Learning Styles and Preferences of Jordanian EFL Graduate Students

This paper presents the results of a comparative investigation into the learning styles of successful and unsuccessful language learners. Subjects of the study were seventeen graduate university students at Yarmouk University, Jordan. They were categorized as ‘successful or ‘unsuccessful’ learners, on the basis of their final scores on their English examination administered at the end of the semester, and their oral presentations which they had to give during the semester to measure their ability of speaking, discussing and defending themselves in English appropriately. The subjects of the study completed a questionnaire through which data were collected on their learning styles and preferences as well as their patterns of language practice and use. Findings of the study showed that there were no significant relationship between the subjects' learning styles and their proficiency or achievement in English. The study also revealed some key differences in the subjects' learning styles. Keywords: English; Learning styles; Effective language learner; Less effective language learner, Jordan

Jordanian EFL Students’ Types of Intelligence in Learning English

The present study investigated the types of intelligence BAU students prefer to use in learning English. This study used a quantitative method for collecting data via a questionnaire. The subjects of the study were 138 Jordanian students at Al-Huson University College, Al-Balqa Applied University. The results revealed that logical-mathematical and linguistic intelligence was the most dominant type of intelligence among the students. However, neither their gender nor their academic degree program had a significant effect on their learning type of intelligence. Nevertheless, the data showed substantial differences among the students in the interpersonal type of intelligence in favor of male students, while these differences were in favor of the females in the intrapersonal type. There were significant differences in the logical-mathematical type of intelligence between the bachelor’s degree students and their diploma colleagues in favor of the bachelor ones. The researcher attempts to shed light on Jordanian EFL students’ types of intelligence and their preferred types when learning English, in hopes that it becomes possible for teachers to recognize the types according to their students’ profiles and help match them with those present or assess whether they need to develop strategies to cover the full spectrum of the types found in MI Theory

The Effects of Motivation on Female EFL Students' Language Proficiency

This paper presented the results of a study which was carried out to identify the relationship between EFL female students’ motivation and learning the English language. The study investigated two types of  motivation : internal and external. The study sample consisted of 102 English majored female students at Yarmouk University, Jordan. A two section questionnaire was used for data collection. The findings showed that the subjects’ are internally motivated for learning the English language. And there was a positive relationship between students’ internal motivation and their proficiency in English as a foreign language. On the other hand, data for the students’ external motivation revealed that there was a counterproductive relationship between external motivation and proficiency in learning English. Keywords: EFL, Motivation, Internal motivation, External motivation, Jorda

Strategies Used by Jordanian University Students’ in Dealing with New Vocabulary in English

In an effort to provide the literature with additional insight on how the learners meet the obstacles of understanding new vocabulary which they face in reading English texts, the present study tried to identify the strategies used by Al-Huson University Collage students’ in dealing with new vocabulary in English. Furthermore, the researcher examined the effect of gender and the academic major on the participants choice of the strategies that they tend to use when they meet new vocabulary while they read English texts. The results showed that the participants tend to look up every new vocabulary or try to ask about it as the most frequent strategies. And guessing came next. Skipping came last between the three strategies under study. Both gender and the academic major do not have a significant effect on the participants choice of strategy. Keywords: Strategies, Learning Strategies, Vocabulary Learning, English as a Foreign language

The Effect of Using the Internet on EFL Elementary School Students’ Writing

This research analyzes the effect of using the internet on Arab EFL students' performance in English writing. The research design of this study used a pre-test/post-test to identify the influence of the internet on students' writing in English. The subjects were purposefully chosen from a private school in Irbid district in Jordan. They were  instructed  in the traditional way in the first semester and their writing was rated as a pre-test. In the second semester they were instructed using the internet as a mean of teaching/learning. Their writing was rated afterwards as a post-test to examine the effect of using the internet on their writing. The results showed that students' overall performance on the post-test improved significantly. The most significant improvement was on the use of vocabulary and the least was on the development of their paragraphs in general. Keywords: English as a foreign language, Internet, Technology, Jordan, Vocabulary, Writin

Investigating Individual Learning Strategies Used by Jordanian EFL Students

The present study investigated the use of individual learning strategies among Jordanian EFL university students. The study employed a quantitative method for collecting data involving mainly a questionnaire administration. Subjects of the study were 135 Jordanian students who study English and translation at Yarmouk University. The subjects of the study completed a questionnaire through which data were collected on their use of individual learning strategies. The obtained data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The results revealed that most of the subjects were moderate users of the individual learning strategies. However, neither gender, nor major had a significant effect on the subjects’ use of those strategies. The study also showed that the subjects’ academic year level at the university had a significant effect in terms of their use of the strategies in favor of the seniors

The Impact of an Instructional Program on Students' Proficiency of English Vocational Terms

