scholarly journals Putting Prosody First — Some Practical Solutions to a Perennial Problem: The Innovalangues Project

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 233-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Frost ◽  
Francis Picavet

This paper presents some of the difficulties of teaching languages, in particular English, in the context of LSP/LAP2 programmes in French universities. The main focus of this paper will be the importance of prosody, especially in English, as an area where these difficulties may be addressed. We will outline the various solutions that are currently being put into place as part of the Innovalangues project, a six-year international language teaching and research project headed by Université Stendhal (Grenoble 3), France. The project has substantial funding from the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research and its mission is to develop innovative tools and measures to help LSP/LAP learners reach B2 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). The languages concerned are English, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and possibly French as a foreign language. Initially the project will be focusing on the needs of Grenoble’s students, but the objective is to make the tools and resources developed freely available to the wider community. Oral production and reception are at the heart of Innovalangues. We believe, along with many other researchers, that prosody is key to comprehension and to intelligibility (Kjellin 1999a, Kjellin 1999b, Munro and Derwing 2011, Saito 2012), particularly given the important differences between English and French prosody (Delattre 1965; Hirst and Di Cristo 1998; Frost 2011). In this paper, we will present the particular difficulties inherent in teaching English (and other foreign languages) in the context of ESP/EAP3 in French universities and some of the solutions that we are implementing through this project (Picavet et al., 2012; Picavet et al 2013; Picavet and Frost 2014). These include an e-learning platform for which various tools are being developed, teacher training seminars focusing on prosody and the collection of data for research.  

Author(s):  
Vladyslava V. Shcherbytska ◽  
◽  
Inna I. Pysmenna ◽  

The article considers the issue of distance learning. The practice of training students at universities of Ukraine shows that the use of traditional forms and methods of training does not provide sufficient knowledge level of the foreign language for graduates. Therefore, it is necessary to seek and use new approaches to learning a foreign language. The transition to distance learning in higher education, due to the pandemic, was an unexpected and serious challenge for both teachers and students. That is why the problem of introducing distance learning in higher education is so important and relevant, especially in the process of learning foreign languages. It is dictated by the new social demands to higher education. Attention is drawn to the fact that distance learning has long been of interest to scientists. In the 21st century, with the advent of computers and the Internet, the spread of distance learning is gaining enormous proportions. A brief analysis of recent research and publications on this issue has been made. Definitions of the concept of “distance learning” are given. Attention is drawn to the fact that there are two concepts of “distance learning” and “complete education”. The term “distance education” is much broader than the term “distance learning”, although they are often used as synonyms. It is noted that there are two types of distance learning: traditional and e-learning (learning through the Internet and multimedia). The spread of e-learning has led to a new direction – blended learning. It is emphasized that the future lies in blended learning, which will increase or decrease offline and online components depending on the capabilities and needs of students. The disadvantages and advantages of distance learning are considered. It is emphasized that distance learning can be used when learning foreign languages at any level. Attention is drawn to the fact that the effectiveness of distance learning in foreign languages depends on the quality of methodological support of each online lesson. It is emphasized that the development of electronic textbooks is one of the leading areas of economic education, which introduced distance learning. There are various types of work that can be used for distance learning of foreign languages. Examples of various interactive games that are used in the process of teaching foreign languages are given. It is noted that the prospects for further research lie in the more active introduction of e-learning in the learning process, especially in the study of foreign languages.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 269-287
Author(s):  
Artur Baranowski

The paper presents a study about using Insta.Ling e-learning platform in university teaching process of English language for Biology students. The aim of this study is to estimate its effectiveness and the correlation between the number of repetitions and the number of words memorized. The total number of students involved in this research is 129 (6 student groups and in 3 academic years). They are all students of Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, Warsaw. The results allow to assume that Insta.Ling environment is an effective way to learn new vocabulary and regular sessions positively affect the number of vocabulary memorized.


Author(s):  
Yorkinoy Hamidovna Nazarova ◽  
◽  
Iroda Abduaziz Kizi Abduazizova ◽  
Mashkhura Ikromjon Kizi Hakimova ◽  
Dilafruz Olim Kizi Nematjonova ◽  
...  

The article defines the concept “critical thinking” and reveals the effectiveness of critical thinking (CT) strategies through short stories in teaching English as a foreign language. According to the results of the study, the authors propose a certain set of critical thinking strategies to encourage students’ active involvement and effective use of teaching foreign languages in higher education.


