scholarly journals Mind Mapping Training’s Effects on Reading Ability: Detection Based on Eye Tracking Sensors

Sensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (16) ◽  
pp. 4422
Author(s):  
Ting Liu ◽  
Takaya Yuizono
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Reading Ability ◽  
Fixation Duration ◽  
Pupil Diameter ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mind Mapping ◽  
Foreign Language Reading ◽  
Reading Teaching ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Fixation Frequency

As a reading comprehension strategy, mind mapping has a positive influence on the development of students’ reading ability. However, how mind mapping affects reading ability has not been well documented. In this study, we used eye tracking sensors to explore mind mapping’s effects on reading ability. The participants were foreign language learning university students in Dalian city, China. One group received foreign language reading teaching integrated with mind mapping training (experimental group), and the other group received regular foreign language reading teaching (control group). We analyzed eye movement indicators, including fixation-related indicators (number of fixations, fixation frequency, and mean fixation duration), regression count, saccade amplitude, and pupil diameter. In addition, the analysis of heat maps and fixation trajectory maps, which are specific tool for visualization of eye movement data and intuitive analysis of reading process, were explained. The results show that the number of fixations, fixation frequency, mean fixation duration, and regression count in the experimental group were all lower than in the control group, and the pupil diameter was larger than in the control group. The heat map and fixation trajectory map show convergence, mostly focusing on the position of keywords and key sentences, with relatively large saccade amplitude and more information obtained by one gaze. Moreover, they had a higher skipping reading rate, which enhanced reading speed to obtain information accurately and quickly. These empirical results indicate that mind mapping training was an effective method for improving students’ reading ability.

The Efficacy of Novel Pre-activity Tasks on Macroskills: The Case of Group Discussion on Reading Comprehension

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 794
Author(s):  
Hooshang Khoshsima ◽  
Mahboobeh Khosravani
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Reading Ability ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Main Concern ◽  
Efl Learners ◽  
Spss Software ◽  
Experimental Group

The main concern of most researchers in the field of second and foreign language teaching is lessening the problems and eliminating the hinders on the way of learning a language. The importance of reading skill in the process of teaching and learning different languages is undeniable for everyone. The main aim of this study was to examine the effects of group discussion strategy as a pre- activity task on reading ability. To this aim, 27 Iranian EFL learners, who were at the same level –intermediate- studying at Shokuh and Safir Institutes, Birjand, Iran were chosen. Two groups- one control and one experimental group- were studied. In control group the conventional method was used in teaching reading, while in experimental group, group discussion pre-activity task was administered. Both groups met the same level -Intermediate. At the end, the obtained data of the tests was analyzed by SPSS software. According to the obtained data, it can be strongly concluded that group discussion has no significant effect on reading comprehension. This study can help teachers and syllabus designers in choosing and applying an effective pre-activity task which really help the learners in reading classes.

scholarly journals Analysis for finding the effect of mind mapping technique on the iranian English as Foreign Language learning’ writing skills

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-116
Author(s):  
Bita Naghmeh-Abbaspour ◽  
Vahideh Rastgoo
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Mapping Technique ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mind Mapping ◽  
English As Foreign Language ◽  
Experimental Group

Instructors are always interested in creating environments that motivate students to engage dynamically in their learning process. Mind mapping is one of the teaching and learning strategies that has emerged in this regard. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of mind mapping technique on the development of the organization of writing and learning of intermediate English as Foreign Language (EFL) language learners in Iran. Accordingly, thirty female intermediate English language learners were selected from a well-known institute in a small city as the participants of the study. They were randomly allocated to a control as well as an experimental group each consisting of 15 subjects. The control group was provided with the usual training, while the experimental group was presented with the intervention twice a week during the summer of 2019. Pretest and posttest were applied for both groups in this experimental study and the results were then compared. Based on the research findings application of mind mapping in teaching writing could improve the learners’ writing organization. However, it didn’t show any significant effects on their writing style. As the results of the statistical analyses indicated, an application of mind mapping in writing classes would help the learners to organize their writings in more effective ways..

scholarly journals Application of AI thinking visualization tool in the foreign language reading teaching

2020 ◽  
Vol 179 ◽  
pp. 02092
Author(s):  
Ting Liu ◽  
Takaya Yuizono ◽  
Zhisheng Wang ◽  
Haiwen Gao
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Reading Ability ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Visualization Tool ◽  
Reading Material ◽  
Foreign Language Reading ◽  
Language Courses ◽  
Foreign Language Courses ◽  
The Mind ◽  
Reading Teaching