The present study aimed at investigating the effect of an instructional program on vocational educational students' proficiency of vocational educational terms in English. The study sample consisted of 60 male and female students from Al-Balqa'a Applied University, Jordan. Moreover, the study investigated the effect the students' gender and secondary school stream on their performance after receiving the vocational instructional program. Findings revealed that the instructional program had a positive effect on students' achievement and awareness of the vocational terms in English and both their gender and secondary school stream influenced their achievement, since female students did better than male students, and students from the academic stream were better than their counterparts from the vocational stream. Keywords: English, Vocational Education, EFL, Gender, Jordan

Proverbs, Anti-Proverbs and Language Learning

Proverbs express public wisdom and reflect public attitudes. In the traditional definition they are untouchable when it comes to form. Like other idiomatic expressions, they are learnt as whole, indivisible chunks. As such, they should be included in language classes, if a native-like mastery is to be achieved since they constitute an indispensible component of one’s linguistic repertoire. Recent studies have shown that proverbial form is not as “holy” as tradition holds it. Speakers “commit” different kinds of transformations to popular proverbs, their sanctity notwithstanding. Examples of different types of mutations are discussed in this paper and categorized under the headings of: sound imitation, word play, stunting (or cropping), combining more than one proverb, and introducing a completely new “proverb”. These different types are seen to produce proverb-like statements which could eventually turn into proverbs proper. This paper argues that all such transformations have a purpose not unlike the purpose of proverbs proper: they are often utilized by their users to “decorate” their texts with what sounds like traditionally accepted truths very similar to the truths expressed by proverbs.Inclusion of this part of language in language classes becomes integral to the process of teaching since knowledge of these expressions, like that of other idiomatic expressions, is essential for perfecting a learner’s mastery of a target language

