• International Journal of Contents
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.87-100
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• 2020

This research explored the impact the thoughts and opinions of lecturers teaching university general English courses have on their virtual classes and discussed the differences and similarities in their perspectives. As a research methodology, the Q-method was used, which usually consists of five steps: Q-population, Q-statements, Q-participants, Q-sorting, and factor analysis using PQMethod, a computer software program. A total of 30 statements were finally selected and 26 people directly involved in teaching online university general English courses were selected as participants in this study. Based on the results of the factor analysis, this research discovered three different factors, which were interaction & content-oriented, online teaching favored, and content-oriented. The results of this study can contribute to developing the future directions of virtual university general English classes to help learners improve their English skills and prepare lecturers for the future.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.207-229
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• 2010

The present study has sought to explore the critical issues of English immersion education through the voices of the four elementary teachers who have recently taught at immersion programs under the guidance of Busan Metropolitan City Office of Education. The interview data with three teachers and the teaching journals of one teacher were analyzed and categorized into two emergent themes: (1) current difficulties in the immersion programs and (2) possible problems with the implementations of immersion programs in all public schools. Specifically, the first issue included teachers' inadequate teaching skills for immersion programs, accumulated learning losses, and lack of immersion class hours. The second issue included workload imposed on immersion program teachers, promotion of private education, learning losses of other subjects, and administration for show. Finally, pedagogical implications are suggested.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.71-90
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• 2010

This study suggests that English literature educators need to be eclectic and flexible in applying theories and methods, not simply adhering to one or two for all situations and occasions. They need to be available to go with the flow and particularly employ whatever is needed at any given moment of class time. There is a current trend emphasizing English literature as merely a language resource rather than the study of English literature as an end in itself. Without much attention given to literary analysis and criticism, students tend to lack creative and critical thinking abilities. Given the current imbalance, it would seem important to address the issue, and create English class programs that maintain a balance between teaching the study of English literature to improve students' critical thinking abilities, and its use as a language resource. To fulfill this goal, thorough preparation is required. Indeed, we can direct our intelligence more effectively when we are well prepared and we are familiar with the basic methods and mechanics of teaching our subject. The greatest achievement of the English literature class I taught was that the students showed unexpectedly remarkable creative and critical appreciation of the novel we studied, in addition to improving their English language skills.

• Journal of Engineering Education Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.22-33
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• 2014

This paper presents a comparative study on the effectiveness of teaching an engineering course using English with Specific Purpose(ESP). A study was performed using student groups; one class using ESP, and one class conducted in English with an English text. The course conducted using ESP showed the greatest improvement in English writing and conversation, and the students reported a greatly increased confidence in their ability to function professionally using English. A self-assessment of each student was conducted before and after the courses. Prior to the course less than 10% in each group felt that they are able to: a) understand a textbook, b) write an email, c) generate a project report, or d) follow a lecture given in English. The survey at the end of the course showed that the ESP teaching style resulted in significant improvements in students ability and confidence with writing and speaking in English, whereas reading skills were similar for both groups. This is due to the ESP method, in which students are required to give presentations and keep journals in English. After a brief review of the ESP principles and a discussion of how they were implemented, the background data of the participants(students) are described. Finally, the end-of-semester survey highlights the efficacy of the ESP approach.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.121-128
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• 2024

With the recent rise in the use of AI-based online translation tools, interest in their methods and effects on education has grown. This study involved 30 prospective elementary school teachers who completed an English writing task using an AI-based online translation tool. The study focused on assessing the impact of these tools on English writing skills and their practical applications. It examined the usability, educational value, and the advantages and disadvantages of the AI translation tool. Through data collected via writing tests, surveys, and interviews, the study revealed that the use of translation tools positively affects English writing skills. From the learners' perspective, these tools were perceived to provide support and convenience for learning. However, there was also recognition of the need for educational strategies to effectively use these tools, alongside concerns about methods to enhance the completeness or accuracy of translations and the potential for over-reliance on the tools. The study concluded that for effective utilization of translation tools, the implementation of educational strategies and the role of the teacher are crucial.

