abstract: Situated in the influx of Chinese students entering U.S. higher education and the L2 writing research growing interests in investigating learners’ experience to gain further insights into their emic perspectives on English literacy development, this dissertation argues that the identifying the beliefs as the underlying principle shaping and being shaped by our experience. In this dissertation, I propose a theoretical framework of beliefs and validates the framework by using it to examine multilingual writers’ learning experience in the context of First Year Composition. The framework advances a definition of beliefs and a framework demonstrating the relationship among three constructs—perception, attitude, and behavior. In order to develop the framework, I first synthesized existing literature on language learning beliefs and argue the scarcity of L2 writing researchers’ discussing belief when exploring learners’ experience. I define beliefs as an individual’s generalizations from the mental construction of the experience, based on evaluation and judgment, thus are predisposed to actions. I proposed a framework of belief, consisting three mental constructs—perception, attitude and action—to identify and examine factors contributing the formation and change of beliefs. I drew on drawing on Dewey's theory of experience and Rokeach's (1968) belief theory, and contextual approach to beliefs in the field of second language acquisition. I analyzed the interview data of twenty-two Chinses students accounting their English learning experiences across four different contexts, including English class in China, TOEFL training courses, intensive English program, and FYC classroom. The findings show that their beliefs were formed and transformed in the contexts before FYC. They perceived all the writing learning in those courses as similar content and curriculum, but the attitudes vary regarding the immediate contexts and long-term goal of using the knowledge. They believe grammar and vocabulary is the “king’s way,” the most effective and economic approach, which was emphasized in the test-oriented culture. Moreover, the repetitive course content and various pedagogies, including multiple revisions and the requirement of visiting writing center, have been perceived as requiring demonstration more efforts, which in turn prompted them to develop their own negotiation strategies, the actions, to gain more credits for the class. This dissertation concludes that the beliefs can be inferred from these all three constructs, but to change beliefs of learners, we need to make them explicit and incorporate them into writing instruction or curriculum design. Implications on how to further the research of beliefs as well as translating these findings into classroom pedagogies are also discussed. The dissertation concludes with a discussion of how the framework can be used to inform future research and classroom practices informed by writing beliefs identified in this study. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation English 2017

In this thesis I investigate the practices and perceptions of some Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs) of modern foreign languages (MFL) in Scotland in relation to how they use the target language (L2). I seek to answer the questions “In what different ways do student teachers of modern languages use the target language in Scottish secondary school classrooms?’, ‘What reasons do they give for how they use it?” and “In what way(s), if any, do newly qualified teachers of modern languages change teaching pedagogy in their initial stages of teaching in relation to the use of the target language and what reasons do they give for any changes they make?”. The issue arises because of the continuing gap between what initial teacher education (ITE) advocates in respect of L2 use and what qualified teachers say they do, in so far as there is evidence in this area. There is little empirical evidence relating to how and why MFL NQTs develop the practices and perceptions of qualified teachers. Data was gathered through an online questionnaire issued to all modern languages teachers in Scotland and semi-structured interviews were conducted with a small group of PGDE (Secondary) Modern Languages students at the end of their PGDE year and at the end of their first year of teaching as NQTs. Audio-recordings of the NQTs were also made during this first year of teaching. Data from the four sources were analysed using an inductive approach, remaining flexible in terms of extending, modifying and discarding categories. The findings revealed that the NQTs used considerably less target language during their NQT year and had changed their views on the target language substantially since their PGDE year. They reported that they found it difficult to use L2 for discipline, grammar teaching, explaining things and for social chat. At the same time there were huge changes in their practice and big changes in their views vis-à-vis L2 use. Significantly, the data revealed that these changes in practice and views happened very quickly, were a lot starker and occurred a lot faster than previously thought. This situation seems to have many causes – influences from experienced colleagues, survival tactics, how teachers develop their own pedagogy and identity as teachers. This thesis recommends that those involved in ITE and Career Long Professional Learning look particularly at the two areas of situated learning and teacher cognition in relation to the use of the target language. It further recommends collaborative research between teachers in schools and other agencies, such as Education Scotland and local authority quality improvement officers, together with teacher educators to develop an understanding of how to promote effective learning and teaching strategies in relation to the use of the target language in class.