Spatial, temporal, and demographic patterns in prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2019 : a systematic analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Ending the global tobacco epidemic is a defining challenge in global health. Timely and comprehensive estimates of the prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden are needed to guide tobacco control efforts nationally and globally. Methods We estimated the prevalence of smoking tobacco use and attributable disease burden for 204 countries and territories, by age and sex, from 1990 to 2019 as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study. We modelled multiple smoking-related indicators from 3625 nationally representative surveys. We completed systematic reviews and did Bayesian meta-regressions for 36 causally linked health outcomes to estimate non-linear dose-response risk curves for current and former smokers. We used a direct estimation approach to estimate attributable burden, providing more comprehensive estimates of the health effects of smoking than previously available. Findings Globally in 2019, 1.14 billion (95% uncertainty interval 1.13-1.16) individuals were current smokers, who consumed 7.41 trillion (7.11-7.74) cigarette-equivalents of tobacco in 2019. Although prevalence of smoking had decreased significantly since 1990 among both males (27.5% [26. 5-28.5] reduction) and females (37.7% [35.4-39.9] reduction) aged 15 years and older, population growth has led to a significant increase in the total number of smokers from 0.99 billion (0.98-1.00) in 1990. Globally in 2019, smoking tobacco use accounted for 7.69 million (7.16-8.20) deaths and 200 million (185-214) disability-adjusted life-years, and was the leading risk factor for death among males (20.2% [19.3-21.1] of male deaths). 6.68 million [86.9%] of 7.69 million deaths attributable to smoking tobacco use were among current smokers. Interpretation In the absence of intervention, the annual toll of 7.69 million deaths and 200 million disability-adjusted life-years attributable to smoking will increase over the coming decades. Substantial progress in reducing the prevalence of smoking tobacco use has been observed in countries from all regions and at all stages of development, but a large implementation gap remains for tobacco control. Countries have a dear and urgent opportunity to pass strong, evidence-based policies to accelerate reductions in the prevalence of smoking and reap massive health benefits for their citizens. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Burden of disease scenarios for 204 countries and territories, 2022–2050: a forecasting analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Future trends in disease burden and drivers of health are of great interest to policy makers and the public at large. This information can be used for policy and long-term health investment, planning, and prioritisation. We have expanded and improved upon previous forecasts produced as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) and provide a reference forecast (the most likely future), and alternative scenarios assessing disease burden trajectories if selected sets of risk factors were eliminated from current levels by 2050. Methods: Using forecasts of major drivers of health such as the Socio-demographic Index (SDI; a composite measure of lag-distributed income per capita, mean years of education, and total fertility under 25 years of age) and the full set of risk factor exposures captured by GBD, we provide cause-specific forecasts of mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) by age and sex from 2022 to 2050 for 204 countries and territories, 21 GBD regions, seven super-regions, and the world. All analyses were done at the cause-specific level so that only risk factors deemed causal by the GBD comparative risk assessment influenced future trajectories of mortality for each disease. Cause-specific mortality was modelled using mixed-effects models with SDI and time as the main covariates, and the combined impact of causal risk factors as an offset in the model. At the all-cause mortality level, we captured unexplained variation by modelling residuals with an autoregressive integrated moving average model with drift attenuation. These all-cause forecasts constrained the cause-specific forecasts at successively deeper levels of the GBD cause hierarchy using cascading mortality models, thus ensuring a robust estimate of cause-specific mortality. For non-fatal measures (eg, low back pain), incidence and prevalence were forecasted from mixed-effects models with SDI as the main covariate, and YLDs were computed from the resulting prevalence forecasts and average disability weights from GBD. Alternative future scenarios were constructed by replacing appropriate reference trajectories for risk factors with hypothetical trajectories of gradual elimination of risk factor exposure from current levels to 2050. The scenarios were constructed from various sets of risk factors: environmental risks (Safer Environment scenario), risks associated with communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases (CMNNs; Improved Childhood Nutrition and Vaccination scenario), risks associated with major non-communicable diseases (NCDs; Improved Behavioural and Metabolic Risks scenario), and the combined effects of these three scenarios. Using the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways climate scenarios SSP2-4.5 as reference and SSP1-1.9 as an optimistic alternative in the Safer Environment scenario, we accounted for climate change impact on health by using the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change temperature forecasts and published trajectories of ambient air pollution for the same two scenarios. Life expectancy and healthy life expectancy were computed using standard methods. The forecasting framework includes computing the age-sex-specific future population for each location and separately for each scenario. 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) for each individual future estimate were derived from the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles of distributions generated from propagating 500 draws through the multistage computational pipeline. Findings: In the reference scenario forecast, global and super-regional life expectancy increased from 2022 to 2050, but improvement was at a slower pace than in the three decades preceding the COVID-19 pandemic (beginning in 2020). Gains in future life expectancy were forecasted to be greatest in super-regions with comparatively low life expectancies (such as sub-Saharan Africa) compared with super-regions with higher life expectancies (such as the high-income super-region), leading to a trend towards convergence in life expectancy across locations between now and 2050. At the super-region level, forecasted healthy life expectancy patterns were similar to those of life expectancies. Forecasts for the reference scenario found that health will improve in the coming decades, with all-cause age-standardised DALY rates decreasing in every GBD super-region. The total DALY burden measured in counts, however, will increase in every super-region, largely a function of population ageing and growth. We also forecasted that both DALY counts and age-standardised DALY rates will continue to shift from CMNNs to NCDs, with the most pronounced shifts occurring in sub-Saharan Africa (60·1% [95% UI 56·8–63·1] of DALYs were from CMNNs in 2022 compared with 35·8% [31·0–45·0] in 2050) and south Asia (31·7% [29·2–34·1] to 15·5% [13·7–17·5]). This shift is reflected in the leading global causes of DALYs, with the top four causes in 2050 being ischaemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, compared with 2022, with ischaemic heart disease, neonatal disorders, stroke, and lower respiratory infections at the top. The global proportion of DALYs due to YLDs likewise increased from 33·8% (27·4–40·3) to 41·1% (33·9–48·1) from 2022 to 2050, demonstrating an important shift in overall disease burden towards morbidity and away from premature death. The largest shift of this kind was forecasted for sub-Saharan Africa, from 20·1% (15·6–25·3) of DALYs due to YLDs in 2022 to 35·6% (26·5–43·0) in 2050. In the assessment of alternative future scenarios, the combined effects of the scenarios (Safer Environment, Improved Childhood Nutrition and Vaccination, and Improved Behavioural and Metabolic Risks scenarios) demonstrated an important decrease in the global burden of DALYs in 2050 of 15·4% (13·5–17·5) compared with the reference scenario, with decreases across super-regions ranging from 10·4% (9·7–11·3) in the high-income super-region to 23·9% (20·7–27·3) in north Africa and the Middle East. The Safer Environment scenario had its largest decrease in sub-Saharan Africa (5·2% [3·5–6·8]), the Improved Behavioural and Metabolic Risks scenario in north Africa and the Middle East (23·2% [20·2–26·5]), and the Improved Nutrition and Vaccination scenario in sub-Saharan Africa (2·0% [–0·6 to 3·6]). Interpretation: Globally, life expectancy and age-standardised disease burden were forecasted to improve between 2022 and 2050, with the majority of the burden continuing to shift from CMNNs to NCDs. That said, continued progress on reducing the CMNN disease burden will be dependent on maintaining investment in and policy emphasis on CMNN disease prevention and treatment. Mostly due to growth and ageing of populations, the number of deaths and DALYs due to all causes combined will generally increase. By constructing alternative future scenarios wherein certain risk exposures are eliminated by 2050, we have shown that opportunities exist to substantially improve health outcomes in the future through concerted efforts to prevent exposure to well established risk factors and to expand access to key health interventions