Background/purpose: Despite its informal setting, it is astonishing that the members of online English-speaking club (ESC) are adept at speaking. Employing a mixed-methods approach, more specifically a descriptive case study, this study aimed to evaluate the ESC contribution to its members' speaking competence development, to examine their…

This study examines how listening comprehension difficulties (LCDs) vary among college-level learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL), with a focus on the roles of gender and language proficiency. Listening comprehension is an essential component of language learning, presenting notable challenges for EFL students. These challenges are…

The study aimed to assess the motivation and proficiency of English language learning among indigenous college students at Kapalong College of Agriculture, Sciences and Technology in the Municipality of Kapalong, Davao del Norte. It employed a mixed-method approach using a convergent parallel design. The quantitative phase involved 202 students…

Digital divides mean that marginalized groups such as adults who speak English as a second or other language (ESOL) are less likely to have access to online instruction. Higher levels of English proficiency are associated with better health and employment; therefore, access to ESOL classes is essential. We investigated how sociodemographics and…

This mixed-methods study examined preservice teachers' perceptions of C1 English proficiency, focusing on their linguistic competence, understanding, attitudes, and challenges. Conducted at a university in Ñuble, Chile, with 13 participants, data were gathered through a closed-ended questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. Findings suggest…

This article explores the meaning, form, and pronunciation of narrative tenses for intermediate English language learners, addresses common learner issues, and proposes solutions through a combination of literature review and classroom-based activities. Challenges include differentiating between tenses, correct usage, and pronunciation of past…

This article examines Swedish civics teachers' perspectives on difficulties and opportunities that their second-language (L2) students encounter when reading textbook texts in civics. The study is based on individual semi-structured interviews with teachers in Grade 9. Civics teachers report uncertainty about identifying the source of difficulties…

In the last decade, Language MOOCs have attracted a lot of interest for their potential to enhance language learning. However, how learners engage with MOOC environments and realise their benefits, remains unclear. The current study adopts activity theory (Engeström in J Educ Work 14:133-156, 2001) as a lens to comprehend the affordances and…

This study examines the role of motivation based on the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) among Myanmar high school dropout students who continue learning English. Specifically, it explores the underlying motivational factors and their impact on students' engagement with EFL learning. The study involved nine Myanmar high school dropout students who…

Although language assessments for medical professionals in the UK are changing, there is still a need for them to demonstrate their proficiency in English before working in the National Health Service (NHS). When providing English for specific purposes (ESP) courses for retraining refugee doctors, we need to consider all the potential barriers…

This qualitative case study examines the language learning trajectory of a South Korean international undergraduate student (Stella) in the United Kingdom. Previous studies have reported a lack of research on the intricate relationships between motivation and investment. To fill this gap, this study examined Stella's shifting levels of motivation…

This study was a mixed method research. The quantitative part investigated Saudi English learners' English vivid phrasal (VP) idiom detection differences by lexical level, semi- lexical level, and post-lexical level, as well as comprehension and interpretation by zero-context and full-context conditions. It also researched the extent to which…

Autonomous learning, which emphasizes learners taking charge of their knowledge acquisition, plays a vital role in effective English language acquisition. However, attempts to foster autonomous learning in the Thai context face many challenges. Therefore, this mixed-methods study explores how autonomous learning thrives in the context to inform…

This study examined the impact of extensive reading (ER) on Foreign Language Enjoyment (FLE) among advanced-level Chinese EFL learners, the interplay between reading enjoyment and material difficulty, and the challenges and strategies related to online ER. The following research questions are addressed: (a) what are the effects of a semester-long…

Proficiency in the English language has become a key determinant of success for many individuals worldwide. This trend is particularly pronounced in Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, and China, where English education is emphasized from an early age, establishing it as the primary foreign language and a mandatory component of school curricula.…