The study aimed to analyse the production of plosive sounds by trilingual speakers of L1 Polish - L2 English - L3 Norwegian. The main objective was to trace any changes in the VOT production of fortis and lenis stops in all three languages (Polish, English and Norwegian) produced by novice L3 learners with a focus on possible cross-linguistic…

There is a prevailing belief that second language (L2) textbooks should strive for authenticity, aiming to accurately and reliably represent natural language use. However, assessing the authenticity of language textbooks is not a straightforward task, as it requires both a comparison between instructional texts and real-world language use and a…

This paper analyses the language educator's experience of delivering an Institution-Wide Language Programme (IWLP) in an Irish University. It uses a focus group to explore the experiences of six International Language Tutors who delivered modules on a pilot IWLP between 2021 and 2024. The findings indicate that designing and delivering the…

Many English-medium universities employ a compensatory model to establish cutscores on English language proficiency tests for student admissions. In this model, students can have different scores on different sections of the test provided their overall score meets the admission cutscore. This practice raises questions regarding potential variation…

While previous research has demonstrated the beneficial role of pop music in foreign language learning, there is a lack of studies exploring the potential impact of Chinese folk songs on Mandarin language acquisition. This study aimed to investigate whether a curriculum based on Chinese folk songs enhances the outcomes of Mandarin Chinese learning…

In China, the prevalence of academic dishonesty has attracted considerable negative attention. One explanation for observed differences is found in cultural norms around the acceptability of individual unethical academic behaviors. The establishment of international cooperative universities in China presents a unique challenge for educators and…

Study abroad comes with challenges, yet it is not clear how language proficiency may longitudinally predict students' social engagement and well-being. Recent changes in international student demographics, including age decreases and increased international school backgrounds, may also affect students' well-being. This study views language as a…

Studies on academic inbreeding have mostly focused on institutional inbreeding and its negative effects, whereas little research has explored its causes. We identify current explanations of the macro-, meso- and micro-level factors that sustain academic inbreeding as well as research gaps. We address a main research gap regarding what macro-level…

This case study, conducted at a Palestinian university, explored the language learning strategies employed by learners of English as a foreign language and the relationship with proficiency. Furthermore, since gender is often considered a major variable in learning success in some areas of the world, the study wished to explore the role of gender…

Recently, psychometricians and researchers have voiced their concern over the exploration of language test items in light of Messick's validation framework. Validity has been central to test development and use; however, it has not received due attention in language tests having grave consequences for test takers. The present study sought to…

This program profile describes the establishment and development of the English Language Learner Writing Center (ELLWC) at Miami University. The Center's mission is to help multilingual (ML) students whose first language (L1) is other than English build writing skills while improving their academic English proficiency. The ELLWC's profile details…

Content and language integrated learning (CLIL) programs impose enormous demands on teachers, who are expected to integrate the two aspects pedagogically. Content and language teachers are thus encouraged to collaborate to help students master content knowledge and develop their additional language (L2) proficiency simultaneously. To reveal…

Universities have been promoting study abroad programmes for a long time to improve intercultural competence. However, the mere exposure to cultural differences while studying abroad does not ensure intercultural competence, unless study abroad students' reflective processes are explicitly targeted. The article presents the results of a short…

While more and more universities in traditionally non-Anglophone countries are moving towards English medium instruction (EMI), those of the nominally Anglophone postcolonial world are carrying on with business as usual. Higher education in many postcolonial countries has typically only ever been available through the language of the former…

Success in higher education relates in part to competence in the medium of instruction. But the academic literacy literature provides compelling evidence that competence in the medium of instruction is insufficient to ensure success. Crucially, students need to take on the literacy practices of the discipline or field. This study offers a thematic…