four (4) Filipino teachers working overseas as EFL educators their strengths and weaknesses are explored. My investigation shows that the Filipino teachers’ primary role is to teach communication and literacy skills. In addition, the reasons why these four teachers have chosen to work abroad are higher salary rates and better working conditions. However, their lack of knowledge of the local language and culture are their weaknesses. Finally, findings show that the respondents’ positive attitude towards teaching English abroad shows the importance of English in globalization.

Speech anxiety is an issue that persists and presents itself innumerably in schools, especially affecting students who learning English either as their second language or as a foreign language. Speaking anxiety may stem from different sources and affect each individual student differently. The research question that is key to this research is “How can teachers support students who are struggling with speech anxiety?”The research for this thesis has been done through the use a qualitative interview with two secondary school teachers in Lund. The interview was structured after a semi-structured style to allow for guided questions and openness of any unexpected questions and answers during the interview process.The results of this research is that that tackling speaking anxiety in the classroom is no easy feat, although, from the literature and interview content it has been made clear that for a teacher to be successful in supporting their students, being prepared for possible difficulties, composed for sudden changes to lesson plans, and ready to adapt assignments where speaking is involved in order to allow students to be most comfortable and given their utmost honest performance while speaking in front of others.

The purpose of this dissertation was to understand and compare the effect of training non-native English Speaking (NNES) learners (N = 480) in two distinct learning environments, (i) traditional face-to-face and (ii) online synchronous hybrid learning (SHL). In the traditional training mode, NNES learners (n = 360) were trained by NNES voice and accent (VANC) trainers in a physical, face-to-face setting. In the second, CAPT+SHL training mode, the NNES learners were trained by NNES VANC trainers with the help of a native-English computer-assisted pronunciation training (CAPT) tool in an online SHL environment. Factor analysis, higher-order factor analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis, and multidimensional scaling yielded a reliable scale, Eddie's Voice Test (EVT). Multiple regression yielded a predictive model between NNES pronunciation and their performance. In addition, the CAPT+SHL training mode produced higher scores on pronunciation and performance than the traditional training mode, suggesting a combination of NES and NNES VANC instructors are more effective in training NNES learners than NNES instructors by themselves. The case study (n = 3) on VANC trainers' perception of CAPT and SHL yielded three themes: (1) challenges with synchronous hybrid learning (sub-themes include physical challenges, social challenges, and cognitive challenges); (2) computer-assisted pronunciation training (CAPT) impact on non-native-English-speaking (NNES) learner pronunciation (sub-themes include self-paced pronunciation learning and pronunciation benchmarking; and (3). SHL as an equitable learning environment.

A university is an academic place with students from a variety of cultures. Non-native English speaking (NNS) graduate students are a group representing diverse cultural backgrounds. However, these students' challenges in linguistic and socio-cultural adjustment impact their effective learning and academic success. Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) is an important ability that they need to consider. It assesses attitude, skills, knowledge, adaptability, flexibility, and communication ability with culturally different people. Researchers in Instructional Design and Technology (IDT) have suggested that instructional designers should understand diverse learners' abilities and cultural characteristics and apply them in their Instructional Design (ID) strategies. However, the existing ID models do not specifically include ICC as a consideration in the design process. Furthermore, there has been a lack of research on culturally diverse or minority students. Considering NNS graduate students' characteristics, cultural diversity, and need to develop ICC, the researcher reviewed three social theories of learning: social learning theory, sociocultural and cultural-historical activity theory, and situated learning theory. Socially engaged learning, a synthesized framework, was recommended for NNS graduate students along with effective ID strategies. This research investigated perceptions on ICC and ID strategies for socially engaged learning in a sample of 208 NNS graduate students. Quantitative methods were used to assess students' ICC level and perceptions of effective instructional strategies in four categories: (1) students' gradual engagement and active participation, (2) learning in rich cultural context, (3) self-regulation and learning ownership, and (4) integration of communication technologies. Results showed that NNS graduate students were diverse in background characteristics, academic disciplines, cultural origins, and previous experiences; they perceived a moderately high level of ICC; and they generally had positive views on ID strategies for socially engaged learning. This research can help instructional designers and instructors in higher education to better understand the needs of NNS graduate students and to prepare them to study more effectively and have more valuable intercultural experiences. / Ph. D.

本研究旨在了解新竹市協同教學中、外籍英語教師之信念及其對實踐影響。 比較中、外籍老師們的信念及查看他們的信念是否顯現在教室行為中。 本研究採用質性研究方法選擇了一對有一年協同教學經驗的中、外籍英語教師在某新竹國小任教。在這個案研究中，資料收集有兩個月的時間，主要來源為訪談、信念問卷、觀察、文件分析。資料分析後涵蓋比較中、外師的以下信念: (1) 中、外籍教師優勢與劣勢; (2) 協同教學; (3) 英語; (4) 語言學習及學習者; (5) 句型在英文教學中的角色。 本研究以根據以上之五個議題討論結果，進一步提供相關建議，作為教育學者們及中、外籍教師們做參考。 / The purpose of this study is to investigate the beliefs and practices of team teaching native English speaking teachers (NESTs) and non-native English speaking teachers (non-NESTs) in Hsin Chu City. The teachers’ beliefs are compared and contrasted, and checked to see if they are manifested in the classroom practices. This study adopted a qualitative research method and selects a pair of NEST and non-NEST who have a year of team teaching experience in an Elementary school in Hsin Chu city. In this case study, the data collection lasted for two months, and the instruments for collecting data included interviews, beliefs inventories, classroom observations, and document analysis. The data is analyzed to present the teachers beliefs in the following areas: (1) the advantages and disadvantages of being native and non-native English teachers, (2) team teaching (3) the English language (4) language learning and learners (5) the role of sentence structures in English language teaching. Finally, pedagogical implications and suggestions derived from previous discussions are presented mainly for policy makers and NESTs and non-NESTs.

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To learn a language successfully, one needs to incorporate terms which are used commonly by native speakers but cannot be found in dictionaries. Words like uh-huh, oops, ouch, and brrr, are some examples of these terms. These expressions, commonly categorized under such linguistic labels as interjections (Ameka, 1992), alternants (Poyatos, 2002), and response cries (Goffman,1981), are what Dr. Lynn Henrichsen (1993) and Rebecca Oyer (1999) termed Unorthodox Oral Expressions (UOEs). These utterances are considered unorthodox because many of them are not formal or standard English words. Because of that, “we do not consider them part of the productive system of English,” so English dictionaries and textbooks rarely include these words (Luthy, 1983, p.19). Also, they are used mostly in informal speech rather than in formal written English. Hence, non-native English learners usually don’t have the opportunity to learn these informal utterances in English classes (Chittaladakorn, 2011; Oyer, 1999).Though unorthodox, these expressions are important for English language learners (ELL) to learn so that they will be able to carry out more natural and native-like conversations and understand what these utterances mean when native speakers use them. Because UOEs are so under-taught and there are so few teaching UOEs, there is a great need for a UOE dictionary that includes not only pronunciation and meaning, but also the syntactic features and semantic and pragmatic functions of these expressions. This project includes the creation of an online UOE dictionary to fill that need in English language acquisition.