Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis explores the effect on learning Chinese characters for learners of Chinese as foreign language through implementing the unique properties of the Chinese script in a prototype spaced repetition system. Both Chinese radicals and the spacing effect have the potential to positively influence the recall ability of students in learning Chinese characters, however the interaction between the spacing effect and Chinese radicals in spaced repetition system, such as Anki and Mnemosyne, had not been tested. An experimental spaced repetition system prototype was designed and developed to investigate these interactions. Two groups of students learning Chinese as a foreign language at the University of Stellenbosch studied the same list of Chinese characters in which there were both massed and spaced characters present. One group had additional information on Chinese radicals on the flashcard. The students were given an immediate post-test to test their recall of the meaning and pronunciation of the Chinese characters. The results showed a positive trend for the spacing effect in which students had higher scores for spaced characters, but the recall ability between the two groups of students did not change regardless of whether there was information on Chinese radicals or not. The results were surprising considering the potential positive impact of Chinese radicals on recall. The thesis concludes that the presentation of information on Chinese radicals in a spaced repetition system does not necessarily improve the recall ability of the students. The impact of explicit instruction on the role of Chinese radicals in Chinese characters and the ability of the student to apply this knowledge should be considered for future research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die huidige tesis ondersoek die leer van Chinese karakters deur leerders van Chinees as ‘n vreemde taal deur die unieke eienskappe van die Chinese skrif in ‘n prototipe gespasieërde herhalings sisteem te implementeer. Beide Chinese radikale en die spasiërings effek kan potensieël 'n positiewe invloed hê in die vermoë van studente om Chinese karakters te onthou, maar die interaksie tussen die spasiërings effek en Chinese radikale in gespasieërde herhalings sisteme, soos Anki en Mnemosyne, was tot dusver onbekend. ‘n Eksperimentele gespasieërde herhalings sisteem prototipe was geskep om hierdie interaksie te ondersoek. Twee groepe studente van Chinees as vreemde taal by die Universiteit van Stellenbosch het dieselfde lys karakters gestudeer, waaronder gespasieërde en nie-gespasieërde karakters tuis was. Die twee groepe het verskil deurdat een groep ekstra informasie oor Chinese radikale gehad het op die voorkant van 'n flitskaart. Die studente het dadelik daarna ‘n toets ontvang waar hul die betekenis en uitspraak van die Chinese karakters moes onthou. Die resultate het ‘n positiewe neiging getoon vir die spasiërings effek waar studente hoër punte ontvang het vir gespasieërde karakters, maar die vermoë om die karakters te onthou het nie verskil tussen die twee groepe nie. Die resultate was ‘n verassing juis omdat daar ‘n potensieël positiewe invloed kan onstaan deur die impak van Chinese radikale. Die tesis het gevind dat slegs om informasie oor Chinese radikale te wys in ‘n gespasieërde herhalings sisteem nie noodwendig die vermoë van die student om Chinese karakters te onthou verbeter nie. Die impak van eksplisiete instruksie oor die rol wat Chinese radikale in Chinese karakters speel en die vermoë van die student om hierdie kennis toe te pas hoort verder ondersoek te word.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is an addition to the growing body of research on the relevance of mobile assisted learning (MALL) or m-learning. Grounded in a sound theoretical framework and informed by practice, it identifies the importance of literacy as a liberating skill, as well as the groundbreaking impact and potential of mobile technologies to enhance literacy levels in developing countries. The ubiquity of mobile devices worldwide, and specifically in South Africa, coupled with the educational needs arising from overcrowded classrooms, and a dearth of resources and textbooks in rural South Africa, led to the conception of this study. The objective was to ascertain the viability of incorporating web- and mobile technology based instruction to enhance the English literacy levels of Grade 8 (Senior Phase) students within the South African rural context. The study showed that there was a significant improvement in the participants’ reading comprehension, visual comprehension and writing skills. The encouraging results of this study indicate that web-based mobile instruction can indeed improve the literacy levels of learners from remote and disadvantaged communities. The implications of these findings for literacy development and emerging literacy development in rural communities are discussed in the final chapter of this thesis. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie lewer ‘n bydrae tot die groeiende navorsingsliggaam oor die invloed en moontlikhede van web-en mobiele tegnologiegebaseerde instruksie op die Engelse geletterdheidsvlak van Graad 8 (Seniorfase) leerders in die Suid-Afrikaanse landelike konteks. Die teoretiese basis van die studie word aangevul deur die praktiese toepassing daarvan. Die toenemende beskikbaarheid van mobiele en sellulêre toestelle wêreldwyd en spesifiek in Suid-Afrika, tesame met die opvoedkundige behoeftes wat ontstaan as ‘n uitvloeisel van oorvol klaskamers en die gebrek aan opvoedkundige hulpbronne en veral handboeke in landelike Suid- Afrika, het aan hierdie studie gestalte gegee. Die belangrikheid van geletterdheid as ‘n bemagtigingsvaardigheid, en die baanbrekersimpak en potensiaal van mobiele tegnologie om die geletterdheidsvlak van mense in Afrika en spesifiek Suid-Afrika te verbeter, word bespreek. Hierdie studie het bewys dat daar ‘n beduidende verbetering in die begriplees-, visuele begriplees- en skryfvaardighede van die deelnemers teweeggebring is. Die inspirerende uitslae van hierdie studie dui aan dat web-gebaseerde, mobiele instruksie en intervensie beslis die geletterdheidsvlak van leerders kan verbeter wat hulle in afgeleë, landelike of benadeelde gemeenskappe of omstandighede bevind. Die omvang en implikasies wat hierdie bevindinge vir geletterdheidsontwikkeling –en verbetering, asook vir ontluikende geletterdheidsonderrig inhou, word in die slothoofstuk van hierdie tesis bespreek.

