Employing Drilling Technique in Teaching English Writing Skills to a Group of Rural Malaysian Students

In this research, the researcher has focused on the use of drilling technique or repetition drill (Freeman, 2000: 48) in a mixed gender rural Malaysian classrooms for both control and treatment group. Besides that, it was used among limited proficiency students and their level are very poor whereby they cannot write even in using the simplest of English. It is a technique that allows and helped the students in writing because they are exposed to lessons that are drill-and-practice based on hierarchical skill sequence with few extended writing opportunities. This study also examines the students’ level of confidence after using the drilling technique. It is hoped that incorporating this technique in the classroom can help to improve students’ writing especially for the descriptive writing part, which make the time and effort in carrying out this study and using this technique worthwhile. Keywords: second language writing, drilling, limited proficienc

AN INQUIRY APPROACH TO FACILITATE REFLECTION IN ACTION RESEARCH FOR ESL PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS

Reflection is a significant skill in action research, but many practitioners still display unsatisfactory reflective thinking levels, especially among teachers. Pre-service teachers, in particular, have voiced issues concerning their reflections in action research. Although reflections are personal and have infinite forms, research has demonstrated that using an inquiry approach can build reflection skills. This study aimed to identify pre-service teachers’ and their respective lecturer-supervisors’ views on the use of an inquiry approach to facilitate the reflection aspect in action research. A question-structured checklist was provided to the research participants to guide their reflection in action research. Data were collected from twenty (n=20) English as a Second Language (ESL) pre-service teachers and five (n=5) lecturer-supervisors in an Institute of Teacher Education Malaysia campus through follow-up interviews and focused group discussions. Findings revealed the benefits of the inquiry approach used in guiding the pre-service teachers’ reflections in their action research and writing the final reports. Feedback from the lecturer-supervisors suggested that the use of the inquiry approach had guided the pre-service teachers’ reflections to be more organized and relevant to the focus in each section in the report. Future recommendations on the application of an inquiry approach are suggested

Employing drilling technique in teaching English writing skills to a group of rural Malaysian students

In this research, the researcher has focused on the use of drilling technique or repetition drill (Freeman, 2000: 48) in a mixed gender rural Malaysian classrooms for both control and treatment group. Besides that, it was used among limited proficiency students and their level are very poor whereby they cannot write even in using the simplest of English. It is a technique that allows and helped the students in writing because they are exposed to lessons that are drill-and-practice based on hierarchical skill sequence with few extended writing opportunities. This study also examines the students’ level of confidence after using the drilling technique. It is hoped that incorporating this technique in the classroom can help to improve students’ writing especially for the descriptive writing part, which make the time and effort in carrying out this study and using this technique worthwhile

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RECIPROCAL TEACHING AS READING COMPREHENSION INTERVENTION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Background and Purpose: This paper presents a comprehensive review of the research on reading comprehension interventions for ESL learners. Although numerous reviews have reported the effectiveness of reciprocal teaching in improving reading outcomes, only few reviews focused on the use of these strategies in ESL contexts. Hence, this review identified, evaluated and synthesized relevant literature in search of the effectiveness of reciprocal teaching and the features that are associated with improved reading comprehension outcomes.   Methodology: Guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), a thorough search was performed on five major databases using the search terms “reciprocal teaching” or “reciprocal reading” and “reading comprehension” or “text comprehension”.   Findings: The comprehensive search resulted in a total of 18 articles. The analysis coded these articles  into eight main themes with four main themes concentrated on the features of the reciprocal teaching interventions: (a) purposes, (b) learning environment, (c) comprehension-monitoring, and (d) scaffolding, and another four main themes on the outcomes of the interventions: (e) results, (f) comprehension outcome measures, (g) reading strategies, and (h) conceptual change.   Contributions: Conclusively, reciprocal teaching fulfilled the key features of effective intervention as significant gains were mostly observed in the research using reciprocal teaching as intervention. The versatility of reciprocal teaching makes the technique adaptable to learners of varying backgrounds, ages and levels of education.   Keywords: reciprocal teaching, reading strategies, interventions, ESL learners, comprehension.   Cite as: Dew, T. P., Swanto, S., & Pang, V. (2021). The effectiveness of reciprocal teaching as reading comprehension intervention: A systematic review.  Journal of Nusantara Studies, 6(2), 156-184. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol6iss2pp156-18

Engaging in reflective practice via vlogs: Experience of Malaysian ESL pre-service teachers

Reflective practice serves as a vital area of teacher education and the impetus for professional development among pre-service teachers. Past research has lamented the lack of critical thought of the reflection made by pre-service teachers during their teaching practice. This paper presents a qualitative investigation into the use of video blogs (vlogs), which are mediated online. The participants of the study comprised 13 pre-service ESL teachers studying in an Institute of Teacher Education. The data for this study was gathered via the analysis of the vlogs and the focus group interview. Results indicate that the respondents expressed mixed reactions to the approach, where some have enjoyed the experience while some feared of being judged and feeling awkward seeing themselves in vlogs. Most respondents have centered their reflections on issues they encountered during lessons, but one has shown the ability to reflect on issues beyond the classroom setting. The outcome of the study implied the need for pre-service teachers to be given additional coaching on the ‘how’ aspect of reflection. In addition, there is a need to address technical issues faced by respondents in using vlogs, as this can impede the reflecting experience and frequency of vlogs and comments posted by the participants

