English punctuation plays a crucial role in conveying meaning and clarity in written communication. Proficiency in punctuation is essential for effective language expression, especially for Vietnamese learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). This is particularly important for Vietnamese learners due to the significant differences in…

This narrative inquiry explores the experiences of two students in an English Medium Instruction (EMI) course at a Macau University. Through the lens of self-discrepancy theory and possible selves theory and drawing on data from field observation, interviews, and informal chats, the findings unearthed significantly different experiences of the…

Developing strong listening skills in a second language (L2) can be challenging for a variety of reasons. Within the context of L2 use in higher education, accurate and timely processing of aural input can be crucial for academic success, particularly because vast amounts of disciplinary-specific content are delivered via academic lectures in the…

This book focuses on the experiences of 1.5 generation Filipinos in Japan, charting their life histories and educational experiences in both the Philippines and Japan. Against a background of transnational migrations between both countries, and varying levels of Japanese as a Second Language and educational support for immigrant/non-Japanese…

This study examined the unified model of phonological transfer in English reading comprehension and the mediating effects of bilingual decoding skills. Grade 4 Chinese Mandarin learners of English (N = 256) completed a series of tests including tone and stress sensitivity, Chinese and English segmental phonological awareness, Chinese and English…

This study illuminated the association between negative emotions such as anxiety and boredom and subjective well-being among foreign language (FL) learners and further examined the moderation of teacher-student relationships (TSR) in these associations, as conceptualised within attachment theory, control-value theory, and self-determination…

Increasingly, research attention has turned to the benefits of extensive reading (ER) in languages other than English, such as Japanese. Yet significant issues remain with participant numbers in studies of Japanese ER, which are often low, meaning they may not be representative of the rest of the cohort, let alone students in other contexts. An…

In order to explore the cognitive mechanisms and processing involved in incidental vocabulary acquisition, this study examines whether two crucial cognitive factors, attention and working memory, influence incidental vocabulary acquisition during second language reading. Employing a combined online-offline approach, attention, working memory, and…

Background/purpose. This study presents the development of a novel questionnaire to assess medical students' motivation to learn English for Medical Purposes (EMP), addressing a gap in existing tools tailored to specific language contexts. Based on Dörnyei's L2 Motivational Self System, the questionnaire uniquely contextualizes its items to…

Background/purpose: Indonesian for Foreign Speakers (BIPA) strategically strengthens Indonesian insight and knowledge for international students. This research aims to describe the strategy and results of the Indonesian cultural immersion implemented in BIPA learning to improve speaking skills. Project-based learning and cultural integration…

This study investigates the impact of positive psychology factors on English as a foreign language (EFL) learners' second language (L2) speaking proficiency. Specifically, it examines the predictive roles of foreign language speaking enjoyment, the ideal L2 speaking self, and L2 speaking grit on L2 speaking proficiency. Data were collected from…

The rise of informal language learning, especially learning conducted online outside the classroom context, has received considerable scholarly attention in recent years. To date, however, there has been limited evidence-based systematic analysis of the prevalence of online informal language learning (OILL). Accordingly, we conducted a systematic…

Over the past decade, numerous studies have explored students' reading practices in the EFL context. However, we lack evidence on how undergraduate students use task-oriented reading to understand complex academic texts like journal articles. This phenomenological case study investigates the adoption of Task-oriented Reading Instruction (TORI) in…

Willingness to communicate in a foreign and second language (L2 WTC) has gradually become a recurrent theme in the SLA. With the advent of an emotional or affective turn brought by the positive psychology movement in applied linguistics, the significant role of positive emotions such as Foreign Language Enjoyment (FLE) in L2 WTC has been…

Buoyancy is considered a critical factor influencing learning outcomes. Yet, its effect on language learning is still underexplored. Drawing on the control-value theory, this research examines how buoyancy affects academic performance, mediated by emotions (anxiety, enjoyment, and boredom) and engagement. Data was gathered using a composite…