The following study had been developed to demonstrate language behavior in subjects that matched or demonstrated deficient language behavior like Sarah's (Premack, 1971). Two autistic children were selected as subjects. These two subjects demonstrated that children who could not normally fulfill the language behavior requirement of selecting specific words, letters, or colored stones, and arranging them in some good temporal sequence, could in fact be taught to do just that activity. In this manner, language deficient candidates more severely damaged than the subjects used by Premack in his study on language difficulties in persons who were "brain damaged,'" could be taught the parameters of syntax and semantics on a non-vocal level, and thereby fulfill the criterion for language behavior, namely that of arranging specific symbols in good temporal sequence.

There is considerable variation among individuals in the ability to learn a second language. Learning strategy research and learning style research, as two main areas of individual difference research, seek to help learners to �learn how to learn�, and ultimately become autonomous and independent learners. Learning strategy theory postulates that successful learning strategies can be used to good effect by less effective learners, and that teachers can promote good learning strategy usage through classroom instruction. At the same time, for there to be effective instruction to second language learners as to the most efficient learning strategy usage, there must be a research effort that looks not just at the strategies per se, but also gives attention to the cultural background of the students themselves. However, there has been little research into the ways in which low-achieving ESL learners can develop effective learning strategies in a non-western context. The historical, political, social and economic aspects of Taiwan make this small island a fascinating place for researchers interested in exploring how English is taught and learned in a relatively monolingual society (in the sense that Chinese Mandarin is the only official language and is predominately used all over Taiwan). Therefore, this study explores the ESL learning strategies and learning styles of 462 adult learners in Taiwan, making use of Oxford�s Strategy Inventory for Language Learning and Kolb�s Learning Style Inventory. Similarities and differences between the learning strategy usage of the high-achieving and low achieving groups are also investigated. The results show that there was no statistically significant relationship between the learner�s English proficiency level and their individual learning style. In sharp contrast, it was discovered that there was a highly significant relationship between the learner�s English proficiency level and their choice and use of various learning strategies. It was also found that the higher the English proficiency level, the greater the variety of learning strategies adopted, and the more frequently those strategies were used. This study aims to shed some light on the principles that underlie successful language learning, particularly in regards to the utilisation and accommodation of learning strategies and styles. The results of such a study could thus contribute to the field of second language learning in a number of ways: for the learner, the teacher, the school policy maker, and the researcher.

This thesis is intended to give a panorama of technology in foreign language pedagogy. Although my field of study is French, the computer applications under scrutiny do not relate solely to the teaching of French. This paper begins with a criticism of the rigid listen-and-repeat language laboratory concept while tracking the rise of communicative language learning theory; follows the microprocessor revolution in language consoles; documents the development of computer-assisted instruction; showcases software evaluations of computer-assisted language learning; explores telecommunications; discusses satellite dishes and other computer peripherals; presents the results of a survey of Texas universities; and concludes with the presentation of the evolving language media center.

