La Voluntat de comunicar-se en una segona llengua: la presa de decisions individual en un context social

Aquest text de Peter MacIntyre exposa els seus punts de vista sobre la voluntat de comunicar centrant-se en la presa de la decisió individual de cada parlant en un context social determinat. Aquesta decisió es produeix al final d'un temps o procés en el qual influeixen una diversitat de factors, que exposa detalladament el model gràfic de la voluntat de comunicar. En contextos socials com ara el de Nova Escòcia o Catalunya, la suma de les decisions individuals de comunicar, respectivament, en gaèlic o en català té una influència directa en el futur d'aquestes llengües.This text of Peter MacIntyre presents his views on willingness to communicate focusing in the individual decision making of each speaker in a given social context. This decision arrives at the end of a process in time, where a variety of factors have an important influence: the WTC model shows their interrelations in an integrated way. In social contexts like those of Nova Scotia or Catalonia, the sum of individual decisions to communicate, respectively, in Gaelic or Catalan, have a direct effect on the future of these languages

Sunderland Software City: The Impact of a Collaborative Project to Develop the Software Industry within the North East of England

This paper uses a case study approach to evaluate the impact of a collaborative initiative within the North East of England which sets out to grow and sustain a software industry, based on the strengths of regional players. The project Sunderland Software City has the ambitious aim of developing the people, the infrastructure and the business and enterprise culture to create and sustain a software industry. This paper focuses upon the impact of the project, and presents some lessons learned to date

Lake-size dependency of wind shear and convection as controls on gas exchange

High-frequency physical observations from 40 temperate lakes were used to examine the relative contributions of wind shear (u*) and convection (w*) to turbulence in the surface mixed layer. Seasonal patterns of u* and w* were dissimilar; u* was often highest in the spring, while w * increased throughout the summer to a maximum in early fall. Convection was a larger mixed-layer turbulence source than wind shear (u */w*-1 for lakes* and w* differ in temporal pattern and magnitude across lakes, both convection and wind shear should be considered in future formulations of lake-air gas exchange, especially for small lakes. © 2012 by the American Geophysical Union.Jordan S. Read, David P. Hamilton, Ankur R. Desai, Kevin C. Rose, Sally MacIntyre, John D. Lenters, Robyn L. Smyth, Paul C. Hanson, Jonathan J. Cole, Peter A. Staehr, James A. Rusak, Donald C. Pierson, Justin D. Brookes, Alo Laas, and Chin H. W

Positive and negative emotions in motivation for second language learning

Peer reviewe

Heart Rate Variability as a Predictor of Speaking Anxiety

This study examines the relations among the perception of speaking anxiety and difficulties in emotion regulation with 2 measures of physiological activity: heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV). Results show significant changes in HR and state anxiety, but not HRV, among the 6 experimental conditions: quiet, reading in both sitting and standing positions, and speaking in both sitting and standing positions. HRV significantly and negatively correlated with difficulties in emotion regulation and HR, but not with public speaking apprehension (PSA) scores or state anxiety ratings. PSA scores, however, were significantly and positively correlated with state anxiety ratings. Results are interpreted in terms of the simultaneous, coordinated operation of physical reactions and emotional coping strategies

A translational framework for public health research

<p><b>Background</b></p> <p>The paradigm of translational medicine that underpins frameworks such as the Cooksey report on the funding of health research does not adequately reflect the complex reality of the public health environment. We therefore outline a translational framework for public health research.</p> <p><b>Discussion</b></p> <p>Our framework redefines the objective of translation from that of institutionalising effective interventions to that of improving population health by influencing both individual and collective determinants of health. It incorporates epidemiological perspectives with those of the social sciences, recognising that many types of research may contribute to the shaping of policy, practice and future research. It also identifies a pivotal role for evidence synthesis and the importance of non-linear and intersectoral interfaces with the public realm.</p> <p><b>Summary</b></p> <p>We propose a research agenda to advance the field and argue that resources for 'applied' or 'translational' public health research should be deployed across the framework, not reserved for 'dissemination' or 'implementation'.</p&gt

Area variations in multiple morbidity using a life table methodology.

Analysis of healthy life expectancy is typically based on a binary distinction between health and ill-health. By contrast, this paper considers spatial modelling of disease free life expectancy taking account of the number of chronic conditions. Thus the analysis is based on population sub-groups with no disease, those with one disease only, and those with two or more diseases (multiple morbidity). Data on health status is accordingly modelled using a multinomial likelihood. The analysis uses data for 258 small areas in north London, and shows wide differences in the disease burden related to multiple morbidity. Strong associations between area socioeconomic deprivation and multiple morbidity are demonstrated, as well as strong spatial clustering

Introducing positive psychology to SLA

Positive psychology is a rapidly expanding subfield in psychology that has important implications for the field of second language acquisition (SLA). This paper introduces positive psychology to the study of language by describing its key tenets. The potential contributions of positive psychology are contextualized with reference to prior work, including the humanistic movement in language teaching, models of motivation, the concept of an affective filter, stud- ies of the good language learner, and the concepts related to the self. There are reasons for both encouragement and caution as studies inspired by positive psychology are undertaken. Papers in this special issue of SSLLT cover a range of quantitative and qualitative methods with implications for theory, research, and teaching practice. The special issue serves as a springboard for future research in SLA under the umbrella of positive psychology.421531722Studies in Second Language Learning and Teachin

Willingness to communicate and action control

Abstract Being willing to communicate is part of becoming fluent in a second language, which often is the ultimate goal of L2 learners. Julius Kuhl's theory of action control is introduced as an expansion of the conceptual framework for the study of Willingness to Communicate. Kuhl proposed three key concepts, preoccupation, volatility, and hesitation, which form part of the base from which WTC in the second language is built. In essence, we propose that a lack of WTC inside and outside the language classroom is related to tendencies for a disruption in action control. Using path analysis, we find support for the proposed model that also integrates perceived competence and communication anxiety. Implications for the trait and dynamic conceptions of WTC are discussed