• Title/Summary/Keyword: EFL context

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A Study on the Rhythm of Korean EFL Learners' English Pronunciation (한국인 영어학습자의 영어리듬구현 연구)

  • Chung, Hyun-Song
    • Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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    • v.1 no.2
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    • pp.141-149
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    • 2009
  • An emphasis on teaching suprasegmental features of English, specifically English rhythm, is essential in order to improve the 'intelligibility' of the pronunciation of Korean EFL learners among interlocutors who use English as a Lingua Franca(ELF). By redefining the ELF suggested by Jenkins (2000, 2002), this paper argues that Lingua Franca Core (LFC) must include suprasegmental features such as 'stress-based rhythm' and word stress. However, because 'isochrony' is difficult to measure in a foot, the rhythm unit must be expanded to an intonational phrase which has prominence in it and the rhythm of the unit can be measured by calculating the duration of each segment in context The rhythmic pattern of Korean learners of English and that of native speakers or other non-native English speakers can then be calculated and compared by using correlation coefficients of the segmental duration. In terms of sociolinguistic factors, improving the 'comprehensibility' and 'accentedness' of Korean EFL learners' pronunciation is also important in international communication, which calls for more emphasis on suprasegmental features.

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Perspectives on EFL Teachers' Responding to Students' Writing at the Semantic Level

  • Chang, Kyung-Suk
    • English Language & Literature Teaching
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    • no.3
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    • pp.185-201
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    • 1997
  • This study explores perspectives on responding to EFL students' compositions at the semantic level. In the last three decades, there has been a shift from product-oriented approach to process-oriented one to teaching writing. The shift has led to the criticism of the traditional view on teacher response. The traditional view has been under attack for its overemphasis upon form and ineffectiveness on improving student writing skill. It is also noted that research into students' reactions to the traditional teacher response has been inconclusive. The process-oriented approach, on the other hand, draws its attention to meaning and the logical development of thought as well as linguistic matters. In this context, the present study discusses what EFL teachers need to take into account in providing the semantic-level feedback on students' compositions. Firstly, teacher response to student writing is on-going; teacher feedback involves teacher intervention in the drafting process, the revision process, and the presentation of product. Secondly, in the writing conferences, the teacher provides students an opportunity to talk about writing, assistance and advice on the content/meaning of the written text, helping them expand and clarify thinking about audience(reader) and purpose.

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Consciousness in EFL Performances

  • Kim, Byoung-Won
    • Korean Journal of English Language and Linguistics
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    • v.1 no.3
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    • pp.387-416
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    • 2001
  • In an attempt to identify highly probable causes of poor EFL performances, certain intriguing data of 11 common errors collected from 23 university students' listening and reading for correction of a short conversation of three people, with a questionnaire regarding their knowledge of the situational context, were analysed and interpreted within a theoretical framework of consciousness and the intonation unit (Chafe 1974, 1980, 1994), compatible with some important philosophical and psychological theories. The results: situational understanding does not always guarantee good EFL performances; the 11 errors were not attributable to hearing problems; consciousness appropriate for literacy and formal schooling appeared to be the major cause, which was inappropriate for a communicative use of English. Re-shaping of consciousness was suggested, with a warning against the ‘grammar consciousness raising’ approach.

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The Effect of Audio and Visual Cues on Korean and Japanese EFL Learners' Perception of English Liquids

  • Chung, Hyun-Song
    • English Language & Literature Teaching
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.135-148
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    • 2005
  • This paper investigated the effect of audio and visual cues on Korean and Japanese EFL learners' perception of the lateral/retroflex contrast in English. In a perception experiment, the two English consonants /l/ and /r/ were embedded in initial and medial position in nonsense words in the context of the vowels /i, a, u/. Singletons and clusters were included in the speech material. Audio and video recordings were made using a total of 108 items. The items were presented to Korean and Japanese learners of English in three conditions: audio-alone (A), visual-alone (V) and audio-visual presentation (AV). The results showed that there was no evidence of AV benefit for the perception of the /l/-/r/ contrast for either Korean or Japanese learners of English. Korean listeners showed much better identification rates of the /l/-/r/ contrast than Japanese listeners when presented in audio or audio-visual conditions.

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Korean and Japanese EFL Learners' AV Benefit for the Perception of the Liquid Contrast in English (한국인 및 일본인 영어학습자의 유음 차이 지각에 미치는 시각/청각 효과)

  • Chung, Hyun-Song
    • MALSORI
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    • no.60
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    • pp.1-11
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    • 2006
  • This paper investigated AV benefit of Korean and Japanese EFL learners' perception of the liquid contrast in English. In a perception experiment, the two English consonants /l/ and /r/ were embedded in initial and medial position in nonsense words in the context of the vowels /i, a, u/. Singletons and clusters were included in the speech material. Audio and video recordings were made using a total of 108 items. The items were presented to Korean and Japanese learners of English in three conditions: audio-alone (A), visual-alone (V) and audio-visual presentation (AV). The results showed that there was no evidence of AV benefit for the perception of the /l/-/r/ contrast for either Korean or Japanese learners of English. The results suggest that increasing auditory proficiency in identifying a non-native contrast is linked with an increasing proficiency in using visual cues to the contrast.

