Formulaic language and conceptual socialization: The route to becoming nativelike in L2

Cataloged from PDF version of article.The present study addressed the question whether formulaic expressions indicate nativelike selection in the target language by examining seven Turkish students’ use of formulaic expressions during their first year in the United States. Fourteen external raters who spoke English as their first language rated the Turkish (focal group) and American students’ (control group) DCT responses in terms of nativelike language use. The results indicated that the American students not only received higher nativelikeness ratings but also produced more formulaic expressions than the Turkish students. This finding confirms that freely generated utterances based on grammatical units and lexis forecast non-membership to the speech community (Skehan, 1998) while the use of formulaic expressions is an indicator of nativelike selection. The results also revealed that gaining competency over formulaic expressions for second language learners is not a linear process but open to creativity

Common ground for positioning: A discourse analysis on second language socialization

Cataloged from PDF version of article.Applying Kecskes and Zhang's (2009) dynamic model of common ground in positioning theory (Davies & Harre, 1990), the present study aims to explore the second language (L2) socialization of Turkish students through the discursive processes as well as the skills they adopted in social interactions with the American speakers during a formal reception at an American university. The findings indicated that the Turkish students endorsed similar discursive processes not only to establish common ground as the American speakers', but also to position themselves in the speech context. This study highlights that engaging in real-life conversations with the target language speakers (Gumperz, 1996) encourages L2 learners/users (Cook, 1999) to embrace the discursive practices that are shared within a particular speech community. It also provides suggestions for future research embracing more longitudinal/ethnographic approahes to examine L2 socialization as well as teaching implications for instructional materials and contexts that reflect authentic social encounters

Gender differences in item format and skill area: Some evidence from an EFL acheievement test

Cataloged from PDF version of article.The present study investigated the extent to which male and female language learners’ scores on achievement tests vary according to item format and skill areas. The statistical analysis of data from one achievement test administered to 303 pre-intermediate level students indicated that males and females’ scores showed differences in both item format and skill areas. While females outperformed males significantly with ‘find the correct form’ and ‘paragraph writing’ questions, males did not show any superiority in any item format. Females also outperformed males in three skill areas; ‘writing’ ‘grammar’ and ‘vocabulary’ while males scored higher only in ‘listening’. Possible reasons behind these differences between males and females’ scores can benefit future researchers, language teachers, and administrators in terms of theoretical and practical perspectives. © Association of Gazi Foreign Language Teaching. All rights reserve

Language learner beliefs and study abroad: A study on English as a lingua franca (ELF)

Cataloged from PDF version of article.The English language used to be specific to English-speaking countries such as the U.S.; however, it has evolved to become the new lingua franca all around the world. Considering the growing number of students studying abroad in English as a lingua franca (ELF) communities, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between Turkish exchange students’ beliefs about English language learning and their study abroad sojourns in ELF contexts. The data were collected mainly through three instruments: language learner belief questionnaire (LLBQ), elicited journals, and a study abroad perception questionnaire (SAPQ). The quantitative and qualitative results revealed three important findings. First, there is a bi-directional relationship between students’ pre- and post-beliefs about English language learning and their perceptions of study abroad experiences. Second, Turkish exchange students’ overall beliefs remained almost the same across pre- and post-study abroad, suggesting that students might need stays longer than five months to have any observable changes in their beliefs about language learning. Third, although the current study’s participants reported a commitment toward native-speaker norms, they shifted their focus from accuracy to intelligibility, which helped them achieve their ultimate goal, that is, successful interaction in ELF communities