This study aimed to develop and validate an analytical rating scale specifically designed to assess the lexical proficiency of Chinese college students in Academic English speaking tasks. A multi-layer construct of lexical proficiency was first developed and operationalized into an eight-dimension rating scale, including word diversity, word…

Although a considerable amount of research on the anxiety experienced by foreign and second language (L2) learners has accumulated over recent years, it appears that the anxiety experienced by L2 preservice teachers has been overlooked. To address this gap, this study investigated the anxiety encountered by preservice English as a foreign language…

This paper explores the application and efficacy of task-based teaching (TBT) methods within the context of internet-based distance learning for English, with a particular focus on integrating environmental education. Through an empirical study involving two groups of college students, the authors examine how TBT can enhance students' language…

The urban-rural divide has been a frequently discussed subject by scholars since the Chinese government's agenda aims to bring an equal quality of life to all regions of the people. Although many papers have identified the problem of regional inequality in China, which has been exacerbated by the Gaokao system, only some of them offer policy…

Governmental language policies in China have varied across recent decades, including the intensive promotion of Mandarin as a language of unification and public championing of regional varieties. Concomitantly, increasing urbanisation, regional migration, and cross-linguistic marriage have led to greater use of Mandarin in private domains. Given…

The importance of socioeconomic status (SES) in foreign language learning has received increasing attention. However, previous research mainly examined the direct link between SES and foreign language learning, and few explored what might mitigate this link, especially in collectivistic culture. Based on social capital theory and the attachment…

The primary objective of this study is to enhance the English language proficiency of undergraduate students pursuing bachelor's degree programs. This is achieved through the development of a mandatory English course based on Interest-driven creator (IDC) principles within a blended learning environment. The IDC course was implemented over a…

In the field of second language assessment, there is limited empirical research on the alignment of different language proficiency standards. This study aims to establish level correspondences for overall language proficiency between China's Standards of English Language Ability (CSE) and the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages…

Building on situated emotion framework, this study examined the variations in foreign language (FL) enjoyment, anxiety, boredom, and burnout between urban and rural students in China. The sample included 1,455 urban (55.6% male) and 546 rural students (53% male) (M[subscript age] = 15.41). Data were gathered through self-administered…

Purpose: Self-initiated international placements by students have been largely ignored in the literature on outward mobility in higher education. The support given to self-initiated international placement students, if any, has received even less attention. This study aims to address this lacuna. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on insights…

English-medium instruction (EMI) has burgeoned alongside two decades of L2 self-regulated learning research. In both areas, listening remains under-researched, longitudinal designs are under-employed, and in-depth studies are necessary to unpack learner development. In a context believed to initiate self-regulated learning, the current study…

The birth of China's Standards of English Language Ability (CSELA) marks a new era of English education in China. As the country's first national English standard, CSELA is expected to significantly refine the current system of English assessment and further improve the quality of English education. Due to its relatively short history, there is…

Studies have shown that raising L2 learners' metaphor awareness contributes to the acquisition of figurative language, which fosters students' development of language skills. However, the instruments measuring metaphor awareness, in the majority of relevant research, did not seem to have undergone proper methodological procedures for checking…

The Zhuang language test ("Vahcuengh Sawcuengh Suijbingz Gaujsi", VSSG) is the first minority language test in the People's Republic of China. It was designed with multiple goals including improving Zhuang language teaching, recruiting students for relevant majors of tertiary study, identifying proficiency for work-related applications,…

Self-regulated learning and EFL speaking competence are seen as crucial abilities for students to acquire in the twenty-first century. However, EFL students' performance in self-regulated learning and speaking has not been optimal. Therefore, the implementation of flipped classrooms aims to achieve a breakthrough in self-regulated learning and EFL…