AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF ANGEL MARIA DAVILA, for the Master of Arts degree in TESOL and Applied Linguistics, presented on February 21, 2013, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: SPANISH SPEAKERS' READING PRODUCTION OF ENGLISH PAST TENSE INFLECTIONAL MORPHEME -ed MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Krassimira Charkova The main purpose of the present study was to examine if the accurate pronunciation of the three allomorphs of the -ed ending improves with the level of English proficiency in Nicaraguan Spanish EFL learners' read aloud production. There were 48 participants. They belonged to three English proficiency levels: high beginners, intermediate and high intermediate. Each level consisted of 16 informants, with the same number of women and men. The research instrument included a list of 44 regular past tense verbs to measure the three phonological realizations of the -ed inflectional morpheme. The results revealed that the effect of proficiency level was different for the three allomorphs. It was found that more advanced EFL Spanish learners had a significantly higher level of accuracy on the production of two of the three allomorphs, /t/ and /d/. In fact, their error rate on these two allomorphs was as low as 9% and 8%, respectively. In the case of the /əd, ɪd/ allomorph, no significant differences were found among proficiency levels. Moreover, this allomorph showed the lowest rate of errors overall. These results were interpreted in view of the Markedness Differential Hypothesis (Eckman, 1977) and the Similarity Differential Rate Hypothesis (Major & Kim, 1996). The trends in the data definitely suggested support for Similarity Differential Rate Hypothesis which postulates that markedness by itself cannot explain the development of L2 learners as they improve their L2 level of proficiency. In the context of the present study, this was evident in the significantly better performance of the most advanced group which showed the highest rate of accuracy on the more marked allomorphs /t/ and /d/. In view of these findings, the study offers implications for the teaching of the three phonological realizations of the -ed past tense inflection. Keywords: allomorph, inflectional morpheme, proficiency level

Master of Arts / Department of Modern Languages / Abby Franchitti / The role of first language (L1) has been controversial in foreign language (FL) learning and teaching. This study examines the relationship between L1 use and gender and level of education of EFL teachers as well as gender and EFL proficiency level of learners in an Afghan university setting. It also investigates the relationship between FL use and learner anxiety by learner gender and EFL proficiency level. The study hypothesized that female FL teachers use the L1 more than male teachers in FL classrooms. Second, low FL proficiency learners consider L1 use as necessary in FL classrooms. Third, low FL proficiency students experience more anxiety with the exclusive use of FL than higher level learners. Fourth, female learners experience more anxiety than male students with the exclusive use of FL by learners and teachers. Twenty EFL teachers participated in the study by completing a 19-item questionnaire and sixty EFL learners by completing a 27-item questionnaire about their views towards L1/FL use and learner anxiety. The data, analyzed through SPSS software, included calculating frequencies and percentages, computing correlations, and conducting independent-samples t-tests to compare the mean difference between the variables. The first hypothesis was not supported as male teachers reported using the L1 more than female teachers. The study also revealed that male teachers with BA and MA degrees used the L1 more than female teachers with BA degrees. In contrast, female teachers with MA degrees used the L1 more than male teachers with BA and MA degrees and also more than female teachers with BA degrees. The results supported hypothesis two. More elementary learners considered the use of L1 as necessary than intermediate and advanced students. The findings also supported hypotheses three and four. Elementary learners as well as female students experienced more anxiety with the exclusive use of FL than intermediate and advanced level students and male learners. The principal conclusion indicated a significant positive correlation between the exclusive use of FL and learner anxiety.

