• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.272-277
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• 2008

Functional MRI technique was used in this study for examining the language switching mechanisms between the first language (L1) and the second language (L2). Language switching mechanism is regarded as a complex task that involves an interaction between L1 and L2. The aim of study is to find out the brain activation patterns during the phonological process of reading real English words and English words written in Korean characters in a bilingual person. Korean-English bilingual subjects were examined while they covertly read four types of words native Korean words, Korean words of a foreign origin, English words written in Korean characters, and English words. The fMRI results reveal that the left hemispheric language-related regions at the brain, such as the left inferior frontal, superior temporal, and parietal cortices, have a greater response to the presentation of English words written in Korean characters than for the other types of words, in addition, a slight difference was observed in the occipital-temporal lobe. These results suggest that a change in the brain circuitry underlying the relational processes of language switching is mainly associated with general executive processing system in the left prefrontal cortex rather than with a similarity-based processing system in the occipital-temporal lobes.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.101-106
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• 2017

In this paper, we propose a new teaching-learning model with two-step feedback on programming language learning, which is a basic preliminary learning for programming. Programming learning is aimed at improving problem solving skills and thinking by experiencing problem solving through programming. For programming, the learner must know how to work with the computer and what to do with it. To do this, concrete thinking should be established and described in an accurate programming language. In recent, most studies have focused on the effects of programming learning and have not studied the effects of education on language itself. Therefore, in this study, the teaching-learning model for programming language education is presented and applied to the field, and the results are compared with the existing instructional-teaching model.

• Korean Journal of English Language and Linguistics
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-36
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• 2003

This paper investigates the patterns of language choice among bilingual Korean students in New Zealand and presents the findings by the individual variables which influence their language behaviour. Respondent variables such as gender, present age, age at migration, region, and duration of residence were adopted as frames of analyses as they were thought to bring us macro-sociolinguistic features of language behaviour in a broad sense. A total of 177 primary to tertiary students from three regions of New Zealand (Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch) were surveyed to find out characteristics of their language choice patterns with diverse interlocutors in a wide range of contexts. It was found that the younger AAM (age at migration) group showed a greater shift towards English. In addition, the longer the respondents had resided in New Zealand the more they used English. The results also revealed that females generally used less English and were more flexible choosing either Korean or English according to the situation. The younger respondents were using more English in some exceptional contexts where tertiary students were ahead of secondary students. Respondents from Wellington, on the whole, shifted towards English more than others from Auckland, and Christchurch. From these findings some implications are suggested for Korean students, teachers, researchers, and the government not only in New Zealand but also in Korea.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.1-24
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• 2006

This study investigated differences in beliefs about English learning of 286 EFL college students and 52 English teachers in Korea. Data was collected using Horwitz's Beliefs About Language Learning Inventory and compared between students and teachers in beliefs. To address the research questions, the data were analyzed through descriptive statistics including frequencies, factor analysis, MANOVA, ANOVA, t-test, and reliability coefficients. The results showed four factors in student beliefs: Difficulty of learning English, nature of learning English, importance of correctness in learning English, and motivation and perceived importance of learning English. Clear differences were found in students and teachers' beliefs in English learning aptitude and importance of translation, error correction, and grammar rules. A few belief differences were also identified between Koreans and native-speaking English teachers related to the importance of vocabulary learning, pronunciation, and cultural knowledge. The findings of the study indicated that background variables such as gender and major field of study have an effect on student beliefs about L2 learning. The present study also provided pedagogical considerations to reduce mismatch between students and teachers beliefs and to improve the L2 planning and instruction.

• Proceedings of the Korea Information Processing Society Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.552-554
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• 2019

Deaf mutism (a hearing-impaired person and speech disorders) communicates using sign language. There are difficulties in communicating by voice. However, sign language can only be limited in communicating with people who know sign language because everyone doesn't use sign language when they communicate. In this paper, a finger language translation system is proposed and implemented as a means for the disabled and the non-disabled to communicate without difficulty. The proposed algorithm recognizes the finger language data by leap motion and self-learns the data using machine learning technology to increase recognition rate. We show performance improvement from the simulation results.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.123-145
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to propose an efficient vocabulary assessment model in task-based language learning and to verify the viability of this assessment model. Bachman and Palmer (1996) pointed out the fact that many language tests focus on just one of the areas of language knowledge. However, researchers suggested that it is necessary to acknowledge the needs of several analytic scales, which can provide separate ratings for different components of the language ability to be tested. Although there were many studies which tried to evaluate the various aspects of vocabulary ability, most of them measured only one or two factors. Based on previous research, this study proposed an assessment model of general construct of vocabulary ability and tried to measure vocabulary ability in four separate areas. The subjects were two classes of university level Korean EFL students. They participated in small group discussion via synchronous CMC. One class used a lexically focused task, which was proposed by Kim and Jeong (2006) and the other class used a non-lexically focused task. The results showed that the students with a lexically focused task significantly outperformed those with a non-lexically focused task in overall vocabulary ability as well as four subdivisions of vocabulary ability. In conclusion, the assessment model of separate ratings is a viable measure of vocabulary ability and this can provide elaborate interpretation of vocabulary ability.