Research within the field of serious games shows that games and simulations can supplement traditional learning methods in a positive way. Modern technology allows for simulations of real situations thus allowing for improved vocabulary training. This paper focusses on ESL (English as a second language training) for adult learners and looks at how a prototype set of minigames could be used to enhance learning outcomes in a specific set of vocabulary. The paper looks at a case study carried out by the researcher in Plymouth in the UK at an ESL training centre. Results from this sample showed that this method of using games is viable, however not that much of an improvement on traditional methods.

El objetivo de este estudio es analizar las estrategias discursivas utilizadas por hablantes avanzados de español en comparación con hablantes nativos. El solo hecho de tener que narrar una historia de manera improvisada en una segunda lengua, manteniendo en todo momento una relación coherente, nos puede llevar a la necesidad de utilizar ciertas estrategias discursivas para encontrar la palabra adecuada en cada situación. Para llevar a cabo este estudio se analizaron transcripciones de relatos hechos por un grupo de estudio conformado por hablantes no nativos de español y un grupo de control compuesto por hablantes nativos. Los relatos se inspiran en un libro de imágenes sin texto, en donde cada uno de los informantes narró la historia improvisadamente. De esta manera se comparó el uso de las estrategias utilizadas por ambos grupos llegando a obtener resultados con ciertas similitudes y diferencias entre ambos grupos.

The aim of the study was to find out whether or not there is a difference in the type and number of errors made by L2 intermediate learners and beginners of English. Texts were gathered from two age groups, 9-10 year olds and 16-18 year olds, 16 texts from the younger beginner level learners and 9 from the older intermediate learners. From the errors made in the texts five categories were formed (six for the beginners): Grammatical errors, word missing errors, morpheme errors, word order errors and spelling errors that is unique to the beginners. It was found that intermediate learners make fewer errors overall but that they make the same types of errors as the beginners when they do make an error.

This corpus-based study analyzes different types of epistemic markers used in argumentative essays by University students. More specifically it compares Swedish L2 writers and English L1 writers. The scope of the analysis covers epistemic modal verbs, lexical verbs and adverbs. A number of markers are counted to see which expressions are preferred by L1 and L2 writers respectively and if the frequency rates differ between the two groups. Further, it discusses whether the non-native writers use epistemic markers appropriate to an academic register, and an attempt is made to see whether the L1 and L2 writers show similar patterns of ‘committing’ to and ‘distancing’ themselves to their arguments. The results reveal a few notable differences between the Swedish and English writers. A tendency is seen among the L2 writers to ‘overuse’ certain expressions, particularly in the category of lexical verbs. Compared to the native writers, the L2 writers display higher frequency rates when it comes to markers that are most commonly found in spoken conversation. Further the L2 writers seem to display more ‘writer visibility’ than the L1 writers do, which could perhaps be due to differences in writing culture. The findings also suggest that Swedish L2 writers, even on a relatively advanced level, may have difficulties in mastering modal expressions in English.

