A prediction model of foreign language reading proficiency based on reading time and text complexity

In textbooks, foreign （second） language reading proficiency is often evaluated through comprehension questions. In case, authentic texts are used as reading material, such questions should be prepared by teachers. However, preparing appropriate questions may be a very demanding task for teachers. This paper introduces a method for automatically evaluating proficiency, wherein comprehension questions are not required. This method assesses a learner＇s reading proficiency on the basis of the linguistic features of the text and the learner＇s reading time. A reading model following this method predicted reading proficiency with an ER （error rate） of 18.2%. This ER is lower than those of models proposed in previous studies. Furthermore, the ER of the authors＇ reading model for various learner groups classified by their RS （reading speeds） was examined. The result of this examination showed that the error rate was the lowest for the group of learners with fast RS.     

Promoting children’s participation: the role of teachers in preschool and primary school learning sessions

The aim of this study is to provide insights into the social construction of participation in joint activities in Finnish preschool and primary school classrooms. The article deals with two issues: How do teachers promote participation in a preschool classroom as compared with a primary school classroom? What similarities and differences are found? It also considers the question of how the similarities contribute to the continuity from preschool to primary school in terms of participation. Based on observation data insights are provided into the interactions between teachers and children by using extracts from teacher‐led learning sessions. The teachers used a diversity of strategies to promote participation in both contexts. In the preschool the focus was on participation and interaction as such, whereas in the primary school the emphasis was more clearly on academic learning. The findings suggest that teacher support of active participation and friendly relationships, together with creative and playful activities in the preschool, enrich children’s curiosity, and nourish children’s motivation for and interests in academic learning.     

中国英语学习者犹豫型标记语的语用石化现象

本文以 MICASE 的口语讨论部分为参照语料库,对比分析 COLSEC 语料库和自建的研究生口语语料库( GSSC),分析了犹豫型标记语的类别、差异以及学习者潜在的语用石化倾向。本研究揭示出( 1) 中国英语学习者多用无声停顿和重复表述来表示犹豫和话语空缺,而本族语使用者用小词来延缓话语的情形比较常见; ( 2) 在部分小词的使用上,中国英语学习者存在语用石化倾向 在教学中如何引导学生正确认识犹豫型话语并使用何种犹豫型话语来维系话语连贯至关重要。     

Supportive classrooms for Latino English language learners: Grit,ELL status,and the classroom context

Students' academic achievement is the result of the interplay between person-level and contextual factors (R. R: Greene, 2014; D. E. Hunt, 1975). Students perform better when classroom characteristics support their characteristics. The authors examine whether student perceptions of two classroom characteristics (care and control) fit with two Latino student characteristics (English language learner status and grit) in relation to their academic achievement. Using a sample of fourth- and fifth-grade Latino students from the Measures of Effective Teaching dataset (n = 3,272), the authors conducted a series of nested regression models with two- and three-way interactions between student characteristics and student perceptions of classroom characteristics. Findings revealed that grit is most strongly associated with Latino English language learners’ English/language arts achievement when students perceived that teachers used high levels of care and control. We conclude with implications for practitioners.     

Teaching for developmental growth: learning partnerships and student development in graduate education in China

Teaching and learning in higher education can integrate and accomplish student developmental goals in addition to promoting student learning of subject matter knowledge and transferrable skills. Drawn from the theoretical concept of self-authorship, the Learning Partnerships Model was implemented in teaching a graduate-level course on social research methodology. This paper describes the conceptualization and implementation of the developmentally attuned course, and reports a qualitative study that examined student development as its result. Qualitative data were collected from five cohorts of course participants, in the forms of reflective essays, student interviews, and the instructor’s teaching journal. Seven themes were identified that reflected student development throughout the course. The seven themes fall into three dimensions of epistemological, intrapersonal, and interpersonal development that are interconnected, and the epistemological dimension stands out as a strong partner among the three. These findings may help university faculty understand and integrate student development into their teaching practices.     

The Importance of Principals Supporting Dual Language Education: A Social Justice Leadership Framework

Recent calls for social justice to be a key aspect of principal preparation have been made, but content related to the efficacy of dual language education has been a neglected area of educational leadership research, coursework, and principal preparation standards. We draw on scholarship focused on dual language education, social justice leadership, and the new Professional Standards for Educational Leadership to describe how principals can create dual language programs and lead for social justice and conclude with implications for preparation programs.     

发音好才是真的好——关于英语语音教学实效性问题的思考

以改善语音语调为宗旨的英语语音教学渗透并穿插于各级各类英语教学中,而从大多数英语学习者和使用者英语语音方面的表现看,英语语音教学效果不尽如人意,故英语语音教学的实效性问题应当引起重视.影响教学实效性的因素主要体现在对学习者的影响方面,而英语语音教学实效性的提高应当注意在教学中抓好几个关键问题.     

远程学习者英语学习策略调查

通过问卷调查,分析研究了远程英语学习者的学习策略。结果表明:远程学习者常用的英语学习策略有自我管理策略、记忆策略和语法策略等;许多成人学生在英语学习中不善于合理使用各种策略。建议在远程英语教学中注意培养学生运用策略的能力,重视面授辅导课。     

模因理论与二语学习者语言输出能力培养相关性研究

语言学习的过程是语言输入和输出相互影响、相互促进的过程。本文主要通过对模因理论、语言模因、语言输出假设三者关系的阐释,提出了依据模因理论进行二语学〉-j者语言输出能力培养的可行性,构建了模因论下的二语口语和写作输出能力培养途径,旨在提高我国高校外语教学效果,为模因论的应用研究提供新的视角。     

单项元学习能力与学习英语水平的相关分析

在调查的基础上，分析了英语学习的元学习能力的差异对学习水平的影响，认为元学习能力应成为外语学习和教学不可缺少的组成部分，同时提出了提高英语学习的元学习能力的建议。