• Korean Journal of English Language and Linguistics
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.187-209
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• 2001

This study attempts to supplement what is known about the influence of prior knowledge on second language listening comprehension. To do so, the study examines the effect of prior knowledge and language proficiency on the ability of L2 listeners to understand texts. The purpose of an experiment was to determine the effect of topic familiarity on the L2 listening comprehension ability of subjects who varied in L2 listening proficiency level. The subjects (N=117) were selected from a population of college students enrolled in the Departments of English and Business in Korea. English listening proficiency levels were designated on the basis of TOEFL listening scores. Subjects listened twice each to texts (more familiar and less familiar). After listening to each text, a ten-item objective test was administered to test the subjects' comprehension of the information presented in the text. Objective tests were analyzed. using repeated measures analysis. A post hoc test was conducted to identify the means that were significantly different. This study yielded the following results: (1) subjects with high prior knowledge comprehended texts significantly better than did subjects with low prior knowledge; (2) the level of L2 listening proficiency had a significant effect on the L2 listening comprehension of texts, but there was no interaction between prior knowledge and the level of L2 listening proficiency.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2009

The study aims to answer two questions: (a) what perceptions do NNESTs have about teaching native English speaking (NES) students? (b) what perceptions do NES students have of their NNESTs? The study participants were four NNESTs and 17 NES students. Data were collected through one-on-one interviews, which were analyzed qualitatively. Major study findings showed the differences between the NNESTs and their NES students in the area of teaching and language performance. The NNESTs were perceived by their students as using ineffective teaching techniques, lacking in their command of English, especially accent; the NNESTs, in turn, perceived themselves as well-prepared teachers with not too much concern about nonnativeness of English, and felt that their students were not actively engaged in their class. The present study indicates, for both NNESTs and NES students, the need to be aware of World Englishes (WE) in terms of language and pedagogy. This involves the variety of Englishes, especially with different accents existence among nonnative speakers, and the variety of learning and teaching methods in English class, where both need to create a balance between the old and new perspective to maintain a middle ground.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1-22
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• 2011

Little has been known about the process of the language teacher professional development. The present study aims to investigate an assumption that anybody who has subject matter knowledge will be a good language teacher. A teacher with rich linguistic knowledge started to question the effectiveness of his online class. The teacher, in collaboration with a teacher trainer, became involved in the critical examination of his online class, seeking for more effective ways of teaching. The trainer provided the teacher with clinical supervision, which is characterized as developmental, collaborative, non-judgemental, interactive, and teacher-centered. The data collected at the multi-facets of the online teaching shows how the process of the teacher's decision-making became principled on the basis of recent developments in English language teaching, and how the teacher has gained pedagogical knowledge through reflection upon his teaching. The feedback from the students reveals that such teacher professional development is beneficial to student learning. These findings suggest that language teacher's professional development can take place when they are engaged in reflective teaching and classroom investigation. It is also suggested that the process of teacher development can be enhanced through collaborative supervision with trust, openness and congeniality between parties involved.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.357-373
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• 2011

There have been great controversies over making English as an official language in Korea. They have been triggered since some scholars published books and articles claiming that officialization of English is the best option for Korean people who spend significant amount of their life time to learn English. Those who are happy about the idea believe that officialization of English will be a good help for Korean people to gain a high degree of English proficiency, while others worry about possible negative impact on Korean language and culture. There are more diverse views and opinions on this issue. The distance between pros and cons about officialization of English doesn't seem to be negotiated. This study has been conducted not for finding the solution to the controversies. It is for understanding how those whose successful career and high living quality depend on gaining high command of English feel about acknowledging English as an official language of Korea. The results show that overall ideas on the officialization of English of research subjects are similar with those of scholars in academia. Around two third of total number of the research subjects expressed their criticism against the idea. One interesting thing is that all of the subjects, regardless their positions, think that there are serious problems in English education policy and system in Korea.