X-bar parameter triggering: approach to enhance syntax proficiency

This study investigates the effectiveness of presenting syntax parameters in the order of availability based on the X-bar tree hierarchy. It was supposed that presenting and emphasizing the parameters in the order that they emerge in the X-bar tree and “triggering” the X-bar parameters may enhance syntax proficiency. The study was conducted through an English language course attended by 30 participants chosen based on their homogeneous grammar proficiency. The rules were presented to the participants’ directly through examples and grammar exercises and indirectly through class activities. Inferential statistic procedures were used to compare the means of the results for the tests conducted during the course based on the equivalent time series. A significant difference was found in the means and accordingly it was concluded that triggering the X-bar parameters may be used as an effective way to enhance the grammar proficiency in adult second language speakers

Integrating Soft Skills into Courses in Malaysian Public Universities: (Undergraduates’ Perception)

Malaysian employers demand a high proficiency in soft skills. They are looking beyond academic results when interviewing new staff, hence undergraduates acquiring soft skills is an important issue from different perspectives: the employers, the education system and the students themselves. Despite this emphasis, potential employees, according to employers; lack soft skills. Considering the importance of this issue, this paper’s objective is to comprehend and highlight the perception of undergraduates of the soft skills programs in five research universities in Malaysia. The information presented in this paper is obtained from a survey conducted by distributing 600 questionnaires to undergraduates in Malaysia’s five research universities to determine their understanding of soft skills and how these skills are taught and evaluated in these universities. The initial findings show that there is a strong awareness of the importance of soft skills among undergraduates but the students are not clear about the methods of teaching and evaluating these skills in different courses in different universities. The results illustrate a need for universities in general to develop strategies to enhance soft skills teaching and learning and make undergraduates aware of how these skills are evaluated. The results also suggest that integrating soft skills into university courses does not follow a standard procedure and each university may value and emphasis a different skill. It appears therefore that if universities collaborate their knowledge and experience, they may be able to offer a more practical and beneficial soft skill-training program for undergraduates

RAPE CASES: GENRE AND RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF CONTROVERSIAL MALAYSIAN LEGAL JUDGEMENTS

Kachru and Smith (2008) emphasize that effectual communication in the context in which different varieties of world English are used, entails awareness of the varieties in use and their cultural, social, and ideational functions. Court reports by Malaysian Judges are part of legal documents, which may be considered as a genre. Investigating the linguistic details of these reports may be helpful in understanding the argumentative and persuasive strategies used in these judgments. The issue of rape and justice is an important concern in society. The aim of this study is to investigate Malaysian judgment reports in the English language on rape cases from a linguistic perspective. Specifically, the aim of the study is to identify court of appeal judgment reports of rape cases as a Genre and to identify the moves used in this genre. The moves within the genre were identified by studying two controversial reports which showed that the judgments might suffer from relying on pathos argumentation in one critical move.Keywords: language, law, legal, judgment, Malaysia and court

Second language learner's access to parameters of Universal Grammar: a syntactic perspective

In Universal Grammar, syntax is explained through X-bar theory. X-bar theory is the component of Universal Grammar which specifies the hierarchical structure of the heads of phrases, their specifiers and complements. Investigating the availability of this component in adults learning a second language can provide a better insight into the process of second language learning. This study attempted to find out if the X-bar theory is accessible to Malay speaking adults learning English as a second language and to investigate the possible developmental stages of syntactic knowledge, with regards to Malay adult second language learners writing in English. The data show that the learners can apply the word-order parameter and the null-subject parameter in their spontaneous writing at earlier stages. This implies the availability of the VP-related nodes of the X-bar tree at the first stage of learning grammar. The IP-related agreement parameter and the CP-related auxiliary movement emerge later as the learners become more and more proficient in the second language

RAPE CASES: GENRE AND RHETORICAL ANALYSIS OF CONTROVERSIAL MALAYSIAN LEGAL JUDGEMENTS

Kachru and Smith (2008) emphasize that effectual communication in the context in which different varieties of world English are used, entails awareness of the varieties in use and their cultural, social, and ideational functions. Court reports by Malaysian Judges are part of legal documents, which may be considered as a genre. Investigating the linguistic details of these reports may be helpful in understanding the argumentative and persuasive strategies used in these judgments. The issue of rape and justice is an important concern in society. The aim of this study is to investigate Malaysian judgment reports in the English language on rape cases from a linguistic perspective. Specifically, the aim of the study is to identify court of appeal judgment reports of rape cases as a Genre and to identify the moves used in this genre. The moves within the genre were identified by studying two controversial reports which showed that the judgments might suffer from relying on pathos argumentation in one critical move

Developing grammar teaching approach based on X-bar theory

The availability of X-bar theory to adult second language learners has been discussed since the 1990s. This study attempted to investigate the effectiveness of presenting X-bar parameters in their order of availability in the X-bar tree hierarchy. The research was conducted to study the possible effects of presenting the syntax rules to the participants following the order of the X-bar parameters’ availability and triggering the target language parameter resetting by emphasizing on the input. The major objective of this research was to devise and apply an approach for teaching English grammar based on the X-bar theory and to test the efficiency of this approach on improving English grammar proficiency and general language proficiency in UPM non-TESL students speaking Farsi as their first language. This study was based on a mixed method design to develop and test the efficiency of a teaching approach for facilitating syntax acquisition in adult second language learners. It was assumed that the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods,in combination, would provide a better understanding of the research problem and questions. The research was conducted through a course of 20 sessions attended by 25 participants chosen based on the results of the Oxford Placement Test to ensure homogeneous grammar proficiency. Teaching methods, practices and course content were developed during the course by considering the participants’responses with regard to syntax awareness, interests and progress. Each session’s content and activities were chosen based on the previous sessions' qualitative data analysis. The efficiency of this approach was assessed both through quantitative tests (Pretest, Post-test and two grammar tests conducted during the course) and qualitative analysis (following the participants progress during the course based on the class observations, field notes and interview). Both quantitative and qualitative assessments indicated significantly positive improvement in the participants’ general language proficiency and English grammar proficiency. It can be concluded that presenting and practicing the grammatical rules of a second language based on the order of the availability of the X-bar theory parameters positively affects the learners’ language proficiency