This book traces and summarizes theoretical insights and empirical findings on the topic of whether or not anxiety for language learning could be a causal variable for individual differences in language learning. The author brings together three decades of research to show that first language (L1) skills and second language (L2) aptitude are…

Background/purpose: As Vietnam expands its tourism industry and integration into ASEAN, English proficiency has become crucial for hotel front-desk staff. This issue not only affects the tourism workforce but also how educational programs, particularly English for Specific Purposes (ESP), prepare their students for this demand. This study examines…

Machine and prompt-based Artificial Intelligence (AI) learning has made significant evolution profusely. In education, it has revitalized researchers and educators to scout out subsequent advantages for optimizing learning results. Chiefly, Generative AI has exhibited substantial potential as a tool for language augmentation. This study aims to…

Interpersonal speaking is a fundamental skill for language learners as they progress toward higher proficiency levels. This skill extends beyond memorizing keywords or rehearsing scripted dialogues. It requires learners to engage in spontaneous interactions, negotiate meaning, and respond dynamically in real time (Burns, 2016). In an increasingly…

The urban-rural divide has been a frequently discussed subject by scholars since the Chinese government's agenda aims to bring an equal quality of life to all regions of the people. Although many papers have identified the problem of regional inequality in China, which has been exacerbated by the Gaokao system, only some of them offer policy…

This article explores the meaning, form, and pronunciation of narrative tenses for intermediate English language learners, addresses common learner issues, and proposes solutions through a combination of literature review and classroom-based activities. Challenges include differentiating between tenses, correct usage, and pronunciation of past…

Interactional Competence (IC) is an important subcomponent of oral proficiency, but many computer-mediated oral English assessments fall short in assessing this construct mainly due to technological limitations. Spoken Dialogue Systems (SDSs) have shown promise in assessing L2 oral communication, yet further investigation is needed on their…

This study explores the experiences of bilingual education teachers ("los unicornios") while in their educator preparation program (EPP) to gain insight as to how to create more supportive structures and environments for bilingual education pre-service teachers. The themes that emerged from the participants' responses were concerns,…

Although research indicates that deliberate practice is indispensable for achieving high levels of proficiency and expertise in a range of disparate fields, this type of practice has largely been overlooked in the second language acquisition literature. To bridge this gap, and advocating for a more intentional and goal-directed approach to second…

This study examines the factors affecting the development of specialized proficiencies among English language teachers via a Lesson Study methodology. This action research involved four secondary school English teachers in Turkey. While many studies have focused on general teaching practices, there is a notable gap in research specifically…

This study investigated the differences between the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) and the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview - Computer (OPIc) among Spanish learners at a U.S. university. Participants (N = 154) were randomly assigned to take both tests in a counterbalanced order to mitigate test order effects. Data were analyzed using an…

Despite AI's contributions to academic writing, concerns about over-reliance and diminished critical thinking skills persist, particularly among learners with low English proficiency (LEP). This study addresses the gap by investigating the writing process stage where AI intervention can best enhance LEP students' performance, motivation, and…

For me, 'language learner autonomy' denotes a teaching/learning dynamic in which learners plan, implement, monitor and evaluate their own learning. From the beginning they do this as far as possible in the target language, which thus becomes a channel of their individual and collaborative agency. By exercising agency in the target language they…

The objective of the current study is to investigate the development of awareness of dialectal differences in Spanish by second language learners in a formal language learning classroom setting in the United States. Sensitivity toward different regional varieties of a language forms part of socio-linguistic--and ultimately,…

This study aimed to determine how teachers' online written corrective feedback (WCF) affected university students' self-regulation in writing and how the effects differed among students of different English proficiency levels. The participants were 27 second-year university students enrolled in a required online writing course. Throughout the…