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Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo descrever de que modo está sendo promovida a aprendizagem de idiomas, mais especificamente de língua francesa, através de aplicativos para smartphones. Os aplicativos, isto é, as aplicações de software possuem uma infinidade de objetivos e são usadas atualmente em diversos contextos, podendo funcionar como um acesso às redes sociais ou como uma plataforma para a aprendizagem. A m-learning (mobile-learning) consiste na aprendizagem por meio de TIMS (Tecnologias da Informação Móveis e Sem fio) representadas pelos tablets e os smartphones. As TIMS surgem para complementar as já conhecidas TIC (Tecnologias da Informação e Comunicação), isto é, os computadores, televisores, rádio e etc., e a m-learning para complementar a e-learning (eletronic-learning), a aprendizagem via TIC. Estima-se que hoje existam cerca de 7 bilhões de telefones celulares ativos em todo mundo nas mãos de uma população mundial de 7,1 bilhões e a penetração dos smartphones no Brasil já chega a 64% da população (CONSUMER BAROMETER WITH GOOGLE, 2016). No ensino-aprendizagem de línguas adicionais, a utilização de TIC já é um campo bastante discutido, entretanto, no caso das TIMS, apesar da popularização dos dispositivos móveis, as pesquisas ainda são muito recentes. Contudo, a criação de aplicativos voltados a aprendizagem de idiomas não deixa de aumentar, assim como o seu público. De modo a propiciar um debate sobre o futuro da aprendizagem móvel entre professores de línguas, linguistas e desenvolvedores de aplicativos para dispositivos móveis, este trabalho buscou relatar e analisar alguns dentre os aplicativos mais populares presentes na Google Play Store para dispositivos móveis voltados à aprendizagem de língua francesa. Com a presença de QrCodes e printscreens da tela de um smartphone MotoX, sistema Android 5.1, sete aplicativos que se anunciavam como cursos de francês foram descritos e avaliados tanto pelos fatores ligados à didática quanto aos relativos à interface; são eles o Mondly, Duolingo, Memrise, Mosalingua, Babbel, Busuu e Le Bon Mot. Foram analisadas as atividades presentes na primeira lição de cada aplicativo selecionado, evidenciando e comparando o construto e a metodologia anunciada na Google Play Store ao que realmente é desenvolvido durante a utilização de cada aplicativo. Em um segundo momento, a partir da utilização dos aplicativos, foram analisadas questões ligadas à interface e usabilidade dos aplicativos, isto é, a presença e o funcionamento de recursos de imagem, áudio e vídeo em cada aplicativo, as dificuldades em relação ao uso da plataforma, etc. A partir desta descrição e desta análise minuciosa, pode-se concluir que apesar dos aplicativos serem, de uma forma geral, inovadores quanto às questões ligadas à interface, com uma boa usabilidade, no quesito didático-metodológico se anunciam como seguidores do método comunicativo na Google Play Store, mas utilizam abordagens tradicionais e estruturalistas. Nota-se, desse modo, a persistência de um ensino focado somente na repetição e na aprendizagem de vocabulário que, apesar de acompanhado de plataformas e interfaces bem construídas, não correspondem às necessidades comunicativas dos aprendizes do século XXI. / This research aims to describe how language learning, specifically French, is being promoted through mobile applications.Applications, that is, software that can be installed in MICT (Mobile Information and Communication Technologies), possess lots of goals and are currently used in various contexts. Furthermore, they can function as access to social networks or as platforms for learning. The M-learning (mobile-learning) is the learning through MICT, such as smartphones and tablets. MICT come to complement the already known ICT (Information and Communication Technologies), for instance, desktop computers, televisions and radio, and m-learning to complement e-learning (electronic-learning), i.e. learning via ICT. It is estimated that currently there are about 7 billion active mobile phones worldwide at the hands of a world population of 7.1 billion people, and smartphone penetration within Brazil already reaches 62% of its population (CONSUMER BAROMETER WITH GOOGLE, 2016) In the process of teaching and learning additional languages, the use of ICT is already a widely discussed field. As for MICT, despite the popularization of mobile devices, research is still relatively recent. However, the creation of applications aimed at language learning is increasing, as is its audience. As to endorse a joint debate on the future of mobile learning among language teachers, linguists, and mobile application developers, this work attempted to report and analyze some of the most popular applications on mobile devices related to French-language learning, which are available on Google Play Store. With this aim, a MotoX smartphone with Android 5.1 system was used as a support and seven applications (Mondly, Duolingo, Memrise, Mosalingua, Babbel, Busuu and Le Bon Mot), advertised as French courses, were described and evaluated regarding didactic and interface aspects. QR codes and print screens of the analysis are presented throughout this work to facilitate future reference and queries. The activities in the first lesson of each selected application were analyzed evidencing and comparing the construct and the methodology announced in Google Play Store with what is actually developed during the use of the application. In a second moment, from the use of the applications, questions related to the interface and usability of the applications were analyzed, such as the presence and operation of image, audio and video resources in each application and the difficulties regarding the use of the platform. From this description and analysis, it is noticed that the applications are, in general, innovative in the questions of interface and usability. However, in the didactic-methodological aspect, they are traditional and structuralist, although they were advertised as communicative in the Google Play Store. On theses apps, it is noticed a teaching method focused only on repetition and learning of vocabulary which, although accompanied by well-constructed platforms and interfaces, does not correspond to the communicative needs of the learners of the 21st century.