AI thinking visualization tool can express the knowledge in the brain in a graphical way. It can form an external manifestation of knowledge directly affecting the human senses, which is of great help for learners to improve their understanding, memory and thinking skills. In this research, we studied the mind mapping training through AI thinking visualization tool in the reading teaching of foreign language courses. The results indicated that via the independent establishment of a foreign language reading material framework based on AI thinking visualization tool, students’ thinking skills and reading ability have been enhanced, learning enthusiasm has been improved, and good teaching results have been achieved.

scholarly journals Portfolio Keeping Ends to a Good Product: The Cases of Reading and Motivation

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Azadeh Nemati
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Reading Ability ◽  
Reading Program ◽  
Control Group ◽  
The Past ◽  
Good Product ◽  
Integrative Motivation ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Experimental Group

Portfolio has been in use from the past in other disciplines. But there are growing bodies of research which document its importance in foreign language teaching. The current study was implemented on selecting 91 undergraduate students passing their general English course in Iran. Traditional reading program was administered for control group whereas; portfolio keeping was integrated into experimental group. The result of ANCOVA showed that portfolio keeping has a positive effect on reading ability of the students in experimental group. The better reading result is explained by this argument that a good product is justified by a good process. Furthermore, portfolio keeping increased their attitude/motivation towards learning English; especially it increased integrative motivation of the students more than instrumental and attitude.

Pragmatic instruction in L2-Russian

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-95
Author(s):  
Daniele Artoni ◽  
Valentina Benigni ◽  
Elena Nuzzo
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Speech Acts ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Written Discourse ◽  
Instructional Treatment ◽  
Completion Task ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
National Corpus ◽  
Pragmatic Instruction

Over the last three decades, a growing number of studies have investigated the effects of instruction on the acquisition of pragmatic features in L2. The bulk of this research has focused mainly on the teaching of English as a second/foreign language. However, instructional pragmatic studies in L2-Russian are lacking. The main purpose of our study is to contribute towards filling this gap by analysing the effects of pragmatic instruction on the acquisition of two speech acts by Italian learners of Russian. Furthermore, we aim to explore whether the Multimodal Russian Corpus (MURCO), a multimedia subcorpus of the Russian National Corpus, can be an effective tool for teaching speech acts in L2-Russian. Our research was composed of one experimental group (n = 18) and one control group (n = 11); each was composed of two intact classes of Italian university students at an intermediate level of L2-Russian, who were pre- and post-tested using a written discourse completion task. The experimental group was subjected to a programme of pragmatic instruction – eight thirty-minute MURCO-based lessons devoted to requests and advice, while the control group was taught according to the standard syllabus, that is, with no pragmatic instruction. The results revealed that the use of the target pragmatic features varied significantly in the experimental group, but not in the control group, thus showing a general positive effect of the instructional treatment based on the MURCO corpus. However, some limitations were identified with regard to the usability of this tool by teachers and learners.

Electronic texts or learning through textbooks: An experimental study

ReCALL ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 539-557 ◽  
Author(s):  
NINETTE CARTES-ENRIQUEZ ◽  
M. I. SOLAR RODRIGUEZ ◽  
R. QUINTANA LETELIER
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Foreign Language ◽  
Cognitive Strategies ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Computer Lab ◽  
Electronic Texts ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Search For Information ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Traditional Class

This is an experimental study in the area of Didactics applied to the learning of English as a foreign language and complemented by CALL. The main objective of this work is to know the degree of incidence existing between two groups of students: one, based on conference-style classes where students, guided by the teacher, have to search for information about a topic in the computer lab and present it in front of the class and, in the other, where students are taught by the teacher according to a printed text. The experimental design consisted of a pre-test/post-test plus the application of different techniques to develop the different linguistic and cognitive strategies, between these tests. The methodology used by the Experimental Group forced learners to generate their own knowledge, so they had to apply the information and work by themselves in Workshops; and the Control Group participated in the classroom according to the communicative approach, guided by the teacher in the traditional class. Statistics were applied to the scores obtained between both tests, and the scores obtained weekly in the different competences contributed to knowing whether there were significant differences between both groups.

