Developing strong listening skills in a second language (L2) can be challenging for a variety of reasons. Within the context of L2 use in higher education, accurate and timely processing of aural input can be crucial for academic success, particularly because vast amounts of disciplinary-specific content are delivered via academic lectures in the…

This large-scale study used a survey to collect data on K-12 world language classrooms in Massachusetts public schools, focusing on core instructional practices, curriculum, and assessment. The study resulted in 383 individual teacher completed responses, representing 188 districts, which was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results indicate…

This study explored the effects of concurrent group dynamic assessment (G-DA) and cumulative G-DA on Iranian pre-intermediate English as a foreign language (EFL) learners' interlanguage pragmatic comprehension (ILPC). To this end, a total of 97 pre-intermediate learners took the key English test (KET) test and 45 learners whose scores fell between…

Increasingly, New Zealand English and Te Reo Maori are being woven together in Aotearoa New Zealand. This weaving is evident in the text of many dual language picturebooks. While the combination of text and image in picturebooks creates a powerful pedagogical tool, there is little research exploring their use with tertiary Arts students. In this…

This study examined the implementation of an alternative assessment in a course, Communicative English Skills Course (CESC), at three Ethiopian universities. The study mainly focused on multi-assessor strategies, multiple assessment tools, and comprehensive, progressive, continuous, and relevant assessment used by instructors at these three…

This article provides a theoretical and empirical argument in support of explicit language instruction. It proposes on theoretical grounds that certain features of a language are sufficiently complex and subtle that learners are unlikely to be able to decipher their full conceptual meaning on the basis of exposure alone. It further proposes that…

Originating in adult education, the approach of task-based language teaching (TBLT) has been promoted in young language learner (YLL) education. However, its application often encounters challenges due to varying interpretations of what constitutes a "task." Previous research has repeatedly highlighted gaps in teachers' understanding of…

Fun facts--facts that are interesting, unusual, and often little-known--are a popular form of entertainment throughout the world. There are countless books, TV quiz shows (Jeopardy!), board games (Trivial Pursuit), and museums (Ripley's Believe It or Not!) dedicated to trivia and the unusual that fascinate people of all ages. Short oral…

The purpose of this review was to summarize the behavior-analytic literature on the emergence of untrained second language skills and to provide recommendations for future research focused on second language acquisition. Seventeen distinct studies were included in the review. These studies implemented a variety of teaching methods (e.g., tact,…

Although emotions are vitally important for achievement and performance in learning a new language, prior research has mainly focused on negative emotions and the cognitive aspects of second language acquisition and foreign language learning. However, the number of studies on the relationship between positive psychology and language learning has…

Since the mid-1990s, the field of Second Language Acquisition (SLA) has taken a social turn which acknowledges the role that social interaction plays in second language (L2) learning. Since then, extensive scholarship has used a multimodal perspective as well as alternative SLA approaches to explore L2 through classroom interaction. Even though…

In the United States, traditional lecture-based teaching methods have not effectively met the needs of diverse learners in higher education (HE). This is particularly problematic as diversity is increasing amongst learners, including those with diverse racial, ethnic, gender, academic, and emotional backgrounds. The predominance of the two-tiered…

Purpose -- Writing is a difficult skill to master and improve, especially for students who learn English as a second language. Thus, this study explores the impact of employing graphic organizers on the writing performance of Form Four students and their knowledge retention. These students were 16year-olds at the time of study. Furthermore, the…

This study explores the integration of multiple sign systems within the English as a Foreign Language (EFL) reading curriculum for undergraduates in Taiwan, addressing varied learning styles that are often overlooked by conventional curricular methods. The purpose is to investigate how incorporating semiotics can enhance learning engagement and…

The 21st century requires English language teaching teachers to cultivate the use of language and competencies to make their students 21st-century learners. Podcasts produced by students allow them to use language in an authentic setting while practicing the skills of critical thinking, innovation, creativity, problem-solving, reflection, and…