Enseñanza del lenguaje a través de la literatura: un estudio basado en ELT

The present study aims to: firstly, highlight the effectiveness of using literature in ELT classes in an interesting and innovative manner in Pakistan; secondly, to help language teachers develop a thoughtful and principled approach to using literature in the language classroom; thirdly, to provide teachers with the tools for developing their own classroom materials and for using these materials in a way that is relevant to their learners’ needs. This paper explores the text of ‘Good Bye Mr. Chips’, a famous novel by James Hilton (1934) for teaching at the Intermediate level. For the analysis of data, insights are taken from the works of Dubin & Olshtain (1977), Collie & Slater (1987) and Robinette. B. W (1978). It was found that activities like role plays and a lot of pair work and group work not only caused reduction in anxiety level of students but also increased their level of interest and enthusiasm. It also concluded that for facilitating language teaching and learning, the formation of a variety of activities based on learners’ needs from carefully and properly selected texts is unavoidable. Future researchers can exploit similar literary texts following the same frameworks for language teaching purposes.El presente estudio tiene como objetivo: en primer lugar, destacar la eficacia del uso de la literatura en las clases de ELT de una manera interesante e innovadora en Pakistán; en segundo lugar, ayudar a los profesores de idiomas a desarrollar un enfoque reflexivo y basado en principios para utilizar la literatura en el aula de idiomas; tercero, proporcionar a los maestros las herramientas para desarrollar sus propios materiales de clase y para usar estos materiales de una manera que sea relevante para las necesidades de sus alumnos. Este artículo explora el texto de “Good Bye Mr. Chips”, una famosa novela de James Hilton (1934) para la enseñanza a nivel intermedio. Para el análisis de los datos, se toman ideas de los trabajos de Dubin y Olshtain (1977), Collie y Slater (1987) y Robinette. B. W (1978). Se descubrió que actividades como juegos de roles y mucho trabajo en pareja y en grupo no solo redujeron el nivel de ansiedad de los estudiantes sino que también aumentaron su nivel de interés y entusiasmo. También concluyó que para facilitar la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de idiomas, es inevitable la formación de una variedad de actividades basadas en las necesidades de los alumnos a partir de textos cuidadosamente seleccionados. Los futuros investigadores pueden explotar textos literarios similares siguiendo los mismos marcos para la enseñanza de idiomas

