• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.87-110
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• 2007

Past studies conducted on the students' verbal participation both in and out of class have explored and identified variables affecting the process of learning to speak English. However, little is known about the causes and effects of these variables. A survey form developed from a previous study was administered to 468 university students taking English conversation classes from native speakers of English. To better understand the causes and effects of speaking barriers, path analysis was administered as the main tool of investigation. The results of the study indicate that familiarities toward NS (Native Speaker) teachers, learner faithfulness, che-myon, NS teachers' classroom management skills, and NS teacher's trustworthiness account for 50.72% of speaking grades. These factors are causally related to learner attitudes. However, with regard to speaking grades, all of the above factors except che-myon are also causally related with each other. Therefore, it was concluded that learner attitudes can be improved by minimizing che-myon, however, che-myon itself cannot be a predictor of speaking grades. To validate the findings of the study, related research work is discussed and implications are provided.

• English Language & Literature Teaching
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.1-23
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• 2005

This paper is a qualitative and quantitative study. The main purpose of the paper is to diagnose what makes English communication difficult at the Korean EFL adult level. In order to obtain data, this study employed interviews and a questionnaire. We identified thirty three factors blocking pathways to oral communication. Qualitative analysis repeatedly revealed patterns such as lack of grammar, lack of vocabulary, lack of background knowledge, and peer pressure, but quantitative analysis yielded somewhat different results: lack of colloquial expressions, lack of vocabulary, lack of various topics, problems in the educational system, difficulty in using existing knowledge, and lack of grammar. Findings which were common to both qualitative and quantitative analyses suggest that lack of linguistic knowledge and lack of background knowledge are major barriers learners encounter in communication. On the basis of the results, suggestions are made for overcoming these barriers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2619-2624
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• 2016

Background: Cancer is a worldwide health problem. Arabic countries are also concerned and the burden linked to the pain related to cancer is dsiquieting. The aim of this study is to set the panel of valid tools for assessing the multiple dimensions of pain in arabic speaking countries. Materials and Methods: A systematic review on PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct databases was conducted using as key words cancer, pain and arabic speaking population. The content of 51 articles was studied and nine articles were retained for their relevance for the issue. Results: We founf eight different questionnaires. MSAS-Leb, EORTC-C30, EORTC-BR23, MDASI, FLIC, and COOP/WONCA are dedicated to physical and psychological dimensions of pain. BPI is centered on direct items for measuring pain accurately. ABQ-II is the unique tool focusing on barriers to cancer pain control. All tools are confirmed valid and reliable in the context studied for assessing pain and disconfort linked to cancer. Conclusions: This panel of questionnaires covers all relevant aims for assessing pain in diferent arabic speaking countries with the recommendation of a cultural adaptation to local arabic languages.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.175-185
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• 2012