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / The purpose of this thesis is to investigate and describe the use of Communication Strategies in texts written by university-level Brazilian English learners as a foreign language in the classroom. Based on the results of the proficiency test Pre-TOEFL â section 2, and on the answers to the self-report questionnaire, adapted from Seligerâs LCP questionnaire (1977) and Freed et al. (2004) extended version, we draw the participantsâ profile in relation to the Learning Context. All data relating to Communication Strategies were collected by means of three sessions of English writing. The study thus investigated 1) the relation between proficiency level and the use of different types of Communication Strategies; 2) the way proficiency level impacts on the frequency of Communication Strategies use by the participants; 3) the influence of Learning Context on the use of Communication Strategies, and their use frequency. We adopted the theoretical-methodological framework of Communication Strategies in L2 within a psycholinguistic perspective (FAERCH; KASPER, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987) in dialogue with the studies focusing the Learning Context (DEKEYSER, 1991; LAFFORD, 1995; WOOD 2001; TOWELL 2002, 2012; LAFFORD, 2004, 2006; SEGALOWITZ; FREED, 2008; SERRANO et al., 2011) as theoretical background to analyze our research data. Furthermore, in order to elicit the data, the research employed the Introspective Method (RAPAUCH, 1983; ERICSSON; SIMON, 1984; GASS; MACKEY, 2000), to investigate the processes underlying the use of Communication Strategies. We found a narrow relation between the types of Communication Strategies and the frequency in which they are used, both in the proficiency level and in the Learning Context. We have come to the conclusion that both groups proved to rely on the mother tongue as a way to make up for their limited resources in English. Lexical and grammatical difficulties on the part of the participants were responsible for their strategic behavior within their communicative limitations. The low frequency of strategies based on the interlanguage appears to be related to the use of these strategic mechanisms as well as to the proficiency level of the participants. The data also revealed the learning context was more determining, regardless the category of communication strategy, on the most proficient group. / Esta tese tem como objetivo principal investigar e descrever o uso das EstratÃgias de ComunicaÃÃo em textos produzidos em sala de aula por alunos universitÃrios brasileiros aprendizes de InglÃs como lÃngua estrangeira. Com base nos resultados do teste de proficiÃncia em LÃngua Inglesa versÃo Pre-TOEFL â seÃÃo 2, e nas respostas ao questionÃrio de autorrelato, desenvolvido a partir das versÃes do questionÃrio LCP de Seliger (1977) e de Freed et al. (2004), foi delineado o perfil dos participantes em relaÃÃo ao nÃvel de proficiÃncia e ao Contexto de Aprendizagem. Os dados referentes Ãs EstratÃgias de ComunicaÃÃo foram levantados a partir de trÃs seÃÃes de produÃÃo escrita em lÃngua inglesa. Para fins de anÃlise, adotamos os seguintes procedimentos: 1) examinamos que relaÃÃo existe entre os nÃveis de proficiÃncia dos participantes e a utilizaÃÃo dos diferentes tipos de EstratÃgias de ComunicaÃÃo; 2) investigamos de que forma o nÃvel de proficiÃncia influencia a frequÃncia de utilizaÃÃo das EstratÃgias de ComunicaÃÃo pelos participantes; 3) analisamos a influÃncia exercida pelo Contexto de Aprendizagem no uso dos diferentes tipos de EstratÃgias de ComunicaÃÃo, bem como na frequÃncia com que sÃo utilizados. Tomamos o quadro teÃrico-metodolÃgico das EstratÃgias de ComunicaÃÃo em segunda lÃngua dentro de uma perspectiva psicolinguÃstica (FAERCH; KASPER, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987) em diÃlogo com os estudos voltados para o Contexto de Aprendizagem (DEKEYSER, 1991; LAFFORD, 1995; WOOD 2001; TOWELL 2002, 2012; LAFFORD, 2004, 2006; SEGALOWITZ; FREED, 2008; SERRANO et al., 2011) como referenciais para a anÃlise dos dados. Ademais, amparamo-nos na metodologia introspectiva (RAPAUCH, 1983; ERICSSON; SIMON, 1984; GASS; MACKEY, 2000), a fim de investigar os processos subjacentes ao uso das EstratÃgias de ComunicaÃÃo em questÃo. Verificamos uma relaÃÃo entre os tipos de EstratÃgias de ComunicaÃÃo e a frequÃncia de uso destas tanto com o nÃvel de proficiÃncia quanto com o Contexto de Aprendizagem. ConcluÃmos que ambos os grupos desta pesquisa demonstraram uma dependÃncia muito acentuada em relaÃÃo à lÃngua materna, como forma de compensar seus recursos limitados na lÃngua inglesa. Os problemas primÃrios, de ordem lexical ou gramatical, encontrados pelos nossos participantes fizeram com que eles adotassem um comportamento estratÃgico diante dessas limitaÃÃes de natureza comunicativa. A baixa frequÃncia das estratÃgias baseadas na interlÃngua parece estar relacionada ao foco desses mecanismos estratÃgicos e ao prÃprio nÃvel de proficiÃncia e ao nÃvel de competÃncia comunicativa dos participantes na lÃngua inglesa. Os dados revelaram ainda que no grupo mais proficiente o contexto de aprendizagem foi mais determinante tanto sobre o uso das estratÃgias baseadas na lÃngua materna quanto sobre o uso das estratÃgias baseadas na interlÃngua.

