Language learning in a partially English-taught teacher education programme: language gains and student perceptions

This paper reports on a study aimed to investigate students’ development in English proficiency over a four-year partially English-taught programme that did not integrate any explicit language learning goals. Additionally, the study investigated their perceptions concerning language gains and experiences in the programme. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed. Paired-sampled t-tests indicated statistically significant differences from pretest to posttest for listening but not for grammar. Repeated measures ANOVA determined that the least proficient (B1) students obtained the highest language gains over the 4-year period, particularly in listening. In contrast, advanced (C1) students performed worse in the listening and grammar posttests than in the pretests. Further findings indicated that the students perceived a positive impact on their English competence. No significant differences were found across self-rated proficiency groups regarding their perceptions of language improvement as a result of participating in the programme. The study also found that the higher the students’ proficiency in the language, the less satisfied they were with the programme. In the focus group interviews, the students attributed their language improvement to being exposed to English and having to produce output, mainly in oral presentations and written tasks, and demanded English language instruction within the curriculum

University Teachers’ Perceptions at the Early Stages of a Bilingual Teacher Education Programme

Este artículo presenta un estudio cualitativo sobre las percepciones de un grupo de ocho docentes universitarios relativas a las etapas iniciales de un programa de formación del profesorado en el cual ciertos módulos eran impartidos en inglés. La experiencia –aún en curso– comenzó en el año académico 2014-2015 en un grupo del Grado en Educación Prima-ria en la Universidad de Málaga (España). Se llevaron a cabo entrevistas semi-estructuradas con ocho profesores al final del año académico con el fin de obtener sus impresiones sobre las primeras etapas de un programa bilingüe, de ellos mismos como docentes en el programa y de las condiciones en las que se puso en marcha y se financiaba. El estudio adoptó un enfo-que temático al análisis de los datos. Los hallazgos reflejan un panorama de retos y oportuni-dades del Inglés como Medio de Instrucción en un contexto particular, que entendemos que aporta una valiosa información sobre aspectos clave relativos a la calidad de los programas bilingües en educación superior.This article reports on a qualitative exploration of the perceptions held by a group of eight university teachers concerning the initial stages of a teacher education programme, in which some modules were taught through the medium of English. The still on-going experience started in the 2014-2015 academic year in a group of the Primary Edu-cation Degree Course at the University of Málaga (Spain). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight lecturers at the end of the academic year in order to elicit their in-terpretations of the first stages of a bilingual programme, of themselves as teachers in the programme, and of the conditions in which it was set up and resourced. The study adopted a thematic approach to data analysis. The findings provide an overview of the challenges and opportunities of English as a Medium of Instruction at a particular context that hopefully sheds some light on key issues concerning the quality of bilingual programmes in higher education

Language-related perceptions: how do they predict student satisfaction with a partial English Medium Instruction in Higher Education?

This study investigated language-related predictors of satisfaction with a partial English Medium Instruction (EMI) programme in teacher education at a Spanish university. More specifically, it explored the impact on programme satisfaction of students' perceptions of language improvement, of opportunities to use English, of lecturers' English proficiency, and language improvement as a motivation for enrolling in the programme. Additionally, it examined how self-rated proficiency affects the association between these language-related variables and satisfaction. Results show that students were more satisfied than they were dissatisfied, that they acknowledged having made an improvement in their English skills, and that the lecturers' English proficiency was below their expectations. Most importantly, the language-related variables under study were found to be significant predictors of student satisfaction with EMI, and each of them explained a high percentage of the variance in programme satisfaction. It was also found that these variables impacted student satisfaction differently across different self-rated proficiency groups. The article discusses that, at a time when competition among universities is taking a global dimension and students’ general English proficiency is getting progressively higher, most attention needs to be paid to the language when designing and resourcing EMI initiatives in order to make them competitive and sustainable.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBU

GUÍA DE EVALUACIÓN DEL APRENDIZAJE DE SEMIÓTICA

GUÍA DE EVALUACIÓN DEL APRENDIZAJ

GUÍA DE EVALUACIÓN DEL APRENDIZAJE DE EVOLUCIÓN DE LOS OBJETOS

GUÍA DE EVALUACIÓN DEL APRENDIZAJ

Intertidal endangered species from “The Strait Natural Park”