Indução, fortificação e primazia do inglês como meio de instrução na primária

Having influenced by the British linguistic superiority, English bequeathed to people of India. Consequently, it got into some of the elite class. Due to the frequent use of English in science and technology and military elites it ran into higher education first then it was considered as medium of instruction at school level too. The current study investigated into the perceptions of the primary school teachers about induction, fortification and primacy of the English language as a medium of instruction in Vehari district. The population of the study were all the primary school teachers of Vehari region while sample of the study selected from all the city schools as well as from surrounding villages. Now a days, English is one of the main and compulsory subjects in Pakistan and was declared as a medium of instruction at school level officially in 2009 and college levels. But teachers at most of the schools practice code-switching while teaching English in the classrooms. For the last five years, English medium of instruction is now in practice, so keeping all the reviewed in the literature ahead, the current study attempted to examine the teachers’ reflections about effects of English language as a medium of instruction at elementary level by surveying about the use of English language as medium of instruction at primary level. The earlier studies reviewed mostly about the implementation of English as a medium of instruction particularly regarding the hurdles and obstacles. As linguists working in language teaching in the classroom setting have meaningfully extended the scope of their research to redress the fundamental areas of classroom practices connected with teaching/learning of English as a medium of instruction. Moreover, the current study has significant suggestions for educational research for pointing out the loopholes and drawbacks in terms of English language implementation as instructional goal. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. The study concluded with some suggestions and pedagogical implication to the Policy makers, higher authorities and National accreditation for teacher education in Vehari and Pakistan.Habiendo influido por la superioridad lingüística británica, el inglés legó a la gente de la India. En consecuencia, entró en parte de la clase de élite. Debido al uso frecuente del inglés en la ciencia y la tecnología y en las élites militares, primero se introdujo en la educación superior y luego se consideró también como medio de instrucción en el nivel escolar. El estudio actual investigó las percepciones de los maestros de escuelas primarias sobre la inducción, el enriquecimiento y la primacía del idioma inglés como medio de instrucción en el distrito de Vehari. La población del estudio fueron todos los maestros de escuela primaria de la región de Vehari, mientras que la muestra del estudio se seleccionó de todas las escuelas de la ciudad, así como de las aldeas vecinas. Hoy en día, el inglés es una de las materias principales y obligatorias en Pakistán y se declaró oficialmente como un medio de instrucción en el nivel escolar en 2009 y en el nivel universitario. Pero los maestros en la mayoría de las escuelas practican el cambio de código mientras enseñan inglés en las aulas. Durante los últimos cinco años, el medio de instrucción en inglés está ahora en práctica, por lo que manteniendo todo lo revisado en la literatura a continuación, el estudio actual intentó examinar las reflexiones de los maestros sobre los efectos del idioma inglés como medio de instrucción a nivel elemental mediante una encuesta sobre el uso del idioma inglés como medio de instrucción en el nivel primario. Los estudios anteriores revisaron principalmente sobre la implementación del inglés como medio de instrucción, particularmente en relación con los obstáculos y obstáculos. A medida que los lingüistas que trabajan en la enseñanza de idiomas en el aula, han ampliado significativamente el alcance de su investigación para corregir las áreas fundamentales de las prácticas en el aula relacionadas con la enseñanza / aprendizaje del inglés como medio de instrucción. Además, el estudio actual tiene sugerencias importantes para la investigación educativa para señalar las lagunas e inconvenientes en términos de la implementación del idioma inglés como objetivo educativo. Los datos se analizaron utilizando la versión 21 de SPSS. El estudio concluyó con algunas sugerencias e implicaciones pedagógicas para los responsables de las políticas, las autoridades superiores y la acreditación nacional para la formación docente en Vehari y Pakistán.Tendo influenciado pela superioridade lingüística britânica, o inglês legou a pessoas da Índia. Consequentemente, entrou em algumas das classes de elite. Devido ao uso frequente de inglês em ciência e tecnologia e elites militares, o ensino superior foi o primeiro a ser considerado como meio de instrução também na escola. O presente estudo investigou as percepções dos professores do ensino fundamental sobre indução, fortalecimento e primazia do idioma inglês como meio de instrução no distrito de Vehari. A população do estudo foram todos os professores primários da região de Vehari, enquanto a amostra do estudo foi selecionada de todas as escolas da cidade, bem como das aldeias vizinhas. Hoje em dia, o inglês é um dos assuntos principais e obrigatórios no Paquistão e foi declarado oficialmente como meio de instrução a nível escolar em 2009 e nos níveis universitários. Mas os professores na maioria das escolas praticam a troca de código enquanto ensinam inglês nas salas de aula. Nos últimos cinco anos, o meio inglês de instrução está agora em prática, então mantendo todos os revisados na literatura, o presente estudo tentou examinar as reflexões dos professores sobre os efeitos da língua inglesa como um meio de instrução em nível elementar sobre o uso da língua inglesa como meio de instrução no nível primário. Os estudos anteriores revisaram principalmente sobre a implementação do inglês como meio de instrução, particularmente em relação aos obstáculos e obstáculos. Como linguistas que trabalham no ensino de línguas em sala de aula, ampliaram significativamente o escopo de suas pesquisas para corrigir as áreas fundamentais das práticas de sala de aula ligadas ao ensino / aprendizagem do inglês como meio de instrução. Além disso, o presente estudo tem sugestões significativas para a pesquisa educacional para apontar as lacunas e desvantagens em termos de implementação da língua inglesa como meta instrucional. Os dados foram analisados usando SPSS versão 21. O estudo concluiu com algumas sugestões e implicações pedagógicas para os decisores políticos, autoridades superiores e acreditação nacional para a formação de professores em Vehari e no Paquistão