Linguistic error has proven to be a recurrent area of interest for researchers. There exist several types of approaches to error; some studies have focused on specific errors, such as grammatical errors, others on more general or exogenous issues, such as the perception of error of the group object of study, etc. From the point of view of methodology, some have been dedicated to the definition and description of error, while others have studied the identification of erroneous uses of language. Several proposals for error categorisation have also been propounded. In the case of error production in languages foreign to the speaker, the learning factor must also be included. Some authors have focused on the underlying reasons, questioning if the cause for errors rests upon an inadequate teaching method, or the actual teacher, or even if the cause is intrinsic to any learnt language, as opposed to the Mother Tongue. From the principle that it is possible to improve the language proficiency level of students by looking at the errors produced, this doctoral dissertation studies pragmatic error in the production of written English. In addition, it includes pedagogic perspectives that introduce a Second Language to potential speakers and the European Framework of Reference. The thesis is structured as follows: the first part is dedicated to a theoretical justification of the research, with an introduction to Pragmatics, Error Analysis, Contrastive Analysis, Second Language Acquisition -in particular the Communicative Approach- and the European Framework for Languages. The third chapter is dedicated to the objectives. Chapter 4 explains the methodology used for data processing and analysis. The results are explained in chapter 5 and chapter 6 presents the conclusions derived from these. To begin with, a proposal for error analysis and identification is presented. This takes into account error distribution and classification and language levels proposed in the Common Europea Framework of Reference for Languages as an open tool for the analysis of errors investigated. / Mestre I Mestre, EM. (2011). Error in the learning and teaching of english as a second language at higher education level [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/11277 / Palancia

This study explores how native English speakers (NESs) are affected by the backgrounds of non-native English speakers (NNESs) when it comes to being comfortable interacting with then in English. Speech samples of 12 NNESs were gathered from the Level Achievement Tests conducted at Brigham Young University's English Language Center. There were six speakers who spoke Spanish as their first language (L1) and six speakers who spoke Chinese as their L1. In each L1 group, there were two Low proficiency speakers, two Mid proficiency speakers, and two High proficiency speakers. The speech samples were included in a Qualtrics survey which was completed by 122 American NES participants. The NES participants listened to each speech sample and rated their comfort level interacting with each NNES speaker in six different communication situations categorized as either formal or casual. The results were statistically analyzed in order to determine the effect of proficiency level, L1, and communication situation on NES comfort levels in NNES interactions. High proficiency speakers were rated significantly higher than Mid proficiency speakers which were in turn rated higher than Low proficiency speakers. Spanish L1 speakers were rated higher than Chinese L1 speakers. The more casual communication situations were ranked higher than the more formal communication situations. A statistical analysis of the interaction between proficiency level and L1 revealed that Spanish L1 speakers were strongly preferred at higher proficiency levels but Chinese L1 speakers were preferred at lower proficiency levels. These results suggest that Spanish L1 speakers have a greater need to be higher than Low proficiency while Chinese L1 speakers have a greater need to achieve High proficiency. NNESs who anticipate being in formal situations should also aim for High proficiency.