2021 ◽  
Vol 103 ◽  
pp. 02016
Author(s):  
Elena L. Avdeeva ◽  
Lyudmila S. Chikileva

This research assesses the results of electronic platforms implementation in the process of teaching English at the University and effectiveness of this technology in facilitating English language learning. The paper reports the outcomes of the research targeted to evaluate the enforcement of the electronic platform Rosetta Stone (RS) and its role in terms of academic achievement. For collecting data, we used combined procedures including quantitative as well as qualitative. The quantitative method incorporated students’ responses to statements by means of a paper-based questionnaire. The qualitative element comprised interviews, which the researchers had with their students. Students shared their points of view about their work with RS. Results suggest that the attitude of students towards application of e-learning platform can be taken into consideration as an important component for effective enhancement of the academic program. Special attention is given to personal learning environment (PLE). PLE is considered to be of great importance for developing teaching focused on individual learners. The current study proves integration of electronic platforms with language material can support students in language learning. It gives learners good chances to choose educational content taking into consideration their professional development and the level of foreign language skills and abilities.


Author(s):  
Erda Wati Bakar

The Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR) has become the standard used to describe and evaluate students’ command of a second or foreign language. It is an internationally acknowledged standard language proficiency framework which many countries have adopted such as China, Thailand, Japan and Taiwan. Malaysia Ministry of Education is aware and realise the need for the current English language curriculum to be validated as to reach the international standard as prescribed by the CEFR. The implementation of CEFR has begun at primary and secondary level since 2017 and now higher education institutions are urged to align their English Language Curriculum to CEFR as part of preparation in receiving students who have been taught using CEFR-aligned curriculum at schools by year 2022. This critical reflection article elucidates the meticulous processes that we have embarked on in re-aligning our English Language Curriculum to the standard and requirements of CEFR. The paper concludes with a remark that the alignment of the English curriculum at the university needs full support from the management in ensuring that all the stakeholders are fully prepared, informed and familiar with the framework.


2017 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaykina Olga Igorevna ◽  
Proskura O. V. ◽  
Dakukina T. A

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 290
Author(s):  
Iswadi Iswadi ◽  
Apriyanto Apriyanto

<p><em>E-learning during covid-19 pandemic gives positive and negative effects on students’ psychology. One of the effects of E-Learning is students whose negative and positive perception towards the process of E-Learning. The objectives of the study are to know (1)  The difference perception between male and female EFL post-graduate students of the use of online learning platforms? (2). Impacts psychologically of E-learning during Covid-19 to female and male EFL students in higher education. The method of the study is mixed research with the explanatory sequential design. The participants were 31 EFL postgraduate students in PGRI Indraprasta University. The data collection technique of the study was questionnaires with a Likert scale and an open interview. The data analysis technique of the study is an independent sample t-test with SPSS 22.0 version and collection, reduction, display, and conclusion. The results of the study are: (1) There is no significant difference perception between male and female EFL postgraduate students of the use of online learning platform because the significance value (0.695) which is bigger than 0.05. (2)  E-learning during the Covid-19 pandemic did not  give anxiety, fear, fatigue, and saturation to female and male EFL students in higher education. Implication of this research is University must develop LMS (Learning Management System) for teaching EFL students</em></p>


Author(s):  
Elena Dolzhich ◽  
Svetlana Dmitrichenkova ◽  
Mona Kamal Ibrahim

<p class="0abstract">The higher education system around the world is being rapidly developed towards digitalization – from computers to laptops, from laptops to tablets and smartphones. Accordingly, traditional delivery of instruction is being shifted towards blended learning that is being gradually replaced with distance learning, i.e. higher education is moving forward with mobile learning (m-learning) technologies. The introduction of mobile learning became the most topical event in 2020 in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to which many countries had to completely move to distance learning in higher education. The purpose of the study is to analyze the prospects for the widespread use of mobile applications in teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) in Russia to Russian and Arab learners. In the course of the study, an online survey based on a questionnaire consisting of four open and closed questions was conducted. An empirical method was applied to collect the research data.  The survey was conducted at the Department of Foreign Languages of the Engineering Academy of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (EA PFUR). The total research sample included 200 participants and consisted of: 50 potential employers, 50 Russian and Arab students of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia studying Linguistics (training program code 035700), 50 faculty members, namely teachers of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, the Institute of Foreign Languages of the Moscow State Pedagogical University and the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, as well as 50 administrative staff of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. The purpose of the survey was to collect information about the use of mobile applications (Smartphone Apps) and the introduction of mobile learning technology (m-learning) in the process of teaching EFL to students. According to the results of the survey, instructors are actively using mobile technologies in their professional activities and all participants in the learning process are receptive to their introduction in education. At the same time, respondents believe that technical challenges are the major obstacle to the adoption of mobile applications; these problems must be overcome in order to enable more productive use of mobile applications. In this regard, the study of mobile applications that are suitable for specific aspects of learning a foreign language, such as spoken language, reading comprehension, listening or writing, can be considered a promising research area.</p>


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document