scholarly journals Improving the acquisition of English language competencies with international workgroups of university finance students

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria T Tascon ◽  
Paula Castro ◽  
Francisco J. Castaño
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
University Students ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
English Language ◽  
Teaching Innovation ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
University Finance ◽  
Innovation Project ◽  
Language Competencies ◽  
Practical Implications

This paper discusses a teaching innovation project that integrates technological communication advances with the small group methodology to improve the English competency of university students of finance. This is a fundamental competency for studies in finance considering the increasingly international framework of financial business and the increasingly required mobility of human resources in all types of financial careers. This methodology requires the cooperation of a foreign university to help students understand the practical implications of using English when applying the theoretical concepts and methodologies studied in class in an international professional setting. As a first approach, we implement and assess the implementation of this methodology and its impact on students’ learning process in an elective module offered in an official degree in finance in Spain.

scholarly journals B-SMART: A university-industry teaching innovation project

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dolors Gil-Doménech ◽  
Jasmina Berbegal-Mirabent ◽  
Marta Mas-Machuca
Keyword(s):  
Design Thinking ◽  
Teaching Method ◽  
Daily Practice ◽  
Teaching Innovation ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Collaborative Environment ◽  
Innovation Project ◽  
The University ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
University Industry

The present work aims at presenting a teaching innovation project, the B-SMART, which has been implemented at UIC Barcelona in the academic year 2018/19. Conceived as a project to respond to social demands, the B-SMART project aims at creating a collaborative environment and at strengthening the ties between companies (mainly targeted to SMEs, start-ups and NGOs) and the university. To do so, students work on real challenges or projects posed by companies. This approach helps students to better understand the theoretical concepts taught in class as well as to boost soft skills that will be required in their daily practice. In turn, companies gain access to new talent (students), fresh ideas, and the knowledge and infrastructures available at the university. In this study we explain the project and pay special attention to the first two projects solved through the B-SMART project. We use design thinking as the teaching method. Preliminary results show that both students and companies benefit from this experience.

scholarly journals THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING MULTIMODAL TEACHING IN THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSROOM FOR THE ACQUISITION OF SOCIAL COMPETENCES: PRACTICAL EXAMPLES

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (Special) ◽  
pp. 77
Author(s):  
MARÍA MARTÍNEZ LIROLA
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
University Students ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
English Language ◽  
Multimodal Texts ◽  
Cultural Aspects ◽  
Language Classroom ◽  
Foreign Language Classroom ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
Social Competences

This article analyses the way in which the subject English Language V of the degree English Studies (English Language and Literature) combines the development of the five skills (listening, speaking, reading, writing and interacting) with the use of multimodal activities and resources in the teaching-learning process so that students increase their motivation and acquire different social competences that will be useful for the labour market such as communication, cooperation, leadership or conflict management. This study highlights the use of multimodal materials (texts, videos, etc.) on social topics to introduce cultural aspects in a language subject and to deepen into the different social competences university students can acquire when they work with them. The study was guided by the following research questions: how can multimodal texts and resources contribute to the development of the five skills in a foreign language classroom? What are the main social competences that students acquire when the teaching-learning process is multimodal? The results of a survey prepared at the end of the academic year 2015-2016 point out the main competences that university students develop thanks to multimodal teaching. For its framework of analysis, the study draws on the main principles of visual grammar (Kress and van Leeuwen, 2006) where students learn how to analyse the main aspects in multimodal texts. The analysis of the different multimodal activities described in the article and the survey reveal that multimodality is useful for developing critical thinking, for bringing cultural aspects into the classroom and for working on social competences. This article will explain the successes and challenges of using multimodal texts with social content so that students can acquire social competences while learning content. Moreover, the implications of using multimodal resources in a language classroom to develop multiliteracies will be observed.

scholarly journals LA MOTIVACIÓN EN EL PROCESO DE ENSEÑANZA-APRENDIZAJE DEL IDIOMA INGLÉS

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Gloria Elizabeth Pincay Rodríguez ◽  
Shirley Marianela San Lucas Marcillo ◽  
Liliam Rosalia Sánchez Choez
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
English Language ◽  
State University ◽  
English Teaching ◽  
Palabras Clave ◽  
El Sistema ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
The University ◽  
Estudiantes Universitarios

