ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of using pictorial concept mapping on the retention of collocations in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners. 59 intermediate-level students were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: collaborative pictorial concept mapping (22 students), individual pictorial concept mapping (17 students), and translation (20 students). All groups received the same material and instruction time. Two concept-mapping groups used pictorial concept-mapping techniques, while the translation group memorized collocations with their Farsi equivalents. After ten weeks, an immediate post-test was administered to test the first hypothesis. The results shows that the collaborative concept mapping group performed the best. A delayed post-test was given after three weeks to test the second hypothesis, and the findings indicate that the collaborative pictorial concept-mapping group performed better than the other two groups. This research suggests that using pictorial concept mapping in a cooperative learning environment has a positive impact on the retention of collocations for both short-term and long-term periods.

Keywords: Collocation; collocation retention; EFL; pictorial concept mapping

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ABSTRACT

The ability to speak English proficiently has become increasingly important in the job market, especially in a diverse country like Malaysia. This brief aims to explore the significance of speaking English during job interviews in Malaysia, focusing on its impact on employability and career opportunities. The objective of this study is to examine how speaking English during job interviews affects employability in Malaysia. It attempts to identify company expectations and ascertain how well-rounded English language abilities affect employment possibilities. A mixed-methods strategy will be used to achieve this goal. A literature study will be done first to acquire information from previously conducted research on the topic. Furthermore, a series of online surveys will be conducted with Malaysian companies to get their perspectives on the significance of English language skills in the context of job interviews. The data collected will be analysed to identify common themes and patterns. The findings of this research are expected to highlight the importance of English-speaking skills in Malaysian job interviews. Employers are expected to place significant value on candidates who can communicate fluently in English, as it is seen as a crucial skill for effective collaboration, customer service, and international business interactions. The study may also reveal specific industries or job roles where English proficiency is particularly desirable. In conclusion, the ability to speak English proficiently during job interviews positively impacts employability in Malaysia. Employers often prioritise candidates who can communicate effectively in English, enhancing their chances of success in diverse work environments and global business interactions. By recognising the importance of English-speaking skills and investing in language proficiency, job seekers can enhance their employability and open doors to a wider range of career opportunities in Malaysia.

Keywords: English-speaking, Employability, Interview, Employee, Employer

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ABSTRACT

 English lexical stress is a crucial feature in controlling English speech comprehension. However, EFL learners frequently experience difficulties attaining the correct placement of the primary stress in English pronunciation. Literature has consistently shown that Arab EFL learners encounter these difficulties due to the tendency to place primary stress based on Arabic stress rules. However, some scholars indicated that the interference of word length and language proficiency in producing English stress patterns affects pronunciation. Yet, no reliable evidence examines the effect of word length and proficiency. The current study aimed to determine how word length and proficiency level affect the production of English lexical stress. Data was collected by recording each participant individually to examine the production of 84 words that vary in length for disyllabic and trisyllabic words. Three samples, including English native American speakers and intermediate and advanced EFL undergraduates, participated in the study. PRAAT software was used to measure the differences between the stressed and the unstressed syllables using phonetic cues ratio, namely, vowel duration, intensity, and fundamental frequency (F0). The results of the study revealed that Yemeni EFL students performed better when determining the stressed syllables in disyllabic words compared to the trisyllabic ones. Results also indicated that for the advanced level output, the lexical stress phonetic cues became much more similar to those of an American speaker than the intermediate level. This study is theoretically and pedagogically significant to enhance the teachers’ and learners’ understanding of the pronunciation difficulties of the English lexical stress among Arab EFL learners.

Keywords: English Lexical Stress Production, Arab EFL learners, Word length, Proficiency level

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ABSTRACT

The utilization of languages spoken by minority groups is a frequently observed topic in the field of linguistic landscape research. Based on empirical data, this paper examines the linguistic landscapes of two historic towns, Dayan and Shuhe, in Lijiang's Old Town to delve into the language use situation, especially the status of ethnic minority languages in a multi-ethnic area in China. The two old towns constitute the major administrative area in the Old Town of Lijiang, a renowned World Heritage Cultural site and a 5A-level tourism spot in China. The research concentrates on the languages displayed in the public signs in the selected areas to unveil the languages used and their relative weights in top-down and bottom-up flows. A quantitative method was applied by collecting digital photos to calculate the proportions and percentages of the languages used, and observations were done to recognize the preferred language in bilingual and multilingual signs. It is found that Dayan Old Town exhibits a greater degree of multilingualism than that of Shuhe Old Town with a more extensive use of multiple languages. The analysis of the linguistic landscape shows that Chinese enjoy absolute visibility among all the languages used, and Dongba scripts function as a cultural icon for eye-catching by featuring it at the top of the order of appearance among other languages in bottom-up signs, albeit not as prominently as Chinese. Besides, the appearance of English as a global language is prevalent in regional linguistic environments as it is encouraged to be seen in the top-down multilinguist signs.  The language use situation in the selected streets will shed light on future research on the linguistic landscape in multi-ethnic areas in rural China, especially the cities suspended by tourism avenues.                                              

Keywords: Dongba script; linguistic landscape; minority language; the old Town of Lijiang

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