In order to better understand the role of syntactic similarity in a code-switched sentence, the current study explored the effect of similar and different syntactic structures on Chinese-English bilinguals' intra-sentential switching costs. L2 proficiency and switching directions as factors that potentially intervene in bilingual performance were…

The present study examines the impact of implementing video captioning and subtitles on listening comprehension with special reference to the speaker's speed. A total of 64 undergraduate Saudi EFL learners were assigned into six groups: fast speaker with full captioning, fast speaker with subtitles, fast speaker with no captioning nor subtitles,…

The present study explored how negative emotional orientations (i.e., anxiety, boredom, and demotivation) may contribute to English as a foreign language (EFL) learners' willingness to communicate (WTC) in in-person and online classes. In doing so, a total of 290 university students majoring in English were recruited to fill in a set of scales.…

The aim of this study is to discuss the need for improved intercultural communicative competence (ICC) training for pre-service Chinese as a Second Language (CSL) teachers who travel abroad to teach. Previous studies have shown that pre-service CSL teachers often struggle with intercultural communication, and this study investigates the reasons…

The aim of this study is to shed light on the learnability regarding usages of three English articles ("a," "the" and zero) among Chinese EFL learners. To this end, three tasks were administered in a pool of 107 participants to examine the extent to which learners can accurately use articles across different semantic contexts…

Oral Corrective Feedback is a widely used teaching strategy that has been found to help language acquisition. The factors that contribute to its effectiveness, however, remain elusive. In this study, the role of smiling during teachers' OCF provision is investigated in intact language classrooms by modifying the analytical framework developed by…

Informed by Segalowitz's (Cognitive bases of second language fluency, Routledge, 2010) L2 speech production model and MacIntyre et al.'s (Mod Lang J 82(4):545-562, 1998. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-4781.1998.tb05543.x) L2 willingness to communicate model, this study sought to understand the influence of cognitive, affective and sociocultural…

Via two reading experiments, this exploratory study examined the effects of over- and under-specified linguistic input on L2 online processing of Chinese referring expressions (REs). In each experiment, a group of advanced L2 Chinese speakers (all with Uyghurs as L1) and a control group of native Chinese speakers read 48 sets of 4 sentence pairs…

The prominent role of allophonic cues in English speech segmentation has widely been recognized by phonologists and psycholinguists. However, very meager inquiry was devoted to analysing the perception of these noncontrastive allophonic cues by Arab EFL learners. Accordingly, the present study is an attempt to examine the exploitation of…

This study examined the correlations between three vital areas of teaching pronunciation in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes (i.e., content, pedagogical, and technological knowledge). This study also explored the relationships between teachers' majors, experience, and technology competence with using technology in teaching English…

The present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between mindfulness and foreign language anxiety among a sample of 504 University students who were learning English as a foreign language. In addition, the mediating role of psychological capital was examined. Three self-reported questionnaires were administered to the participants…

Over the past decade, there has appeared a surge of research interest in language learners' academic engagement and psychological well-being as important factors in improving the quality of education. However, research on the roles of English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers' affective scaffolding in enhancing the academic engagement and…

Educational digital games can be an effective way to teach English grammatical material because they provide an interactive and engaging learning experience. The purpose of this study is to clarify how playing digital games affects students' motivation and performance in university-level English grammar classes. [The North-Eastern Federal…

This article presents the impact of digital teaching method in the form of Rosetta Stone program on the quality of English language acquisition. The study involved 320 third-year students who study in the People's Republic of China. Group B post-assessment results show an increase in scores on the four assessment criteria: reading, listening,…

The purpose of the article is to determine the role of critical thinking and unconscious competence in the implementation of effective communication during group discussions, debates and dialogues. The necessary conditions for creating an effective educational environment conducive to the development of students' conversational skills are…