Research on College Students' Classroom Learning Based on Informatization to Promote English Education System in China

English education in the education of future employees will be essential as a means of identifying and developing personal capabilities as well as serving as a catalyst for the complete informatization of society. Intercultural literacy is a secondary goal of English instruction in China; the main goal is for students to become fluent communicators. The advent of informatization has ushered in a period of fast change across many different business sectors and the globe overall. Instruction in the English language receives a significant focus and investment in China. Traditional methods of education are no longer enough to satisfy the requirements that globalization and Chinese culture impose in this technological age. To improve overall academic achievement, standard classroom evaluation practices need to be revised. With the proliferation of information technology, we have high hopes that this article will be able to considerably enhance the performance of English classroom instruction in school classrooms by offering a new method for assessment. To begin, we compile each student's dataset with data on their English education. Following the preprocessing of the dataset with the Hidden Markov Model (HMM) Stemming Algorithm and the application of information technology with the Radial Basis Coherent Deep Neural Network (RBCDNN), the dataset is evaluated for statistical significance with the Panel Unit Test and the Housman test. The effectiveness of this research is evaluated, and the results are compared to those of previous studies. The findings of this investigation are shown in the form of a chart thanks to the origin tool

Implementing the teaching of transformative Learning to improve university students’ reading Self-efficacy in China

This paper aims to investigate the implementation of the teaching of transformative learning to improve students’ reading self-efficacy at university in China. The study used a questionnaire on reading self-efficacy as the research instrument to survey 85 non-English students’ reading self-efficacy. A comparison of the pre- and post-test mean scores of the students reading self-efficacy using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test indicated a significant difference with the introduction of the teaching of transformative learning in improving the students’ reading self-efficacy. The three main features of the teaching of transformative learning include (1) using critical reflection to change students’ thinking and improve their self-efficacy, (2) using rational discourse to change students’ psychological state, and (3) using peaceful and equal classroom atmosphere to enhance dialogue and students’ self-efficacy to build an environment that is congruent with the learners’ learning expectancy

Variants of Cloze-Test Based Tasks and Vocabulary Achievement

Vocabulary is an integral part of a language and language education. In view of the close relationship between vocabulary knowledge and language learning, there is a significant need for language learners, especially in the ESL context, to develop, enrich and master their vocabulary in order to be proficient users of the language. ESL teachers could help learners acquire vocabulary knowledge if they have the pedagogical knowledge on how vocabulary may be learned and taught effectively. The study aimed to determine Malaysian primary school learners’ vocabulary achievement by using cloze-test based tasks. A total of five primary schools from Sabah, Malaysia were selected in this study. The total number of research participants was 135 and they were at low to intermediate level of proficiency. This study made use of four different cloze-based passages as research instruments in assessing learners’ vocabulary knowledge. This research primarily concerned on the descriptive data in the form of frequency and percentage of the learners’ vocabulary achievement scores and qualitative data from semi-structured interview. The findings of this study revealed that the research participants scored well in the fourth task whereby cloze-based passages were given along with general pictures and multiple-choice items. A significant correlation between these four variants of cloze-based task with the learners’ vocabulary achievement was established. The main pedagogical implication of the research is that teachers should ponder what type of variants to be used in vocabulary task as this could enhance ESL learners’ vocabulary achievement

The attitudes of ESL teachers in Sabah towards technology integration

Technology integration in teaching and learning activities has become one of the debatable issues among educators in recent years. This is due to the fact that countries all over the world have injected millions of dollars to integrate technologies in education. Malaysia, being one of the developing countries, has also devised many plans and programs to integrate related technological tools and materials in schools. For that, this study examined English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers’ attitudes towards the use of technology in the teaching of English at secondary schools in Sabah. This is essential to assist in developing any future programs or trainings by the relevant authorities. The study applied quantitative method and used cluster sampling to choose participants which comprised 100 of ESL secondary school teachers in Sabah. Findings of the study disclosed that ESL teachers have positive beliefs and attitudes toward the technology integration

PROMOTING REFLECTIVE PRACTICE VIA THE USE OF 5-STEP COPORA REFLECTIVE MODEL: A CASE STUDY OF EAST MALAYSIAN ESL PRE-SERVICE TEACHERS

Teachers who are reflective are found to be more able to develop themselves professionally. However, pre-service teachers were found to be in need of explicit instructions on reflective practice. This paper presents the results of an investigation on the use of the 5-step Cognition Practice Observation Reflection Action (CoPORA) reflective model among a group of Malaysian ESL pre-service teachers enrolled in an Institute of Teacher Education. A qualitative case study design was utilised, where the model was taught to a group of 13 pre-service ESL teachers who later completed the second phase of their teaching practice. The data for this study comprised the respondents’ entries in their practicum reflection forms, reflective video blogs and focus group interviews. Results showed that respondents have moved from engaging in the lower levels of reflection to a higher pedagogical reflection. They also responded favourably to the use of the 5-step CoPORA reflective model for its structured approach. Nevertheless, the respondents lamented their struggles in rationalising issues faced and in suggesting suitable solutions. It is proposed that the pre-service teachers were shown exemplars of critical reflection to help them see the level at which they ought to reflect. Alternatively, teacher educators can explore a dialogic or collaborative approach to reflection so pre-service teachers can work with one another to further develop their reflective practice