En el Sistema de Educación se incluye la enseñanza de la Lengua Inglesa como parte de la formación integral de los estudiantes universitarios. El presente trabajo aborda una problemática actual en el proceso de enseñanza- aprendizaje de la Lengua Inglesa referido a la insuficiente motivación en los estudiantes universitarios hacia el aprendizaje de este idioma, tema de vital importancia para el desarrollo de hábitos y habilidades que permitirán adquirir una mejor competencia comunicativa. Se emplearon métodos del nivel teórico, empírico, y estadísticos. Se propone como objetivo implementar un sistema de actividades para favorecer la motivación en los estudiantes. Posee gran utilidad para el perfeccionamiento del proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de la Lengua Inglesa, en particular para el desarrollo de la motivación en los estudiantes de segundo nivel de la carrera Tecnologías de la Información en la Facultad de Ciencias Técnicas en la Universidad Estatal del Sur de Manabí. PALABRAS CLAVE: motivación; intrínseco; extrínseco; proceso; motivo. MOTIVATION IN THE ENGLISH TEACHING-LEARNING PROCESS ABSTRACT In the System of Education the teaching of the English Language is included as part of the integral formation of the university students. This article deals with the current problem in the English teaching- learning process referred to the insufficient motivation on the university students towards the learning of this language, a matter of vital importance for the development of habits and abilities which allow them to get a better communicative competence. This work aims to elaborate a system of activities to favor motivation on the students. In order to carry out this investigation, theoretical, empirical and statistical methods were used. This research was useful to the improvement of the English teaching- learning process, particularly to the development of motivation on students of second level of the Information Technology career at the Faculty of Technical Sciences at the Southern State University of Manabí. KEYWORDS: motivation; intrinsic; extrinsic; process; reason.

scholarly journals CAUSES AND STRATEGIES TO COPE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SPEAKING ANXIETY IN PAKISTANI UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 579-597
Author(s):  
Syed Qaiser Hussain ◽  
Naeem Akhtar ◽  
Nida Shabbir ◽  
Nazia Aslam ◽  
Samra Arshad
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
University Students ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
English Language ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Speaking Anxiety ◽  
Self Talk

Purpose of the study: This study aims to explore the possible causes of speaking anxiety among Pakistani university students in an engineering university in Karachi. Another aim of this study is to find out the strategies used by these students to cope with the anxiety they have while speaking English as a second or foreign language. Methodology: The research was qualitative and used an open-ended questionnaire to take the detailed responses of the participants. 80 (40 males and 40 females) participants were selected for this study using the purposive sampling technique. The researchers also translated the tool into the Urdu language to make it more intelligible for the participants. Main Findings: The causes of speaking anxiety were lack of confidence, vocabulary, fear of being ridiculed, peer pressure, facing a lot of people, rules of grammar, lack of preparation, fear of making mistakes, and negative attitude of the teacher and the coping strategies were avoiding the audience, taking help from teacher or peer, preparing well, taking deep breaths, facilitating anxiety, distracting the anxiety, self-talk/praise, restarting, physical movement, using humor and maintaining eye contact with only one person. Applications of this study: This study is useful for the teachers teaching courses related to speaking English as a second or foreign language. This study will help the teachers in tracing the explored elements of anxiety in a class in general and in a student in particular. They will try to mold their pedagogy to make the learning process more enjoyable and less anxious. Novelty/Originality of this study: The current study explores the elements of speaking anxiety in the Pakistani context. Earlier studies have implemented pre-invented tools rather than unearthing the anxiety-provoking elements. Hence, this study can be considered as an ice breaker when it comes to exploring the elements of speaking anxiety in the Pakistani context.

Activating entrepreneurial learning processes for transforming university students’ idea into entrepreneurial practices

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 465-485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giustina Secundo ◽  
Pasquale Del Vecchio ◽  
Giovanni Schiuma ◽  
Giuseppina Passiante
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Extreme Case ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Learning Processes ◽  
Dynamic Learning ◽  
Entrepreneurial Learning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Intensive ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore how collaborative entrepreneurial learning (EL) processes between entrepreneurs and university students can enhance the entrepreneurial practices in the context of knowledge-intensive enterprises. These learning processes represent a valuable source for entrepreneurship development in incumbent enterprises in the forms of innovative products, services, processes or organizational renewal. Design/methodology/approach An extreme case study is the project “Mimprendo” (www.mimprendo.it), an initiative promoted by the Italian Conference of the University Colleges and the Italian Association of Young Entrepreneurs in collaboration with Italian universities. This is analyzed in the period 2009-2015, during which seven editions were developed. Findings A framework is presented based on collaborative EL processes to perform relevant entrepreneurial projects in knowledge-intensive enterprises. The framework provides a coherent and systematic approach to generate, select and implement entrepreneurial practices in incumbent companies starting from a project competition involving creative students and innovative entrepreneurs. EL processes in the community composed of entrepreneurs, experts and university students are grouped into the entrepreneurial phases of inspiration, exploration, exploitation, acceleration and growth, and include the learning processes of “intuition and sensing,” “contamination,” “experiential and contextual learning,” “experimenting and acting” and finally “thinking and reflecting.” Research limitations/implications Implications for research can be identified according to many perspectives to deepen the centrality of the learning process in the research on knowledge-intensive entrepreneurship. Practical implications The framework results to be a promising approach to diffuse an entrepreneurial culture both in incumbent enterprises and in university students through a synergic collaboration among industry, university and institution. Practical implications could be derived for enterprise, students and educators involved in the design of innovative learning initiatives to sustain the development of an entrepreneurial mind-set. Originality/value The framework contributes to extending an emerging research area exploring entrepreneurship as a never-ending dynamic learning process. The involvement of brilliant university students in activating EL process with entrepreneurs in incumbent enterprises represents a novel aspect in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation.

scholarly journals A Comparative Study of Language Learning Strategies Used by Monolingual and Bilingual Learners