Overall patterns of language use variation across oral proficiency levels of 1,243 Japanese EFL learners and 20 native speakers of English using the linguistic features set from Biber (1988) were investigated in this study. The approach combined learner corpora, language processing techniques, visual inspection of descriptive statistics, and multivariate statistical analysis to identify characteristics of learner language use. The largest spoken learner corpus in Japan, the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology Japanese Learner English (NICT JLE) Corpus was used for the analysis. It consists of over one million running words of L2 spoken English with oral proficiency level information. The level of the material in the corpus is approximately equal to a Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) range of 356 to 921. It also includes data gathered from 20 native speakers who performed identical speaking tasks as the learners. The 58 linguistic features (e.g., grammatical features) were taken from the original list of 67 linguistic features in Biber (1988) to explore the variation of learner language. The following research questions were addressed. First, what linguistic features characterize different oral proficiency levels? Second, to what degree do the language features appearing in the spoken production of high proficiency learners match those of native speakers who perform the same task? Third, is the oral production of Japanese EFL learners rich enough to display the full range of features used by Biber? Grammatical features alone would not be enough to comprehensively distinguish oral proficiency levels, but the results of the study show that various types of grammatical features can be used to describe differences in the levels. First, frequency change patterns (i.e., a rising, a falling, a combination of rising, falling, and a plateauing) across the oral proficiency levels were shown through linguistic features from a wide range of categories: (a) part-of-speech (noun, pronoun it, first person pronoun, demonstrative pronoun, indefinite pronoun, possibility modal, adverb, causative adverb), (b) stance markers (emphatic, hedge, amplifier), (c) reduced forms (contraction, stranded preposition), (d) specialized verb class (private verb), complementation (infinitive), (e) coordination (phrasal coordination), (f) passive (agentless passive), and (g) possibly tense and aspect markers (past tense, perfect aspect). In addition, there is a noticeable gap between native and non-native speakers of English. There are six items that native speakers of English use more frequently than the most advanced learners (perfect aspect, place adverb, pronoun it, stranded preposition, synthetic negation, emphatic) and five items that native speakers use less frequently (past tense, first person pronoun, infinitive, possibility modal, analytic negation). Other linguistic features are used with similar frequency across the levels. What is clear is that the speaking tasks and the time allowed for provided ample opportunity for most of Biber’s features to be used across the levels. The results of this study show that various linguistic features can be used to distinguish different oral proficiency levels, and to distinguish the oral language use of native and non-native speakers of English. / Teaching & Learning

This study investigates the relationship between nonnative English speaker (NNES) proficiency level and native English speaker (NES) level of comfort interacting with NNES. The purpose of this study was to discover at what proficiency level NESs feel comfortable interacting with NNES. This study also looked at how communicative task and NES demographic variables affected the proficiency expectations NNESs have for NESs. Participants included 120 NESs and 7 NNESs. The NESs listened to sound clips from the 7 NNESs and rated how comfortable they would feel (on a scale of 0-10, 10 indicating very comfortable) interacting with the speaker in a variety of communication tasks. Listeners rated intermediate and advanced level speakers significantly higher than the novice speakers. Additionally, there was not a significant difference between mean ratings for the intermediate and advanced speakers. Communication task was revealed as having a significant main effect on task. Listeners rated that they would feel least comfortable communicating with the speakers over the phone while discussing a customer service issue. They also indicated that they would feel least comfortable interacting with the speakers if they were their boss. Listener demographic variables did not have a significant main effect on overall ratings, but were significant for some tasks when task was analyzed individually. Specifically, age and frequency of interaction with NNES had an effect on some tasks; however the reliability of this result is affected by sample size. These results suggest a threshold relationship between NES comfort ratings and speaker proficiency level. Additionally, the data suggests that task may be more important than proficiency level in some interactions. A larger sample is needed to better understand the role NES demographic variables may play in level of comfort during NES and NNES interaction.

