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Lecturers’ Challenges and Strategies in Teaching Maritime English Online to Students with Low English Proficiency
Full text linkThis study aimed to investigate the problems faced by ESP lecturers when teaching low English proficiency students during online Maritime English lessons and their strategies in dealing with the problems. A questionnaire with six open-ended questions was distributed to 9 Maritime English lecturers from 6 different Maritime Polytechnics in Indonesia. A follow-up interview was conducted with four lecturers to obtain more detailed information regarding their online teaching practices, especially the difficulties and the strategies to mitigate them. The findings of this study revealed 3 (three) main problems faced by the lecturers. Firstly, students were reluctant to interact and participate in class activities. Secondly, students showed low motivation and interest in learning English. Thirdly, the lecturers needed extra time to explain the teaching materials. To overcome the problems, the lecturers used various texts, pictures, videos, or online platforms to expose students to maritime vocabulary. They also grouped the lower proficiency students with the higher proficiency students in a collaborative activity, designed class activities based on students’ learning styles, and employed various scaffolding techniques. Keywords: English for Specific Purposes (ESP) teaching, low English proficiency, Maritime English, online learning
An Investigation of the Integration of Inter-semiotic Complementarity in Iraqi EFL Textbook
Full text linkNowadays, multimodal texts are widely used in the media, schools, and daily life. There have been several studies on nonverbal semiotics in multi-semiotic texts. This study examines the complementarity of verbal and visual semiotic modes in an Iraqi EFL textbook. Royce's (2007) inter-semiotic complementarity and (Kress,van Leeuwen's 1996) structure of information value were used to analyse an Iraqi EFL textbook titled English for Iraq (Garnet, 2017). According to the analysis, the entire textbook is not built on a page-by-page path that allows linear and nonlinear reading. Although the information layout varies from page to page, the overall structure of the textbook image allows for a linear reading path from start to finish. Texts in multimodal EFL are required. This study investigated the relationship between verbal text and image in terms of address, social distance, and participation because multimodality conveys teachers' perspectives on language learning (the extent to which the reader engages with what is represented). This study's sample includes analytical units. Each verbal and visual sample text-image relationship was determined, and the participation and address levels were comparable. We discovered that social distance favors divergence over convergence in English education and learning. Young students select, design, and employ multimodal textbook materials.Keywords: Multimodality, inter-semiotic complementarity, semiotics’ mode, EFL, School textbook
The Comparative Analysis of Face-To-Face, Distant, and Blended Learning in English Language Teaching
Full text linkDistant and blended learning are modern educational methodologies, gaining popularity among many teachers and students worldwide. These teaching methods became more popular owing to COVID 19 and quarantine measures in education. In this article, we set the aim to compare three methods of teaching a foreign language in the University: traditional (face-to-face), distant and blended, and determine which method yields the best results. The research lasted for one semester and consisted of the following stages: initial – the preparation for experiment; educational – the usage of the selected teaching method; final – collecting results and their analysis. The research results have demonstrated that the blended approach of language teaching proved to be more effective in both the results of the tests. Therefore, blended learning proved to be an effective way of teaching a foreign language in the University.Keywords: traditional learning, distant learning, blended learning, English language teaching.
