International Students’ use of Multilingual Information Access (MLIA) tools: A Survey

Author(s):  
Peggy Nzomo ◽  
Victoria Rubin ◽  
Isola Ajiferuke

This research presents the results of a case study on potential users of Cross Language Information Retrieval (CLIR) systems –international students at the University of Western Ontario. The study is designed to test their awareness of Multi-Lingual Information Access (MLIA) tools on the internet and in select electronic databases. The study also investigates how non-native English speakers cope with language barriers while searching for information online. Based on the findings, we advocate for designing systems that incorporate CLIR options and other MLIA tools to support users from diverse linguistic backgrounds with varying language proficiency levels.Cette recherche présente les résultats d’une étude de cas auprès d’utilisateurs potentiels, des étudiants internationaux de l’University of Western Ontario, d’un système de repérage d’information par langue croisée (RILC). L’étude est conçue pour tester leur connaissance d’outils d’accès à l’information multilingues (AIM) sur Internet et dans certaines bases de données électroniques. L’étude s’intéresse également aux moyens que prennent les locuteurs non natifs de l’anglais pour palier aux barrières linguistiques lorsqu’ils cherchent de l’information en ligne. Selon les résultats, nous recommandons de concevoir des systèmes qui incorporent des options de RILC et d’autres outils d’AIM pour aider les utilisateurs d’origine linguistique diverse ayant des niveaux de maîtrise linguistique différents.

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 956-966
Author(s):  
Hiroyoshi Hiratsuka

In 2011, Aoyama Gakuin University (AGU) started a government-funded degree program (taught in English) to accept international students with limited or no Japanese language proficiency. However, the students faced obstacles in accessing all of the university resources provided. In this article, I investigated Japanese language as an organizational barrier for students accessing to campus resources. I utilized the case study methodology through participatory observation on campus and face-to-face interviews.


1997 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 23-24
Author(s):  
Teresa Brawner Bevis

This program at the University of Arkansas pairs up international students with native English speakers—or “coaches,” as they are called—to practice conversation and improve their spoken English. The result for the international students is more confidence and a higher level of engagement in class and out. The coaches are also seeing some surprising benefits.


First Monday ◽  
2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiangping Chen ◽  
Yu Bao

This paper presents a case study of Google Language Tools, especially its cross-language search service. Cross-language search integrates machine translation (MT) and cross-language information retrieval (CLIR) technologies and allows Web users to search and read pages written in languages different from their search terms. In addition to cross-language search, Google Language Tools provides various language support services to multilingual information access. Our study examines the functions of Google Language Tools and the performance of its cross-language search. The results and analysis show that Google Language Tools are useful for Web users. Its cross-language search service provides quality query translation while the automatic translation of result pages needs further improvement. The paper suggests that cross-language search could be used by different types of Web users. The authors also discuss the strategies and important issues with regard to implementing multilingual information access services for information systems.


Author(s):  
Anton MATVEEV

Since 2004, the International Civil Aviation Organization has imposed pilots and air traffic controllers elsewhere in the world to comply with the established language proficiency standards as a safety measure against language and communication problems during flights. Currently, one of the problems that aviation English practitioners face is the lack of training materials on aviation specifications to learn various language aspects. This article discusses peculiarities of technical English used in aerospace. Thus, technical English not only facilitates communication between native and non-native English speakers but reduces the risk of errors and overall risks as well. In this regard, appropriate teaching approaches should be chosen, various tools and forms of teaching English aviation language should be used to form the language competence of future specialists.


2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 517-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiu-Hui Wu

Byram’s (2008) intercultural citizenship framework includes the following orientations: cognitive, evaluative, comparative, action, and communicative. Using this framework as a theoretical basis, this study explored the international service-learning (ISL) experiences of four Taiwanese non-native English speakers (NNES) during a two-week trip to a poor community in the Philippines. Data collected from these students’ individual reflections, interviews, and public presentations illustrate their acquisition of the knowledge, skills and attitudes of intercultural citizenship. This study thus demonstrates that ISL allowed students to engage beneficially for themselves and their hosts with other NNES, instead of following the tradition of study abroad in countries where English is spoken natively.


2009 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerry C. Mandulak ◽  
David J. Zajac

Objective: This study investigated the effects of altered fundamental frequency (F0) on nasalance levels of the vowels /i/ and /a/ produced by adults without cleft palate within a controlled sound pressure level (SPL) range. Design: A prospective group design with convenience sampling from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was used. Participants: 20 men and 20 women participated, aged 18 to 55 years. All were native English speakers with normal speech and language skills and adequate velopharyngeal function. Main Outcome Measures: The outcome measures were percentage nasalance obtained from the Nasometer 6200 (KayPentax) headset and the Computerized Speech Lab Model 4400 (CSL, KayPentax) during vowel production while speakers (1) targeted an SPL range of 75 to 85 dB and (2) targeted the SPL plus F0 range of 165 to 175 Hz. Results: A significant univariate effect was found for the vowels /i/ and /a/ in the targeted SPL condition such that /i/ was produced with higher nasalance than /a/. A significant univariate effect was also found during production of /a/ in the targeted SPL plus F0 condition such that men produced /a/ with higher nasalance than women did. Conclusions: SPL appears to largely account for percentage nasalance differences between the vowels /i/ and /a/ produced by adult male and female speakers. Increased F0 by male speakers appears to influence percentage nasalance during production of the vowel /a/. Clinical implications in regard to assessment of hypernasality are discussed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-121
Author(s):  
Bethany Peters ◽  
Michael E. Anderson

This study reports on a survey designed to understand the experiences of faculty and staff who work with non-native speakers of English (NNESs) at a U.S. public research university. Over 1,500 faculty and staff responded to the survey, and the findings highlight their perspectives on the benefits of having non-native English speakers on campus, as well as the challenges that they experience in teaching and advising this population of students. We conclude with a discussion about possible resources and strategies that may provide enhanced support for NNES and the faculty and staff who work with them.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 620
Author(s):  
Linda Katherine Newsome ◽  
Paul Cooper

<em>This qualitative study examined international students’ experiences with Western pedagogy using data collected through case studies and semi-structured, in-depth, informant style interviews. Participants were all international students (n=18), mostly postgraduate from Asian and Far Eastern countries studying at a British University. This paper focuses on students’ engagements with Western pedagogy as they struggle to adjust to what they experience as unfamiliar and alien approaches to teaching and learning. Reported here is a detailed case study of the lives of these students as they engage with specific pedagogical demands, including: academic self-expression and critical argumentation, self-directed learning, class discussions, presentations, and English language proficiency. It also exposes students’ perceptions of the value of the instructional methods of their tutors and their impact on approaches to learning.</em>


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