The article examines the effect of two factors on achievement test scores in English as a foreign language for specific purposes in higher education: preexisting linguistic competence and frequency of use of language learner strategies. The rationale for the analysis of language learner strategies as a factor affecting achievement test outcomes is outlined, and then language learner strategies and linguistic competence are defined. Results of international studies that have confirmed the correlation between these two variables are also presented. The results of this study indicate a statistically significant positive effect of general linguistic competence on achievement test scores. Among the constructs of language learner strategies, however, the only construct having a statistically significant effect on achievement test scores is metacognitive strategies. The article concludes with a discussion of findings and presentation of measures that could help students at lower levels of linguistic competence improve their achievement test scores.
The present article reports on the findings of a study that explored the effect of explicit language learning strategy instruction on the development of English as a foreign language within a higher education setting in mixed language ability groups. The research results indicate that explicit language learning strategy instruction that aimed at enhancing language progress in groups of students that were heterogeneous in terms of initial language ability did not have any statistically significant effect on the development of language knowledge. These results indicate that under certain circumstances (limited course time and heterogeneous language competence levels within groups in particular) the organization of strategy training in the form of a separate module or implicit training in the use of language learning strategies seem to be more appropriate.
Easy and cheap access to the Internet and a wide array of new technologies, such as smartphones, have multiplied opportunities for online informal learning of English (OILE). Yet, despite sizeable research, few studies have examined the issue of OILE in the context of university students of different disciplines. The aim of this research study was to examine the role of online language use through smartphones among students of various disciplines and its possible effects on enhancement of their foreign language skills. The study assumed both qualitative and quantitative methodology encompassing three research instruments: an online survey, the self-assessment language competence grid of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL; Council of Europe, 2001) and a semi-structured interview. Data were collected with 377 students from two universities: University of Białystok, Poland and University of Osijek, Croatia. The research outcomes indicate that both Croatian and Polish students of different disciplines use their smartphones chiefly for receptive activities with infrequent use for language learning purposes and the predominant use of the mother tongue or English for the listed online activities through smartphones do not significantly affect the self-assessed level of their communicative competence in English. However, it can be stated that the choice of the preponderant language for online use through smartphones, especially for study-related issues, is conditioned by the students' discipline of study. Keywords: English for Specific Purposes (ESP), communicative competence, mobile language learning, online informal learning of English (OILE), discipline of study.
The teaching content of Maritime English is dictated by the 1995 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping, as amended, which sets qualification standards for masters, officers, and officers of the watch on merchant ships, including a high proficiency level in maritime English. Feature films have an established role in the teaching of general English. To date, however, no research has been conducted regarding the role of feature films in maritime English classrooms. In order to bridge this research gap and as a first step toward introducing feature films into the teaching of maritime English, this article analyses maritime English vocabulary in two feature films: The Perfect Storm (2000) and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003). The results of the analysis show that both films are rich in terms of maritime English vocabulary (frequency and range). However, whereas The Perfect Storm seems to be more suitable for a short-sequence approach, focusing on maritime communication and the weather, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World lends itself better to a whole-sequence approach. The author concludes with implications for teaching and suggested tasks for using both films as teaching tools in maritime English classrooms.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.