Developing Thinking Reading Classrooms: Insight from Pre-Service EFL Teachers’ Lesson Plans and Classroom Instructions
Full text linkNumerous studies have investigated the integration of critical thinking in EFL classrooms and textbooks. Still, relatively few have investigated the integration of critical thinking into reading lesson plans and classroom instructions. The current study adopted a qualitative case study approach to provide insight into how pre-service EFL teachers infused critical thinking skills into online reading classrooms. The study also gives information on pre-service EFL teachers' challenges in critical thinking integration into reading classrooms. Eight pre-service EFL teachers who completed all three phases of the faculty-mandated teaching practicum program participated in the study. Document analysis, virtual classroom observations, and semi-structured interviews were used as data collection techniques to fulfill the research objectives. As the study framework, Bloom's revised taxonomy was applied to lesson plan data to examine how critical thinking components are incorporated. Virtual classroom observations illuminated the incorporation of critical thinking into reading lessons. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted to gather more information regarding the challenges of integrating critical thinking skills. The present study reveals that pre-service EFL teachers integrated critical thinking aspects into reading online classes with a greater emphasis on lower-order cognitive than higher-order cognitive processes. It implies that pre-service EFL teachers had insufficient preparation for teaching practicum programs. Due to the significance of critical thinking skills for EFL students, this study recommends that teacher training institutes strengthen the critical thinking abilities of pre-service EFL teachers so that they are more equipped to teach and promote critical thinking in EFL classrooms.Keywords: classroom instructions, critical thinking, lesson plans, pre-service teachers
The Role of Adjacency Pairs to Create Politeness Strategies in Students’ Phatic Utterances
Full text linkAdjacency pair is one of the language features to make utterances more polite as it creates turn-taking, which means that none of the participants dominates. Adjacency pairs also create functions of phatic communication as stated by Padilla Cruz. According to Levinson, there are nine patterns of adjacency pairs, and most could be found in utterances. The data were taken from 24 students’ phatic utterances, and they were chosen because all participants are classmates. COVID-19 pandemic has forced them not to meet each other for almost 2 semesters, yet they show their closeness and solidarity. After all the data were analyzed using the qualitative method, it can be concluded that there are 7 adjacency pairs: Question-Answer, Offer-Accept, Taking leave-Taking leave, Summons-Answer, Request for information-Grant, Request-Apology, and Greeting-Greeting, and most of them have phatic functions of communication. Using adjacency pairs employs politeness strategies and negative and positive politeness strategies from Brown and Levinson. Negative politeness strategies found are Be conventionally indirect, Question, hedge, and Quality-hedges, while positive politeness strategies found are: Offer, promise, Include both S and H in the activity, and Give gifts to H. One of adjacency- pairs and phatic utterances’ functions is to maintain politeness though the students are classmates with close social distance and equal power, they perform politeness strategies to keep their social relations. The appearance of politeness strategies shows that no matter how informal utterances are, closeness and politeness must stay together.Keywords: adjacency-pairs; phatic utterances; politeness; strategies
Semiotics with Style and Situation: Multi-modal Comparative Analysis of Title pages of Native and Non-native English Novels
Full text linkThe communicative function of text can be obtained through the multimodal analysis of the text which contains the interaction and integration of two or more semiotic resources, graphics and text. This study investigated the structure of the titles and graphics of the title pages along with the situation of the content of native and non-native title pages of English novels of modern age. 20 title pages including 10 modern native and non-native English novels are randomly selected from the Google search engine. Multimodal analysis including Jeffries (2016) model to analyse the structure of the text of the title pages, Davy (2013) model to analyse the graphical features of the title pages and Bernstein (2003) to investigate the situational features presented in the title pages of the novels have been followed. A bench mark technique was used to identify the graphics of title pages, structure of the title phrases and situation presented in the title pages. The results generated from qualitative analysis indicated that mostly the native authors observed all of the features mentioned by the great linguists, stylitions and graphic experts while selecting the design of title pages whereas, non-native authors and publisher have not kept these features in mind while selecting the contents of title page of their composition. It causes lack of readership as the readers cannot extract maximum information from the title page. The study has opened new dimensions to the new researchers and it also beneficial for the authors and publisher in the selection of the title pages.Key words: Semiotics, Graphics, Situation, Text, Title-pag
Textbook Evaluation: A Case Study of Punjab, Pakistan