The Problem-Based Learning Approach towards Developing Soft Skills: A Systematic Review

In this paper, we review systematically the role of problem-based learning (PBL) in developing soft skills in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and other fields of studies. The Systematic Literature Review (SLR) includes the most recent empirical, review, and conceptual studies from TVET and other multiple fields of studies including medicine, humanities, and engineering between the years of 2001 and 2016 collected from four databases. A qualitative method was used to accomplish the systematic review. After the collection of articles, the selected studies were analyzed through thematic analysis. From this review, we concluded that PBL as an instructional approach has a significant role in the development of soft skills among students of various disciplines including TVET; empirical evidence is predominantly conclusive in identifying the acquisitions of various soft skills including communication skills, conflict resolution skills, leadership skills, and interpersonal skills, and finally, several factors might influence the relationship of PBL and soft skills such as duration and process of PBL instruction, role of facilitator, and awareness and training of learners. Moreover, there are fewer number of empirical studies on the role and effects of PBL approach to developing soft skills in TVET

Un estudio sobre el uso de combinaciones de palabras en estudiantes de administración

Previous studies have reported lack of collocational competence and difficulties among English as a second language (ESL) learners. However, collocation is crucial in second language acquisition. This research examined the receptive and productive knowledge of collocations among the business students of COMSATS University Islamabad Vehari Campus who studied ESL. It also investigated the gap in the use of collocations at a receptive and productive level. The sample included 61 males and 39 females out of the total sample size of 100. Employing a quantitative approach, we gathered the data through a questionnaire and two collocations tests, and we analysed them via SPSS version 20. The overall result of the collocation test indicated that 66.4% of the respondents had the correct answer at the receptive level compared with only 33.7% at the productive level. Moreover, the statistical result presented a great gap in the ability to utilise collocations at the productive and receptive levels. This result also affirmed that despite their ability to understand the collocations, the students had difficulties in identifying proper English collocations confidently. Local and native language experiences might be one of the reasons that caught the students from being more confident in identifying the English collocations.Previos estudios han informado de la falta de competencia en la ubicación y las dificultades entre los estudiantes de inglés como segunda lengua (ESL). Sin embargo, las combinaciones de palabras son cruciales en la adquisición de un segundo idioma. Esta investigación examinó el conocimiento receptivo y productivo de las combinaciones de palabras entre los estudiantes de administración de la Universidad COMSATS de Islamabad (Campus de Vehari) que estudiaron ESL. También investigó la brecha en el uso de estas combinaciones a nivel receptivo y productivo. La muestra incluyó 61 hombres y 39 mujeres, de un total de 100. Empleando un enfoque cuantitativo, recopilamos los datos mediante un cuestionario y dos pruebas de colocaciones, y los analizamos por medio del programa SPSS versión 20. El resultado general de la prueba de colocación indicó que el 66,4 % de los encuestados tenía la respuesta correcta a nivel receptivo y solo el 33,7 % a nivel productivo. Además, el resultado estadístico presentó una gran brecha en la capacidad de utilizar combinaciones de palabras en los niveles productivo y receptivo. Este resultado también afirmó que, a pesar de su capacidad para comprender las combinaciones de palabras, los estudiantes tenían dificultades para identificar con seguridad (...