This thesis at the Institute for Language and Folklore has as its purpose to lay a foundation for a continuinginventory work. The tasks I have performed during my time there was to create an archival description, anintroduction to the material and a process map showing the process of incoming delivery of documents. The aimwas never to finish the list of work, but to structure the material to get an insight into the material and to theproblems that existed within. The documents are of a very unique nature and require that the archivist is familiarwith and have knowledge of sign language. One of the problems I encountered was how fragmented the materialwas. The documents are divided between Stockholm and Uppsala, which means that provenance becomesparticularly significant for this material. By revoking parts of the material from the National Archives in Stockholm,the institute is trying to reduce the distribution part of the process. But this is a problem that affects all documentsand will therefore affect the entire inventory process. The Institute's goal is to digitizing documents and make itmore accessible for researchers.

Thesis (MA (General Linguistics))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Research to date on language learning strategy (LLS) use and its influence on second language (L2) acquisition and proficiency has produced variable results. While many researchers feel that LLSs have an important role to play in L2 learning and teaching, a clear definition and classification of LLSs, as well as clear guidelines for LLS application and training, have yet to be established. LLS use and preference seem to be influenced by various factors such as culture, age, level of L2 proficiency and level of education. Therefore, results of specific studies are not necessarily applicable to different groups of L2 learners. This thesis reports on an investigation into the LLS use of first language (L1) isiXhosa adolescents in the acquisition of English. Using the Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL), the study examines the relationship between LLS use as well as LLS preference and L2 proficiency, with an assessment of the gender differences in LLS use. The study found no significant relationship between LLS use or LLS preference and English proficiency. Also, no significant difference was found between the reported preferred LLSs of female and male participants, although male participants reported significantly more high-frequency LLS use, whereas female participants reported significantly more low-frequency LLS use. Conclusions drawn from the results of the study are discussed, followed by suggestions for future research and a brief discussion of the implications of these results for L2 teaching and learning, specifically in a South African context. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Navorsing oor die gebruik van taalleerstrategieë (TLSe) en die invloed daarvan op tweedetaal(T2-)verwerwing het tot dusver uiteenlopende resultate opgelewer. Terwyl baie navorsers van mening is dat TLSe 'n belangrike rol het om te speel in die leer en onderrig van 'n T2, moet 'n duidelike definisie en klassifikasie van TLSe, asook duidelike riglyne vir TLS-aanwending en -opleiding, nog daargestel word. Die gebruik en voorkeur van TLSe word klaarblyklik deur verskeie faktore beïnvloed, insluitend kultuur, ouderdom, vlak van T2-vaardigheid en vlak van opvoeding. Resultate van spesifieke studies is derhalwe nie noodwendig bruikbaar vir verskillende groepe T2-leerders nie. Hierdie tesis lewer verslag oor ‘n ondersoek na die gebruik van TLSe deur T1 isiXhosa adolessente in die verwerwing van Engels. Die studie stel ondersoek in na die verhouding tussen TLS-gebruik asook -voorkeur, gemeet deur die Strategy Inventory for Language Learning (SILL), en T2-vaardigheid, met 'n beoordeling van die geslagsverskille in TLS-gebruik. Die studie het geen beduidende verhouding tussen TLS-gebruik of TLS-voorkeur en Engelse vaardigheid gevind nie. Daar is ook geen beduidende verskil tussen die aangeduide TLS-voorkeur van vroulike en manlike deelnemers nie, hoewel manlike deelnemers beduidend meer hoë-frekwensie TLS-gebruik aangedui het, en vroulike deelnemers beduidend meer lae-frekwensie TLS-gebruik aangedui het. Gevolgtrekkings wat op grond van die studie gemaak is, word bespreek, gevolg deur voorstelle vir verdere navorsing en 'n kort bespreking van die implikasies van die resultate van hierdie studie vir T2-onderrig, veral in 'n Suid- Afrikaanse konteks.