LEARNING STRATEGIES AND IMPLICATIONS FOR SECOND LANGUAGE TEACHING

This article reviews the relevant literature of language learning strategies by examining the background, the issues along with the definition, the characteristics, the categories and the functional framework. The intertwined relationships among person, task, context and strategies are illustrated with the tetrahedral model proposed by Gu (2003). The article also discusses the significance of language learning strategies for second language learning and the effectiveness of strategy instruction before presenting the pedagogical implications for second language teachers. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of language learning strategy studies by summarizing the important aspects and to highlight the implications for integrating language learning strategy instruction into ESL classrooms so that the teachers can have a meaningful way to focus on their teaching efforts and the learners can become more efficient in their efforts to learn a second language as well.Keywords: learning strategies, second language teaching, strategy instructio

How ESL learners with different proficiency levels handle unfamiliar vocabulary in reading

This article presents findings from research into spontaneous vocabulary handling strategies employed by a sample of 20 Singapore secondary students from a typical neighborhood school. Following the definition of the term ‘strategy’ referring to a specific action or step, I identified 21 types of strategies used by the participants, and compared the way the high and low proficiency students employed them by comparatively examining the majority usage strategies of the two groups. To find the evidence of their strategy use, think-aloud protocols paired with immediate retrospective interviews and general interviews when necessary were analyzed. The study showed that the students mobilized multiple strategies on individual words and that the high proficiency students used strategies both more flexibly and effectively than their low proficiency counterparts. The differences in the use of strategies between the groups suggest a need for learner strategy training and awareness raising, an issue which is also discussed in this article

HOW ESL LEARNERS WITH DIFFERENT PROFICIENCY LEVELS HANDLE UNFAMILIAR VOCABULARY IN READING

This article presents findings from research into spontaneous vocabulary handling strategies employed by a sample of 20 Singapore secondary students from a typical neighborhood school. Following the definition of the term ‘strategy’ referring to a specific action or step, I identified 21 types of strategies used by the participants, and compared the way the high and low proficiency students employed them by comparatively examining the majority usage strategies of the two groups. To find the evidence of their strategy use, think-aloud protocols paired with immediate retrospective interviews and general interviews when necessary were analyzed. The study showed that the students mobilized multiple strategies on individual words and that the high proficiency students used strategies both more flexibly and effectively than their low proficiency counterparts. The differences in the use of strategies between the groups suggest a need for learner strategy training and awareness raising, an issue which is also discussed in this article. Keywords:   vocabulary handling strategies, think-aloud protocols interview

Learning strategies and implications for second language teaching

This article reviews the relevant literature of language learning strategies by examining the background, the issues along with the definition, the characteristics, the categories and the functional framework. The intertwined relationships among person, task, context and strategies are illustrated with the tetrahedral model proposed by Gu (2003). The article also discusses the significance of language learning strategies for second language learning and the effectiveness of strategy instruction before presenting the pedagogical implications for second language teachers. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of language learning strategy studies by summarizing the important aspects and to highlight the implications for integrating language learning strategy instruction into ESL classrooms so that the teachers can have a meaningful way to focus on their teaching efforts and the learners can become more efficient in their efforts to learn a second language as well

LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AND THE USE OF VOCABULARY LEARNING STRATEGIES: A CASE STUDY OF CHINESE LEARNERS

This paper reports a survey study of how Chinese students use strategies when learning second language vocabulary. The focus of the study is on the effect of learning environments (EFL vs. ESL) on the use of vocabulary learning strategies. The subjects are Chinese secondary school students learning English in China (EFL context) and in Singapore (ESL context).The questionnaire used in the survey was a modified version of Gu and Johnson (1996). 450 secondary school students, aged from 16 to 19, from two secondary schools in Harbin, China, and one boarding school in Singapore participated in the survey. The profile of the students’ learning beliefs, sources and strategies was examined in relation to their learning environments. The t-test results showed that learning environment was significant factors in affecting vocabulary learning beliefs, sources and strategy use. The findings suggest that language environments can influence individuals’ vocabulary learning profile. Thus, the combined effects of the teaching emphasis and the amount of exposure to the target language in and out of the classroom should be considered closely in order to understand the strategy choice of Chinese EFL and ESL learners.　Key words:  Vocabulary learning strategies; Context, environment; EFL; ES

Исследование структуры и физико-механических свойств керамики на основе оксинитрида алюминия

Проведен синтез оксинитрида алюминия путем сжигания нанопорошка Al в воздушной атмосфере. Полученный продукт обрабатывали в планетарной мельнице с целью измельчения и повышения однородности смеси. Разработана технология производства высокоплотной прочной оксинитридной керамики, которая включает синтез порошка Al[2]O[3]-AlN-AlON и последующее горячее прессование в инертной атмосфере. Полученная керамика имела следующие физические и механические свойства: EIT=286,5 ГПа, HIT=13,2 ГПа, [sigma]=602 МП

Learning Environments and the Use of Vocabulary Learning Strategies: a Case Study of Chinese Learners

This paper reports a survey study of how Chinese students use strategies when learning second language vocabulary. The focus of the study is on the effect of learning environments (EFL vs. ESL) on the use of vocabulary learning strategies. The subjects are Chinese secondary school students learning English in China (EFL context) and in Singapore (ESL context).The questionnaire used in the survey was a modified version of Gu and Johnson (1996). 450 secondary school students, aged from 16 to 19, from two secondary schools in Harbin, China, and one boarding school in Singapore participated in the survey. The profile of the students' learning beliefs, sources and strategies was examined in relation to their learning environments. The t-test results showed that learning environment was significant factors in affecting vocabulary learning beliefs, sources and strategy use. The findings suggest that language environments can influence individuals' vocabulary learning profile. Thus, the combined effects of the teaching emphasis and the amount of exposure to the target language in and out of the classroom should be considered closely in order to understand the strategy choice of Chinese EFL and ESL learners

Flow Stability Model for Fan/Compressors with Annular Duct and Novel Casing Treatment

AbstractA three-dimensional compressible flow stability model is presented in this paper, which focuses on stall inception of multi-stage axial flow compressors with a finite large radius annular duct configuration for the first time. It is shown that under some assumptions, the stability equation can be obtained yielding from a group of homogeneous equations. The stability can be judged by the non-dimensional imaginary part of the resultant complex frequency eigenvalue. Further more, based on the analysis of the unsteady phenomenon caused by casing treatment, the function of casing treatment has been modeled by a wall impedance condition which is included in the stability model through the eigenvalues and the corresponding eigenfunctions of the system. Finally, some experimental investigation and two numerical evaluation cases are conducted to validate this model and emphasis is placed on numerically studying the sensitivity of the setup of different boundary conditions on the stall inception of axial flow fan/compressors. A novel casing treatment which consists of a backchamber and a perforated plate is suggested, and it is noted that the open area ratio of the casing treatment is less than 10%, and is far smaller than conventional casing treatment with open area ratio of over 50%, which could result in stall margin improvement without obvious efficiency loss of fan/compressors