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

Population biology of a fig plant-pollinator and parasitoid system under laboratory conditions

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Feeding potential of the predatory ladybird beetle Coccinella septempunctata (Coleoptera; Coccinellidae) as affected by the hunger levels on natural host species

Ladybird beetles/Ladybugs, both adults and larvae, are well-known primarily as predators of aphids (plant lice); however, they also prey upon many other soft bodied insects and eggs of different borers.  Laboratory rearing of predatory ladybirds often need a live host particularly aphids.  Studies were conducted to check the suitability of live and frozen rose and mustard aphids to rear seven spotted ladybird beetle under two feeding conditions i.e., fed normally (unstarved beetles) or hungry (starved) for 16 hours.  Results showed that hungriness may affect the food consumption efficiency. When the beetles were not starved, they showed preference for eating live mustard aphids as compared to frozen (Mean ± SE = 6.24 ± 0.37 live aphids, 4.43 ± 0.40frozen aphids).  Similar trend was observed on rose aphids (6.51 ± 0.5 (live aphids) and 4.86 ± 0.49 (frozen aphids)). But the adults in starved condition consumed equal number of live and frozen aphids.  During the 1st hour, starved beetles consumed more aphids of both species as compared to unstarved beetles. Also, more number of mealybugs was consumed in starved condition.  This study highlights that feeding potential of predatory seven spotted ladybird is not only affected by the type of host but also the condition of host (live vs frozen).  Moreover, starvation level of the predator can also be an important factor in determining its devouring capacity.

Functional Literacy: Analysis of Literacy Practices of Female Attendants in Pakistani Context

William S.Gray (1956) initially defined the term functional literacy for UNESCO. He associated it with the approaches which also covers the successful acquisition of verb, cognitive and computational skills to fulfill not only the practical ends but also the culturally specific ways. So, A person is functionally literate who can engage in all those activities in which literacy is required for effective functioning of his group and community, and also for enabling him to continue reading, writing and calculating for his own and the community development. (A.M.Thomas, 1983).Functional literacy includes the possession of skills perceived as necessary by a particular individual or group to fulfill their self-determined objective as a family or community member, citizen, consumer, job-holder, or member of religious, social or other associations of their choosing (Haramn, 1984).Self-perceived need and self-determined objectives forms the basis of learning.The reason to review functional literacy through literacy practices of female attendants is that usually attendants are assumed to be devoid of formal education hence apparently lacking in skills (functional literacy) but the ground reality is they perform tasks which involves linguistic competence. So, the current study is an attempt to review the concept of functional literacy and functional literacy competence by analyzing specific literacy practices of female attendants at Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi (FJWU). A qualitative approach was used to evaluate and analyses the literacy practices of female attendants. Population of the study comprised of five female attendants at FJWU chosen through random sampling method. Data was collected through semi structured interviews to probe deep in the literacy practices of female attendants. Findings of the study revealed that the literacy practices (dispatching documents, presenting refreshment, receiving keys etc.) of female attendants at FJWU are culture specific and performed through functional skills (verbal, cognitive and computational) by practitioner's self-determined objects (support family, perform the task accurately, get HODs approval, job benefits) formulated under practitioner's perception (precision and accuracy will result in reward). The study would pave the way for adult education policy makers to comprehend the literary practices of working adults and accordingly to design courses and policies to enhance their capabilities which would ultimately increase their productivity

The mechanism of sex ratio adjustment in a pollinating fig wasp

Sex ratio strategies in species subject to local mate competition (LMC), and in particular their fit to quantitative theoretical predictions, provide insight into constraints upon adaptation. Pollinating fig wasps are widely used in such studies because their ecology resembles theory assumptions, but the cues used by foundresses to assess potential LMC have not previously been determined. We show that Liporrhopalum tentacularis females (foundresses) use their clutch size as a cue. First, we make use of species ecology (foundresses lay multiple clutches, with second clutches smaller than first) to show that increases in sex ratio in multi-foundress figs occur only when foundresses are oviposition site limited, i.e. that there is no direct response to foundress density. Second, we introduce a novel technique to quantify foundress oviposition sequences and show, consistent with the theoretical predictions concerning clutch size-only strategies, that they produce mainly male offspring at the start of bouts, followed by mostly females interspersed by a few males. We then discuss the implications of our findings for our understanding of the limits of the ability of natural selection to produce ‘perfect’ organisms, and for our understanding of when different cue use patterns evolve