• International Journal of Contents
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.62-78
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• 2021

This ethnographic multiple case study, based on Zappa-Hollman and Duff's construct of individual networks of practice (INoPs), explored English as a second language (L2) competence development and socialization process of a group of English-major undergraduates through their social connections and interactions at a public university located in an underdeveloped city in Northwest China. The study lasted for one academic semester and three students were selected as primary participants. Semi-structured interviews, student observations in English-related micro-settings, and associated texts were used to collect data. These data were coded to identify the thematic categories, and then data triangulation and member checking were conducted to select the most representative evidence to provide an in-depth description of students' perspective about mediating their English L2 socialization by their INoPs. Findings showed that factors in the formation of students' INoPs, including intensity, density, and nature, played significant roles in their academic or affective returns from their English learning, both of which had a substantial influence on the students' English L2 socialization. Considering that the macro-setting was a non-English, underdeveloped monolingual society, both educational institutions and individual students need to seek and create more English-mediated interactional opportunities to develop their English proficiency and adapt to local English learning communities.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.71-77
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• 2017

This study examines the effects of in-company English programs on Korean employees' English learning. During the twelve weeks, 68 employees in Korea engaged in an English learning program in the workplace. Before and after the program, pre- and post-tests were conducted to see if their English proficiency improved. Pre- and post-surveys and interviews were also administered to understand how they perceived the program. Results show that the employees improved their English oral proficiency and their attitudes toward English learning positively changed, as a result of participating in the program. Also, the program appeared to be successful, meeting their needs. Given that little research has investigated the effects of in-company English learning, this study provides insights on the effectiveness of English programs in the workplace in Korea.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.565-571
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• 2019

This study aims to suggest more efficient ways of teaching English more related to but distinct from major English, based on the needs and awareness of the students of English Education Department. For this, interviews and surveys have been carried out targeting some English Education majors. The results show that the satisfaction level of students is relatively low, marking around the score '3'. While the satisfaction level about classroom environment including the multi-media equipment, and professors' teaching ability, quality and methods is higher compared with other factors, the improvement of English skills and interest-causing levels are lower on average. Besides, this study also includes the surveys on the needs of students for various teaching programs, differentiated classes and qualified instructors. Based on the results, this study makes three suggestions as follows; (1) the opening of some specific English classes for English-education majors (2) the development of English-conversation classes related to English-education majors (3) the development of communication-centered English reading based on English literature.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.131-158
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• 2006

The purpose of the present study is to explore an effective way of teaching English vocabulary which is geared toward improving students' English communicative competence. This study focuses on English verbs, which may be followed by patterns according to subcategorization. Learning verbs must include learning about patterns as well as meaning in order to improve the ability to use verbs receptively and productively, or communicative competence. On the basis of the language progression proposed by Willis (2003), a teaching strategy which helps learners learn English verb patterns effectively and systematically was proposed. The effect of the teaching strategy was investigated. The subjects of the experimental group who learned English verb patterns intentionally through the teaching strategy proposed by this study significantly improved themselves in the ability to use them receptively and productively. This result shows that the teaching strategy including improvisation, recognition, rehearsal, system building, exploration and consolidation is helpful to improving communicative competence.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.177-201
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to create step by step guidelines for effective team teaching between Korean teachers of English and native English teachers in Korea. Although team teaching has been used from 1995 in the teaching of English in Korea, the effectiveness of team teaching has not been as high as we have hoped. An important reason for this failure is the lack of communication between the Korean teachers of English and the native English teachers. More specifically, the failure has resulted from not only a lack of opportunities for these teachers to communicate but also a lack of guidelines and strategies for improved intercultural communication between teachers from different cultural backgrounds. This study provides step by step guidelines for how to set up communication time, what to share, and how to set up effective team teaching in English education.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.193-211
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• 2003

This study aims to illustrate students' and teachers' perceptions towards certification of English proficiency and proficiency- based curriculum, and to investigate their needs for developing college English program. A total of 597 students and 28 teachers participated in the survey. The findings showed that both groups acknowledged the usefulness of the certification of English proficiency and proficiency-based curriculum. However, both groups showed a negative response to 'waive test' (testing for the replacement of English required class). They also expressed high level of needs in increasing the number of courses and credit hours, reducing the class size, and improving facilities. Both groups perceived speaking and listening as more important skills, while students showed various preferences for effective language practice activities. The findings of this study suggest t hat the introduction of certification of English proficiency should he supplemented with follow-ups both in pedagogical aspect and on administrative level.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.335-363
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• 2005

One of the most important features in the 7th National Curriculum of English is the introduction of the middle school multi-purpose English classes. Despite the importance of the classes, there doesn't seem to be enough studies of developing learning materials for them. The purpose of the current study is, therefore, to develop English learning materials for the multi-purpose English classes based on the Task-Based Learning framework. To do so, various tasks were collected and adapted for the classes, and different teaching techniques suitable for the tasks were designed. It is hoped that this research will help teachers prepare for teaching materials for the classes, and students recognize their interests in English and to improve their English abilities.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.237-259
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• 2005

Secondary English Education in Korea is implemented according to the 7th National Curriculum. The 7th National English Curriculum pursues to achieve communicative competence considering individual differences. According to the research, using various multimedia in English education enhances English proficiency and allows effective individual-based learning. The purpose of this study is to investigate the implementation of applying multimedia in English education within the framework of the 7th National Curriculum. For this purpose, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted in 2005 with 145 secondary English teachers in Kyunggy Province. The results showed that multimedia was not integrated in English education effectively, and individual based-learning was not implemented effectively, either.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.159-183
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to investigate Korean primary school English teachers' beliefs on self-directed teaching and learning for facilitating student's self-directed learning. A survey was conducted, using 315 primary school teachers as participants. According to different school areas, sex, English teaching careers, and types of English teaching like classroom teachers or English specialist teachers, beliefs on teachers' self-directed teaching were studied based on class planning, class process, utilization of human resources, development and utilization of teaching materials and class evaluation. The results of this study are as follows: first, differences were not shown except class planning according to teachers from different school areas. Second, sex and beliefs of teachers' self-directed teaching had nothing in common. Third, differences were shown in class planning and class process, according to English teaching careers. Finally, according to types of English teaching, differences were shown in class process and development and utilization of teaching materials. The study suggests that it is necessary to conduct other studies for observing primary English classrooms focusing on teacher's self-directed decision-making.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• no.3
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• pp.71-93
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• 1997

Teachers' beliefs about teaching English are reflected in their practices in the classroom. They influence on the students' attitude to English learning. Any teacher training program expects the trainees to change or modify their existing beliefs and attitude through the new ideas and information introduced by the program toward a desired direction. The present study describes a teacher training program for elementary school English teachers and compares the beliefs of the teachers about teaching English before and after the training. The subjects are the elementary school English teachers around Chungnam area who get a special training of 120 hours during January 1997. The investigation of the subjects' beliefs on English teaching is conducted through examining two journals of each subject before and after the training. The journals show the teachers' inner flow of thought, so teacher trainers are expected to get insight on their general instructional considerations and have implications on the future teacher training program through examining these journals. In addition, the journal writing itself gives the teachers opportunity to reflect their practice and rethink about their beliefs, and develop themselves as professional English teachers.