Empirical studies have long proven the link between speaking and second language learning. Despite its importance in determining one's success to master the target language, willingness to communicate (WTC) is not always high even among motivated and advanced English language learners. This often leads to them not taking the opportunities to engage in verbal activities that are beneficial for them as language learners. The present study seeks to identify the relationship between L2 motivational self-system (the ideal self and the ought-to self) and out-of-class WTC. It draws on a quantitative research design that involved a sample of 111 pre-service ESL teachers in Malaysia. Two major findings were identified. First, even though proficient, their level of out-of-class WTC was only satisfactory not high as expected. Second, the ideal self was the stronger predictor of their out-ofclass WTC. This supports previous findings on the role of ideal self in learners' willingness to communicate. Based on the findings, the present article ends with a pedagogical suggestion.
The mass media in the form of advertising is extensively employed in the process of nation-building in Malaysia. Advertising has been used as an important tool for educating the public about State issues, ensuring diverse cultures are equally represented and the multicultural values are emphasized to the fullest. The objective of the present study is to investigate how outdoor advertising, particularly billboards, promotes the language, social identity, and multicultural values of Malaysian society for nation-building. In Malaysia, the extensive use of advertisements has been argued as one of the most powerful mechanisms to enhance Malaysian identity, foster interactions and thus contribute to the process of nation-building even though it is portrayed in a banal and routine way. To achieve its objective, this paper utilizes semiotic methodology to examine 11 billboards to understand the relationships between texts and visuals that communicate messages to the public. The findings revealed that the billboards do not only communicate pro-social messages, but also reflect the language, social identity and multicultural values of Malaysian society towards nation-building. This study expands the work of outdoor advertising within the Malaysian society and contributes to Semiotic Analysis by examining textual-visual elements of billboards.
The study aims at investigating whether Task-based learning (TBL) can improve narrative writing composition among form four students. Action research was used as the research design in this study. The data were collected and analysed in a qualitative paradigm. Observation, reflective journal, semi-structured interview and documents were used to collect the data. A reflective journal with guidance was distributed among the students and was verified through an interview session for triangulation. Students' written compositions were also collected and analysed to evaluate their performance. The findings reveal that students performed well in Taskbased learning Lesson compared to other lessons. Students perceived Task-based learning as an approach that could help them in narrative writing skill and reflected positive responses. The findings of the study reveal that Task-based learning improved students' performance in narrative writing.
Acknowledging the importance of autonomous language learning with technology as an essential skill for lifelong learning, the current study was carried out to investigate whether a group of tertiary level ESL learners were able to self-direct their use of technology for effective language learning experience. The mixed-methods approach was employed to understand the phenomenon. Findings indicate that the most preferred Web 2.0 technology for language learning is the online exercises/quizzes. This is followed by online discussion/forum, public
Due to the pivotal role that interaction plays in SLA, the issue of willingness to communicate has drawn considerable attention among researchers in the field. Nonetheless, literature on WTC has been primarily theoretical; little has been done to find practical solutions to the problem that could actually help ESL practitioners in their daily classroom practice. In light of this, the current article is a review of past studies on how to foster WTC. It begins with providing some insights on how to facilitate L2 WTC gained from the identified studies. Next, based on the review, it is highlighted that the current research trend tends to focus on facilitating in-class WTC, with less attention given on out-of-class WTC. This might lead to a separation between in-class and out-ofclass learning. To address this issue, the article ends with a series of suggested activities which employs a multisystematic approach to learning (Akkerman & Eijck, 2011) and a critical conception of in-class learning resources (Wright, 2006). The series of activities allow learners to engage in rich interactional resources, both in and out-ofclass, as well as an opportunity to reflect on their experiences in relation to their WTC.
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