Purpose: This micro-ethnographic study aimed to understand coping experiences of Korean-American (K-A) women after diagnosis with breast cancer due to a hereditary gene mutation. Methods: Participatory observation and in-depth interviews were performed at one breast cancer screening center in Southern California, in 2005 with eleven first generation K-A immigrant women. All transcribed interviews and field notes were analyzed using ethnographic methodology. Results: K-A women's experience varied based on acculturation risk factors including: limited English speaking ability; disrupted family relationships, individualistic family values, or intergenerational communication barriers; lack of Korean speaking nurses; and Korean physicians' who lacked knowledge about hereditary breast cancer risk. These risk factors led to isolation, loneliness, lack of emotional and social support. In comparison to Korean homeland women in a similar medical situation, these K-A immigrants felt disconnected from the healthcare system, family support and social resources which increased their struggling and impeded coping during their survivorship journey. These women were not able to access self-support groups, nor the valuable resources of nurse navigator programs. Conclusion: Professional oncology associations for nurses and physicians have a moral obligation to support and promote knowledge of hereditary cancer risk and self-help groups for non-native speaking immigrants.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.483-496
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to describe how Korean nurses overcome the language barrier while working in the U.S. hospital settings. Twelve Korean nurses living in New York metropolitan area were asked open-ended, descriptive questions to collect the data. The interviews were done in Korean. All interviews were audiotaped under the permission of the participants and were transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using grounded theory analysis. The research process consisted of two phases. In the first phase 8 Korean nurses were interviewed and analyzed. In the second phase, further data were collected to verify categories and working hypotheses that were emerged from the first phase. The results of this study show that all Korean nurses experienced severe psychological stress such as confusion, anxiety, frustration, loss of self-confidence, embarrassment, guilt, depression, anger, and fear. Among the mode of communication such as listening, speaking, leading, and writing, they had the most difficulty in speaking. Speaking ability was especially important for them because of the emphasis of individualism and self-defense in the U.S. Among the verbal communication modes, non-face-to-face communications such as phone conversation and body language were the most difficu1t for them to overcome. It took at least 2 years for the participants to initially overcome the language barrier in U.S. hospitals. After 2-5 years they began to feel comfortable even in non-face-to-face communication. They could actively search for the better place to work after 5 years. They finally felt comfortable in English and in their job almost after 10 years. The factors that influenced the English improvement were ‘the years of clinical experience in Korea’, ‘the decade they came to the U.S.’ ‘coming to U.S. alone or with other Korean nurses’, ‘racial homogeneity or heterogeneity of the working unit’, and ‘the degree of social support’. The strategies Korean nurses used to overcome the language barrier included depending on the written communication, using ‘nunchi’, working and studying hard, and establishing good interpersonal relationships with co-workers. They also employed assertive behavior of the U.S., such as using more explicit verbal language and employing smiles and eye contact with others during the conversation. The results of the study may help Korean nurses and nursing students who try to work in U.S. hospital settings by understanding problems other Korean nurses faced, factors that influenced their English improvement, and strategies they used. They may also help U.S. nurses and administrators in developing and implementing efficient programs for newly employed Korean nurses by understanding major problems and feelings the Korean nurses experienced and strategies they used to overcome the language barriers.

• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.19
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• pp.411-444
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• 2010

This paper explored the academic socialization of a group of Mongolian college students, learning Korean as their L3 (Third Language), by focusing on their uses of an electronic communication channel. From a perspective of the continua of bi-literacy, this case study investigated how Mongolian students who had limited exposure to a Korean learning community overcame academic challenges through the use of a written communication channel as a tool in the socialization process. Data were collected mainly through three methods: written products, interviews, and questionnaires. The results from this study were as follows. Interactional opportunities for these minority students were seriously constrained during the classroom practices in a Korean-speaking classroom. They also described the lack of communicative competence in Korean and the limited roles played by L2 (English) communication as key barriers to classroom practices. However, students' ways of engaging in electronic interactions differed widely in that they were able to broaden interactional circles by communicating their expertise and difficulties with their Korean peers through the electronic channel. More importantly, the communication pattern of "L2-L2/L3-L3" (on a L2-L3 continuum) emerging from data demonstrated how these students used a written channel as a socialization tool to mediate their learning process in a new community of learning. This study argues that a written communication channel should be taken as an essential part of teaching practices especially for foreign students who cannot speak Korean fluently in multi-cultural classes.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.48-61
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• 2023

Purpose : This study aimed to identify and describe the leadership experience of advanced practice nurses (APN). Methods : Data were collected through five focus group interviews in 2022 with a total of 24 APNs in groups of 4-6 participants. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results : Nine categories emerged from three main themes. First, "Roles of APN leadership" comprised a trusted clinical expert, a moderator for the entire team, a resource person for nurturing the next generation, and a change agent for improving clinical practice. Second, "Facilitators and barriers to APN leadership" included ambiguity of APN role, support system, and institutional backing. Third, "Strategies for strengthening APN leadership competencies" comprised systematic leadership education and speaking up for APNs. Conclusion : APNs are passionate about their expertise and practice, but lack the legal and organizational authority and support to provide successive leadership. Systematic education including leadership and organizational advocacy will enable APN to provide leadership that benefits patients, institutions, and the wider healthcare system.