En el marco de dos campos de trabajo (2006 y 2007) financiados por el Patronato Municipal de Juventud del Ayuntamiento de Tarifa y el Instituto Andaluz de la Juventud respectivamente, se estudiaron cinco especies intermareales amenazadas del Parque Natural del Estrecho: Patella ferruginea Gmelin, 1791, Cymbula nigra (Da Costa, 1771), Dendropoma petraeum (Monterosato, 1884) Charonia lampas lampas (Linnaeus, 1758) y Astroides calycularis (Pallas, 1776). Se seleccionaron 8 estaciones, y en cada estación se realizaron 4 transectos de 100 m de longitud paralelos a la costa. Se registraron un total de 211 ejemplares de C. nigra (5,3±1,6 cm) y 100 ejemplares de P. ferruginea (4,1±1,3 cm). Destacó la presencia de un ejemplar de P. ferruginea en Punta Camarinal, representando la cita más occidental para la especie encontrada hasta el momento. C. nigra y P. ferruginea mostraron mayores densidades en la zona oriental del Parque mientras que D. petraeum fue más abundante en la.In the framework of the labour camps (2006 and 2007) supported by the “Patronato Municipal de Juventud del Ayuntamiento de Tarifa” and the “Instituto Andaluz de la Juventud” respectively, five intertidal endangered species from “The Straits Natural Park” were studied: Patella ferruginea Gmelin, 1791, Cymbula nigra (Da Costa, 1771), Dendropoma petraeum (Monterosato, 1884) Charonia lampas (Linnaeus, 1758), Astroides calycularis (Pallas, 1776). Eight stations were selected, and 4 transects of 100 m were disposed parallel to the coastline. A total of 211 specimens of C. nigra (5,3±1,6 cm) and 100 specimens of P. ferruginea (4,1±1,3 cm) were registered. A specimen of P. ferruginea was collected from Punta Camarinal, representing the most occidental record of the species so far. C. nigra and P. ferruginea showed the highest densities in the oriental zone of the Natural Park, whereas D. petraeum was more abundant in the occidental sites. When a qualitative evaluation of the stations was conducted based on the relative abundance of species, Guadalmesí (with 17 points of 20) showed the highest interest, with high abundances of the 5 species. Tarifa Island (with 13 points) was also remarkable. Regarding with the limpet populations of P. ferruginea and C. nigra, San García was especially interesting, showing high densities of both species. The qualitative assessment of “The Strait Natural Park” conducted in the present study should be considered by the authorities to properly address future management and conservation estrategie

Solvent effects on de-excitation channels in the p-coumaric acid methyl ester anion, an analogue of the photoactive yellow protein (PYP) chromophore