• Human Ecology Research
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2017

This study investigates the effect of a leadership program to enhance leadership skills in children from low-income families. A total of 45 elementary school students participated in the 52-week leadership program. Five leadership scales, such as goal attainment, paradigm shifting skills, skills to lead others, human relationship skills, and sense of purpose, were measured through survey questionnaires before and after implementing the program. In addition, individual teacher interviews examined the influence of the program on students' leadership skills. This study found that participants showed significant improvement after implementing the program in the three domains of the leadership skills (goal attainment, paradigm shifting skills, and human relationship skills); however, the skills to lead others and sense of purpose did not significantly change. The leadership teachers also stated that the program influenced positively on students' leadership skills; in addition, students' behavioral changes were found by developing relationships with other children as well as contemplating and attempting to find a future dream and vision. The leadership program was effective to enhance leadership skills in children from low-income families. This study can provide the theoretical and practical foundations for the development and implementation of effective leadership programs that meet the needs of children from low-income families.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.235-242
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• 2022

The purpose of this study is to propose an effective class of College English, one of the essential liberal arts subjects of S University, and to analyze the learning effect. This subject targets students with different majors in the first grade, and the learning goal is to improve their reading skills by analyzing students' English skills, especially sentences, as grammatical elements in everyday situations. This thesis examines how College English classes can be conducted in the form of convergence class in the COVID-19 era to induce students' learning motivation and create learning effects. The form of this convergence class is as follows. First, lecture videos, second, Webex real-time non-face-to-face classes, and third, face-to-face classes. In this study, the class procedure of the first class among the classes that were actually conducted during the semester was presented as an example. The researcher specifically surveyed the pre-class questionnaire and conducted the class by grasping the students' English skills and characteristics of the learners through the results. And after taking the course, the questionnaire was surveyed into 30 items and the results were analyzed. Specifically, the results of satisfaction with the composition of the lecture, satisfaction with the lecture video, satisfaction with the face-to-face class, interaction with students, and learning effects were analyzed. This class proposal is a learner-centered model in the form of convergence.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.107-131
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• 2010

The goals of the present study are two-fold: 1) to examine NNS teachers' needs for training period in improving their general communicative competence and classroom communicative competence, and 2) to explore the relationships of teachers' needs for the training period, and their current levels of general/classroom communicative competence and other background variables. Data was collected from seventy primary and secondary school English teachers (N=70) who participated in the six-month intensive teacher training program in South Korea. The teacher trainees responded to four questionnaires of 1) the self-diagnosis of their current levels of four language skills (L/S/R/W) in both general/classroom communicative competence, 2) the training period required to improve their general/classroom communicative competence for teaching both English and other subjects through English, 3) the period of their English teaching, and 4) the proportion of their English use in class. The data analysis has shown that there were the strong relationships between trainee needs for the training period and their teaching period, and the proportion of their English use in class. In terms of trainees' communicative competence, the significant relations of both their general/classroom communicative competence and their needs for the training period were found. Implications of the findings are discussed.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.271-292
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to investigate what English teachers think about what and how to teach culture, as a way of helping students build relevant background knowledge and enhance their motivation in learning English. A total of 300 teachers completed a self-report questionnaire in four areas: (i) their understanding and liking of English-spoken countries, (ii) their use of materials and tools for teaching culture, (iii) their consciousness of teaching culture, and (iv) their needs for culture learning in the teacher-training program. The results show that (i) they think American culture is dominant in EFL but they are much interested in British culture; (ii) they rely on internet most for their cultural experience while they think students get much of the cultural information from textbooks; (iii) they are very much conscious of the importance of teaching culture for improving students' English proficiency; (iv) they want to learn in the teacher training program more about cultural practice, which can be subsumed under the so called 'small c'. The findings suggest that (i) textbooks need to include contents to promote students' cultural awareness and foster intercultural competence, (ii) teachers should use authentic materials with appropriate adaptation, and (iii) a teacher training program should cover a wide range of contents and skills for teaching culture.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.265-290
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• 2009

The present data-driven study attempted to explicate nonnative English teacher trainees' foreign language teaching anxiety in microteaching settings from their perspectives. It is assumed that nonnative English teachers or teacher trainees may experience anxiety not only as foreign language learners but also as foreign language teachers. In order to inquire into their anxiety, the researcher had 172 teacher trainees perform extended microteaching tasks and reflect on their teaching and anxiety through group discussion. Based on the analysis of their discussion, three aspects related to nonnative English teacher trainees' anxiety were identified. First, teacher trainees identified three main types of anxiety-provoking situations: communicative-competence-threatening situations, unexpected situations, and instruction-hindering situations. Second, they identified three sources of anxiety: limited ability to use English, lack of English teaching skills, and fear of criticism. Third, they were aware that they used diverse strategies to lower anxiety before and while teaching for different purposes. From their identification and awareness of anxiety-provoking situations, sources of anxiety, and anxiety-lowering strategies, they could reflect on professional qualifications as a foreign language teacher.