Research has documented cultural adjustment as an important issue influencing international students and other sojourners in their success abroad (Foster, 1962; Lysgaard, 1955; Oberg, 1960; Smalley, 1963). Few studies, however, have investigated particular variables influencing the cultural adjustment process of ESL learners enrolled in intensive English programs (IEPs). This mixed method study was designed to better understand the individual complexity of IEP learners' cultural adjustment by looking for patterns of variables that aid or hinder these students' experiences. Using the Culture Shock Questionnaire (CSQ), Index of Social Sojourners Support Survey (ISSS), and language-specific focus groups, this study investigated the individual cultural adjustment experiences of Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish-speaking students enrolled in an intensive English program attached to a large private university in the United States. Statistically significant results were found when comparing students' demographic variables with the survey results. Students who identified themselves as having high levels of social support were more likely to experience low levels of culture shock. While, female students were more likely to experience higher levels of culture shock compared to male students. Additionally, qualitative data gathered from the open-ended survey questions and focus groups revealed three common variables that appeared to aid as well as hinder the students' cultural adjustment process: social support, self, and environment. Findings from this research have implications for the development of cultural adjustment training materials which might aid ESL students attending intensive English programs in the United States in their cultural adjustment process.

The present study explored the use of translation technology in second language (L2) writing by English as a Second Language (ESL) students at the University level. The appropriate role of translation, and specifically translation technology, in L2 curricula has been the subject of theoretical and practical debate. In order to address knowledge gaps relevant to this debate, the present study sought to document students’ current use of translation technology, specifically free online translation (FOT) tools, and their opinions about these tools. The study’s mixed-methods design included video observations and questionnaires regarding FOT use completed by 19 university students enrolled in a high intermediate-level ESL course. Semi-structured follow-up interviews were conducted with the six participants who were observed using FOT tools extensively on the video recordings. Results showed that high intermediate-level ESL students have a primarily positive attitude toward FOT tools. In addition, the majority of students reported using such tools regularly, even though only about one third of the students were actually observed using the tools significantly in the video recordings. Results are discussed in the context of the ongoing debate over whether and how translation technology should be used in L2 classrooms.

Grammar constitutes one of the core components of a language. It is thus problematic that a gap can be found between steering documents and teacher practices in Sweden. The steering documents provide minimal guidance for teachers regarding grammar instruction, which leads to teachers instead relying on their own beliefs to determine their practices. This qualitative study uses semi-structured interviews to examine to what degree the beliefs and practices in relation to English grammar instruction of four teachers in the southern part of Sweden align with three theoretical approaches to grammar teaching from the reviewed research: focus on formS (FonFs), focus on meaning and focus on form (FonF). The results are characterized by individuality in both teachers’ beliefs and practices, but can also be seen to be fundamentally similar in that, for each teacher, the steering documents provide minimal guidance, and factors such as context and the centrality of the learner in grammar instruction are important. All teachers show tendencies toward the three theoretical approaches, but their actual alignment shifts and varies depending on context. We conclude that the absence of direction from the steering documents has the potential to result in disparate and fractured grammar instruction that can negatively impact the learner. This is therefore an important area that should be further researched to ensure that teachers receive sufficient guidance for providing English grammar instruction.

This evaluation of research investigates the advantageous and disadvantageous aspects of utilizing cooperative learning into the ESL (English as a second language) classroom for pupils at an elementary education level. Teachers need to be contemporary with their pedagogy and lesson design and implement methods that can enable that the national criteria regarding knowledge requirements in the syllabus for English are met. The methods within cooperative learning corresponds with sociocultural theories of Vygotsky as it is based on the zone of proximal development where high achievers can develop accordingly to their own qualifications, as well as low achievers. In the current study, we examine a selection of empirical studies on cooperative learning. The results of this analysis reveal that Cooperative learning is an advantageous way of reaching every individual to make sure that their English language acquisition is nurtured, but that the aspects of group grading make it difficult when grading each individual pupil. The findings also revealed that the implementation of cooperative learning into the ESL classroom had advantageous outcomes when it comes to vocabulary learning, writing skills, speaking skills and a lot of the pupils gained a better confidence and had a high achievement level in comparison to more traditional teacher focused pedagogy. Pupils also showed that their motivation and attitudes changed over time, when exposed of the cooperative learning methods in the ESL classroom. It is advised that teachers utilize cooperative learning in the ESL classroom hence it is beneficial for both pupils and teachers. Keywords: Cooperative learning, English as a second language, English as a foreign language, elementary school, group grading, ESL classroom and EFL classroom.

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This study investigates the relationships between foreign language anxiety (FLA), motivation and achievement in EFL-learners in secondary and tertiary education. Research previous to 2009 generally reaches the conclusion that learners with more motivation have less FLA and higher achievement, and learners with more FLA have lower motivation and achievement. The present study synthesises eight studies from late 2009 to 2020, and it was found that although six studies are generally in accordance with the earlier research, they disagreed with one another concerning what motivational and FLA subscales were most related. Some differences in the conclusions of the studies are theorised to be due to the different motivational constructs the studies focused on. All studies also failed to show a cause-and-effect relationship between any of the variables or agree on the extent to which they were related. This suggested the advantage of looking at the variables as part of a dynamic system, in which all the variables affect one another, and the relationships are constantly changing. Further research was suggested in the area of FLA to identify its factors and which learners suffer from it.

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No description available.

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of teachers' error feedback on ESL students' self-correction ability. One hundred and nineteen international students enrolled in ESL composition classes at Brigham Young University's English Language Center participated in this research. The participants were randomly assigned to three treatment groups: (1) a coded feedback group, (2) a non-coded feedback group, and (3) a no-feedback control group. All participants were asked to write an in-class essay and to self-correct their grammatical errors during 20-minute time period. A grammar test and attitudinal survey were administered at the same time.

In order to enhance the effective use of peer review, I have developed materials to assist teachers in compliance with the standards for Masters' projects enacted by the Department of Linguistics and English Language. Published literature shows that as peer review grows in popularity in both L1 and L2 English writing classes, many researchers and teachers are trying to increase its effectiveness. In some cases it is very effective, while in others it is marginally effective. This has led researchers to ask why. The difference between helpful and less helpful peer review seems to be in the preparation. In studies where students were specifically and extensively prepared to do peer review, the benefits to the students, the class, and the effect on the revision process were significant. This indicates that peer review can be an effective tool when students are adequately prepared for the task. After synthesizing research, I determined that there are eight basic, useable concepts that need to be accomplished when preparing students for peer review; they are: 1. Knowing each other 2. Knowing what to look for 3. Knowing why to give advice 4. Know how to give advice 5. Knowing how to use advice 6. Practicing peer review 7. Following up weekly 8. Reviewing at midsemester I developed a curriculum component addressing these eight concepts that augments theory with application, such as materials and lesson plans, and implemented and tested them at the English Language Center at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Based on feedback from the teachers involved in the pilot study, I determined that preparing students for peer review has a positive effect on the students, their writing, and on the class as a whole Furthermore, the most important outcome of the pilot studies was the fact that students prefer reader response peer review activities rather than criterion critique.