En un intento por arrojar luz sobre los efectos ambientales en los canales de desactivación del cromóforo PYP, se comparan los mecanismos de desactivación radiativa y no radiactiva del éster metílico del ácido p- cúmico aniónico (pCE - ) en la fase gaseosa y la solución acuosa en el CASPT2 // CASSCF / cc-pVDZ nivel y, cuando sea necesario, a nivel CASPT2 // CASPT2 / cc-pVDZ. Encontramos que el solvente produce modificaciones dramáticas en el perfil de energía libre del estado S1. Dos estructuras retorcidas que son mínimas en la fase gaseosa no pudieron ser localizadas en solución acuosa. Además, la estabilidad relativa de los mínimos y las intersecciones cónicas (IC) se revierte con respecto a los valores de la fase gaseosa, lo que afecta a las rutas de desactivación prevalentes. Como consecuencia de estos cambios, se abren tres canales de de-excitación competitivos en solución acuosa: la emisión de fluorescencia desde un mínimo planar en S1, la fotoisomerización trans - cis a través de un IC que implica la rotación del doble enlace de vinilo y el no desvitación radiativa, no reactiva, a través de la IC asociada a la rotación del enlace simple adyacente al grupo fenilo. En la fase gaseosa, los mínimos son las estructuras con menor energía, mientras que en solución la estructura CI β , caracterizada por una gran separación de cargas, se estabiliza fuertemente mediante interacciones con moléculas de agua y se convierte en la estructura con la energía más baja en S1. Estos hechos explican la baja señal de fluorescencia de pCE - en solución acuosa y la presencia de fotoisomerización trans - cis parcial en este sistema.In an attempt to shed light on the environmental effects on the deactivation channels of the PYP chromophore, radiative and non-radiative deactivation mechanisms of the anionic p-coumaric acid methyl ester (pCE−) in the gas phase and water solution are compared at the CASPT2//CASSCF/cc-pVDZ level and, when necessary, at the CASPT2//CASPT2/cc-pVDZ level. We find that the solvent produces dramatic modifications on the free energy profile of the S1 state. Two twisted structures that are minima in the gas phase could not be localized in aqueous solution. Furthermore, the relative stability of minima and conical intersections (CIs) is reverted with respect to the gas phase values, affecting the prevalent de-excitation paths. As a consequence of these changes, three competitive de-excitation channels are open in aqueous solution: the fluorescence emission from a planar minimum on S1, the trans–cis photoisomerization through a CI that involves the rotation of the vinyl double bond and the non-radiative, non-reactive, de-excitation through the CI associated with the rotation of the single bond adjacent to the phenyl group. In the gas phase, the minima are the structures with lower energy, while in solution the CIβ structure, characterized by a large charge separation, is strongly stabilized by interactions with water molecules and becomes the structure with the lowest energy on S1. These facts explain the low fluorescence signal of pCE− in aqueous solution and the presence of partial trans–cis photoisomerization in this system.Trabajo financiado por: Gobierno de Extremadura. Consejería de Economía, Comercio e Innovación. Proyecto GR15169peerReviewe