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A study on the optimal task-based instructional model: Focused on Korean EFL classroom practice (효율적인 과업중심 교수.학습모형 연구: EFL 교실 상황을 중심으로)

  • Jeon, In-Jae
    • English Language & Literature Teaching
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    • v.11 no.4
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    • pp.365-389
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    • 2005
  • The purpose of this study is to present the task model that is the most effective in English language methodology based on the investigation of task-based performance in Korean EFL classroom practice. The subjects were 538 high school students and 126 high school teachers, each of whom had common experiences using the materials of task-based activities for more than one year. To analyze the data, the program SPSS WIN 11.0 including frequency distribution and chi-square analysis was used. The results of the questionnaire analysis showed that both teachers and students had a comparatively high level of satisfaction in task rationale, but that they had some mixed responses in the fields of input data, settings, and activity types. To conclude, a few suggestions are made to provide some meaningful considerations for the EFL teachers and material developers: a) task goals and rationale that encourage the learner's positive motivation; b) authenticity of input data based on the real-world context; c) collaborative learning environment that enhances communicative interaction; d) proportional representation of the creative problem-solving activities related to discussions and decision-making processes; e) systematic introduction of integrated language skills. It also suggests that the multi-lateral task model, which has some positive assets compared to previous task models, be newly introduced and applied to the second language learning classrooms.

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On Using Films to Develop Students' Reading Skills in the MALL Classes

  • Sung, Tae-Soo
    • Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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    • v.22 no.11
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    • pp.135-141
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    • 2017
  • Exposed to a great many media and technology resources, EFL students seem to lack the motivations for learning on the basis of the conventional teaching methods. For this reason, in teaching English, finding teaching methods and materials appropriate to make the learning experiences for EFL students more engaging and interesting has become more challenging than ever. This is the main reason why English language teachers always keep searching for more motivating teaching sources. Although most of course books have CD's and DVD enclosed, these turn out to be less authentic and not very engaging for students. In order to bring diversity into the classroom, many teachers use films in EFL teaching. Films are usually seen as a media that attracts students' attention and tend to present language in a more natural (interactive) way as well. What is more important is that films offer a visual context aids which help students understand and improve their reading skills. This paper analyzes the effects of using films in the EFL classroom. Moreover, It shows that films as a teaching resource play a very effective role in developing students reading and communication skill. Last but not least, mobile phones are used as a main supplementary device in that either group is recommended to watch a movie anytime and anywhere.

Reading Fluency and Accuracy for English Language Acquisition in EFL Context. (외국어교육 환경에서 영어습득을 위한 읽기유창성과 정확성에 관한 연구)

  • Shin, Kyu-Cheol
    • Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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    • v.9 no.3
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    • pp.249-256
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    • 2018
  • This study aims to explore efficient foreign language learning paradigm with a focus on reading fluency and accuracy. From a perspective of language acquisition in the foreign language context, the priority in the L2 learning between accuracy and fluency has been a very important issue. Fluency becomes an important issue due to many researchers' interests in the L1 and L2 classroom. Although both accuracy and fluency are crucial, the paradigm shift from fluency to accuracy is necessary in the foreign language teaching. In this context, as an alternative methodology for L2 learners' fluency, the extensive reading approach is provided. A number of studies have suggested that extensive reading program could lead to improvement of L2 learners' reading rate and is an effective approach to improving general language proficiency.

Non-Native Teachers' English Language Teaching Improvement through Multimedia Applications (멀티미디어 응용을 통한 비원어민 영어 교사의 수업 개선)

  • Lee, Il-Suk
    • Journal of Digital Contents Society
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    • v.11 no.2
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    • pp.161-168
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    • 2010
  • In the past, Korean English language learners focused on knowledge of grammatical structures. Thus Korean trained instructors, who focused on explaining the grammar structures, were seen as being preferable for teaching in EFL (English as a foreign language) classrooms. However, with the focus changed to speaking capability Koreans now desire 'fluent' English more than 'accuracy' seeing if possible (Mottos, 1997). Current study has been concerned about the issue of how non-native learners of English perceive the difference between native teachers (NTs) and non-native teachers (non-NTs) of English in the context of ELT classroom. The study explores the issues and problems the followed and how non-NTs can enhance teaching practice of speaking and listening lessons through multimedia application.

Effects of English Grammar Teaching in Korean Context: A Meta-analysis (메타분석을 통한 영어 교과에서의 문법 교육의 효과 분석)

  • Lee, Je-Young
    • The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.743-752
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    • 2016
  • This study aims to investigate the overall effects of teaching grammar in the Korean EFL classroom. A meta-analysis of 67 research findings in 30 articles was conducted to synthesize the results of these studies by calculating the mean effect sizes. This study reviewed and analyzed the previous studies in terms of subjects, treatment period, and types of grammar teaching. The results showed that teaching grammar in the classroom had beneficial effects on learners in general (d=.907). It was found to be more effective for middle school and university students than for elementary and high school students (Q=37.065, df=3, p=.000). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of treatment period and types of grammar teaching. Pedagogical implications and suggestions for Korean EFL learners are also discussed.