Full text linkThe textbook is one of the most substantial elements of classroom learning. As a result, it is critical to conduct a textbook evaluation to improve the quality of the teaching and learning environment in the classroom. Keeping in mind the very importance of the textbook evaluation, the current study evaluated a 10th-grade English textbook published by Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board Lahore, Pakistan. The present study aimed to evaluate the book’s overall pedagogical worth according to teachers’ and students’ needs and demands. For this purpose, 10 teachers and 60 students were selected from different public and private schools. Two different questionnaires were prepared by Litz (2001) with slight variations. The teachers’ questionnaire version had 20 items, while the students’ version had 15 items. The statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS after the data had been collected. The study’s findings revealed that the textbook as a whole is well-designed and offers an array of useful extra materials. The book is also visually pleasing, well-organized, consistent, and orderly. Overall, the positive characteristics outnumbered the negative ones by a wide margin. Despite a few flaws in the book, such as the lack of a glossary and grammar, the results showed that the textbook was adequate for language learners. Overall, it was considered that, despite some flaws, the textbook fulfilled the needs of students and might be a practical book in the hands of competent teachers.Keywords: textbook; evaluation; English languag
Hedges and Boosters in Indonesian Scientific Articles
Full text linkHedging and boosting or ‘pembentengan’ (Indonesian) is the act of scientific writers in maintaining smooth scientific communication. This paper answers two problem formulations, i.e., what are the linguistic manifestations of hedges and boosters in Indonesian scientific articles, and how their meaning reveals the writer's level of confidence in the information conveyed. This study aims to enrich the description of scientific writing practices in Indonesia to support the development of scientific writing skills in general. This research uses descriptive qualitative methods. This research data is in the form of sentences containing hedges and boosters from various scientific journals published in Indonesia through the note-taking technique. The main theory to analyze the data is the theory on hedges and boosters. The data were analyzed semantically, syntactically, and pragmatically. The results show that hedges and boosters in the form of adverbs are the most commonly used in Indonesian Scientific writing. The meaning of hedges and boosters cannot always be determined by their lexical meaning because each hedge and booster has to be seen in its use in the sentence. The Indonesian scientific community has its own agreement in the social interaction of scientific articles.Keywords: scientific writing; hedges and boosters; confidence; doubt; function; interactio
Portraying Informal Digital Learning of English from Management, Beliefs, and Practices
Full text linkIn a couple of years, massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) previous works reported various informal digital learning of English (IDLE) activities within and around video games that could enhance student-gamer vocabulary outcomes; receptive and productive language skills; and language socialization. The lack of multidisciplinary literature reviews between IDLE and language policy (LP) gives this study to open discussion on both areas. The urgency of this study is the high adoption of IDLE framework without considering LP where the reason for student’s engagement from MMORPG activities can be explained. This study aims to portray IDLE practitioner's activities in MMORPG from language management, beliefs, and practices. Following the long-term process, the data were generated from auto-ethnography and photo-elicitation that were taken from in-game and out-of-game activities. This article found three major findings. First, the management of MMORPG provoked gamers to communicate as a part of the game mission, and the guild could potentially develop top-down and bottom-up LP. Second, the value of language in the community played role in the decision-making language use from the negotiation process. Third, English and Mandarin dominated language practices from different interlocutors in various forms such as language in MMORPG’s context, code mixing, and abbreviation from multilingual sides giving various reading texts in contexts. The high status of English is still dominated by out-of-game language practices. There are two major implications in theory and praxis that would be discussed in this study.Keywords: Auto-ethnography, IDLE, language policy, MMORPG, and multilingual environment
Voices of Indonesian EFL Learners on Synchronous Learning amidst COVID-19 Pandemic
Full text linkTo ensure that the learning process during the COVID-19 pandemic runs smoothly, all universities in Indonesia have implemented online learning. However, based on the observations made, online learning, especially when carried out synchronously, appears to still be not as optimal as offline learning. This study aims to find out the voices of Indonesian EFL learners on synchronous learning during the covid-19 pandemic. Designed as descriptive qualitative, this study examined 50 students who voluntarily participated as the sampled group. In collecting the data, the researchers used a self-written reflection and questionnaire with four scales that were distributed using Google Form to the participants. The questionnaire was related to respectful attitude, benefits, and obstacles of synchronous learning. All collected data were then analyzed using the sequential explanatory processes. The result of data analysis revealed that Indonesian EFL learners still showed a good respectful attitude during the synchronous learning process, although they agreed that learning synchronously faces a few obstacles, such as unsupported devices and unfavorable learning environments. In addition, they also feel that the teaching and learning process synchronously during the COVID-19 pandemic provided them with several benefits, especially those related to safety, efficiency, and effectiveness.Keywords: EFL learners; synchronous learning; COVID-19 pandemi