This dissertation investigates the utilization of authentic reading materials in ESL textbooks and the role that textbook-based tasks serve in enabling ESL classrooms to mirror the target environment. Three original studies are conducted, and two models are designed and applied in order to address the research questions, which aim to establish a…

For language learners situated in contexts where there is limited exposure to the target language, an authentic learning environment is important. Virtual Reality (VR) has been increasingly used in education to simulate realistic scenarios; however, little is known about whether VR can enhance the nature of authentic learning for learners of…

While traditional English as a foreign language (EFL) classrooms often lack context and authenticity, immersive virtual reality (iVR) provides a valuable alternative opportunity to practice and acquire the target language in a replica of the real world. The present study used iVR ("Immerse") for communicative tasks and investigated how…

This study examines university teachers' beliefs and practices related to task-based language teaching while teaching English as a foreign language. Task-based language teaching (TBLT) has become a prominent topic for researchers and practitioners in recent decades. It is also advocated by the Chinese Ministry of Education for college English…

This study sought to investigate the impact of an English as a second language methodology course in which we asked pre-service teachers (PSTs) to visit the communities served by their field placement schools for their mentored teaching practices in a linguistic community walk project. We aimed to understand the impact of a linguistic community…

Native-speakerism is the main goal of the monolingual approach to language education. In an attempt to challenge native-speakerism as a dominant ideology in English language education, this study probed into language learners' experience of authenticity through an existential framework, comprising the two concepts of resoluteness and self-other…

The main goal of this paper is to suggest a combination of data analyses -- notably generalized additive models, time-series clustering methodology, visual methods for significance testing and qualitative analyses -- that relate to Complex Dynamic Systems Theory (CDST). To this end, we report on findings from a larger project conducted in a…

There is an ever-present need to foster and maintain intercultural competence in today's teaching force. Although much research details how to do this, few studies document how to utilise arts and community-based (ACB) approaches to align with the goals of intercultural education. This qualitative study examines reflections from 61 teacher…

This paper proposes an updated framework for the evaluation of the computer-assisted language learning (CALL) framework, further developed from Chapelle (2001) and González-Lloret and Ortega (2014). Based on a review of prominent previous CALL evaluation frameworks, an exploration of relevant literature in formal evaluation and my own first-hand…

One of the underrepresented aspects of pragmatic competence development is perceiving and responding to impoliteness acts. The present study reports on a quantitative and qualitative investigation of two international English language teaching (ELT) textbook series published by Oxford and Cambridge University Press; it focuses on the books highly…

One of the biggest challenges seasoned English language teacher Mina Gavell has faced in the classroom is how to liven up reading classes. Not only is reading inherently a quiet and solo task, but the standard skills teachers are trying to build in their students--skimming, scanning, making predictions and inferences, guessing vocabulary meaning…

The importance of digital literacies for adult language learners from migrant and refugee backgrounds has been widely recognized. However, there is relatively limited conceptual and practical guidance for practitioners. To address this concern, we developed a pedagogical framework and a practical guide for teachers in the Adult Migrant English…

The development of corpus-based language pedagogy (CBLP) is a complex and intriguing process that pertains to how corpus technology is directly applied to classroom teaching. Using a case study approach, this study investigated how two experienced university English teachers integrated corpus technology in authentic classroom teaching. Data…

In response to the problems experienced during the practice of the current ELT curriculum and the requirement for an authentic language learning environment, a unique English language teaching curriculum was designed for young learners in the present study. The curriculum was rooted in Krashen's Natural Approach and adopted an eclectic curriculum…

This study is purposed to implement and test a praxeological learning approach to enhance pre-service EFL teachers' technological pedagogical content knowledge and online information-seeking skills. This study was conducted based on a convergent parallel mixed design involving thirty-seven sophomore pre-service EFL teachers. Multiple data…