Using comprehension strategies for students' self-efficacy, anxiety, and proficiency in reading English as a foreign language

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hung-Chang Liao ◽  
Ya-Huei Wang
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Comprehension Strategies ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Verbal Persuasion ◽  
Reading Comprehension Strategies ◽  
English Reading ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Experimental Group

We examined whether or not instructing Taiwanese students in the use of comprehension strategies when they are reading English as a foreign language, reduces their English reading anxiety and increases their English reading self-efficacy and proficiency. We used a quasiexperimental design and conducted a 15-week course. The experimental group (n = 31) received instruction in reading comprehension strategies and the control group (n = 31) received instruction by traditional teaching methods. The results show that the experimental group had less anxiety when reading English and higher proficiency than the control group. In regard to self-efficacy when reading English, the experimental group also performed better than the control group in terms of self-affirmation, perseverance, verbal persuasion, and performance overall. However, there was no statistically significant difference for learning attitude between the groups.

scholarly journals The Effect of Using Group Work Technique on Developing Attitudes of non-English Major Students towards Learning English as a Foreign Language

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (103) ◽  
pp. 1-22
Author(s):  
Asst. Instr. Hayder Abdulzahra Shalash
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Group Work ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
English Major ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Work Technique ◽  
Learning English

       The present study aims at investigating the effect of applying group work technique on developing non-English major students' attitude towards learning English as a foreign language .Two null hypotheses have been formulated; the first hypothesis states that there is no statistically significant difference between the experimental and control group in their attitude towards learning EFL after the experiment. The second one states that there is no statistically significant difference in (pre-post questionnaire) of the experimental group students' attitude towards learning EFL. To achieve the aim of the study, and verify its hypothesis, the researcher has applied eight week experiment. A sample of 62 students has been chosen and divided into experimental and control groups. It has been chosen randomly from the second year students in the Basic Education College/ Department of History/Academic year (2017-2018).        The attitude questionnaire for both groups was applied before and after the experiment. After processing the results statistically, it was found that there is a statistically significant difference in favor of the experimental group. Having used the t-test formula, it was found that there is statistically significant development in the experimental group students' attitude towards learning EFL, which in turn indicates that the use of GWT is more effective than the traditional method.  Conclusion and recommendations were drawn.  

scholarly journals Mind mapping as a tool of teaching English vocabulary at transport university

2021 ◽  
Vol 295 ◽  
pp. 05021
Author(s):  
Oksana Marunevich ◽  
Elmira Shefieva ◽  
Olga Bessarabova
Keyword(s):  
Educational Process ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Teaching English ◽  
Mind Mapping ◽  
New Words ◽  
The Core ◽  
Mind Maps ◽  
The Given ◽  
Core Problem ◽  
Experimental Group

The core problem of teaching English as a second language at transport university is students’ poor knowledge of vocabulary. Current solutions to the given problem such as providing word explanations and repetitive practices are ineffective. We strongly believe that the mindmapping technique proposed by Tony Buzan as a note-taking method is a novel, yet an extremely potent tool that aids students in enlarging their professional word stock by associating new vocabulary to their existing knowledge using colors, images, symbols, etc. As might have been expected, the findings of our study point towards the idea that the strong visual appeal of mind maps created by easy-to-use software boosted the educational process and helped students of the experimental group memorize more new words in contrast to students of the control group.

scholarly journals The Impact of Text Messaging on Iranian University Students as an English as a Foreign Language Instructional Tool to Enhance Learner Autonomy and Perception

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 184-202
Author(s):  
Behnam Behforouz ◽  
Anca Daniela Frumuselu
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
Text Messaging ◽  
Learner Autonomy ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Instructional Tool ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
And Control ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

This paper investigates the efficiency of text messaging as an English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instructional tool to enhance learner autonomy and perception at the Islamic Azad University-South Tehran Branch, Iran. The study considers seventy-four learners to participate in the study after the administration of an Oxford Placement Test to measure their proficiency level. Participants are randomly assigned in experimental and control groups, including 37 participants each. A questionnaire is used as a pretest and posttest to measure learners` autonomy. Participants from the experimental group use text messaging (the treatment) to receive instructions, whereas those from the control group receive traditional classroom instructions in a face-to-face channel. A semi-structured interview is also used to collect date on experimental group participants` perception in using MALL in classrooms. The results reveal remarkable differences between the experimental and control groups’ means on their learner autonomy scores. However, the impact of the independent samples t-test has shown that there is no statistically meaningful gender difference among the learners regarding their autonomy scores. The findings based on the semi-structured interview showed complimentary views on MALL. The current study is beneficial since its outcomes could be relevant for EFL curriculum developers and English language teachers in the use of mobile learning and text messaging in the English classroom.

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