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (26) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Ahmet Yayla ◽  
Ishak Kozikoglu ◽  
Sehnaz Nigar Celik
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
University Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
English Language ◽  
Foreign Language Learning ◽  
Vocational School ◽  
School Type ◽  
Language Learning Strategies

The purpose of this research is to analyze monolingual and bilingual university students’ language learning strategies (LLS) comparatively and to determine whether students’ level of using language learning strategies in foreign language learning process changes in terms of variables such as gender, department and school type. This research was conducted among 524 university students at Yüzüncü Yıl University and Bülent Ecevit University Çaycuma Vocational School. Data of the study was collected by “Strategy Inventory of Language Learning” developed by Oxford (1990) and adapted into Turkish by Cesur and Fer (2007). Data collected was analyzed with descriptive statistics and parametric tests. As a result of the research, it was found that bilingual students use language learning strategies in foreign language learning process more than monolingual students. Furthermore, it was found that university students use language learning strategies at middle level; students mostly use metacognitive strategies and use affective strategies the least; female students use language learning strategies more than male students except cognitive and affective strategies; English language and literature and English language teaching department students use language learning strategies more than department of translation students; 4 years faculty students use language learning strategies more than vocational school students.

scholarly journals Indonesian University Students’ Perception and Expectation towards ICT Use in Learning English as a Foreign Language

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 133
Author(s):  
Tubagus Zam Zam Al Arif
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Language ◽  
University Students ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
English Language ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
State University ◽  
Ict Use ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Learning English

This study aims to know the use of ICT frequency and purposes among EFL university students. It is also examines the students’ perception and expectation towards ICT use in learning English as a foreign language. This research applied quantitative approach with a survey research design. The data were collected from a survey which involved 337 students who were selected using stratified random sampling technique from 13 faculties of a state university in Jambi, Indonesia. The instrument used in collecting the data was a questioner adapted from Tri and Nguyen (2014). Data collected were analyzed by using SPSS 23 in form of descriptive quantitative. The findings indicated that the students spent more time in using ICT for general purposes than English learning purposes. On the other hand, they showed positive attitudes towards the use of ICT in learning English. The students perceive that ICT has the important role in improving their English language skills, and they expected that the teachers use ICT more frequently in teaching and learning process. Furthermore, they expected that campus can provide sufficient equipment and ICT access in each classroom in order to make the learning process become effective.

scholarly journals Global Personnel Development through Study Abroad and Study + Work Abroad

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
Cheryl Kirchhoff
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Study Abroad ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
University Students ◽  
English Language ◽  
Language Use ◽  
Personnel Development ◽  
Intercultural Learning ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Work Abroad

The definition of global human resources provides a useful way to evaluate study abroad options for university students. In this qualitative study, study abroad and study + work abroad students’ narratives were analyzed for growth in English language use, initiatives to take challenges and responsibility, and intercultural learning. Participants who studied and worked abroad described more growth in elements of global personnel development, particularly in taking the initiative to engage in a fruitful study abroad experience. This study suggests that study abroad experiences should include student-directed challenges outside the classroom to assist in developing graduates with global personnel characteristics. グローバル人材の定義を用いれば、様々な大学の海外留学プログラムを評価することが可能となる。この質的研究では、外国で語学学習のみを経験した者と、就業経験を伴う語学留学経験者が書いた文章とを比較・分析した。グローバル人材の定義の3要素は、1）語学力およびコミュニケーション能力、2）主体性・チャレンジ精神・責任感、3）異文化学習である。語学と就業の両方を経験したグループの方が、3つの要素すべてにおいて、語学学習経験のみのグループに比べて高い度合の成長が見受けられた。本論は、グローバル人材の要素を兼ね備えた卒業生を生み出すためには、教室外の学生主体の活動を含む海外留学経験が必要であると提案する。

scholarly journals Factors Causing Demotivation in EFL Learning Process and the Strategies Used by Turkish EFL Learners to Overcome their Demotivation

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 56
Author(s):  
Turgay Han ◽  
Ayşegül Takkaç-Tulgar ◽  
Nilüfer Aybirdi
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Language Learning ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
English Language ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Major Factors

The purpose of the current study is to determine main demotivating factors affecting Turkish EFL university students’ English language learning process and to identify the ways they apply to cope with these negative experiences from their own perspectives. The participants were 469 first and second year Turkish EFL university students. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to collect data in the study. First, a demotivation questionnaire (Sakai & Kikuchi, 2009) was administered to the participants, and then interviews were conducted, face-to-face, with some of the students. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed on the quantitative data, while coding and classifying approach was used to analyze the qualitative data. Quantitative results revealed that are significant differences between female and male students in terms of the factors related to characteristics of classes and experiences of failure. Qualitative findings indicated that major factors that demotivate students are negative attitudes of the classmates, teacher-related factors, personal issues, class characteristics, test anxiety, failure experiences, and education system. Also, strategies for overcoming demotivation were determined as self-studying, asking for assistance, changing perspective, thinking positively, ignoring what others think, and being goal oriented. It is implied that the results obtained from this study might be helpful for both language learners and teachers in developing effective coping strategies to overcome demotivation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document