This thesis investigates the second language acquisition of the English article system by Turkish learners in order to find out the role of certain semantic universals of the Universal Grammar during the acquisition process. More specifically, the purpose is to see whether or not L1 Turkish learners of English fluctuate between two semantic notions namely / specificity and definiteness, and the effect of this fluctuation on acquisition. 120 students from three groups of learners at different proficiency levels (40 elementary, 40 intermediate and 40 upper &ndash / intermediate students) were tested. Data collection instrument, a forced-choice elicitation task is used. The task consists of 40 short and contextualized dialogues. The target sentence in each dialogue is missing an article and learners were asked to fill the gap with an appropriate article / a/an, the or &Oslash / on the bases of their understanding of the proceeding context. Dialogues in the task belong to four different contexts / i.e. definite/specific, definite/non-specific, indefinite/specific and indefinite/non-specific. Each context has 10 dialogues with four different contexts that are randomized. Data were analyzed using SPSS 17 packet program (descriptive analysis and one-way ANOVA). The results showed that intermediate level learners exhibited fluctuation between definiteness and specificity to a great extent in (+definite/-specific) and (-definite/+specific) contexts. Elementary level learners were more accurate in these contexts exhibiting article omission errors in definite contexts. Overall, despite certain unexpected results, upper intermediate level students were quite successful in article assignment in defined contexts. This revealed that there is a positive correlation between article system acquisition and proficiency.

This study investigated the acquisition of English tense and aspect through the manipulation of collostructional strength, instructional saliency, and frequency of use in group activities. Past research has focused on some of the factors in this study and their influence on acquisition, such as explicit instruction, but no research to date has attempted to compare the different factors to each other and attempt to create a working model of processing depth with these factors. Additionally, little research exists on the influence proficiency level and personal meaningfulness has on acquisition and in relation to these other determinants, or the role of lexical aspect in verb use and acquisition. The participants in this study were all females from a university in Japan. They were separated into different groups based upon their proficiency level, and each group was given a different treatment of group activities that focused on learning the simple past tense, present perfect, and past progressive over the course of a two week session. Pretests, immediate and delayed posttests were conducted to attempt to measure acquisition. MANCOVAs, Factorial MANCOVAs, and a Chi-Square test were all run to determine the outcome of the treatments. The results of the study suggest a loose continuum in terms of processing depth with explicit instruction as the most effective factor followed by frequency of use, and collostructional strength having minimal and conditional, effectiveness. The results also suggest the powerfulness of proficiency level as a determiner of whether acquisition will occur, with personal meaningfulness playing a lesser but still important role. The lexical aspect use of verbs appeared to show that the learners in this study leaned heavily on activity verbs and using the progressive aspect. Overall the results add to the growing collection of knowledge in understanding how learners develop their verb use as they acquire language. / Applied Linguistics

<p>Ontology development is a systematic technique to represent the existing and new knowledge about a specific domain by using some models to present the system in which <em>conceptualization</em> is involved. This thesis presents the use of ontologies to formally represent ontology-based competence model for potential users of quality registry report in a healthcare organization. The model describes the professional and occupational interests and needs of the users through structuring and describing their skills and qualifications. There are individual competences model having two main parts: general competence and occupational competence. The model is implemented in an ontology editor. Although our competence model gives the general view about all medical areas in a hospital, from implementation point of view, we have considered only Cardiology area in detail. The potential users of quality registry are medical staff, county council staff and Pharmaceutical staff. In this report we have also used different classifications of education, occupational fields and diseases. A user can get information about the patient and specific disease with treatment tips by using various organizational resources: i.e. quality registries, electronic medical reports, and online journals. Our model also provides a support of information filtering which filters the information according to the need and the competencies of the users.</p>