Qualidade de vida dos idosos com disfunçao temporomandibular

Introduction: temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a painful skeletal muscle condition that affects the muscles of the mastication, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and various anatomical structures of the stomatognathic system.Objective: to compare the quality of life; determined with the OHIP instrument 49-Mx, of older adults with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) vs. free of TTM.Method: an analytical observational study was conducted in the elderly population in a Gerontological Unit of Puebla, Mexico. The diagnosis of TMD was established in the facilities; with the diagnostic criteria for TTM proposed by Dworkin and improved by Schiffman in 2014 by a previously trained researcher. Additionally, the quality of life (OHIP 49-Mx) was evaluated by the same researcher. The statistical management was performed with Mann-Whitney U (medium contrast) with significant value ≤0.05, in the SPSSv.21 program.Results: 192 older adults were evaluated; 131 (68.2%) with TTM; 84% women Patients with TMD had higher medians in most dimensions of the OHIP instrument 49 Mx: limitación funcional Md=16 vs. 13, p=0,06; dolor Md=8,0 vs. 4,0 p=0.02; incomodidad psicológica Md=3 vs. 3, p=0,31; inhabilidad física Md=11 vs. 3, p≤0,00; inhabilidad psicológica Md=1 vs. 1; p=0,03; inhabilidad social, Md=0 vs. 0; p=0,90 e incapacidad Md=1 vs. 1, p=0,03.Md=16 vs. 13, p=0.06; pain Md=8.0 vs. 4.0, p=0.02; psychological discomfort Md=3 vs. 3, p=0.31; physical disability Md=11 vs. 3, p≤0.00; psychological disability Md=1 vs. one, p=0.03; social disability Md=0 vs. 0, p=0.90 and disability Md=1 vs. 1, p=0.03.Conclusions: the elderly with TMD, showed a lower quality of life related to oral health; specifically in the dimensions of functional limitation, physical, psychological and pain disability.Introducción: los trastornos temporomandibulares (TTM) son una condición músculo esquelética dolorosa que afecta los músculos de la masticación, la articulación temporomandibular (ATM) y varias estructuras anatómicas del sistema estomatognático. Objetivo: comparar la calidad de vida; determinada con el instrumento OHIP 49-Mx, de adultos mayores con trastornos temporomandibulares (TTM) vs libres de TTM.Método: se realizó un estudio observacional analítico en la población de adultos mayores en una Unidad Gerontológica de Puebla, México. Se estableció el diagnóstico de TTM en las instalaciones; con los criterios diagnósticos para TTM propuesto por Dworkin y mejorados por Schiffman en el 2014 por investigadora previamente capacitada. Adicionalmente, se evaluó la calidad de vida (OHIP 49-Mx) por la misma investigadora. El manejo estadístico fue realizado con U de Mann-Whitney (contraste de medianas) con valor significativo ≤0.05, en el programa SPSSv.21. Resultados: se evaluaron 192 adultos mayores; 131 (68,2 %) con TTM; 84 % mujeres. Los pacientes con TTM, presentaron medianas superiores en la mayoría de las dimensiones del instrumento OHIP 49 Mx: limitación funcional Md=16 vs. 13, p=0,06; dolor Md=8,0 vs. 4,0 p=0.02; incomodidad psicológica Md=3 vs. 3, p=0,31; inhabilidad física Md=11 vs. 3, p≤0,00; inhabilidad psicológica Md=1 vs. 1; p=0,03; inhabilidad social, Md=0 vs. 0; p=0,90 e incapacidad Md=1 vs. 1, p=0,03.Conclusiones: los adultos mayores con TTM, denotaron una menor calidad de vida relacionada con la salud bucal, específicamente, en las dimensiones de limitación funcional, inhabilidad física, psicológica y dolor.Introdução: as disfunções temporomandibulares (DTM) são uma condição dolorosa do músculo esquelético que afeta os músculos da mastigação, a articulação temporomandibular (ATM) e diversas estruturas anatômicas do sistema estomatognático.Objetivo: comparar a qualidade de vida; determinado com o instrumento OHIP 49-Mx, de idosos com disfunção temporomandibular (DTM) vs. livre de TTM.Método: estudo observacional analítico foi realizado na população idosa em uma Unidade Gerontológica de Puebla, México. O diagnóstico de DTM foi estabelecido nas instalações; com os critérios diagnósticos para TTM propostos por Dworkin e aprimorados por Schiffman em 2014 por um pesquisador previamente treinado. Além disso, a qualidade de vida (OHIP 49-Mx) foi avaliada pelo mesmo pesquisador. O tratamento estatístico foi realizado com o teste Mann-Whitney U (meio de contraste) com valor significativo ≤0,05, no programa SPSSv.21.Resultados: 192 idosos foram avaliados; 131 (68,2%) com TTM; 84% mulheres Pacientes com DTM apresentaram medianas mais altas na maioria das dimensões do instrumento OHIP 49 Mx: limitação funcional Md = 16 vs. 13, p = 0,06; dor Md = 8.0 vs. 4,0 p = 0,02; desconforto psicológico Md = 3 vs. 3, p = 0,31; deficiência física Md = 11 vs. 3, p <0,00; incapacidade psicológica Md = 1 vs. 1; p = 0,03; deficiência social, Md = 0 vs. 0; p = 0,90 e incapacidade Md = 1 vs. 1, p = 0,03.Conclusões: os idosos com DTM apresentaram menor qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde bucal; especificamente nas dimensões de limitação funcional, física, psicológica e incapacidade de dor

Prevalencia de trastornos temporomandibulares en niños mexicanos con dentición mixta

Objetivo Determinar y contrastar con la bibliografía reportada, la prevalencia de trastornos temporomandibulares con un instrumento validado en dentición mixta de niños mexicanos.Métodos Se incluyeron 150 niños de8 a 12 años de edad, de cualquier sexo que asistieron a la clínica de estomatología pediátrica de la BUAP, evaluados con los criterios diagnósticos para la Investigación de los TTM (CDI/TTM) por investigador previamente estandarizado (kappa=0,93). Los resultados se contrastaron con lo reportado en la bibliografía.Resultados La prevalencia de TTM fue del 20,7 %, predominantemente de tipo muscular (77,4 %), el 33,3 % presentó alteración del patrón de apertura bucal, el 34% presentó ruidos articulares (chasquido), la función mandibular más comprometida fue el masticar (6 %). Estos resultados contrastan con  lo reportado en la bibliografía, específicamente en los sitios musculares doloridos y las cefaleas, probablemente explicado por  los diferentes instrumentos utilizados.Conclusión La prevalencia de TTM es contrastante entre diversos estudios, es necesario enfatizar la necesidad de evaluar éstos durante la niñez y la juventud con instrumentos validados