This article begins with three brain teasers, and the answers, provided at the end of the article, may prove surprising. Figuring out why they are correct leads the reader to delightful "aha" moments. The kinds of "aha!" moments that result from solving these challenges for yourself were held in high estimation by the person…

Whilst previous researchers commonly report on the effect of portfolio-based instruction on second language/English as a foreign language (L2/EFL) learners' language performance, very few studies examine its impact on their learning motivation. Drawing on expectancy-value theory, the current study examines how the implementation of a…

Different new media tools like Facebook, blogs, wikis, Google docs and YouTube are perceived to have effects on English language (L2) learner motivation at the tertiary level in Bangladesh. However, the effects of new media usage on L2 learner motivation are not defined yet in the context. This study investigates the effects of new media usage on…

This article contains the results of a chi-squared analysis on the data set of a survey instrument completed by a class of Japanese elementary school students (n = 29) before and after a series of Skype® exchanges. The parametric results were reported previously (Ockert, 2015a). The instrument instructions requested students to rank six statements…

This study examines the English language learning outcomes of young Chinese L1 children when using a digital self-guided learning tool, ABCmouse "English Language Learning Academy" (ABCmouse ELL), created by Age of Learning, Inc. and designed based on principles of second language research. In a pretest, posttest study design, experiment…

This article explores the fit between orthodox ideas about intercultural language education and situations of acute insecurity. It describes the teaching of Turkish to Greek-Cypriots, introduced in 2003 by the Republic of Cyprus as part of a de-securitization policy. Although these classes were optional, many students regarded Turks as enemies,…

This paper, adopting questionnaire survey method, investigated 367 non-key local university English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students' demotivation to learn English. The collected data revealed that there were two main categories of demotivators: internal factors ("lack of intrinsic interest," "experience of failure and lack of…

This article describes the implementation of blended learning in a higher education institution by focusing on the less proficient students. Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education has urged every university to introduce blended learning in their teaching and learning processes as a new approach. Nevertheless, there are less proficient students…

Studies on science education stress that, in terms of discourse, teachers need to carefully build their understanding of science, language, and authority to better enable students to be successful in their science learning. However, the question of how much attention should be paid to this discourse, particularly for primary and middle-school…

This research was conducted to analyze the implementation of blended learning. This study focused on the implementation "Station Rotation" and "Flipped Classroom" models of blended learning in academic writing course in English Education Study Program of UNISNU Jepara. Observation and interview were done to collect the data of…

To understand long-term motivations for second language (L2) learning/socialisation, this study analyses the biographical narratives of 30 Hong Kong Chinese who are proficient in Japanese by using ethnographic interviews. From a situated learning perspective, our research findings originate in the participants' transformational episodes and centre…

Beyond cognitive outcomes, inquiry instruction can have positive general and differentiated affective outcomes. In this exploratory study, teacher-nominated high- to low-average achievers in Grades 5 through 9 (N = 272, mean age 11.7 years), in classrooms exhibiting rare, occasional, and frequent inquiry qualities, were assessed on…

The present study aimed to identify the effectiveness of learner-centered teaching in modifying attitude towards EFL and developing academic self-motivation. The sample consisted of (35) 12th grade students (in one of the high schools of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the academic year 2017/2018). To achieve the study objectives, a training program…

Montessori education has a long history, but its recent growth in American public schools has led to increased interest in research efforts, particularly in exploring the potential of the Montessori experience to moderate the effects of poverty and in gathering data to evaluate public investment in Montessori schools. To assist research efforts,…

When performing a task in the classroom, it is essential to place the focus on learning. In the classroom, it is possible to distinguish between time spent by students on-task and off-task. The former is the time in which the student is focused on the learning task; the latter is the remaining time in which they focus on other activities.…