Propomos o estudo da realização do objeto direto no Português Brasileiro (PB) na referência ao interlocutor, a partir de um corpus formado essencialmente por textos produzidos por alunos do Ensino Fundamental II de uma escola particular da cidade de São Paulo. Estes textos consistem em uma proposta de redação direcionada à produção do objeto direto na referência ao interlocutor, orientados aos registros formal e informal da língua. Objetivamos identificar o tipo de complemento produzido pelos alunos nos dois registros. Interessa-nos investigar, sobretudo, as formas pronominais acusativas de 2a pessoa bem como a posição dos clíticos para estabelecer diálogo com os trabalhos que tratam das formas pronominais acusativas de 3a pessoa. Para isto, utilizamos o método variacionista de análise quantitativa, conforme estabelecido por Labov, e já consagrado em inúmeros estudos. Os resultados obtidos serão norteados pelas hipóteses descritas ao longo da introdução deste estudo, e a partir da confirmação de algumas e descarte de outras, buscaremos estabelecer uma adequação descritiva suficiente para comprovar o desaparecimento do clítico acusativo de 3a pessoa aplicado em referência ao interlocutor (Ramos 1999), substituído pela forma \"te\", ou para realinhar o clítico \"o\" no sistema pronominal da variedade paulistana do português brasileiro. / The aim of this study of the effectiveness of the direct object in Brazilian Portuguese (BP) at the interlocutor\'s reference, from a corpus essentially made by texts produced by students from a private school at São Paulo city. These texts consist in a request for composition directed to the production of the direct object at the interlocutor\'s reference, guided to the formal and informal registers of the language. The objective defined here is identifying the kind of complement that is produced by the students at the formal and informal registers. The main intention is investigate the second person accusatives pronominal forms as well as the clitics position, to establish connection with studies that work with the third person accusatives pronominal forms. In this sense, it was used the quantitative method of analysis, as establish by Labov, and already considerate in many studies. The results will be guided by the hypotheses described at the introduction of this study and from the confirmation of some hypotheses and the discard of others there will be establish a suit descriptive sufficient to corroborate the useless of the third person accusative clitic applied at the interlocutor\'s reference (Ramos 1999), replaced by the form \"te\" or to align the clitic \"o\" at the pronominal system of varieties of the Brazilian Portuguese from São Paulo.

The two major varieties of English are American and British English. In Swedish compulsory school both varieties are taught. This essay examines the preferences and attitudes of pupils in 9th grades towards the two varieties, and if there are any gender differences. Previous research has shown that pupils are becoming more and more positive towards American English than they have been in earlier studies. This essay is based on a quantitative study carried out through questionnaires handed-out to 84 9th graders. The results show that the pupils prefer American English in speaking and for educational purposes. However, British English is viewed as more intelligent, professional, beautiful and correct. These findings mostly correspond to previous research but also show some contrasting features such as pupils wanting to speak British English rather than American English. / <p>engelska</p>

Detta arbete undersöker det muntliga interimspråket hos två f.d. illitterata L2-inlärare av svenska. Informanternas språksystem analyseras utifrån Klein och Perdues teori om basvarietet som slår fast att kortutbildade inlärare som tillägnar sig ett L2 informellt utvecklar ett språksystem som präglas av förenklade strukturer och ett begränsat ordförråd, men som fungerar väl i kommunikativa syften. Arbetet syftar till att pröva om teorin är tillämpbar även på f.d. illitterata inlärare som deltagit i formell undervisning och uppnått kursmålen för SFI 1A. Undersökningen, som fokuserar på lexikon och tempus, bygger på samtal som har spelats in och transkriberats. Resultatet visar att basvarietetens kännetecknande drag i hög grad kan appliceras även på de formella inlärarnas språksystem.

This paper is a study within the general area of Second Language Acquisition (SLA), focusing on second language learning in formal (class room) settings. The main questions discussed in this essay are firstly, whether social factors matter while learning a second language, secondly, to what extent attitudes towards the second language matter and thirdly, what attitudes students actually have towards studying a second language. The paper compares both students and teachers in the UK and Sweden. To be able to make this comparison I travelled to the UK and followed a class at the University of Wolverhampton that study Swedish. This paper has benefited from both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative part consists of a questionnaire that was handed out to the students in both England and Sweden. For the qualitative part of my research I made use of the structured interview form, which is a method that has a compact nest of questions and where the sequence of questions is decided before the interview. I interviewed two students and one teacher in each of the countries that this paper covers. The social factors that this paper recognises are age, gender, social class and ethnic identity. Furthermore, the essay examines the impact of students’ motivation and attitudes while studying and learning a new language. It has been demonstrated that motivation has a major role to play while learning a second language. It can be argued that the more motivated students are the more and better they will learn. According the students in question their opinions are that you have to have a good teacher while learning languages, i.e. a teacher that can encourage you and make you develop. On the other hand the teachers in question said that the students must be interested in learning second languages otherwise it is pointless since they will not develop. The findings of the present paper are analysed in the light of previous research published in this field.