This paper presents the findings of a survey on research activities and research cultures across the CercleS network. The survey was conducted under the auspices of the CercleS Focus Group on Leadership and Management and aimed to explore the scope of research in Language Centres; the links between institutional factors such as staff contracts and…

The aim of this study is to analyze the emerging trends in related research in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) from 2020 to 2024 using a systematic literature review (SLR). In higher education, the concept of EAP has expanded due to globalization and internationalization, providing essential language skills to enhance students' learning…

In this article, we discuss some ethical issues arising from teaching foreign or world languages for intercultural citizenship. From this perspective, language education engages students in critical investigations of social issues and in the application of linguistic, communicative and intercultural skills beyond the classroom to address such…

Few studies aimed to disentangle different aspects of vocabulary depth (VD) knowledge and examine their contribution to second-language (L2) reading comprehension. To fill this gap, this study distinguished between two VD aspects, that is, semantic network knowledge and polysemous knowledge; and tested how they, together with vocabulary size (VS),…

This article questions the perceived optimism regarding a new centrist left-wing 'United Kingdom (UK) government' stance on English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provision. It examines the impact of neoliberal policies, particularly those of the New Labour government (1997-2010), and compares them with previous/subsequent Conservative…

This study investigated how repeating a video-lecture-based task affects second language (L2) learners' processing and incidental acquisition of technical vocabulary as well as the relationship between processing and lexical gains. The participants were 75 Chinese learners of L2 English. Thirty participants performed the task once (control group),…

Starting from a justification of explicit approaches to grammar teaching, this article discusses grammar materials used within a hybrid learning context at the Open University in the United Kingdom and the cognitive principles reflected in their design. The authors argue that as part of a socio-cognitive theoretical approach, explicit…

This study examines the representation of cultures across three sets of national English textbooks currently used in China by conducting a synchronic content analysis to explore what and how cultures are represented in the textbooks. Data analysis was conducted based on a newly constructed framework focusing on the content (countries and…

In an effort to better support adult and refugee English language learners, this paper aims to focus on understanding the needs and experiences of one specific group, that is, refugee and asylum seeker healthcare professionals (RASHPs), based in the United Kingdom. RASHPs tend to be highly educated and experienced learners. One of their main…

Despite the growth in importance of China, the number of Chinese Studies students in the UK has not increased in the past 25 years and there has been no official review into the state of Chinese Studies in universities since 1999. Based on interviews with over 40 individuals from education, government and business, this report from Michael Natzler…

This article uses an Islamic lens to explore the question, "What are the identities, aspirations, and motivations for Pakistani and Muslim women learning English?" As Muslim women, the research participants had a strong allegiance to motherhood, with children being a motivating factor in learning English. This study explores how…

Although considerable attempts have been made to decolonize German Studies curricula in UK universities through an inclusion of German-language cultural artifacts of authors and artists from ethno-racially marginalized backgrounds, this kind of expansionist method--the endeavor to merely expand the canon of German Studies--does not suffice. While…

Phonetic imitation is a ubiquitous process in speech production. Speakers have a strong tendency to imitate their interlocutors both in a native and a non-native language. It is especially important in acquiring non-native speech, because it allows forming new sound categories. In the current study we investigated whether and to what extent Polish…

Rhythm metrics can detect second language development of target-like speech rhythm but interpretation of the results from metrics in learners' speech is problematic because the mapping of metrics to underpinning phonological features is indirect. We investigate speech rhythm in first language (L1) Arabic / second language (L2) English, which…

With borders reopening after the COVID-19 pandemic, the travel industry has employed different methods to attract potential customers. One of the popular promotional strategies is advertorials. This study examines 75 travel advertorials from "the Telegraph," a national daily newspaper in the UK, to address two objectives -- 1) to…